IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
1. Which statements about shuttle valves in a BOP control systems are correct? Choose two
answers
Ans:-
a) The shuttle valves allow a manufacturing pod to be retrieved without losing hydraulic BOP
control
b) The shuttle valves isolate the control fluid system between the active and inactive pods
2. On a subsea stack with two pods (blue and yellow).how many sub-plate mounted (SPM) valves
open when the upper pipe ram BOP is opened?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
3. Which statements about shuttle valves in a BOP control system are correct? Choose two
answers
Ans: The shuttle valves regulate the control fluid between the active an inactive control
pods
4. What is the role of the sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve in the subsea BOP control system?
a) Operated by pilot pressure .It allow are BOP function to be operated by regulated
hydraulic control fluid
5. Several accumulator bottles can be installed on a subsea BOP stack. BOP stack is run to bottom
these bottles these bottles these bottles have to be pre-charged to the correct pressure bye
nitrogen gas
What is the correct pre-charge for these bottles?
Ans: Equal to the pre-charge pressure of the surface installed bottles plus the
hydrostatic pressure between surface and sea bed.
6. When using a subsea BOP stack from a dynamically positioned vessel. What is the purpose of an
emergency disconnect system (EDS)?
Ans: If automatically shuts in the well if there is loss of hydraulic supply and control
of both pods
7. How does the differential between seawater hydrostatic pressure and riser fluid hydrostatic
pressure affect the annular preventer’s ability to close?
a) The differential pressure will not affect the closing time
b) The greater the differential pressure, the slower the annular preventer will close.
c) If the differential pressure is greater than annular preventer operating pressure, the
annular preventer will fail to close
d) The greater the differential pressure, the faster the annular preventer will close
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
8. What happens to accumulator bottle useable fluid if pre-charge pressure is not adjusted for water
depth?
a) Usable fluid volume will not be affected by water depth
b) Usable fluid volume will be decreased
c) Usable fluid volume will be increased
9. What is the best action to mitigate the hydrostatic forces affecting subsea annular preventer
sealing?
a) Refer to the manufacture’s recommended negative pressure tests values and adjust the
closing pressure to this value.
b) Close a second preventer to ensure the well is isolated from the riser annulus and the
seawater hydrostatic pressure
c) Closely monitor changes to wellbore pressure caused by circulating and update the
differential pressure across the energized packing element
d) Increase the annular preventer closing pressure without exceeding the tubular collapse
pressure
10.Which statements describe the operation of the Sub Plate Mounted (SPM) valves in a subsea
BOP control pod?(2-position/3-way,normally closed, pilot operated, spring return type).Choose
two answers
a) SPM valves are opened by pressure from the pilot system
b) The SPM valve is used to function the manipulator valve to close a ram type BOP
c) SPM valves are opened by pressure from the main hydraulic control system
d) SPM valves are closed by spring force and sea water hydrostatic pressure
e) SPM valves are opened by spring force
11.What is the advantage of using electro-hydraulic BOP control systems in deep water compared to
other systems?
a) The BOP function response times are slower
b) The BOP function response times are quicker
c) The rated working pressure of the BOP equipment is increased
d) It makes online/offline testing easier for the crew
12.On a subsea BOP stack, you close the annular preventer. The lights change and the annular read
back pressure drops. The flow meter starts counting.
At the required volume to close the annular BOP, the flow meter continues to count and the read
back pressure does not return to original value. Pilot pressure is stable and the well is still
flowing.
What could be the problem?
a) The annular BOP open sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve did not fully operate and is
venting power fluid to sea.
b) There is a partial blockage in the subsea accumulator supply line
c) The annular BOP close sub-plate mounted(SPM) valve did not fully operate and is
venting power fluid to sea
d) The surface 4-way valve did not operate correctly
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
13.During BOP testing, while using the yellow pod to operate the subsea BOP stack, the upper
annular BOP ‘close shuttle valve may be stick and fails to move
The Subsea engineer then switches to the blue pod
If the upper-annular then functions normally, what would you see on the BOP control panel?
a) The flow meter will count but the annular BOP read back pressure will not drop
b) The flow meter will continue counting after the correct volume has been pumped
c) There will be no flow meter reading and the annular BOP read back pressure will not
drop
d) The flow meter will count and the annular BOP read back pressure will drop
14.How does the differential pressure between seawater hydrostatic pressure and riser fluid
hydrostatic pressure affect the annular preventer’s ability to close?
