Safety Alert
Safety Alert 364 - Improper Riser Tension Leads to Subsea BOP Falling Off Wellhead Mandrel and Failure of Riser Adapter
Safety Alert 364 - Improper Riser Tension Leads to Subsea BOP Falling Off Wellhead Mandrel and Failure of Riser Adapter
- BSEE
- Safety Alert
- BSEE Safety Alert 364
- Pressure SystemsStructural and Asset Integrity
- Dropped objectsMechanical failureStructural and asset integrity
- Drilling
- Blowout preventerWellhead
- Competence and trainingOperating and work proceduresRisk assessment
- Upstream oil and gas
- Subsea
Summary
A subsea BOP tilted during disconnection after insufficient riser tension overloaded its adapter, which subsequently failed, leaving the BOP on the seafloor. The well had been plugged and no pollution occurred. BSEE recommends considering calculated unlatching procedures, tension verification hold points, safe operating parameters and renewed risk assessments for well-to-well BOP moves.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Blowout preventer; BOP; blow-out preventer.
Classifications: Wellhead; well head.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
The alert describes incorrect riser tension causing subsea well-control equipment and an adapter to fail.
BSEE Safety Alert 364. Themes: pressure systems, structural and asset integrity.