API publishes new industry standards for drilling operations

API announced on 1 April the publication of two new oil and natural gas industry standards for well design and drilling operations.

The first, Deepwater Well Design and Construction, API Recommended Practice 96, provides engineers a system-wide reference for onshore well design, drilling and completion operations using subsea blowout preventers. It covers the range of considerations that must be taken into account when planning for and undertaking deepwater drilling operations, including:

• Appropriate barrier and load case consideration to maintain well control.
• Guidance supplementing API 65-2 on barrier philosophy and management of API 90 on annular pressure buildup.
• Risk assessment and mitigation practices for casing and equipment installation operations.

The second, Protocol for Verification and Validation of High-Pressure High-Temperature Equipment, API Technical Report 1PER15K-1, establishes a process or evaluating equipment used in high-pressure and/or high-temperature (HPHT) environments both on and offshore. This new standard provides industry with a consistent approach for designing up-to-date drilling and completion equipment that is fit-for-service in deeper HPHT wells.

The standards can be purchased from API. Online ordering information can be found at the API website, www.api.org/pubs.