Extending BOP Testing Intervals: The Engineering and Economics Behind 14 to 21 Days
May 28th, 2025
What Reliability-Based Decisions Really Mean for Safety, Efficiency, and Cost
Extending BOP (Blowout Preventer) testing intervals from 14 to 21 days can deliver meaningful cost savings and operational efficiencies — but only when supported by engineering analysis and real-time monitoring systems. Aquila was the pioneer in this shift, leading the industry with the first approved move from 14 to 21 days through a combination of robust engineering and digital assurance. In this blog, we’ll explore the technical reasoning behind longer intervals, how digital BOP testing software enhances decision-making, and the economic impacts that matter most to drilling managers and regulators.
In this blog, we dive into the growing movement in offshore drilling to extend BOP testing intervals, a decision that hinges on balancing safety, data integrity, and cost. With advanced BOP engineering, real-time monitoring, and digital BOP testing services, the industry is now better equipped than ever to make informed, reliability-based choices.
1. The Engineering Case for Extending BOP Testing Intervals
Traditional BOP testing intervals - every 14 days - were created at a time when digital BOP testing software, real-time monitoring systems, and BOP test data analysis didn’t exist. Today, with advanced technology, there’s a compelling engineering rationale to push intervals to 21 days in the right conditions:
Real-Time Monitoring (RTM Drilling): Enables continuous health tracking of BOPs, flagging anomalies before they become failures.
Digital BOP Testing Efficiency: Reduces the margin for human error and offers consistent, repeatable testing.
Reliability-Based Maintenance: Uses actual performance data instead of fixed intervals, aligning testing with real-world wear and usage.
With remote digital pressure testing and BOP tracking, engineers can justify longer intervals without compromising safety or compliance.
2. Economic Impact: What 7 Extra Days Mean for Operators
For drilling managers, every hour of rig time counts. Extending BOP testing intervals from 14 to 21 days can lead to:
Reduced NPT (Non-Productive Time): Each BOP test can consume 6–12 hours of rig time. Fewer tests = more uptime.
Lower Operational Costs: Fewer tests mean lower labor, equipment wear, and logistical costs.
Improved Rig Scheduling: Extending intervals gives more flexibility for operations and logistics planning.
When backed by data from digital BOP testing services and BOP testing companies, this extension isn’t just a safety decision, it’s a business advantage.
3. Regulatory Considerations and the Role of Digital Assurance
Regulators are increasingly open to reliability-based approaches, provided operators can show the data:
Digital Assurance: Systems that record and store every pressure reading, valve operation, and test step—offering clear audit trails.
BOP Test Data Analysis: Enables precise tracking of test quality and equipment performance.
BOP Testing Software Compliance Features: Many digital platforms include features tailored to API and regional standards, simplifying reporting.
By using BOP digital tools, companies can align with safety expectations while also pushing innovation in how testing is managed.
Conclusion: A Smarter Way Forward
Extending BOP testing intervals from 14 to 21 days it’s about making smarter, data-driven decisions using the latest in BOP engineering, real-time monitoring, and digital pressure testing. When BOP test data analysis backs reliability, and digital systems offer complete visibility, both operators and regulators benefit from improved efficiency without compromising safety.
At Aquila Engineering, we support this evolution with advanced digital BOP testing software, real-time monitoring systems, and trusted BOP testing services that ensure compliance while unlocking operational flexibility. Whether you're looking to improve testing efficiency or make the case for extended intervals, our tools and expertise help drilling managers and regulators move forward with confidence.
