Replacement Seals and Spare Parts for Annular and Ram BOPs

Description

Goldenman supplies API 16A sealing components and replacement parts for Annular Blowout Preventers and Ram Blowout Preventers used in drilling, workover and well-control systems.

The available product range includes Annular BOP packing elements, Ram BOP front packers, top seals, pipe ram assemblies, blind and shear ram sealing components, bonnet seals, piston seals and complete overhaul kits.

Replacement parts can be manufactured according to the original part number, BOP model, approved dimensional drawing or customer-supplied sample. Compatibility is confirmed from the complete mechanical interface and service conditions rather than the BOP bore and pressure rating alone.

Goldenman supplies API-certified products under the applicable API Spec 16A scope, with material identification, dimensional inspection, testing and project-specific documentation.

Product Short Description

Goldenman API 16A BOP spare parts are engineered for pressure sealing, hydraulic operation and scheduled maintenance of Annular and Ram BOP equipment.

Available components cover spherical and tapered Annular BOP packing units as well as fixed pipe ram, variable-bore ram, blind ram and shear ram sealing systems. Elastomer selection is based on temperature, drilling-fluid chemistry, hydrocarbon exposure and H₂S conditions.

Product Highlights

• API 16A Annular BOP and Ram BOP replacement parts
• Annular packing units and packing elements
• Ram blocks, front packers and top seals
• Pipe, variable-bore, blind and shear ram components
• Bonnet, door, piston and hydraulic seal kits
• Replacement parts by model, part number, drawing or sample
• Custom elastomer selection for drilling-fluid conditions
• Configurations for water-based and oil-based drilling fluids
• Sour-service options according to actual H₂S conditions
• Dimensional and material traceability
• Individual parts and complete overhaul kits
• Factory inspection and pressure-test support
• Third-party inspection available
• Technical matching for discontinued or difficult-to-source components

API 16A Product Scope

The relevant API Spec 16A product categories for this page are:

BOP Type	Applicable API Product Scope
Annular BOP	Annular Packing Units
Ram BOP	Ram Blocks, Packers, and/or Top Seals

The exact API marking and certification documentation supplied with an order must correspond to Goldenman’s licensed product scope and the manufactured component.

API Spec 16C should not be listed as the manufacturing standard for these BOP seals because API 16C applies to choke and kill equipment rather than Annular or Ram BOP packing components.

Available Annular BOP Spare Parts

Annular Packing Element

The Annular BOP packing element is the primary pressure-sealing component compressed inward by the BOP operating piston.

Depending on the BOP design, available configurations include:

• Spherical packing element
• Tapered packing element
• Conical packing element
• Reinforced annular packing unit
• Open-bore sealing packing unit
• Packing elements for approved stripping operations

A complete Annular packing element normally combines:

• Engineered elastomer compound
• Metallic reinforcing segments
• Internal supporting structure
• Model-specific sealing geometry

The metallic inserts control deformation and support the elastomer as it closes around different tubular outside diameters.

Annular BOP Dynamic Seal Kit

Available hydraulic and dynamic sealing components may include:

• Operating piston seals
• Body-to-piston seals
• Opening chamber seals
• Closing chamber seals
• Wear rings
• Anti-extrusion rings
• Dust seals
• Upper housing seals
• O-rings and backup rings

The seal kit must match the exact BOP body and piston design.

Annular BOP Wear and Mechanical Parts

Project-specific overhaul packages can also include:

• Wear plates
• Operating pistons
• Supporting cylinders
• Upper housing components
• Bolting
• Hydraulic fittings
• Retaining rings
• Lubrication components

Metallic spare parts are supplied according to verified drawings and material requirements.

Available Ram BOP Spare Parts

Fixed Pipe Ram Packers

Fixed pipe ram packers are designed to seal around one specified drill pipe, tubing or casing outside diameter.

A fixed ram sealing system may include:

• Metallic ram block
• Front packer
• Top seal
• Retaining components
• Side sealing components
• Associated fasteners

The stated tubular size must correspond to the actual outside diameter at the sealing position.