a) The greater the differential pressure ,the slower the annular preventer will close
b) If the differential pressure is greater than annular preventer operating pressure the
annular preventer will fail to close
c) The differential pressure will not affect the clo9sing time
d) The greater the differential pressure the faster the annular preventer will close
15.On a floating rig, which pod is used to operate the riser and wellhead connectors?
a) The yellow pod
b) Either the blue or yellow pod, depending on position of pod selector valve
c) With the pod selector valve in the ‘block position ‘connectors can be operated using either
pod
d) The blue pod only
16.For subsea accumulator bottles why is accumulator pre-charge pressure increased by sea water
hydrostatic?
a) To increase the useable fluid volume
b) To maintain the usable fluid volume
c) To decrease the usable fluid volume
17.On a floating rig with an electro-hydraulic control system how do the BOP stack shuttle valves
operate?
a) Fluid pressure from the active pod main supply –line moves the shuttle valve. closing the
supply iinlet on the redundant pod
b) Fluid pressure from the redundant pod main supply line moves the shuttle valve forwards
the active pod
c) The electronic module sends a hydraulic pilot signal to the shuttle valve
d) The electronic module sends an electric signal to the shuttle valve
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
18.While using the yellow pod to operate the subsea BOP Stack, the upper annular ‘close’ function
does not operate. The Subsea Engineer switches to the blue pod, and the upper-annular Bop
‘close’ function operates as normal. What is the most likely cause of the yellow pod upper annular
BOP ‘close’ function failure?
a) The upper annular BOP’close’sub-plate mounted(SPM) valve failed to operate
b) The shuttle valve is leaking
c) The sub-plate mounted(SPM)has sent the wrong pilot pressure to the shuttle valve
d) The upper annular Bop open Sub-plate mounted(SPM) valve failed to operate
19.What is the purpose of having pre-charged accumulator bottles mounted on a subsea BOP
stack? Choose two answers
a) To reduce the usable fluid in the surface accumulator bottles
b) The reduce the BOP closing pressure
c) To act as a back-up if the surface controls system fails.
d) To ensure faster BOP closing times
e) To balance the hydrostatic pressure in the riser.
20.A floating rig is drilling below the 30 inch conductor pipe, with returns to surface through the
marine riser
Water depth: 1230 feet
Vertical depth of well from line: 2100 feet
Air gap: 82 feet
Sea water density: 8.5ppg
Drilling fluid density: 9ppg
What is the decrease in Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP) if the riser is disconnected at the subsea
wellhead housing?
a) 369psi
b) 36psi
c) 70psi
d) 170psi
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
21. When drilling ahead, there is rapid gas expansion in the riser. This causes a severe vent of
gas and mud at the rotary table. What is the safest immediate action to take?
a) Close the shear rams
Inform the supervisor
Prepare to move off location
b) Stop drilling
Close the diverter
Stop pumping
Close the annular
Inform the supervisor
c) Continue pumping until the riser influx decreases
Flow check the well
Inform the supervisor
d) Inform the supervisor
Close the diverter
Continue to pump down the drill string
22. A well is shut in on a floating rig, and the following data is recorded
Shut in drill
Shut in Drill Pipe Pressure (SIDPP) 400psi
Shut in Casing Pressure (SICP) 600psi
Kill line pressure: 700psi
What may have caused the different readings on the kill line and choke line gauges?
a) The fluid in the kill line has a higher density than the fluid in the choke line
b) The BOP side outlet hydraulic valve on the kill line is partly closed
c) The fluid in the kill line has a lower density than the fluid in the choke line
d) There is a partial blockage in the choke line
23.On a subsea BOP stack rig a gas lock is being calculated out from the well
The choke operator sees a significant pressure increase on the kill line gauge and then sees a
pressure increase on the drill pipe gauge. The choke line gauge shoes no significant changes.
What has happened to the circulating system?
a) There is partial blockage in the choke line.
b) There is a partial blockage in the open hole section caused by balled up stabilizers
c) There is a partial or complete blockage in the kill line
d) These pressure changes are normal and caused by rig heave
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
24.What is one method that you can use to measure choke line friction (CLF) on a floating rig?
a) Circulate at the kill rate down the choke line and up the kill line. The pump pressure is
half the CLF
b) Calculate at the kill rate down the choke line and up the riser. The pump pressure is the
CLF
c) Shut in the well and then record the CLF
d) Calculate the kill rate down the kill line and up the choke line with a half open choke. The
pump pressure is four times the value of the CLF.
