Section 3

Maintenance

3 . 1 2 . 2 Cleaning and Inspection of Rams 4. Remove the two ram rubber retaining screws as
shown in Figure 3-9. See Table 3-3 for the cor-
1. Clean the rams (see Appendix A). rect wrench size.
2. Inspect the ram rubbers for damage such as crack- 5. Remove the rubber from around the back side of
ing, gouging, chunking, or splitting. Replace the the block as shown in Figure 3-10. Remove this
rubbers, if damaged (see Section 3.13). rubber from both sides of the ram block.

3 . 1 2 . 3 Installation of Rams 6. Insert a punch into the rubber retaining screw

holes and drive the rubber out of the ram
1. Thoroughly grease all ram exterior surfaces and
block as shown in Figure 3-11. The punch
the ram shaft mounting slot.
must be smaller than the retaining screws to
2. Grease the inside of the BOP body at the follow- prevent damage to the threads.
ing locations: Note
• the ram shaft mounting head (see Figure 3-2) Check the retaining screw holes in
• the side pads in the body cavity the new rubber. Clean out any rub-
• the skids in the bottom of the body cavity ber which is in the hole itself. This
allows the retaining screws to freely
• the ram sealing seat in the top of the body cavity
engage the thread in the holes.
3. Apply thread lubricant specified in API 5A2 to
the door cap screws both on the threads and under 7. To install a new rubber, place the rubber
the heads. onto the block and drive it into position with
a rubber mallet.
4. Clean and oil the door face and replace the door
seal, if damaged (see Section 3.10 and Appendix 8. Pry the rubber onto the back side of the block
A). using a long screwdriver. Force the rubber
into position using a rubber mallet.
5. Clean and oil the door sealing surface on the body
(see Appendix A). 9. Install the ram block retracting screws and
torque them to the values given in Table 3-3.
Caution
Do not use grease on door faces or seal- 10. Place the ram holder into the block.
ing surfaces.

6. Mount the ram assembly on the ram shaft (see

Figure 3-7).

7. Close the door and make up the door cap screws

to 6,600 ft-lb (8,943 n-m) torque.

3 . 1 3 Changing Pipe and Blind Ram Rubbers

The pipe and blind ram rubbers are changed according to
the steps listed below.
1. Clean the ram (see Appendix A).

2. Remove the two ram block retracting screws as

shown in Figure 3-8. See Table 3-2 for the cor-
rect wrench size.

3. Remove the ram holder by sliding it away from

the block.
Figure 3-8
Removing the Ram Block Retracting Screws

3-8 October, 1994

 Section 3
Maintenance

Table 3-2
SL Ram Block Retracting Screw Data
Working Wrench Size
Pressure Size Pipe Size Retracting Torque Across Flats
psi (bar) in. (mm) in. Screw P/N Thread ft-lb (N-m) in.
15,000 (1034) 135/8" (346) CSO–75/8" 142184 3"-8UN-2A 400–800 (542–1,084) 29/16" Socket
8 5/8"–103/4" 116190
11 (279) CSO–85/8" 142184
10,000 (690) 211/4" (540) CSO–181/8" 142184 17/8"-8UN-2A 200–400 (271–542) 7
/8" Hex Key
183/4" (176) CSO–16" 142184
163/4" (425) CSO–135/8" 142184
135/8" (346) CSO–103/4" 142061
11 (279) CSO–7 142061
7 5/8 "–8 5/8 " 142065
7 1 / 16 CSO–51/2 115577
3
5,000 (345) 16 /4" (425) CSO–135/8" 141200 11/8"-8UN-2A 100–150 (135–203) 13/4" Socket
135/8" (346) CSO–103/4" 141200
3,000 (207) 135/8" (346) CSO–103/4" 141200 11/8"-8UN-2A 100–150 (135–203) 13/4" Socket

