The test nobody wants to fail, but everybody must pass.
Before that coiled tubing string goes anywhere near a live wellbore, we ask one very important question:
If everything goes wrong, can this thing actually cut the pipe and hold pressure?
That’s the shear test.
The shear seal rams on a CT BOP aren’t just for show. They’re your last mechanical line of defense against a well control incident. We pressure-test them to verify they can:
i.Shear through the coiled tubing string
ii.Achieve a pressure-tight seal after shearing
iii.Hold rated working pressure, not almost, not close. Rated.
No pass? No job. Full stop.
Because in well intervention, “we’ll figure it out on the fly” is not a well control strategy.
Pre-job equipment verification isn’t paperwork.
It’s the difference between an operation and an incident.
The well doesn’t care about your schedule.
Your BOP should care about the wellbore