Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 055 - Oil and Gas Conservation Commission › Sub-Agency 0001 - General Agency, Board or Commission Rules › Chapter 3 - OPERATIONAL RULES, DRILLING RULES › Section 3-23 - Blowout Preventers

Current through July 13, 2024
(a) Blowout
				preventers (BOPs) and related equipment shall be installed and maintained
				during the drilling of all wells in accordance with the following rules unless
				altered, modified, or changed, for a particular pool or pools, upon hearing
				before the Commission:
(i)
General
				Rules.
(A) The required working
				pressure rating of all blowout preventers and related equipment shall be based
				on known or anticipated subsurface pressure, geologic conditions, or accepted
				engineering practices, and shall equal or exceed the maximum anticipated
				pressure to be contained at the surface. In the absence of better data, the
				maximum anticipated surface pressure shall be determined by using a normal
				pressure gradient of 0.22 psi per foot and assuming a partially evacuated hole.
				A schematic diagram of the BOP and wellhead assembly shall be submitted to the
				Supervisor with the Application for Permit to Drill (APD; Form 1). The
				schematic diagram should indicate the minimum size and pressure rating of all
				components of the wellhead and blowout preventer assembly.
(B) The Supervisor, on a site specific basis,
				may require the use of blowout preventers or other methods of controlling
				shallow coalbed methane wells, at which time all current BOP rules shall be
				applicable.
(C) All blowout
				preventers, choke lines, and choke manifolds shall be installed above ground
				level. Casing heads and optional spools may be installed below ground level
				provided they are visible and accessible.
(D) Blowout preventer equipment and related
				casing heads and spools shall have a vertical bore no smaller than the inside
				diameter of the casing to which they are attached.
(E) Pressure tests on blowout preventers and
				related equipment shall be tested as outlined in this section, at least:
(I) Prior to spud or upon
				installation;
(II) After the
				disconnection or repair of any pressure containing seal in the BOP stack, choke
				and kill lines, or choke manifold, but limited to the affected component;
				and,
(III) Every 30 days after
				initial installation, or as determined by the Supervisor.
(F) The Supervisor may require an affidavit
				covering the initial pressure tests after installation signed by the
				Owner/Operator or contractor attesting to the satisfactory pressure tests. The
				Supervisor is to be advised at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of all
				tests.
(G) Blowout prevention
				equipment used when reasonable expectations of encountering hydrogen sulfide or
				sour gas formations that could potentially result in the partial pressure of
				the hydrogen sulfide or sour gas exceeding 0.05 psia (00034 MPa) in the gas
				phase at the maximum anticipated pressure, shall be suitable for use in such
				areas.
(H) All ram BOPs shall be
				equipped with hydraulic locking devices or manual locking devices with hand
				wheels extending outside of the rig's substructure.
(I) Blowout prevention equipment installed on
				the well shall have a rated working pressure equal to, or higher than, the
				working pressure specified in the approved APD.
(J) In addition to the minimum BOP
				requirements outlined in this section, wells drilled while using tapered drill
				strings shall require either a variable bore pipe ram preventer or additional
				ram type blowout preventers to provide a minimum of one set of pipe rams for
				each size of drill pipe in use, and one set of blind rams.