Table 3-3
SL Ram Block Retaining Screw Data
Working Wrench Size
Pressure Size Pipe Size Retracting Torque Across Flats
psi (bar) in. (mm) in. Screw P/N Thread ft-lb (N-m) in.
15,000 (1034) 135/8" (346) CSO–103/4" 135160 1
/2"–8UN-2A 100–125(137–170) 3
/8" Socket
11 (279) CSO–85/8" 135160
10,000 (690) 211/4" (540) CSO–181/8" 135160 1
/2"–8UN-2A 100–125(137–170) 3
/8" Socket
183/4" (176) CSO–16" 135160
163/4" (425) CSO–135/8" 135160
135/8" (346) CSO–103/4" 135546
11 (279) CSO–85/8" 135546
5,000 (345) 163/4" (425) CSO–135/8" 135160 1
/2"–8UN-2A 100–125(137–170) 3
/8" Socket
135/8" (346) CSO-103/4" 135546
3,000 (207) 135/8" (346) CSO–103/4" 135546 1
/2"–8UN-2A 100–125(137–170) 3
/8" Socket

Figure 3-9 Figure 3-11

Removing the Ram Rubber Retaining Screws Driving the Ram Rubber out of the Block

October, 1994 3-9

 Section 3
Maintenance

Figure 3-10
Removing the Ram Rubber

11. Install the ram block retracting screws and torque

them to the values given in Table 3-2.

Note
The gap between the rubber and the
block should be 1/ 16" (1.57 mm) (see Block
Figure 3-12). Holder
Rubber
1
/ 16" Gap
Caution
Figure 3-12
Do not use an air-impact wrench to in- 1
/ 16" Gap Between the Rubber and Holder
stall the ram block retracting screws and
do not exceed the recommended torques
given in Table 3-2. Excessive torque on 3. Install the ram block in a vertical position and
the retracting screws will damage the use a punch to drive the top seal retainer pins
shoulders and cause them to run-in too out (see Figure 3-14). Remove the top seal as
far. This will cause the holder to squeeze shown in Figure 3-15.
the rubber against the block and dam-
age the rubber when the rams are closed. 4. Using a screwdriver, pry the face seal out of the
ram block (see Figure 3-16).
Caution
5. For reinstalling the ram rubber, reverse this pro-
The shoulder on the retracting screw
cedure.
allows the screw to stop at a point
which allows the holder to float. Do
not install washers or shims. If the 3 . 1 5 Cleaning and Storage of the SL BOP
holder is snugged down too tightly A BOP should be cleaned immediately after it is taken out of
the rams will not hold wellbore service. Proper cleaning of a BOP before it is stored will
pressure. increase its life significantly. If a BOP is in an active drilling
program, this cleaning should be done approximately every
three months or when the rig is between wells.
3.14 Changing Multi-Ram Rubbers
1. Open the doors and remove the rams (see Sec-
1. Clean the ram (see Appendix A). tion 3.12.1).

2. Remove retainer screw (see Figure 3-13).

3-10 October, 1994

 Section 3
Maintenance

Figure 3-13
Remove Retainer Screw Figure 3-15
Remove Top Seal

Figure 3-14 Figure 3-16

Punch Out Top Seal Retainer Pins Remove Face Seal

Caution 7. Close and open the rams several times with clean
hydraulic oil. This will flush any water out of
If the BOP is not flanged to a wellhead
the cylinders and prevent rusting while the BOP
or securely fastened, open only one door
is stored. After disconnecting the opening and
at a time. The weight of two open doors
closing hydraulic lines, insert pipe plugs in the
can tip the BOP over.
hydraulic ports and leave oil inside the cylinders.
Store the BOP with the rams removed and the
2. Wash the inside and outside of the BOP, Remove piston in the open position. This will keep the
all caked mud and cement (see Appendix A). ram shafts in the oil and protect them from ac-
cidental damage.
3. Thoroughly grease all inside surfaces of the BOP.
Fill the ring grooves with grease (see Appendix 8. Paint the outside of the BOP to prevent it from
A). rusting. The grease in the ring grooves will keep
the paint out of the ring grooves and they will be
4. Oil the inside face of the doors and the door seal- ready for the next installation.
ing surfaces on the body.
9. Remove the retracting screws and holders (see
5. Apply thread lubricant API 5A2 to: Section 3.13). Leave the rubbers on the blocks if
• the door bolt threads they are to be reused.
• under the heads of the door bolts 10. Grease the blocks and holders. Be sure to grease
the ID of the holders (see Appendix A).
6. Close the doors and tighten the door bolts. For
storage, they should be snug but not fully torqued.

