Sucker Rod Blowout Preventer for Rod Pump Well Control

Description

Goldenman Sucker Rod Blowout Preventer is a compact ram-type well-control device designed to seal around sucker rods, polished rods and other approved small-diameter rod strings during production-well maintenance and workover operations.

The Rod BOP is normally installed above the tubing head or production wellhead to provide temporary pressure isolation while operators pull or run rods, replace a stuffing box, service rod-pump equipment or perform other wellhead maintenance.

Single-ram and double-ram configurations are available with manual or hydraulic operation. Ram inserts and sealing elements are selected according to the actual sucker rod or polished rod outside diameter, well pressure, temperature and produced-fluid conditions.

Goldenman supplies the Sucker Rod BOP with applicable API certification, factory pressure testing and project-specific inspection documentation.

Product Highlights

• Compact BOP for sucker rod and polished rod operations
• Designed to applicable API Spec 16A Ram BOP requirements
• Single-ram and double-ram configurations
• Manual or hydraulic operation
• Available pressure classes from 1,500 to 5,000 psi
• Ram sizes for common sucker rod and polished rod diameters
• Fixed-size rod rams and blind ram options
• Threaded, flanged or custom wellhead connections
• Replaceable ram packers and sealing elements
• Sour-service and high-temperature material options
• Suitable for pumping well maintenance and workover
• API certificate and pressure-test documentation
• Replacement ram and seal support

What Is a Sucker Rod Blowout Preventer?

A Sucker Rod Blowout Preventer is a specialized ram-type BOP used on wells equipped with reciprocating rod-pump artificial-lift systems.

Two opposed ram assemblies move inward from opposite sides of the BOP body. When closed, the shaped elastomeric sealing elements form a pressure seal around the sucker rod or polished rod passing through the bore.

Depending on the selected configuration, a Rod BOP can be equipped with:

• Fixed-size sucker rod rams
• Fixed-size polished rod rams
• Blind rams for sealing an open bore
• Two different rod-size ram sets
• One rod ram cavity and one blind ram cavity

The final configuration must match the wellhead arrangement and the actual rod sizes used on the well.

Main Applications

The Sucker Rod BOP is suitable for:

• Pulling and running sucker rods
• Polished rod maintenance
• Stuffing box replacement
• Rod-pump servicing
• Production well workover
• Wellhead repair
• Pressure control during rod-string handling
• Well flushing and sand-cleaning support
• Artificial-lift equipment maintenance
• Replacement of an existing Rod BOP
• Temporary pressure isolation above the tubing head

It is intended for rod-pump well operations and should not be confused with a large-bore drilling Ram BOP used around drill pipe, casing or drilling assemblies.

Available Technical Configurations

Parameter	Available Configuration
Product name	Sucker Rod Blowout Preventer
Product type	Compact ram-type Rod BOP
Applicable standard	Applicable API Spec 16A requirements
API product category	Ram BOP
Ram arrangement	Single ram or double ram
Operating method	Manual or hydraulic
Working pressure	1,500, 2,000, 3,000, or 5,000 psi
Applicable rod range	Selected according to the actual rod or polished rod OD
Common rod range	Approximately 5/8–1-1/2 in
Ram options	Rod ram, polished rod ram, or blind ram
Body material	Carbon steel or alloy steel according to service
Connection type	Threaded, flanged or project-specific
Operating medium	Oil, gas, produced water and specified well fluids
Sour-service option	Available according to service conditions
Temperature class	According to the elastomer and project specification
Certification	Applicable API certificate
Testing	Hydrostatic, sealing, and functional testing
Customization	Bore, pressure, ram size, and connection

The final working pressure, rod size, connection, and overall dimensions must be confirmed through the approved Goldenman product datasheet.

Typical Rod and Ram Size Options

Rod Type	Common Outside Diameter	Recommended RAM Specification
Sucker rod	5/8 in	Fixed 5/8 in rod ram
Sucker rod	3/4 in	Fixed 3/4 in rod ram
Sucker rod	7/8 in	Fixed 7/8 in rod ram
Sucker rod	1 in	Fixed 1 in rod ram
Sucker rod	1-1/8 in	Fixed 1-1/8 in rod ram
Polished rod	1-1/4 in	Fixed 1-1/4 in polished rod ram
Polished rod	1-1/2 in	Fixed 1-1/2 in polished rod ram
Open bore	No rod present	Blind ram, when specified

The actual ram size should be selected from the measured rod OD rather than relying only on the nominal rod description.

Single-Ram and Double-Ram Configurations

Single-Ram Sucker Rod BOP

A single-ram design contains one sealing cavity.

It may be suitable when:

• Only one rod size is used
• A compact installation height is required
• The BOP is used mainly during stuffing box or polished rod maintenance
• An independent blind-sealing function is not required
• Simpler manual operation is preferred

The ram can be configured for a specified sucker rod or polished rod size.

