Overview
EN ISO 13354:2014 - Petroleum and natural gas industries - Drilling and production equipment - Shallow gas diverter equipment - specifies requirements for the selection, layout and use of diverter systems used when drilling shallow-gas-bearing formations. Adopted by CEN from ISO 13354:2014, the standard covers both onshore and offshore drilling, and addresses auxiliary equipment for floating rigs. It focuses on key diverter components such as annular sealing devices, vent outlets, diverter valves, and diverter piping, and provides guidance on preparations, inspections and maintenance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Selection criteria for diverter equipment to improve safety when drilling in shallow-gas formations.
- Diverter equipment covered:
- Annular sealing devices (torus-shaped housings with annular packing elements)
- Diverter valves and actuators (manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical)
- Vent outlets and diverter piping, including cleanouts
- Layout considerations: Recommended arrangements for land rigs, bottom‑supported marine structures and floating rigs, with attention to riser use and additional diverter functions on floating support.
- Pre-spud preparation: Requirements for call-for-tender items, important safety issues, pre-spud checks, meetings and drills to prepare crews for shallow-gas scenarios.
- Inspection, testing and maintenance: Guidance on routine inspection, maintenance and manufacturer documentation for diverter systems and piping.
- Safety emphasis: Highlights hazards of shallow-gas kicks - fast-developing flows, erosion and dynamic loads - and the need for reliable, simple diverter systems; offers general guidelines on response planning rather than detailed blowout response procedures.
Applications and who uses this standard
EN ISO 13354:2014 is intended for organizations involved in drilling operations where shallow gas is a risk:
- Drilling contractors and rig operators (onshore and offshore)
- Rig designers and manufacturers of diverter equipment and BOP-related components
- Safety and HSE engineers responsible for well control planning and pre-spud readiness
- Regulatory bodies and inspection agencies evaluating compliance and equipment selection
- Training providers preparing crews for shallow-gas response and pre-spud drills
Practical uses include equipment selection during tendering, design verification of diverter layouts for specific rig types (including floating supports), and establishing inspection and maintenance programs.
Related standards
- ISO 13533 - Drill-through equipment (referenced)
- API 16D - Control systems for diverter and well control equipment (referenced)
- Other well-control and drilling equipment standards may complement EN ISO 13354:2014 when developing comprehensive shallow-gas safety programs.
Keywords: EN ISO 13354:2014, shallow gas diverter equipment, diverter valves, annular sealing devices, vent outlets, diverter piping, drilling safety, onshore offshore, floating rigs.