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| Proforma Safety, LLC Proforma PSI…when performance counts. Pressure Release from Well Head Penetrator Crew members were checking a well head penetrator system after assembly and test when trapped pressure in the wellhead bonnet caused the penetrator to blow out. A supplier operator suffered severe trauma to his face and head. The completion engineer believed that the system was relieved of pressure because the gauge indicated that pressure was totally released. Personnel involved in the operation assumed that the cavity in the bonnet was free of pressure, and the supplier operator proceeded to inspect the penetrator. The connector blew out while the lock nut was being un-tightened to check the split ring located below it. The check valve located in the connecting port of the tree had not taken into account by the completion engineer when the pressure test was conducted. This check valve was not activated or kept open at all times by the pump hose’s fitting. Apparently the check valve had retained pressure inside the bonnet after bleed off, resulting in the connector blow out. What the engineer had observed was bleed off from the hose between the pump and the bonnet. Lessons learned from this incident include
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