Variable-Bore Ram Packers

Variable-bore ram assemblies seal around a qualified range of tubular outside diameters.

They are commonly selected where:

• Several drill pipe sizes are used
• Tapered drillstrings are expected
• Ram changes must be minimized
• Greater operating flexibility is required

The approved sealing range depends on the complete ram block and packer design. A variable-bore packer should not be selected using only the BOP bore.

Blind Ram Sealing Components

Blind rams are designed to close and seal the open wellbore when no tubular is positioned across the ram cavity.

Available replacement components can include:

• Blind ram blocks
• Front sealing elements
• Top seals
• Side seals
• Retaining hardware

Blind ram packers should not be confused with shear ram sealing components.

Shear and Blind-Shear Ram Components

Shear ram assemblies are designed to cut specified tubulars and provide wellbore isolation under qualified operating conditions.

Replacement components may include:

• Upper and lower shear blades
• Shear ram blocks
• Front sealing elements
• Top seals
• Blade retaining components
• Guide and support parts

Shear compatibility cannot be confirmed from BOP bore and pressure alone. The technical review must include the tubular OD, wall thickness, steel grade, connection position and required operator pressure.

Ram BOP Top Seals

The top seal provides pressure sealing between the upper surface of the ram assembly and the BOP ram cavity.

Correct matching requires:

• BOP manufacturer
• BOP model
• Ram cavity dimensions
• Ram block type
• Top seal profile
• Working pressure
• Temperature and fluid conditions

A top seal that appears visually similar may still differ in groove profile, compression allowance or material compound.

Ram BOP Front Packers

The front packer provides the primary seal around the tubular or across the open bore.

Available types include:

• Fixed pipe ram front packers
• Variable-bore ram packers
• Blind ram packers
• Shear ram sealing packers
• Project-specific ram sealing elements

The front packer must be installed with the corresponding ram block design.

Bonnet and Door Seal Kits

Ram BOP overhaul kits can include:

• Bonnet seals
• Door seals
• Hinge-side seals
• Connecting rod seals
• Piston seals
• Cylinder seals
• Secondary seal components
• O-rings and backup rings

Seal-kit content should be defined from the BOP assembly drawing or parts manual.

Product Range

Product Group	Available Components
Annular BOP packing parts	Spherical, tapered and project-specific packing units
Annular BOP hydraulic seals	Piston seals, wear rings, dust seals and O-ring kits
Fixed pipe ram parts	Ram blocks, front packers and top seals
Variable-bore ram parts	Variable ram blocks, packers and top seals
Blind ram parts	Blind ram blocks, front seals and top seals
Shear ram parts	Shear blocks, blades, packers and top seals
Ram BOP body seals	Bonnet seals, door seals and secondary seals
Hydraulic operating parts	Piston seals, cylinder seals and rod seals
Metallic spare parts	Pistons, bonnets, retainers, bolts and wear components
Overhaul packages	Complete seal and replacement-part kits

Page-Listed Annular BOP Compatibility References

The existing Goldenman page lists the following Annular BOP models as compatibility references:

Model	Nominal Bore	Rated Working Pressure
FH18-35	180 mm / 7-1/16 in	35 MPa / 5,000 psi
FH28-21	280 mm / 11 in	21 MPa / 3,000 psi
FH28-35	280 mm / 11 in	35 MPa / 5,000 psi
FH35-21	346 mm / 13-5/8 in	21 MPa / 3,000 psi
FH35-35	346 mm / 13-5/8 in	35 MPa / 5,000 psi

These model references do not by themselves confirm packing-element interchangeability.

The order must also confirm:

• Original BOP manufacturer
• BOP serial number
• Packing-element part number
• Spherical or tapered design
• Packing-element dimensions
• Metallic insert arrangement
• Operating temperature
• Drilling-fluid type

Opening volume, closing volume, complete BOP weight and BOP external dimensions are not necessary in the primary spare-parts specification table and should remain on the relevant Annular BOP product pages.

