Any ideas as to why a accumulator on the suction side of a pump would blow off the top half shearing 48 1/2" hardened  bolts off in the process. It happened while wireline was equalizing in preparation to making a run down the hole.

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Sounds like an explosion.
Would be trying to determine the source of ignition so as not to repeat.
That's all I can come up with.

metal fatigue by cyclic loading would be a first thought, coupled with general corrosion from humid air

Brian

Just a thought: hardened bolts are brittle rather than ductile ... and could they have been over tightened (some weakened by fractures)?

 

JS

i have seen several ultra high pressure accumulator's blow - on the pressure side of pumps....all of which were caused by cyclic metal fatigue........but on the suction side? Don't seem to make sense, but i do not know of the process you are talking about. Some things designed to hold/accumulate a vacuum, may not be ideal to hold pressure.

Wow.
Pressure on - pressure off x thousands of cycles
shearing (48) 1/2 dia. bolts (on the suction side).
Still seems like some sudden explosive spike in
(positive) pressure would be required.

As I read - seems like a TWOfold problem:

*PRESSURE buildup with a 'hose'

*BOLT WEAKNESS - potentially

PROBLEMS can be SOLVED! Possible solution is 'problem due to OVERUSE': REPLACE at 'x' time of use...***STANDARDIZE***:

*after 'x' times of 'actual use' - no matter what...

*IF has not been in use (just sitting unused) for more than 'x' time - AUTOMATIC REPLACEMENT

...these Co.'s that you all are working for make the money to do this...YOU need to bring up these issues & get things straight for 'the guys in the field' (NOT the pencils behind the desks...). *It costs somebody something. YOU in the field carry the 'bore/brunt' of the shaft....

You don't want to WAIT until it's TOO LATE for one of you. Have some 'standards' - MAKE the 'standard'. *THAT would be best. ***READ that 'The Power of Habit', chapter 4...if AA could do it - the ENTIRE G&O industry can be REGULATED, it CAN!

*ADD UP the $$$ that it 'cost the company' & then compare to how much less it will be to 'STANDARDIZE' the 'new' technical G&O industry is nowadays...and $$$ matters MATTER (and lives+). Value yourselves, value your co-workers -- ain't NO $$$ you ever gonna' make gonna save you from a 'grave' - think about THAT! Be wise.

BE the 'Standard' (and yes, that IS a pun...), but DO ENDEAVOR to RAISE the bar/ the STANDARD. ***SECOND TIME go-round? THINK about that...and ACT. THAT is just plain 'common sense' as the very nose on your face...don't be a sucker - IF you let this 'railroad you', then you ARE a 'fool'....

  My thoughts how about a low side (suction side) valve closure and the HP Pump side being left open. The pump is less than a year old, corrosion not a issue as I was the one that found the upper half.

That would mean a back pressure through the pump blowing
the top off of the suction side accumulator.
Still it seems a sudden overpressure would need to have
happened (like explosive sudden).
A lot of bolts failing all at once - no ?

Someone didn't tighten a bolt, or dropped a screwdriver somewhere they shouldn't have - who knows...whatever the case, price charming just couldn't get out of his suit of armor...James Burke Connections #10 - Yesterday, Tomorrow and You - YouTube maybe this holds the answers?

IF it's too hard to figure out - ask Grayson, after all he said that these wells are more complex than the archaic Nuclear technology...ask him (genius).

Wasn't Grayson that said that.......

You know, Jim...I just don't remember...WHO was it? It was not a 'good connection'/comparison/analogy...help me out here, you're a lawyer, right?...you know the word I'm looking for here...do YOU remember? Anyway - it just wasn't right, was it? Anyway - if you recall, let me know please...NEVER MIND, doesn't really matter, does it? It was just plain stupid... not as 'uptight' as this though, eh?

Tell these guys to 'DEAL AMERICAN' for God's sake! Connect with a Tool & Die shop in Meadville, Pa. area somewhere (home of Channelock Tool +)...here you all go - have at it. DO check it out - if someone can't help you, they should refer you someone whose expertise you are seeking...

Tool & Die Makers in Pennsylvania

Doesn't matter who said it as it is not relevant to this discussion. Lets all stick to the topic instead of using it for personal attacks. Too many of these threads deteriorate into personal ego battles......really sophomoric and boring.

And I am not a lawyer. And don't play one on TV.  Or on the 'net.

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