Blowout Prevention (BOP) Systems Operation & Maintenance Training
A well control plan is only as good as the equipment that executes it, and the BOP stack is the last physical barrier standing between a kick and an uncontrolled blowout. It has to work correctly, every time, under pressure — which means the crews operating and maintaining it need to understand it at a level well beyond “close the valve.” Burraq Consulting’s course builds that depth.
What Are BOP Systems?
Blowout Prevention (BOP) systems are the stack of valves and rams installed at the wellhead to seal, control, and monitor a well, preventing the uncontrolled release of formation fluids. They form a critical layer of a well’s overall barrier system, working alongside casing, cement, and drilling fluid to keep a well under control at every stage. A BOP stack typically combines annular preventers, ram preventers, and choke/kill manifolds, all supported by a control system that must respond reliably in an emergency.
Who Should Attend
- Drilling crew members responsible for BOP activation and rig floor response
- Maintenance technicians who service and inspect BOP equipment
- Well control supervisors overseeing BOP readiness and testing programs
Prerequisites
Basic well control awareness is recommended.
What the Course Covers
- BOP stack configuration — annular preventers, ram preventers, and choke/kill manifolds, and how they work together
- BOP control systems, including accumulator sizing and function under emergency conditions
- Pressure testing procedures and acceptance criteria for BOP equipment
- Preventive maintenance schedules and inspection requirements for BOP components
- Common BOP failure modes and troubleshooting approaches
- Regulatory inspection and certification requirements applicable to BOP equipment
- Emergency BOP activation procedures and crew coordination under realistic time pressure
Course at a Glance
Why Train with Burraq Consulting
Burraq Consulting’s instructors bring direct BOP maintenance and operational experience from rigs across the region, and this course focuses on the failure modes and testing shortcuts that actually show up in the field — a control system that passes a test but wouldn’t hold up under real emergency conditions, a maintenance schedule that looks compliant on paper but misses the components that matter most.
Certification and Next Steps
This course builds practical BOP operation and maintenance competency, leading to a Certificate of Competency. It pairs directly with Burraq Consulting’s Well Control (IWCF/IADC Aligned) course, since BOP equipment is central to executing any well control response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Annular preventers use a flexible rubber element to seal around the drill pipe or seal the wellbore entirely, adapting to different pipe sizes. Ram preventers use solid rams that close around specific pipe sizes or shear through the pipe entirely in an emergency.
Testing frequency is set by regulatory requirements and operator policy, typically at defined intervals during drilling operations and after any equipment intervention. The course covers how to plan and execute a compliant testing schedule.
The course covers surface BOP systems in primary depth, with subsea-specific considerations addressed where they meaningfully differ. Facilities running subsea operations may benefit from a follow-up specialized session.
No. This course focuses specifically on BOP equipment operation and maintenance. Well control certification (IWCF/IADC) covers the broader well control decision-making process and is a separate, complementary credential.
Make sure your last line of defense actually works when it's needed.
or contact us to arrange an in-house program for your maintenance and drilling crews.