Replacement Compatibility Requirements

Goldenman can manufacture replacement components for specified BOP models, but the expression “100% interchangeable” should only be used after technical verification.

Compatibility must include:

• Overall dimensions
• Sealing profile
• Installation groove dimensions
• Ram block interface
• Bolt and retaining arrangement
• Piston or cylinder interface
• Closing direction
• Compression allowance
• Elastomer compound
• Pressure and temperature rating
• Connected metallic components

The most reliable identification methods are:

1. Original manufacturer’s part number
2. BOP model and serial number
3. Approved parts manual or assembly drawing
4. Fully dimensioned replacement drawing
5. Customer-supplied unused sample
6. Measured used sample supported by wear assessment

A severely worn or permanently deformed rubber component should not be used as the only dimensional reference.

Manufacturer and Model References

Replacement parts may be developed for Goldenman equipment and for selected BOP designs manufactured by other suppliers.

Brand names and model designations should be used only to identify the required mechanical interface.

They do not indicate that:

• The replacement part is manufactured by the original brand owner
• Goldenman is an authorized distributor for that brand
• Every part within the same nominal BOP model is automatically interchangeable
• The replacement component is an original equipment manufacturer part

The quotation and drawing should clearly identify the part as a Goldenman-manufactured replacement unless it is supplied as a documented original component.

How to Select the Correct BOP Seal

1. Identify the Exact BOP

Provide:

• Manufacturer
• Model
• Serial number
• Bore size
• Working pressure
• Manufacturing year
• Annular or Ram BOP design

Similar BOP model names can include different generations and sealing-component dimensions.

2. Identify the Exact Component

State whether the requirement is for:

• Annular packing element
• Pipe ram front packer
• Variable-bore ram packer
• Blind ram packer
• Shear ram seal
• Top seal
• Bonnet seal
• Piston seal
• Complete ram block
• Complete overhaul kit

The description “BOP rubber” is not sufficient for manufacturing.

3. Confirm the Part Number

The original part number is the preferred identification method.

When the part number is unavailable, supply:

• Parts manual
• Assembly drawing
• Clear photographs
• Complete dimensions
• Sample component

4. Define the Operating Medium

Provide information about:

• Water-based drilling mud
• Oil-based drilling mud
• Synthetic-based mud
• Crude oil
• Natural gas
• Completion fluid
• Brine
• Chemical additives
• H₂S and CO₂ exposure

Elastomer compatibility depends on the complete fluid composition rather than the general description “drilling mud.”

5. Confirm Temperature Conditions

State:

• Minimum operating temperature
• Maximum operating temperature
• Storage temperature
• Expected high-temperature exposure
• Required low-temperature flexibility

The seal compound must retain acceptable deformation, recovery and fluid resistance across the specified range.

6. Define the Operating Duty

For an Annular packing element, specify whether the operation includes:

• Static sealing
• Open-bore closure
• Drill pipe sealing
• Tool-joint passage
• Controlled stripping
• Repeated pressure cycles

For Ram BOP components, specify:

• Tubular sealing size
• Variable sealing range
• Blind sealing
• Shearing requirement
• Expected operating cycles

Elastomer Selection

BOP sealing compounds must balance several performance requirements:

• Pressure sealing
• Elastic recovery
• Extrusion resistance
• Tear resistance
• Compression-set resistance
• Drilling-fluid compatibility
• Hydrocarbon resistance
• Low-temperature flexibility
• High-temperature stability
• H₂S resistance

The final compound should be selected from the actual service data.

A more expensive or harder elastomer is not automatically the best choice. Excessive hardness can reduce conformity around irregular sealing profiles, while an unsuitable soft compound may extrude or wear prematurely.

Goldenman confirms the recommended compound after reviewing the BOP model, fluid chemistry, temperature and operating duty.

Water-Based vs Oil-Based Mud Service

Water-based and oil-based drilling fluids can affect elastomers differently.

