Regulatory Citation(s):

 

78.72. Use of safety devices – blow-out prevention equipment.

 

(c) Controls for the blow-out preventer shall be accessible to allow actuation of the equipment.  Additional controls for a blow-out preventer with a pressure rating of greater than 3,000 psi, not associated with the rig hydraulic system, shall be located at least 50 feet away from the drilling rig so that the blow-out preventer can be actuated if control of the well is lost.

 

 

Question:

 

What is the actual point of reference for locating the remote BOP controls?  Is there a standard location from which the 50-foot distance should be measured?

 

 

Response:

 

For deeper wells likely to encounter higher pressures, it is not uncommon to utilize more than one rig type during drilling operations and drill rig configurations have the potential to vary substantially when all supporting systems (closed-loop mud system, power supply equipment, etc.) are considered.   Because of this, the Department considers the well location to be the most consistent reference point for determining the location of additional BOP controls.  Therefore, the remote BOP system should be located a minimum of 50 feet from the well that is currently being drilled.