The American Petroleum Institute (API) released its 2015 publications programs and services catalog this year. The 2015 edition lists API standards, recommended practices, equipment specifications, technical documents, and reports and studies on the oil and natural gas industry’s safety, efficiency, and responsibility to supply energy to the world. This catalog includes the updated API 7K standards for 2015 as well.
API 7K Standards 2015 Edition
API Spec 7K (Drilling and Well Servicing Equipment) was last updated in 2010 in its Fifth Edition. It provides general principles and specifies requirements for design, manufacture, and testing of new drilling and well-servicing equipment and of replacement primary load-carrying components.
This specification is applicable to the following equipment:
- rotary tables
- rotary bushings
- standard rotary slips designed for use in standard rotary bowls with a 33.333 cm/m (4 in./ft) API taper
- nonstandard rotary slips without a taper of 33.333 cm/m (4 in./ft) for use in manual spiders as described in Item i)
- high-pressure mud and cement hoses
- piston mud-pump components
- drawworks components
- manual spiders that use standard rotary slips as described in Item c) that are not capable for use as elevators and are installed on or above the master bushing/rotary table
- manual spiders that use nonstandard rotary slips not having a taper of 33.333 cm/m (4 in./ft) not capable of use as elevators, and installed on or above the master bushing/rotary table
- spring, pneumatic, or hydraulic spiders with integral slips not capable for use as elevators and are installed on or above the master bushing/rotary table
- spring, pneumatic, or hydraulic spiders with integral slips not capable for use as elevators and are installed in, or partly in, the rotary table
- manual tongs
- safety clamps not used as hoisting devices
- power tongs, including spinning wrenches
- blowout preventer (BOP) handling systems
- pressure-relieving devices for high-pressure drilling fluid circulating systems
- snub-lines for manual and power tongs
The API Spec 7K catalog (Product Number 807K05) is 105 and can be purchased from API for $182. There is also a Chinese translation (Product Number G07K05C) available for $128.
Fortunately, the June 2010 edition of the catalog can be read for free here.
Takeaways from API Spec 7 2010
In the same way that the FDA requires comprehensive documentation from food manufacturers, API requires comprehensive documentation for everything from repair welding to proof load test records to operation and maintenance manuals.
API Spec 7 2010 also includes a comprehensive listing of best practice guidelines for just about any drilling and well servicing equipment operations you can think of.
To give you an idea of how comprehensive the guidelines are, here’s a sample section:
7.9.3 Forgings and Castings
All repair welding shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s written welding specifications. WPSs shall be documented and shall be supplied at the purchaser’s request. The manufacturer shall document the following criteria for permitted repairs:
- defect type;
- defect size limits;
- definition of major/minor repairs.
All excavations, prior to repair, and the subsequent weld repair shall meet the quality control requirements specified in Section 8.
API Standards Matter
Keystone Energy Tools can help you understand industry specifications and ensure that your equipment meets or exceeds those standards. Knowledgeable staff work to get you the parts you need on time and for a good value. Keystone only works with products that are API compliant and of the highest quality. For a quick quote or answers to your questions, contact Keystone any time.
All Keystone Handling Tools are manufactured according to API 8C & API 7K Standards, and compliance with ABS CDS.
You can contact the API with questions about their standards, publications, and other issues using this form on their website or by calling 202-682-8471.