The review should include:

Service Information	Why It Matters
Base fluid	Affects swelling, softening and chemical resistance
Oil concentration	Influences elastomer compatibility
Salinity and chlorides	Can affect elastomers and metallic inserts
Temperature	Accelerates chemical ageing
Weighting materials	Increase abrasion
Chemical additives	May alter swelling or hardness
Gas exposure	Can affect decompression behaviour
H₂S content	Requires complete sour-service review

A packing element previously used successfully in one drilling-fluid system should not automatically be specified for a different mud program.

H₂S and Sour-Service Requirements

For H₂S-containing wells, provide:

• H₂S concentration or partial pressure
• CO₂ concentration
• Working pressure
• Operating temperature
• Chloride content
• Drilling-fluid chemistry
• Required NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 compliance
• BOP material class
• End-user elastomer specification

The review should include both the elastomer and embedded metallic components.

A general statement such as “H₂S resistant rubber” is not sufficient to define a qualified spare part.

Common Causes of Premature BOP Seal Failure

Incorrect Part Identification

A seal with the wrong profile or dimensions may install into the cavity but fail to achieve the required compression and pressure contact.

Incompatible Elastomer Compound

Exposure to an unsuitable oil, chemical, temperature or gas environment can cause:

• Swelling
• Hardening
• Softening
• Cracking
• Loss of elasticity
• Permanent deformation

Excessive Hydraulic Closing Pressure

Applying more hydraulic pressure than necessary can accelerate wear of Annular packing units and increase stress on tubulars and reinforcing inserts.

Damaged Tubular Surfaces

Sharp edges, corrosion, hardbanding, damaged tool joints and rough tubular surfaces can cut or abrade the packing element.

Incorrect Installation

Twisted seals, damaged grooves, contaminated surfaces and incorrect retaining components can cause immediate or early leakage.

Long-Term Compression

Packing elements or ram seals left under compression for extended periods can develop permanent set and reduced recovery.

Improper Storage

Direct sunlight, ozone, heat, moisture, chemicals and deformation during storage can shorten elastomer life before installation.

Inspection Before Installation

Before installing a replacement seal, check:

• Correct part number
• Correct BOP model
• Manufacturing and traceability markings
• Elastomer surface condition
• Metallic insert condition
• Dimensions
• Storage history
• Expiry or recommended storage period
• Groove cleanliness
• Mating metallic surfaces
• Retaining components
• Installation lubricant compatibility

Do not install components with cracks, exposed reinforcement, permanent deformation, corrosion or unverified identification.

Storage and Preservation

BOP elastomer components should be stored:

• Indoors
• Away from direct sunlight
• Away from ozone-generating electrical equipment
• Away from fuels, solvents and aggressive chemicals
• Without crushing or permanent deformation
• In clean packaging
• At controlled temperature where specified
• With clear part-number and batch identification

Large Annular packing elements should be supported in the recommended position rather than stacked under excessive load.

Quality Control and Testing

Goldenman quality-control procedures can include:

• Raw-material and compound verification
• Batch traceability
• Elastomer hardness testing
• Dimensional inspection
• Visual inspection
• Metallic insert verification
• Bonding and reinforcement inspection
• Ram block material verification
• Nondestructive examination of metallic components where required
• Fit-up inspection
• Functional assembly verification
• Pressure-sealing test using applicable test equipment
• Product marking inspection
• Final documentation review

The exact test method depends on whether the order covers an elastomeric replacement component, a complete packing unit or a complete ram block assembly.

Documentation Available

The project documentation package can include:

• API certificate
• Certificate of Conformity
• Approved product datasheet
• Compatibility drawing
• Dimensional inspection report
• Elastomer batch identification
• Hardness report
• Material certificate for metallic components
• NDE reports where applicable
• Fit-up or functional inspection report
• Pressure-test report where applicable
• Product marking and traceability record
• Storage instructions
• Installation guidance
• Recommended spare-parts list
• Packing list
• Third-party inspection report

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Goldenman BOP seals directly replace original manufacturer parts?