October, 1994 3-11

 Section 3
Maintenance

11. Apply thread lubricant API 5A2 to the retract- Both natural and synthetic rubber parts are susceptible to
ing screw threads and to the body of the screws. deterioration from various solvents, e.g. oil field liquid hy-
drocarbon, which causes swelling or shrinkage.
12. Reinstall the holders and retracting screws on the In the final analysis, personal judgement determines whether
blocks. a rubber part should be used. If there is doubt, replace the
Caution part.
• Rubber parts should be stored as described
Do not use an air impact wrench to in- below.
stall the ram block retracting screws and
do not exceed the recommended torques 3 Store rubber parts in a dark place,
given in Table 3-2. Excessive torque on indoors, and away from sunlight,
the retracting screws will damage the windows, and direct artificial lighting.
shoulders and cause them to run in too 3 Store in a cool location [approximately 65
far. This will cause the holder to squeeze °F (18 ½C)].
the rubber against the block, damaging 3 Store rubber parts in their natural shape.
the rubber when the rams are closed. Do not hang O-rings on nails or hooks.
3 Storage areas should be kept as dry as
13. Store the rams outside the BOP. possible. Oil, grease, or other fluids
should be stored elsewhere to avoid
14. BOPs and rams should be stored indoors or at spillage.
least under a shed to keep the sun and rain off
3 If storage is for a long duration, it is
them.
recommended that rubber parts be placed
in sealed containers or be given a
3 . 1 6 Storage and Inspection of Rubber Parts protective surface covering impervious
Shaffer rubber parts are especially compounded to give to temperature or light. This will extend
maximum storage life under normal oilfield conditions. the shelf life.
Proper storage minimizes deterioration and increases 3 Rubber parts should be used on a first
the service life of these items. in, first out basis.
Aging of rubber parts is based on several factors, in- • Inspect rubber parts as described below.
cluding atmosphere, light, temperature, and size. Ozone
3 Each rubber part must be inspected before
in the atmosphere reacts with rubber parts and hastens
it is put into service.
deterioration. Rubber parts should never be stored around
electrical equipment because of the occurrence of ozone. 3 Bend, stretch, or compress each part and
look for cracks.
Direct light, especially sunlight which contains ultra-
violet rays, is very harmful and must be avoided. Note
All rubber parts undergo several kinds of changes when Some cracks are not obvious, but
they are exposed to low temperature. In temperatures when the rubber part is bent,
of –40 °F (–40 °C) the rubber becomes brittle and will shat- stretched, or compressed, very minute
ter when dropped or handled roughly. Some changes occur cracks will become apparent.
immediately, others after prolonged exposure. All are re-
versible; the rubber regains its original properties when it is 3 Observe if the rubber part has a hard
returned to 65 °F (18 °C) or room temperature. skin or small cracks which may become
Heat causes a gradual hardening of the rubber, especially chalky or barklike in appearance.
when ozone or oxygen is present. In warm, humid climates,
particularly the tropics, fungi and bacteria attack the or- 3.17 Troubleshooting
ganic content in reinforced rubber parts. The troubleshooting table (Table 3-4) provides possible causes
The size, composition, and function of rubber parts prevents and corrective action for some of the more common prob-
giving a precise shelf life. Large rubber parts might suffer lems likely to be encountered.
the same amount of deterioration as small parts and still be
usable, whereas small parts become useless and should be
thrown away.

3-12 October, 1994