The U.S. Minerals Management Service has issued a final rule amending the testing requirements for blowout preventer systems used in offshore oil and gas drilling and completion operations. The MMS said the revised testing requirements could save industry $35-46 million/year without compromising safety. The rule, effective June 30, allows an operator up to 14 days between BOP pressure tests. Tests had been required every 7 days.
The U.S. Minerals Management Service has issued a final rule amending the testing requirements for blowout preventer systems used in offshore oil and gas drilling and completion operations.
The MMS said the revised testing requirements could save industry $35-46 million/year without compromising safety. The rule, effective June 30, allows an operator up to 14 days between BOP pressure tests. Tests had been required every 7 days.
MMS based the final rule on a study that found no statistical difference in failure rates for BOP systems tested at a 7-day interval with those tested at a 14-day interval.
The American Petroleum Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, International Association of Drilling Contractors, and other groups helped MMS set parameters for the study.
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