Replacement compatibility can be confirmed when the original part number, BOP model, dimensions and service conditions match the approved Goldenman drawing.

The same bore and pressure rating do not guarantee interchangeability. Packing geometry, ram block interfaces, metallic inserts and elastomer compounds must also be verified.

Is an Annular BOP packing element the same as an Annular BOP seal kit?

No.

The packing element is the large reinforced component that seals around the tubular or open bore. A seal kit normally contains piston seals, O-rings, wear rings, dust seals and other hydraulic sealing components.

The two product groups should be ordered separately unless a complete overhaul package is required.

Can one Annular packing element fit different BOP brands?

Not automatically.

BOPs with the same bore and working pressure may use different spherical or tapered profiles, insert structures, heights and piston interfaces.

A cross-brand replacement requires a dimensional and design review.

What information is needed to replace a Ram BOP front packer and top seal?

Provide:

• BOP manufacturer and model
• Serial number
• Ram cavity
• Ram block type
• Tubular sealing size or range
• Existing part numbers
• Working pressure
• Temperature
• Drilling-fluid type
• Photographs or drawings

The front packer and top seal should be matched to the corresponding ram block.

Can the same Ram BOP packer be used for water-based and oil-based mud?

Only when the selected compound is qualified for both fluid systems at the required temperature.

Oil concentration, chemical additives, gas exposure and temperature can significantly change elastomer behaviour.

How should a packing element for H₂S service be selected?

The selection must use the actual H₂S partial pressure, temperature, well pressure, drilling-fluid chemistry and required NACE specification.

Both the elastomer and internal metallic reinforcing components must be reviewed.

Why can a new BOP seal leak immediately after installation?

Possible causes include:

• Incorrect part or dimensions
• Damaged installation groove
• Contamination
• Incorrect orientation
• Pinched or twisted sealing surfaces
• Incompatible lubricant
• Damaged mating component
• Incorrect closing pressure
• Incorrect ram block or packing-unit combination

The seal and mating BOP components should be inspected together.

Can a used packing element be copied from a physical sample?

It can be used as one reference, but a used elastomer may be swollen, compressed, worn or permanently deformed.

Original drawings, part numbers and unused samples provide a more reliable manufacturing basis.

Should Ram BOP seals be purchased individually or as a complete kit?

Individual parts are suitable when one identified component requires replacement.

A complete kit is generally more appropriate for scheduled overhaul because related seals may have the same operating age and chemical exposure. The kit content should be matched to the exact BOP model and maintenance scope.

What documents should be requested with API 16A BOP spare parts?

Depending on the product scope, buyers may request the API certificate, Certificate of Conformity, dimensional report, elastomer batch record, hardness report, metallic material certificates and applicable inspection or pressure-test reports.

The document list should be agreed before production.

Information Required for Quotation

Please provide:

• Annular BOP or Ram BOP
• Original manufacturer
• BOP model
• Serial number
• Bore size
• Working pressure
• Required spare-part name
• Original part number
• Ram type, where applicable
• Tubular sealing size or range
• Spherical or tapered Annular design
• Component dimensions
• Quantity
• Minimum and maximum temperature
• Drilling-fluid type
• Oil or synthetic-fluid concentration
• H₂S and CO₂ conditions
• Applicable NACE requirements
• Required elastomer specification
• Required metallic material
• API certificate requirement
• Required inspection documents
• Third-party inspection requirement
• Destination country
• Delivery schedule

Please also provide the parts manual, drawing, unused sample or clear photographs when the original part number cannot be identified.

Request a Technical Quotation

Goldenman supplies API 16A Annular BOP packing units, Ram BOP blocks, front packers, top seals and complete overhaul kits for drilling and workover well-control equipment.

Send the BOP model, serial number, part number, component dimensions, fluid conditions and operating temperature to:

Email: info@goldenman.com

Goldenman will review the replacement interface and prepare the recommended part configuration, compatibility drawing and commercial quotation.