Oilfield Equipment – Surface Pressure Control

Calibration Procedure – Pressure Test Gauges

for API Specification 6A Applications
QC-520 , rev: 4.0

Approved By:

Dawnya Reese S. Premkumar Name

Production Quality Mgr NDE level III Title
OFE-SPC OFE-SPC Organisation

For any feedback to the process, or the document, please contact the process owner - Lead
Quality Management Specialist.
APPLICABLE PRODUCT LINES
☐ Subsea Drilling Systems Subsea Production Systems (SPS), Subsea Services (SRV) & Offshore
☒ Surface Pressure Control ☐ Well Systems ☐ Controls
☐ Flexible Pipe Systems (FPS)
☐ Subsea Services ☐ Projects
& Wellstream Construction Services (WCS)
☐ Subsea Production Systems (SPS), Subsea Services ☐ Global Fabrication & Distribution ☐ Offshore
(SRV) & Offshore Systems

Document Revision Chart

The following chart lists the revisions made to this document tracked by version. Use this to describe the changes
and additions each time this document is re-published. The description should include as many details of the changes
as possible.

#.# Section Modified and Revision Description Date Author

Initial release (Reformat to GE requirements. No change to
1.0 10/26/2011 Liz Pullig
requirements)
Updated GEEQMS document references to GE Oil & Gas. 2/27/2015 Liz Pullig
1.1
Removed designation of this document as a procedure.
Reformatted to BHGE document template. Updated 3.4 to 1/16/2019 Liz Pullig
1.2 align with API 6A calibration interval requirements.
Updated 5.0 to include record requirements details.
Change on section 3.3, to comply with API 6A 8-14-2020 F. Torres
4
21st Ed addendum 1.

BHGE PROPRIETARY UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED OR TRANSMITTED PAGE 1 OF 6

Template used: ELECTRONICALLY
QT-OFE-GLO-001 / Rev Current version available in Documentum
1.0
Oilfield Equipment – Surface Pressure Control
Calibration Procedure – Pressure Test Gauges
for API Specification 6A Applications
QC-520 , rev: 4.0

Purpose
This work instruction establishes requirements for the inspection, calibration and
certification of Pressure Test Gauges used during the production testing of API
Specification 6A products by Surface Pressure Control facilities.
2.0 Scope / Application
This work instruction complies with the requirements of the standards listed in Section 7.0
of this work instruction and is applicable for all Surface Pressure Control facilities.
3.0 Work Instruction for Calibration of Pressure Gauges
3.1 Required Equipment or Standards
 Dead weight tester, or
 Pressure Comparator with Pressure Transducer, or
 Pressure Comparator with Master Pressure Gauge
3.2 Pressure Gauge Requirements
Pressure gauges used for the testing of products shall meet the requirements of
AMSE B40.100.
3.3 Calibration Work Instruction
3.3.1 Initial Examination
A complete visual examination shall be made to ensure that all moving
parts are intact and free of any excessive wear or damage.
Using a deadweight tester or master pressure-measuring device, measure
and record the pressure gauge readings at least three equidistant points of
full scale (excluding zero and full scale as required points of calibration).
The preferred points of calibration are at 20%, 50% and 80% of full scale.
Adjust, repair or replace gauges when the measured readings do not meet
the accuracy acceptance criteria defined by this work instruction.
3.3.2 Calibration Adjustment(s)
When excessive wear, damage or a need for adjustment is detected, the
gauge shall be pulled from service and repaired, adjusted or replaced.
Remove the gauge socket assembly (body) from the case and connect to a
deadweight tester or a pressure comparator with a master gauge.
Reset the pointer (needle) at the low (0) position and verify that the positive
spring (hair spring) is in the fully wound position.
BHGE PROPRIETARY UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED OR TRANSMITTED PAGE 2 OF 6
Template used: ELECTRONICALLY
QT-OFE-GLO-001 / Rev Current version available in Documentum
1.0
Oilfield Equipment – Surface Pressure Control
Calibration Procedure – Pressure Test Gauges
for API Specification 6A Applications
QC-520 , rev: 4.0

Verify and adjust full span accuracy as follows:

 Pressurize the gauge to 100% of full scale and check the high range
reading.
 If the pointer does not read correctly, adjust the full span as needed.
 Depressurize the gauge and check the low (0) reading and adjust as
needed until both the high and low reading is correct.
NOTE: It is extremely important to have approximately four sector teeth
below the pinion.
The gauge angularity adjustment (mid-range reading) shall be checked as
follows:
 Pressurize the gauge to approximately 50% of the full scale and
compare the reading with the requirements of Section 6.0 of the
procedure.
 If the reading is too high, bend the Bourdon tube tip outward to change
the angle of pull.
 If the reading is too low, the Bourdon tube tip should be bent inward.
Depressurize the gauge and check the low reading. If needed, reset the
pointer to zero and repeat the adjustments noted above until both the mid-
range and low readings are correct.
After all adjustments are completed, the gauge accuracy shall be verified to
at least three equidistant points of full scale (excluding zero and full scale
as points of calibration). The preferred points of calibration are at 20%,
50% and 80% of full scale.
3.4 Calibration Frequency
The normal calibration frequency for Pressure Gauges shall be a maximum of
ninety (90) days until recorded calibration history can be established to justify a
longer frequency. Extension of intervals shall be limited to 3-month increases,
with a maximum calibration interval that shall not exceed 1 year.
When indicated by the calibration history, the frequency shall be shortened
accordingly to prevent the use of out of tolerance pressure gauges.
o the calibration interval shall start either on the date of calibration or on the
date of first use after calibration. If you choose to start the calibration interval on
the date of first use after calibration, the following shall apply:

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Template used: ELECTRONICALLY
QT-OFE-GLO-001 / Rev Current version available in Documentum
1.0
Oilfield Equipment – Surface Pressure Control
Calibration Procedure – Pressure Test Gauges
for API Specification 6A Applications
QC-520 , rev: 4.0

— the date of first use shall be recorded, and

— the time between the calibration date and date of first use shall not exceed 3
months
3.5 Acceptance Criteria
The tolerance is +/- 2% of the full-scale range.
For example: Using the preferred test ranges, pressure gauges certified for
pressure tests would be tested in accordance and with the following:
Gage Rating 20% of Range 50% of Range 80% of Range Permissible
Error PSI
100 20 50 80 2
300 60 150 240 6
1,000 200 500 800 20
3,000 600 1,500 2,400 60
5,000 1,000 2,500 4,000 100
6,000 1,200 3,000 4,800 120
10,000 2,000 5,000 8,000 200
15,000 3,000 7,500 12,000 300
20,000 4,000 10,000 16,000 400
30,000 6,000 15,000 24,000 600
50,000 10,000 25,000 40,000 1,000

Note: These ranges are shown for the gauges normally used for these applications.
Values must be calculated by the calibrator for other gauge pressure ranges or use
of other ranges for the three equidistant points of calibration.
4.0 Responsibilities
The Quality Management Representatives for each facility/site are responsible for
ensuring complete implementation and compliance with this work instruction.
5.0 Quality Records
The calibration records produced by this work instruction are considered Quality Records
and shall be maintained and controlled according to the requirements in BHGE-QUA-013
– Control of Records.
Calibration records shall include the following information, as a minimum:

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Template used: ELECTRONICALLY
QT-OFE-GLO-001 / Rev Current version available in Documentum
1.0
Oilfield Equipment – Surface Pressure Control
Calibration Procedure – Pressure Test Gauges
for API Specification 6A Applications
QC-520 , rev: 4.0

• Name and address of calibration supplier or identification of the facility performing

the calibration work,
• Serial number or unique identifier for the testing, monitoring, measuring, and
detection devices being calibrated,
• Equipment description (including original manufacturer & manufacturer’s serial
number, if known),
• Calibration procedure and revision level used for calibration,
• Results of calibration comparison measurements prior to any adjustments or repairs
(as-found condition),
• Adjustments, repairs, or modifications performed, if applicable,
• Results of calibration comparison measurements following any adjustments or repairs
(final condition),
• Accuracy of the testing, monitoring, measuring and detection devices being calibrated,
• Serial number or unique identifier of standard used as the basis for measurement
comparisons,
• Date of calibration or certification and date due for re-calibration,
• Name, signature, or initials of individual performing or certifying calibration results,
and
• When the calibration is subcontracted to an outside calibration source, the calibration
record shall also reference the applicable purchase order number for the purchase
order issued to cover the calibration activity.
Note: When calibration activities are performed in-house, the In-House Calibration
Worksheet form or an equivalent record in a calibration database may be used to record
information.
6.0 Definitions and Acronyms
Refer to the QMS Lexicon for Terms, Definitions and Acronyms. Additional terms and
acronyms are defined below. In case of conflict, the QMS Lexicon will take precedence.

6.1 Definitions
The following definitions are applicable to the use and implementation of this
work instruction:

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Template used: ELECTRONICALLY
QT-OFE-GLO-001 / Rev Current version available in Documentum
1.0
Oilfield Equipment – Surface Pressure Control
Calibration Procedure – Pressure Test Gauges
for API Specification 6A Applications
QC-520 , rev: 4.0

 Quality Management Representative – as used in this work instruction

refers to the designated quality management representative for one of the
Surface Pressure Control facilities.
 Product – as used in this work instruction includes materials, parts,
subassemblies, assemblies and subcontracted services.

7.0 References
The latest effective editions of the following documents are included by reference in the text of
this procedure:
 API Specification 6A – Specification for Wellhead and Tree Equipment
 ASME B40.100 – Pressure Gauges and Gauge Attachments
 QMS Lexicon
 BHGE-QUA-013 – Control of Records

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Template used: ELECTRONICALLY
QT-OFE-GLO-001 / Rev Current version available in Documentum
1.0