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API Inspection Guide
API Inspection Guide
This document is intended to provide guidance to an inspector whilst carrying out and API 4G inspection
to a drilling Rig and provide information on rejection criteria’s.
The basis for this document, as well as the inspection categories, is provided by API RP 4G –
Recommended Practice for Use and Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance and Repair of Drilling and
Well Servicing Structures.
In addition, the following standards are listed as references by which to supplement this document:
Categories:
All areas of concern are detailed in the final report together with recommendations for proposed
corrective action. All areas of concern are categorised in the report in order to highlight the severity
with the following categories being used:-
Category 1 = Major – Rectify ASAP (Monitor Regularly Until Addressed), for significant geometrical
distortion or structural damage to primary load carrying components including the raising assembly,
main legs, girts, hinge points and crown.
Category 2 = Secondary – Rectify at Next Appropriate Opportunity, Within 180 Days & Monitor
Periodically, for damage or distortion to non-primary load carrying components.
Category 3 = Minor – Address at Next Routine Maintenance, for damage or distortion to ancillary
equipment (e.g., ladders, monkey board, walk arounds, tong hangers, etc.).
Classifications:
The recommendation categories are further classified to highlight the nature of the issue thus:-
SI = Structural Integrity.
PS = Personnel Safety.
PDO = Possible Dropped Object Issue.
O = Other.
Note: All personnel safety (PS) issues are classed a category 1 and require immediate attention.
The following recommendations shall be followed when undertaking structural repairs of a drilling or
well servicing structure.
a) Repair or replace any damaged members in accordance with Table 2.
b) Use welding procedures approved by the manufacturer or the qualified person directing the
repairs or modifications. Drilling and well servicing structures may use high-strength steel, which
require specific welding electrodes and welding techniques.
c) Fixtures and accessories are preferably attached to structures by means of suitable clamps or
bolted foundations.
d) Do not drill or burn any holes in any members or perform any welding without first obtaining
approval of the manufacturer or the qualified person, as applicable.
e) Girts, braces, and other members shall always be in place when the structure is under load.
f) All damage may be repaired in the field. Major damage should be repaired in a shop-like
environment and in accordance with the OEM or equivalent specifications.
g) Replacement materials, pins, and bolts should meet OEM specifications or equivalent.
The existence of cracks or mechanical damage can indicate severe deterioration and impending failure.
Their detection, identification, and evaluation require accurate inspection.
Prompt attention may be required to determine if it is necessary to remove the equipment from service
immediately or to conduct the appropriate repair.
Inspection results from Category III and Category IV inspections should be documented and maintained.
The following routine checks as applicable should be made at the appropriate intervals.
a) Inspect all welds, particularly in erecting mechanism, for cracks.
b) Inspect erecting mechanism for any other signs of deformity.
c) Follow the manufacturer's instructions when checking hydraulic circuits and when bleeding air
from scoping and raising rams before each lowering operation. Make sure there is an adequate
supply of hydraulic fluid. Precautions should be taken to remove all air from the hydraulic
system.
d) Hydraulic cylinders, pipework, and hoses should be checked for leaks. Seals and hoses should be
checked for cracks and/or wear. Repair of hydraulic cylinders should always be done by qualified
personnel.
e) Wire rope, including operating lines, raising lines, and guylines, should be inspected for kinks,
broken wires, or other damage. Make certain that guylines are not fouled and that other lines
are in place in sheave grooves before and during each raising or lowering operation.
f) Check load transfer mechanisms, guides and scoping ram stabilizers in telescoping masts for free
operation and good condition before raising or lowering operation. Keep mechanisms and
guides clean and properly lubricated. Make sure scoping ram stabilizers move into proper
Inspection Criteria:
API 4G includes the following table to assist with the rejection of components:
Corrosion
As a guideline, corrosion damage reducing the cross-sectional area of a member of more than 10% (or
percentage measured tolerance based on manufacturer's recommendation) should be considered for
repair.
Corroded areas should be abrasive blasted or mechanically cleaned to sound metal, evaluated, and
repaired by one of the following methods:
1. Fill pockets/cavities with weld metal and grind flush.
2. Fish plate the damaged region and seal weld.
3. Remove the damaged area and re-plate.
4. Replace the entire member.
Bolts
All bolted connections not considered to be suitable for the applied application (type and grade
of fixing) and without a hardened washer and a form of locking device. (ANCO, Nyloc, Split Pin,
Nord-lock washer etc.)
Any missing fixings will require replacement.
Loose / unsecure fixings will be reported.
Bolts with severe corrosion will require replacing.
