Accumulator Draw Down Test

Accumulator Draw down test is done to check the working of accumulator As API RP 53

Step # 1 :
 Make sure the accumulator system is charged the maximum operation pressure 3000 PSI
 Next : stop Accumulator automatic charge pump ( Off )

Step# 2
 Close annular Preventer, and record accumulator pressure drop & record annular closing
time
 Let’s say accumulator pressure drop from 3000 psi to 2500 PSI
 Measurement of recording Closeting response time
 As per API for surface annular BOP, size smaller than 18 ¾ “(47.63 Cm)
BOP should close within 30 second
 If the annular BOP takes more than allowed time then the annular is consider not fit to use
 If surface annular BOP size is 18 ¾ “or large should close within 45 second

Step # 3
 Close upper ram BOP and record accumulator Pressure drop
 Let’s say accumulator pressure drop from 2500 psi to 2100 PSI
 Record ram Closing time: Lets Say Ram BOP Close time 4 Second
 As per API all size surface stack Ram should close within 30 second

Step # 4
 If Blind / Shear ram can’t be close due to drill string in the well
 This can be simulated by opening same size ram .
 Let’s say Blind / Shear & upper ram is same size
 Open the upper ram and record accumulator pressure
 Let’s say pressure drop from 2100 PSI to 1700 PSI
 Record accumulator pressure drop and Ram opening time

Step # 5
 Close Lower Ram BOP and record accumulator Pressured drop
 Let’s say accumulator pressure drops from 1700 PSI to 1300 PSI
 And ram Close time 5 seconds (Record accumulator pressure drop
Step # 6
 Open Choke Line Hydraulic Control Valve HCR
 Let’s Say accumulator Pressure drops from 1300 PSI to 1200 PSI and
HCR opening time is 2 Seconds
 Record accumulator Pressure drop

No. Accumulator Pressure Drop Time Volume /Gallon

1 Annular Pressure Drop 2500 10 21
2 Upper ram Pressure Drop 2100 4 15
3 Simulate from Blind /Shear 1700 4 15
ram open Ram
4 Close Lower Ram 1300 5 15
5 Choke Line Hydraulic control 1200 2 1.1
valve

 As per API RP 53, after completing all the above function the accumulator should read 200
PSI or more above pre-charge pressure
 That means after operating all the above function accumulator pressure should be 12000
PSI or above
 If the accumulator pressure read less than 1200 Psi then the test is considered failed