Operation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 4G FIFTH EDITION, FEBRUARY 2019

ADDENDUM 1, MAY 2020

ADDENDUM 2, SEPTEMBER 2020

Special Notes

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Copyright © 2019 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

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• the term “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the standard;

  
  

• the term “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the standard;

  
  

• the term “may” is used to express permission or a provision that is optional;

  
  

• the term “can” is used to express possibility or capability.

  
  

  Informative elements—As used in a standard, “informative” denotes elements that identify the document, introduce its content, and explain its background, development, and its relationship with other documents or provide additional information intended to assist the understanding or use of the document.

  
  

  Normative elements—As used in a standard, “normative” denotes elements that describe the scope of the document and that set out provisions that are required to implement the standard.

  
  

  This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

  
  

  Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

  
  

  Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001, standards@api.org.

  
  

  iii

  
  

  Contents

  
  

  Page

  1. Scope 1

     1. Objective 1

     2. Structures Covered 1

  2. Normative References 1

  3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 1

     1. Terms and Definitions 1

     2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 3

  4. General Principles 3

     1. Procedures 3

     2. Personnel Qualifications 4

     3. Training 5

  5. Use and Maintenance 5

     1. General 5

     2. Loading 5

     3. Bolted Structure 6

     4. Racking Platforms 6

     5. Changes in Rig Location 6

  6. Inspection 7

     1. General 7

     2. Inspection Categories 8

     3. Frequency of Inspection 9

     4. Acceptance Criteria 10

     5. Rejected Equipment 10

     6. Damage Classification 10

  7. Repair 10

     1. General 10

     2. Corrosion 11

     3. Fire and Heat Exposure 11

  8. Modification/Change in Rating 12

     1. Planning 12

     2. Design and Modification 12

     3. Padeyes 12

     4. Lifting Eyes 12

     5. Nameplates for a Modification/Change in Rating 12

  9. Documentation and Records 13

     1. Inspection and Repair Records 13

     2. Identification/Traceability 14

  10. Unidentified Equipment-load Rating Determination 16

      1. Procedure 16

      2. Qualification 16

  11. Foundation Requirements 16

      1. General 16

      2. Leveling and Shimming 17

         v

         Contents

         Page

  12. Raising/Bridle Line Inspection and Replacement 17

  13. Guying for Portable Masts with Guylines 18

      1. General 18

      2. Standing Ropes 19

      3. Frequency of Inspection 19

      4. Guywire End Terminations and Hardware 19

      5. Pretension of Guywires 20

  14. Guywire Anchors for Portable Masts with Guylines 20

      1. General 20

      2. Capacity Verification 21

      3. Alternative Anchoring Practices 21

      4. Pull Testing and Site Preparation 22

      5. Responsibilities of Contractor, Operator, and Testing Company 23

  15. Foundations for Masts and Substructures 24

      1. Foundations and Supplemental Footing 24

      2. Wellhead Cellars 24

  16. Low-temperature Operations 24

  Annex A (normative) Drilling Mast Visual Inspection Form 27

  Annex B (normative) Well Servicing Masts Visual Inspection Form 37

  Annex C (normative) Drilling Derrick Visual Inspection Form 43

  Annex D (normative) Substructure Visual Inspection Form 51

  Bibliography 57

  
  

  Figures

  1. Typical Mast Lifting Lugs 12

  2. Recommended Guying Pattern 18

  3. Guywire Sag (Catenary) 20

  4. Anchor Spacing and Capacity Criteria 22

  5. Portable Mast Location Preparation 25

  
  

  Tables

  1. Inspection Types and Frequencies for Drilling Structures 9

  2. Inspection Types and Frequences for Well Servicing Structures 9

  3. Inspection Criteria 11

  4. Guying Recommendations 20

  5. Guywire Sag Values 21

  6. Anchor Capacity of Guywire Load 22

  7. Safe Bearing Capacity of Soils 26

  
  

  vi

  
  

  Operation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures

  
  

  1. Scope

     1. Objective

        
        

        This document provides guidelines and establishes recommended procedures for inspection, maintenance, and repair of items for drilling and well servicing structures, in order to maintain the serviceability of this equipment. The information in this document should be considered as supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, the manufacturer's instructions and the recommendations in API 54.

        
        

     2. Structures Covered

        
        

        Items of drilling and well servicing structures covered by this document include:

        
        

• masts/derricks and accessories;

  
  

• substructures and accessories.

NOTE 1 Crown block sheaves and bearings are covered under API 8B.

NOTE 2 Offshore derricks and their substructures and accessories are not under the scope of this document relative to 6.2.4, Category IV inspection requirements.

1. Normative References

   The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

   
   

   API Specification 4F, Drilling and Well Servicing Structures

   
   

   ASNT SNT-TC-1A, Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Non-Destructive Testing

   
   

   AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code

   
   

   ISO 9712, Non-Destructive Testing—Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel

   
   

2. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

   For the purposes of this document, the following terms, definitions, acronyms, and abbreviated terms apply. In addition, terms and definitions given in API 4F apply. If identical terms are defined in API 4F and this document, the definitions in this document apply.

   
   

   1. Terms and Definitions

3.1.1

certification

The act of endorsing as meeting set standards or requirements.

1