Challenge: Prove shearing ability of BroadShear off-center tool joint shear rams through extensive shear testing.
Solution: Use BroadShear rams on various drillstring components, including tool joint hardbanding and off-center tubulars.
Results: Successfully sheared all drillstring heavyweight and tubular components in test using a single set of BroadShear rams.
The ability to shear the drillstring inside the BOP has long been a qualification and or regulatory requirement. In a well control kick situation, the subsea controls may be triggered to initiate a defined sequence of functions, including shearing. Operators must have confidence that the shear rams inside the BOP will shear the string and allow the rig to disconnect and move off site.
Further, industry regulations are becoming more stringent. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) added new provisions to its 30 CFR 250 regulation in 2016, including that each shear ram must ensure shearing upon activation and that the subsea BOP system must mitigate compression of the pipe stub between the shearing rams when both shear rams are closed.
SLB developed the BroadShear off-center tool joint shear rams to shear any drillstring component above the BHA, including tool joint hardbanding and off-center tubulars—components previously considered unshearable. To verify the rams’ shearing capability, SLB devised an extensive shearing test at one of its test facilities in Houston. BSEE representatives were also
in attendance.
SLB included seven separate drillstring components in the test:
These tests represent some of the toughest performed in the industry to date.
One set of BroadShear rams successfully sheared the seven drillstring components, demonstrating their ability to shear any drillstring component above the BHA. The rams are currently the only technology in the industry that can shear tool joint hardbanding and off-center tubulars.