Double-Ram Sucker Rod BOP

A double-ram design contains two independent ram cavities.

Common arrangements include:

Upper Ram	Lower Ram	Typical Application
Rod ram	Rod ram	Two different rod sizes
Polished rod ram	Sucker rod ram	Polished rod and rod-string maintenance
Rod ram	Blind ram	Rod sealing plus open-bore isolation
Rod ram	Rod ram of the same size	Secondary sealing redundancy

The required arrangement should be defined before production because the ram blocks and sealing elements are size-specific.

Manual and Hydraulic Operation

Manual Rod BOP

Manual models use handwheels or screw mechanisms to move and lock the rams.

They may be preferred where:

• The well is easily accessible
• Closing frequency is low
• Remote operation is not required
• A simple and compact system is preferred
• Hydraulic power is unavailable

Operators must close both sides evenly to maintain balanced ram contact.

Hydraulic Rod BOP

Hydraulic models use pressure from a control unit or hydraulic hand pump to operate the ram assemblies.

They may be selected when:

• Faster closure is required
• Remote operation is needed
• The wellhead is difficult to access
• The BOP is integrated into a workover control system
• Repeated opening and closing is expected

The hydraulic system must provide the required pressure and fluid volume for the selected BOP.

How to Select the Correct Sucker Rod BOP

1. Confirm the Actual Rod Outside Diameter

Provide the exact OD of every rod that must pass through or be sealed by the BOP.

This may include:

• Sucker rod body
• Polished rod
• Pony rod
• Sink rod
• Rod coupling
• Rod-string accessory

A rod coupling is normally larger than the rod body. A fixed-size rod ram designed for the body may not allow a coupling to pass through while closed.

2. Confirm the Working Pressure

The selected BOP pressure rating should be equal to or greater than the maximum pressure expected at the installation point.

Consider:

• Normal wellhead pressure
• Shut-in pressure
• Workover pressure
• Well-flushing pressure
• Temporary pumping pressure
• Pressure-test requirement
• Project design margin

The pressure rating of the BOP body, ram system and end connections must be compatible.

3. Define the Required Ram Functions

Specify whether the BOP must:

• Seal one rod size
• Seal two different rod sizes
• Seal a polished rod
• Seal an open wellbore
• Provide two independent sealing barriers

This determines whether a single-ram or double-ram model is required.

4. Match the Wellhead Connections

Confirm:

• Upper connection
• Lower connection
• Thread type
• Flange size
• Pressure rating
• Ring-gasket specification
• Existing tubing head connection
• Stuffing box or pumping tee interface
• Available installation height

For replacement projects, nominal connection size alone is not enough to confirm interchangeability.

5. Confirm Well Fluid and Temperature

Provide:

• Produced oil composition
• Gas content
• H₂S and CO₂ conditions
• Produced water
• Chloride content
• Operating temperature
• Chemical-treatment fluids
• Well-cleaning or stimulation fluids

This information determines the required metallic materials and elastomer compound.

Ram Packers and Sealing Elements

The ram sealing element is shaped to close around one specified rod outside diameter.

Correct sealing performance depends on:

• Ram size
• Rod outside diameter
• Rod surface condition
• Well pressure
• Elastomer compound
• Ram alignment
• Closing force
• Seal wear

A fixed-size sucker rod ram should not be expected to seal effectively around several substantially different rod diameters.

For replacement ram orders, provide:

• BOP manufacturer
• BOP model
• Working pressure
• Ram cavity
• Rod size
• Existing part number
• Ram block dimensions
• Elastomer requirement
• Clear photographs

Can Rods Move Through a Closed Rod BOP?

A Rod BOP is primarily intended to provide pressure isolation around a stationary rod.

Limited controlled rod movement may be possible only when:

• The exact BOP design permits it
• The correct ram and elastomer are installed
• Closing force is carefully controlled
• The rod surface is smooth and undamaged
• The approved operating procedure permits movement

Pulling rod couplings through a closed fixed-size rod ram can damage the sealing elements and should not be assumed acceptable.

Sour-Service and High-Temperature Selection

For corrosive or H₂S-containing wells, material selection should consider:

• H₂S partial pressure
• CO₂ concentration
• Chloride content
• Wellhead pressure
• Operating temperature
• Produced-water chemistry
• Metallic hardness limits
• Bolting material
• Elastomer compatibility
• Applicable NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 requirements

Available sealing materials may include NBR, HNBR or other project-specific elastomers. Final selection must be based on fluid compatibility and temperature rather than product model alone.

Replacement Compatibility

A replacement Sucker Rod BOP should not be ordered using only the pressure rating and rod size.

