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A digital pressure testing system used for offshore BSEE compliance offers operating companies a new way to make BOP testing more efficient and accurate. The system captures, records and analyzes a variety of critical pressure tests that meet the high standards of today's compliance requirements.
The Macondo incident focused international attention on well safety and the important role blowout preventers (BOP) play in offshore drilling operations. In most cases, the BOP is comprised of a redundant stack of valves used to control and monitor operations. A choke manifold is part of the control system and responds automatically to an unforeseen event (kick) to lower pressure in the wellhead. When properly installed and maintained, the BOP and choke manifold effectively manage extreme and varied pressures by controlling flow. The system ensures well integrity and the safety of the offshore crew and the surrounding environment.
In the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) requires the BOP and choke manifold to be inspected and pressure tested every 14 days during drilling operations. When using a standard analog pressure testing system, drilling operations are shut-down for approximately 24-48 hr. The analog pressure sensor plots data on a paper chart which is then subjectively assessed by rig-site personnel, Fig. 1. If a test fails, the crew is responsible for determining the root-cause of non-compliance. To meet the strict BSEE testing and maintenance requirements, many operators hire a team of pressure testing experts.
TECHNOLOGY RESPONSE
While working for a common client, Offshore Technical Compliance (OTC) and Hecate Software, decided to form a partnership to develop a cost-effective digital pressure-testing software that would provide reliable analysis combined with expert compliance oversight. Working together, the companies produced GREENLIGHT ( Fig. 2 ), a digital pressure software that is BSEE approved for low- and high-pressure BOP tests. Essentially, GREENLIGHT (GL) tells rig-personnel when a test is in compliance with BSEE requirements.
The software program is driven by algorithm-based technologies to provide accurate pressure testing and reporting capabilities. GL was first designed for low- and high-pressure BOP testing, referred to as "analysts." Analysts can be developed and customized according to an operator's specifications by their in-house IT programing team, thus protecting specific intellectual property.
Expert compliance oversight and well-control...