25.What is one advantage of using inverted rams during a subsea BOP test?
a) Allows single step BOP testing without having to pull out a tapered drill string.
b) Allows more subsea BOP stack configurations during well operations
c) Allows an additional ram cavity to be added to the subsea BOP stack
d) Allows subsea BOP testing without having to run the BOP test plug
26.The driller operates the annular preventer on a subsea BOP from the driller's electric BOP panel
The lights change, the flow meter runs then stops after the required volume of fluid is used. The
annular preventer readback pressure decreases then increases back to normal
a) Rig air pressure decreases then increases
b) Accumulator pressure decreases the increases
c) Manifold pilot pressure decreases then increases
d) Manifold readback pressure decreases then increases.
27.What is the advantage of using electro-hydraulic BOP control systems in deep water compared to
other systems?
a) It makes online/offline testing easier for the crew
b) The BOP function response times are quicker
c) The BOP function response times are slower
d) The rated working pressure of the BOP equipment is increased
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
28.There is a kick on a subsea well. You shut-in the well and hang off the upper pipe rams. During
the kill the lower choke line becomes plugged.
Using the diagram, how should you safely continue the kill operation?
a) Open upper pipe rams, close lower annular and continue well kill operation using upper
choke line.
b) Continue well kill operation using the upper kill line.
c) Hang off on the lower pipe rams and use the lower kill line to control the well using the
volumetric process.
d) Shear the pipe and bullhead the well using the lower kill line.
29.During BOP testing, while using the yellow pod to operate the subsea BOP stack, the
upper-annular BOP 'close' shuttle valve may be stuck and fails to move.
The Subsea Engineer then switches to the blue pod.
If the upper-annular then functions normally, what would you see on the BOP control panel?
a) The flow meter will count and the annular BOP readback pressure will drop
b) The flow meter will continue counting after the correct volume has been pumped.
c) There will be no flow meter reading and the annular BOP readback pressure will not drop.
d) The flow meter will count but the annular BOP readback pressure will not drop.
30.When testing a subsea BOP stack with inverted test rams, how will the string weight affect the
pressure test requirements?
a) String weight will not affect test requirements.
b) Hook load is less than the pipe tensile strength, so closing pressure can be reduced to
1000 psi
c) A high hook load requires the string to be hung-off on the test rams.
d) Tension in the drillstring will lower the pipe collapse pressure
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
31.When using a subsea BOP stack from a dynamically positioned vessel, what is the purpose of an
emergency disconnect system (EDS)?
a. It configures the BOP stack and then disconnect the lower-marine riser package (LMRP)
b. It automatically shuts in the well if there is loss of hydraulic supply and control of both
pods
c. It activates the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) panel on the stack
d. It shuts in the well automatically if the lower-marine riser package (LMRP) becomes
disconnected.
32.For subsea accumulator bottles, why is accumulator pre-charge pressure increased by sea water
hydrostatic?
a. To decrease the usable fluid volume
b. To increase the usable fluid volume
c. To maintain the usable fluid volume
33.On a floating rig with an electro-hydraulic control system, how do the BOP stack shuttle valves
operate?
a. The electronic module sends an electric signal to the shuttle valve
b. Fluid pressure from the active pod main supply-line moves the shuttle valve, closing the
supply inlet on the redundant pod
c. The electronic module sends a hydraulic pilot signal to the shuttle valve
d. Fluid pressure from the redundant pod main supply line moves the shuttle valve towards
the active pod
34.How does the differential pressure between seawater hydrostatic pressure and riser fluid
hydrostatic pressure affect the annular preventer’s ability to close?
a. The greater the differential pressure, the faster the annular preventer will close
b. The differential pressure will not affect the closing time
c. The greater the differential pressure the slower the annular preventer will close
d. If the differential pressure is greater than annular preventer operating pressure, the
annular preventer will fail to close
35.Which statement describe the operation of the sub plate mounted (SPM) valves in a subsea BOP
control pod? (2-position/3-way, normally closed, pilot operated, spring return type). Choose 2
answers
a. The SPM valve is used to function the manipulator valve to close a ram type BOP
b. SPM valves are opened by pressure from the pilot system
c. SPM valves are opened by spring force
d. SPM valves are opened by pressure from the main hydraulic control system
e. SPM valves are closed by spring force and seawater hydrostatic pressure
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
36.On a subsea BOP stack, what is the function of the BOP ‘dead man’ system?
