API SPEC 16RCD

Abstract

PURPOSE <br>This specification is formulated to provide for the availability of safe and functionally interchangeable rotating control devices (RCDs) utilized in air drilling, drilling operations for oil and gas, and in geothermal drilling operations. <br>Technical content provides requirements for design, performance, materials, tests and inspection, welding, marking, handling, storing, and shipping. This specification does not apply to field use or field-testing of RCDs. <br>Critical components are those parts having requirements specified in this document. <br>APPLICATIONS <br>Equipment <br>Specific equipment covered by this specification is listed as follows: <br>a. Active, passive and hybrid rotating control devices. Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a surface BOP stack-up with each type of RCD installed. <br>b. RCD bearing assemblies including metallic and non-metallic parts. <br>c. RCD packer units (active and passive types). <br>d. RCD housing clamps. <br>Interchangeability <br>Dimensional interchangeability is limited to end and outlet connections per API Spec 6A and API Spec 16A. <br>Service Conditions <br>Service conditions refer to classifications for pressure, temperature, and wellbore fluids listed in 4.2 for which the equipment will be designed. <br>PRODUCT SPECIFICATION <br>This specification establishes requirements for products listed in 1.2.1. <br>UNITS AND DIMENSIONING <br>For the purposes of this specification, the decimal/inch system is the standard for the dimensions shown in this specification. API size designation will continue to be shown as fractions. Appendix A gives fraction-to-decimal equivalence. For the purposes of this specification, the fractions and their decimal equivalents are equal and interchangeable. <br>METRIC CONVERSIONS <br>Metric conversions are described in Appendix A. <br>APPENDICES <br>Appendices to this specification shall not be considered as requirements. They are included only as guidelines or information.