Reliability of Subsea BOP systems

A comprehensive study of Subsea Blowout Preventer (BOP) performance in the North Sea between 1978 and 1986 has been carried out to identify BOP reliability problems. Reliability of the BOP as a barrier against blowouts has been assessed together with rig downtime caused by BOP failures and malfunctions. An overall conclusion from the study is that the BOP reliability has improved significantly during the last few years.