On the Blowout Preventer Testing Problem: An approach to checking for leakage in BOP networks

Abstract

Blowout Preventers (BOPs) and choke manifolds are key pieces of drilling rig equipment o prevent the uncontrolled release of potentially hazardous formation uids to surface. The blowout prevention testing problem is that of testing BOP valves to check if they are functional r not. Several type of testing is done on these valves. This paper deals with the check if the alves are capable of holding pressure. We present a decision model that allows a structured and ime saving approach to minimize the number of test sets in order to identify leakage. Recently he BOP terminology has gained prominence and public attention as a result of the Macondo blow-out and resulting oil-spill in the Gulf of Mexico o the coast of the USA.