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Well Control Rule

BSEE staff are working to develop guidance for implementation of the final rule on Blowout Prevention and Well Control. Guidance will be provided on a rolling basis through question and answer format that will be posted here. If you have a question or seek guidance on a particular topic, please submit your question directly to the following email address: wellcontrolrule@bsee.gov. Guidance will be provided based on the timing of implementation. Please check back regularly here for updates.

Finalization of the Well Control Rule in 2016 resulted in reforms that establish (phased in over time) the following items: (1) incorporation of the latest industry standards that establish minimum baseline requirements for the design, manufacture, repair, and maintenance of blowout preventers, (2) additional controls over the maintenance and repair of BOPs, (3) use of dual shear rams in deepwater BOPs (API Standard 53), (4) requirement that BOP systems include a technology that allows the drill pipe to be centered during shearing operations, (5) more rigorous third party certification of the shearing capability of BOPs, (6) expanded accumulator capacity and operational capabilities for increased functionality, (7) real-time monitoring capability for deepwater and high-temperature/high- pressure drilling activities, (8) establishment by regulation of criteria for the testing and inspection of subsea well containment equipment, (9) increased reporting of BOP failure data to BSEE and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), (10) sets expectations of what constitutes a safe drilling margin and allows for alternative safe drilling margins when justified, Requires the use of accepted engineering principles and establishes general performance criteria for drilling and completion equipment, (11) requires the use of accepted engineering principles and establishes general performance criteria for drilling and completion equipment, (12) Establishes additional requirements for using remotely operated vehicles (ROV) to function certain components on the BOP stack, (13) requires adequate centralization of casing during cementing, and (14) Makes the testing frequency of BOPs used on workover and decommissioning operations the same as drilling operations.

Well Control Rule Interpretation Workshop Presentation, Houston, August 17, 2016

Well Control Rule Guidance
(you can view by Date Posted or by Subpart and Section)

Date Posted

Guidance by Subpart and Section:

Preamble
Ongoing Operations
Existing Permits
Standards