Provide:

• Existing manufacturer
• Model and serial number
• Single-ram or double-ram design
• Manual or hydraulic operation
• Working pressure
• Body bore
• Upper connection
• Lower connection
• Overall height
• Connection centerline dimensions
• Ram sizes
• Side-opening clearance
• Hydraulic port details
• Existing photographs
• General arrangement drawing

Two Rod BOPs described as “3,000 psi for 1-1/4 in polished rod” may still have different connections, body dimensions and ram designs.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Goldenman quality-control procedures may include:

• Material certificate verification
• Heat-number traceability
• Chemical and mechanical property review
• Body dimensional inspection
• Connection and thread inspection
• Ram cavity inspection
• Ram block dimensional inspection
• Elastomer identification
• Hardness verification
• Nondestructive examination where required
• Manual or hydraulic operation testing
• Body hydrostatic testing
• Rod ram sealing test
• Blind ram sealing test when applicable
• Pressure-holding test
• External leakage inspection
• Product marking verification
• Coating and preservation inspection
• Final documentation review

The exact testing and inspection scope is defined by the selected pressure class, API requirements and purchase specification.

Available Documentation

The order documentation package can include:

• API certificate
• Certificate of Conformity
• Approved product datasheet
• General arrangement drawing
• Material certificates
• Heat-treatment records
• NDE reports
• Dimensional inspection report
• Hydrostatic test report
• Rod ram sealing test report
• Blind ram test report when applicable
• Hydraulic functional test report
• Elastomer identification record
• Operation and maintenance manual
• Recommended spare-parts list
• Packing list
• Third-party inspection report

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Sucker Rod BOP and a drilling Ram BOP?

A Sucker Rod BOP is a compact, small-bore pressure-control device designed around sucker rods and polished rods used in artificial-lift wells.

A drilling Ram BOP has a much larger bore and is designed around drill pipe, casing, tubing or open-hole well-control functions. Their dimensions, ram designs, installation positions and operating requirements are different.

Can one Sucker Rod BOP seal both the sucker rod and polished rod?

A double-ram BOP can be configured with one ram set for the sucker rod and another for the polished rod.

A single fixed-size ram normally seals only the specified outside diameter. The exact rod sizes must be supplied before production.

Can the BOP seal the well when no rod is present?

Yes, when the BOP is equipped with a qualified blind ram cavity.

A shaped rod ram cannot be assumed to provide reliable open-bore sealing. If open-bore isolation is required, it should be stated explicitly in the purchase specification.

Can sucker rod couplings pass through a closed Rod BOP?

Normally, a fixed-size rod ram is designed around the rod body and not the larger coupling OD.

Attempting to pull a coupling through a closed ram can damage the sealing element. The coupling OD and planned operating procedure must be reviewed before selection.

How should the ram size be selected?

Use the actual measured outside diameter at the sealing position.

The buyer should distinguish between the sucker rod body, polished rod, pony rod and coupling. The nominal rod description alone may not identify the correct sealing diameter.

When should a double-ram BOP be selected instead of a single-ram BOP?

A double-ram design is appropriate when the operation requires two rod sizes, a rod ram plus blind ram, or two independent sealing barriers.

A single-ram design is more compact and may be adequate for one fixed rod size and a simpler maintenance procedure.

Can the same Rod BOP be used for H₂S wells?

It can be configured for sour service when the body material, bolting, ram components and elastomers are selected for the actual H₂S, CO₂, pressure and temperature conditions.

A standard non-sour configuration should not automatically be used in an H₂S well.

What causes premature ram seal failure?

Common causes include:

• Incorrect ram size
• Damaged or corroded rod surface
• Pulling couplings through closed rams
• Incorrect elastomer compound
• Excessive closing force
• High temperature
• Chemical incompatibility
• Poor ram alignment
• Long-term compression during storage or operation

What information is required to replace an existing Sucker Rod BOP?

Provide the existing model, pressure rating, bore, rod sizes, upper and lower connections, overall dimensions, operation type and ram part numbers.

Photographs of the nameplate, connections and ram assemblies are strongly recommended.

Information Required for Quotation

Please provide:

• Required working pressure
• Single-ram or double-ram configuration
• Manual or hydraulic operation
• Sucker rod body OD
• Polished rod OD
• Coupling OD
• Required blind ram function
• Upper connection
• Lower connection
• Thread or flange specification
• Normal wellhead pressure
• Maximum anticipated pressure
• Operating temperature
• Produced-fluid composition
• H₂S and CO₂ conditions
• Applicable NACE requirement
• Required spare ram sets
• API certificate requirement
• Pressure-test documentation
• Third-party inspection requirement
• Quantity
• Destination country
• Delivery schedule

For replacement orders, also provide the existing nameplate, dimensional drawing and product photographs.

Request a Technical Quotation

Goldenman supplies API-certified Sucker Rod Blowout Preventers for rod-pump production wells, workover operations and wellhead maintenance.

Available configurations include single or double rams, manual or hydraulic operation, rod rams, polished rod rams and blind rams.

Send your rod sizes, well pressure, BOP configuration, connection details and service conditions to:

Email: info@goldenman.com

Goldenman will review the wellhead interfaces and recommend the correct Sucker Rod BOP, ram configuration and sealing materials for your project.