a. It automatically shuts in the well if there is loss of hydraulic supply and control of both
pods
b. It automatically shears the pipe if the lower marine riser package (LMRP) disconnects
c. If activated, it closes the well and disconnects the lower marine riser package (LMRP)
d. It activates the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) panel on the stack
37.On a floating rig, which pod is used to operate the riser and wellhead connectors?
a. The blue pod only
b. With the pod selector valve in the ‘block’ position’, connectors can be operated using
either pod
c. The yellow pod only
d. Either the blue or yellow pod, depending on position of pod selector valve
38. How many SPM valves in one subsea pod move when opening the upper annular BOP?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 4
d) 3
2905/2024
39. An accumulator bottle at surface has a pre-charge pressure of 1500 psi.
The pressure gradient for sea water is 0.443 psi/ft.
What is the correct pre-charge pressure if the accumulator bottle is used subsea in 1800 ft of water?
a) 2297 psi
b) 797 psi.
c) 1500 psi
d) 14.5 psi
40. On a subsea BOP stack, what is the purpose of the BOP 'auto-shear’ system?
a) It activates the remotely opened vehicle (ROV) panel on the stack.
b) when activated, it automatically shears the tubulars, seals the well and then disconnects
the lower marine riser package (LMRP).
c) It shuts in the well automatically if the lower marine riser package (LMRP) becomes
disconnected
d) it automatically releases the wellhead connector if there is loss of hydraulic supply and
control of both pods
41. When drilling ahead on a floating ing with a conventional hydraulic BOP control system, the driller
tells you that the low surface-accumulator pressure alarm has activated and the flow meter is counting
rapidly. No BOP functions have been operated. What could be the cause of the problem?
a) The main power fluid line to the BOP is leaking
b) A ram regulator has malfunctioned and is leaking
c) A sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve in the redundant pod is leaking.
d) One of the pilot lines to the active pod is leaking.
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
42. When testing a subsea BOP stack with inverted test rams, how will the string weight affect the
pressure test values?
a) Hook load is less than the pipe maximum tension, so closing pressure can be reduced to
1000 psi
b) High tension in the drillstring will require the string to be hung off on the test rams
c) High tension in the drillstring will decrease the pipe collapse pressure
d) High tension in the drillisting will increase the pipe collapse pressure
43. Why should the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid seal be greater than the dynamic pressure inside
the mud gas separator (MGS)?
a) To prevent cuttings settling in the liquid seal.
b) To measure the drilling fluid flow rate.
c) To prevent gas blowing through the liquid seal
d) To measure gas flow rate
44. On a subsea BOP stack, you close the annular preventer. The lights change and the annular read
back pressure drops. The flow meter starts counting. At the required volume to close the annular BOP,
the flow meter continues to count and the read back pressure does not return to original value. Pilot
pressure is stable and the well is still flowing.
What could be the problem?
a) The annular BOP open sub-plate mounted (SPM) valve did not fully operate and is venting power
fluid to sea.
b) There is a partial blockage in the subsea accumulator supply line
c) The annular BOP close sub-plate mounted(SPM) valve did not fully operate and is venting
power fluid to sea
d) The surface 4-way valve did not operate correctly
45. On a subsea BOP, which set of factors define the nitrogen pre-charge value?
a) Water depth, Pressure rating of BOP stack, Drilling fluid density for the well programme.
b) Total functional volume requirement, Pressure rating or BOP stack ,Drilling fluid density for the
well programme
c) Water depth, Accumulator bottle working pressure, Total functional volume requirement
d) Pressure rating of BOP stack. Accumulator bottle working pressure, internal diameter of hydraulic
conduct lines
IWCF SUBSEA EQUIPMENTS
46. The driller closes an annular preventer on a subsea BOP from the driller's electric BOP panel.
The lights change, the accumulator pressure decreases then increases, and the flow meter runs and
stops after the required volume of fluid is used. What other indicator on the driller's electric BOP panel
will confirm that the function has successfully operated?
a) Annular BOP readback pressure decreases then increases.
b) Annular BOP pilot pressure decreases then increases
c) Manifold pilot pressure decreases then increases
d) Rig air pressure decreases then increases
47. An accumulator bottle at the surface has a pre-charge pressure of 1200 psi. The pressure gradient
for sea water is 0.444 psi/ft. What is the correct pre-charge pressure if the accumulator bottle is used
subsea in 1500 ft of water?
a) 1500 psi
b) 1866 psi
c) 14.5 psi
d) 1200 psi
