Shear ram capability is the one that attracts the most attention and the most assumptions. A shear ram rated to cut a given pipe grade and size may not cut tool joints, heavy wall pipe, wireline or a drill collar, and shearing capability depends on wellbore pressure and the condition of the rams. Knowing exactly what is in the hole and what the rams can cut is a continuous requirement, not a design-stage check.

Accumulator capacity is the other commonly misjudged item. The system must have enough stored energy to perform the required function sequence without recharge, and that calculation depends on the number of functions, the volumes, the precharge pressure and, subsea, the water depth. Systems that pass a casual check often fail a proper calculation.

Testing is what turns design into assurance. Function tests confirm things move; pressure tests confirm they seal; and the records of both are what regulators and auditors examine. Testing that is rushed, incompletely recorded or performed against the wrong pressures leaves a stack that is formally tested and practically unproven.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe stack configurations and ratings for surface and subsea wells.
• Explain annular preventer operation, sealing and limitations.
• Describe ram types, including pipe, variable bore, blind and shear rams.
• Assess shear capability against the string in the hole.
• Specify choke and kill manifolds, lines and valves.
• Size accumulator systems and specify control systems.
• Describe subsea stacks, control pods and emergency systems.
• Plan and execute function and pressure testing programmes.
• Specify maintenance, inspection and recertification requirements.
• Apply reliability analysis and regulatory requirements to BOP equipment.

The course is instructor-led. Equipment is covered with cutaway drawings, specifications and manufacturer data, and testing with real procedures, test charts and records. Participants carry out accumulator sizing and shear capability checks, and review test records for compliance. Failure cases and major incidents involving preventer performance are examined.

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Ensure pressure control equipment is correctly specified and rated.
• Improve testing quality, records and regulatory compliance.
• Reduce equipment-related downtime and failed tests.
• Verify shear capability against actual string configurations.
• Strengthen maintenance and certification practice.

Participants will:

• Understand blowout preventer equipment in detail.
• Be able to verify ratings, shear capability and accumulator capacity.
• Be able to plan and supervise testing programmes.
• Understand subsea stacks and control systems.
• Be able to assess compliance and reliability of pressure control equipment.

• Drilling engineers
• Rig site supervisors and company representatives
• Drilling contractor maintenance and subsea engineers
• Rig acceptance and audit personnel
• Well control specialists
• Regulatory and compliance staff

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.

Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.