API 16A 3rd Edition
Summer Conference Committee Meeting
24-June-2013
API 16A Chairman: John Busby
Co-Chair: Jim McCabe
© 2011 Chevron
API 16A Status
 3rd Edition / June 2004 / Effective Date: December 1, 2004
 Reaffirmed: August 2010
 Present Status: Under Revision
 Ballot Target Date: By next Conference 2013
© 2011 Chevron
New Elements for 4th Edition
 Established minimum design standards for blow out preventers
 Updated temperature chart for blow out preventers (see next slide)
 Defined verbiage on “HAZ” zone
– Issue: NACE states 2mm / 6A states 2mm, 16A states 2mm but drawing
shows 1.5mm
– Action: change drawing to reflect 2mm. Consistent with API 6A
 Subsea Riser gas handling systems, BOP or Diverter? Should be in
RP-64
 Establish PSL-levels for new manufactured Drill Through Equipment.
 Dropped, 16A functions based on a PSL-3 level due to the critical
nature of this equipment. Decision was made to not adapt PSL
levels.
© 2011 Chevron
New Temperature Ratings
Table 4 – Temperature ratings of non-metallic sealing materials
Lower Limit
Operating Temperature Limit
Temperature
Code
Temperature
Code
°F
(°C)
A
-15
-26
B
0
C
Extreme Temperature Limit
Temperature
Code
°F
(°C)
°F
(°C)
A
150
66
A
180
82
-18
B
180
82
B
200
93
10
-12
C
210
99
C
220
104
D
20
-7
D
240
116
D
250
121
E
30
-1
E
270
132
E
300
149
F
40
4
F
300
149
F
350
177
G
Other
Other
G
Other
Other
G
Other
Other
EXAMPLE Material “FDE” has a lower temperature rating of 40°F, a continuous elevated temperature rating of 240°F,
and an extreme temperature limit of 300°F.
© 2011 Chevron
New Elements for 4th Edition
 Table 26, removed 25k and 30k ratings.

Bernell of ring grooves after make up with gasket in place.
– Discussed, Decided to adapt API 6A inspection criteria.

Align with ST-53 on maximum operating pressure to be used in
shearing
© 2011 Chevron
New/Ongoing Discussion Topics
 Develop Minimum Design Criteria for BOPs to Seal and Hold Gas
– Currently being discussed in API 17G
– Low Pressure and High Pressure Gas testing for qualification purposes
– Formed work group to explore testing protocal.
 Establish qualification for BOP to close on flow
 Establish normal operating system pressure based on well bore
pressure. (i.e. what pressure should be required to close a ram when
there is wellbore pressure trapped in the bore)
 Should API16A only cover “Drilling and Completion Applications” , or
should it include Workover / Intervention, Snubbing, etc.
© 2011 Chevron
New/Ongoing Discussion Topics
 Set maximum bolting hardness of 35Rc for subsea applications (ref:
connector bolting issue)
– API 6A, section 10.3.3.2
– API 17A, section 6.4
– API 16F, section 6.2.1
© 2011 Chevron
New/Ongoing Discussion Topics
 PSIA versus PSIG and PSID?
– Work group formed to collaborate with API 17D & 6A on this issue.
 Fluid compatibility for elastomers
– Already addressed in ST-53
 Qualifying high temp elastomers for steam
– Parked this issue for now
 Hub face separation on subsea drilling connectors
– Look at 17G and gain alignment
 Product Marking – 5 year
© 2011 Chevron
New/Ongoing Discussion Topics
 Shearing offset pipe. Verbiage is in the draft document.
 Better understanding of the minimum operating pressure required to
maintain seal on rams in the presence of wellbore pressure.
– Should this be included in the equipment data package?
 Review BOP design criteria for deepwater applications
– Effects of negative pressure (hydrostatic from water depth)
– Bending and tension loads on BOP’s and flanges

© 2011 Chevron
Minimum BOP Design Criteria
Test
Sealing characteristics
Fatigue
Stripping
Shear
Hang-off
Fixed bore a
Ram BOP
Variable bore
Blind a
Shear
Hydraulic
connectors
Annular BOP
Reportable
Reportable
Reportable
Reportable
Reportable
52 cycles
28 @ minimum
dia, 28 at Max.
Dai
52 cycles
52 cycles
52 cycles
3000 ft and 100
tool joints
Reportable
N/A
N/A
3000 ft and 100
tool joints
N/A
N/A
N/A
See Table 18 or
PO
N/A
450k< 5inch
Reportable
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
600K >5 inch
Packer access
Ram locking device


Locking mechanism
Sealing mechanism
Temperature verification
© 2011 Chevron
200 cycles with 10 pressure cycles
50 cycles
11 Successful Lock and seal
N/A

N/A
Low temp 3 cycles, HT Fatigue 200 closures 10 pressure cycles, HT Emergency 1 Hour hold
time

P2, S2

P1, S3
N/A
Agenda
 Safety Moment
 Introductions
 Status
 Review New Elements for 4th Edition
 Review New/Ongoing Discussion Topics
© 2011 Chevron