California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 14 - Petroleum Safety Orders-Drilling and Production
Article 55 - Blowout Prevention
Section 6691 - Blowout Prevention Equipment

(a) For well operations which require a permit issued by the Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, the components of the blowout prevention equipment system shall fulfill the requirements of the blowout equipment class specified by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, "Permit to Conduct Well Operations." A copy of this permit shall be conspicuously posted or be otherwise readily available at the well site. The equipment requirements for each blowout prevention equipment classification are outlined in Section 2, Paragraph 2.2 of the Division of Oil and Gas Manual M07, Sixth Edition, 1987, "Oil and Gas Blowout Prevention in California", pages 7-16, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This equipment shall be used and maintained in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Division of Oil and Gas Manual M07 and the recommendations of the manufacturer.

(b) All components of the blowout prevention equipment system shall be secured in accordance with good engineering practices. All flanges and/or clamps shall be made up completely.

(c) A clear passageway shall be maintained to all blowout preventer controls. The passageway shall be at least two feet (2') wide with a vertical clearance of at least six and one-half feet (6 1/2'). Substructure beams and piping necessary to the function and structural integrity of the rig shall be permissible in this passageway providing the top of the beam or upper limit of the pipe shall not exceed a height of twelve inches (12") above the ground or floor level of the passageway.

(d) All blowout preventer controls shall be clearly identified as to their function and method of operation.