Example of bolt with surface corrosion – Acceptable but noted for cleaning and coating applied.
Padeyes
Any flame cut holes
No safe working load marked
Bent padeyes
Pin holes (ID) that have worn or are larger than; 3/16” (4.8mm) over specified diameter for pins
less than 3” (76.2mm) diameter or; 1/4" (6.4mm) over specified diameter for pins 3” (76.2mm)
diameter, will be rejected
Elongated / wear to holes
Any padeyes not designed and fabricated in accordance with API 4F.
No regular inspections carried out (LGI and NDE)
Ancillary Equipment
Inadequate secondary retention.
Poor condition of safety back up chains.
Damaged or corroded fixings.
Incorrect / damaged clamps
Poor routing / condition of power cables / hoses and their fixings (clamps, cable tray)
Poor condition / incorrect securing of lights, speakers, junction boxes, cameras etc.
Poor condition / incorrect securing of wind walls and supporting framework.
Poor condition / incorrect fixing of guide rails or torque tube and supporting steel work.
Damaged fingers / fixings, incorrect secondary retention.
Poor condition of mule stands.
Missing / damaged bumper block (crown saver).
Damaged / incorrect securing of tong buckets.
Poor condition of setback material.
Damaged / incorrect securing of V-Door rollers.
Poor condition / incorrect securing to walkways and supporting steelwork.
Poor condition / incorrect securing / inadequate inspections to casing stabbing board.
Any item that is redundant.
Personnel Safety
Damaged / incorrect securing of ladders / back scratchers.
Inadequate anti fall device fitted to ladders / above monkey board.
Poor condition / inadequate handrails and toe boards.
Damaged stairways.
Holes in walkways.
Poor access / egress to ladders and stairways.
Unsuitable safety gates installed to ladder openings.
Poor condition / fixing of derrickmans escape system.
Welds
Incomplete welds.
Missing welds
Welds with defects i.e. Porosity, Cold Lap, under cut etc.
The categories and classifications filled in below are examples and each item being reported on must be
evaluated individually and the correct category and classification applied to suit.
The findings/observation must include details of the issue found, the location (including face and level)
and the type of damage i.e. wire cut, corrosion, impact damage…
If copying and pasting from the below examples then check / change where required to ensure the
information is relevant to the inspection.
The categories and classifications filled in below are examples and each item being reported on must be
evaluated individually and the correct category and classification applied to suit.:
Section X – Conclusion
This report contains all the recommendations made during the API Inspection of Rig xxxxxxxxx.
During the inspection a number of issues/potential issues have been noted as mentioned above. These
items should be closed out at the earliest opportunity, to return the drilling structure back to the original
OEM design and specification and also to provide a safe working environment for all RIG personnel.
Crown Area
During the API inspection of the crown area, the cluster and fast line sheave were not installed. They were
however inspected in a disassembled state. New bearings were installed on the sheaves at the time of
inspection.
Bolts
It was noted that non locking nuts were used throughout the mast and substructure. It is a
recommendation of DSL that all bolts be fitted with suitable lock type (i.e. Anco) nuts or a lock type
washer. This will greatly reduce the possibility of a dropped object or components and equipment coming
loose due to vibrations through the structure. This will in turn create a much safer working environment
for all Rig personnel.
Member Damage
The damaged members that are highlighted above must be addresses at the earliest opportunity to
ensure that the rig is restored back to its original design criteria, as per the OEM specifications. Damage
such as minor impact damage can be repaired using industry recognized heat straightening methods that
conform to OEM specifications for preheat treatment.
Members that show significant damages (beyond preheat treatment), must be replaced with new
material of the correct length, size and grade of material. The new material MUST conform to the OEM /
API specifications, and the relevant documentation and certification retained for traceability and future
inspections.
Once damaged members and welds have been repaired / replaced, they should be subjected to a full NDT
examination, to verify the integrity of the repairs/steel and to ensure no cracks have developed. Copies of
all NDT reports are to be retained for record keeping and traceability.
During fabrication all recommended practices and procedures must be followed as per:
API RP 4G FOURTH EDITION, April 2012
API RP 54 THIRD EDITION, August 1999
API SPECIFICATION 4F FOURTH EDITION, January 2013
Personnel Safety
Safety features should be installed throughout the mast and substructure to ensure the safety of
personnel whilst working on site. Safety fall arrest devices should be installed on the ladders and working
platforms. Regular checks should be made on these devices to ensure their current working condition is
suitable for the task required. It is also recommended to keep records of inspections and checks that are
done on safety equipment and features.