Abstract: A blowout preventer operator locking system comprises a piston rod having one end coupled to a closure member. The operator further comprises an operator housing having one end coupled to a bonnet and a second end coupled to a head. The piston rod extends through the bonnet into the operator housing where it is coupled to a piston that is disposed within the operator housing. The piston comprises a body and a flange. A sleeve is slidingly disposed within a cavity disposed within the piston and is rotationally fixed relative to the piston. A lock rod is rotatably coupled to the head and is threadedly engaged with the sleeve so that rotation of the lock rod axially translates the sleeve relative to the piston.

Abstract: Methods for deploying a subsea blowout preventer stack system comprising a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer stack with a first ram blowout preventer, and an additional blowout preventer package releasably coupled to the blowout preventer stack and comprising a second ram blowout preventer. The subsea blowout preventer stack assembly can be deployed by coupling a drilling riser to the lower marine riser package that is releasably connected to the blowout preventer stack. The lower marine riser package and blowout preventer stack are then toward a subsea wellhead and then landed on the additional blowout preventer package that is coupled to the subsea wellhead.

Abstract: A hydraulic blowout preventer operator comprises a first piston rod coupled to a closure member. The operator further comprises a first operator housing coupled to a bonnet and a head. The first piston rod extends through the bonnet into the first operator housing where is couples to a first piston disposed within the first operator housing. The operator further comprises a second piston rod coupled to the closure member. The second piston rod has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first piston rod. The second piston rod extends through the bonnet into a second operator housing and is coupled to a second piston that is disposed within the second operator housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic blowout preventer operator comprises a first piston rod coupled to a closure member. The operator further comprises a first operator housing coupled to a bonnet and a head. The first piston rod extends through the bonnet into the first operator housing where is couples to a first piston disposed within the first operator housing. The operator further comprises a second piston rod coupled to the closure member. The second piston rod has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first piston rod. The second piston rod extends through the bonnet into a second operator housing and is coupled to a second piston that is disposed within the second operator housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic blowout preventer operator comprises a piston rod having one end coupled to a closure member. The operator further comprises an operator housing having one end coupled to a bonnet and a second end coupled to a head. The piston rod extends through the bonnet into the operator housing where it is coupled to a piston that is disposed within the operator housing. The piston comprises a body and a flange. A flange seal is disposed on the flange and is sealingly engaged with the operator housing. A body seal is disposed on the body and is sealingly engaged with the operator housing. The flange seal has a sealing diameter greater than a sealing diameter of the body seal.

Abstract: A hydraulic blowout preventer operator comprises a first piston rod coupled to a closure member The operator further comprises a first operator housing coupled to a bonnet and a head. The first piston rod extends through the bonnet into the first operator housing where is couples to a first piston disposed within the first operator housing. The operator further comprises a second piston rod coupled to the closure member. The second piston rod has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first piston rod. The second piston rod extends through the bonnet into a second operator housing and is coupled to a second piston that is disposed within the second operator housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic blowout preventer operator comprises a piston rod having one end coupled to a closure member. The operator further comprises an operator housing having one end coupled to a bonnet and a second end coupled to a head. The piston rod extends through the bonnet into the operator housing where it is coupled to a piston that is disposed within the operator housing. The piston comprises a body and a flange. A flange seal is disposed on the flange and is sealingly engaged with the operator housing. A body seal is disposed on the body and is sealingly engaged with the operator housing. The flange seal has a sealing diameter greater than a sealing diameter of the body seal.

Abstract: A blowout preventer operator locking system comprises a piston rod having one end coupled to a closure member. The operator further comprises an operator housing having one end coupled to a bonnet and a second end coupled to a head. The piston rod extends through the bonnet onto the operator housing where it is coupled to a piston that is disposed within the operator housing. The piston comprises a body and a flange. A sleeve is slidingly disposed within a cavity disposed within the piston and is rotationally fixed relative to the piston. A lock rod is rotatably coupled to the head and is threadedly engaged with the sleeve so that rotation of the lock rod axially translates the sleeve relative to the piston.

Abstract: A bidirectional sealing blowout preventer including bidirectional sealing blowout preventer rams, and fluid communication systems for equalizing pressure between the backs of ram guideways in a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer and a passageway through the blowout preventer. Methods for operating a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole pressure to control the well, and to seal a well around a well pipe to pressure test another blowout preventer or other apparatus in a stack.

Abstract: Disclosed are a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer, bidirectional sealing blowout preventer rams, and fluid communication systems for equalizing pressure between the backs of ram guideways in a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer and a passageway through the blowout preventer. Disclosed are methods for operating a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole pressure to control the well, and to seal a well around a well pipe to pressure test another blowout preventer or other apparatus in a stack.

Abstract: A blowout preventer ram automatic locking apparatus for use in a ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The blowout preventer has a body with an axial bore, a pair of opposing bonnet assemblies and a pair of opposing rams laterally moveable within the bonnet assemblies by a pressurized fluid source to control flow of well fluids through the blowout preventer body axial bore. The blowout preventer ram automatic locking apparatus includes a bonnet header sealingly connected to the side of the blowout preventer body with an operating cylinder sealingly connected to the bonnet header. An operating piston is connected to the ram and moves axially within the operating cylinder in response to pressurized fluid supplied through porting in the bonnet header and end cap. A plurality of locking pistons are circumferentially spaced about the operating piston in locking piston chambers and are axially moveable in response to fluid pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled ram actuating mechanism 10 for a blowout preventer controls the opening and closing of a ram block 12 interconnected with a ram 14 movable within a ram housing 26 along ram axis 16. The ram piston 24 and a locking piston 62 are each movable within the ram housing in response to fluid pressure. The locking piston includes a plurality of substantially planar tapered locking piston surfaces 72 circumferentially arranged on the exterior of the locking piston and inclined at an acute positive cam angle. A plurality of locking rods 40 are each secured to the ram housing 26 and are circumferentially spaced about the locking piston, with each locking rod including a substantially planar tapered locking rod surface 82 thereon inclined at an acute negative cam angle.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled blowout preventer 10 and method are disclosed for simultaneously moving two sealing assemblies 24, 27 to seal around an oilfield tubular 15 within the bore 14 of BOP 10. A single manual operator 20 may be rotated to simultaneously move master piston 26 and hydraulically interconnected slave piston 79 inwardly toward bore 14 or outwardly away from bore 14, respectively. BOP 10 is field convertible to purely hydraulic operation by disconnecting the threaded shaft 52 from master piston 26. Hydraulic lines 36 and 40 interconnect between cylinders 30 and 82 to result in simultaneous operation of seal assemblies 24, 27.

Abstract: A ram assembly for positioning within a through bore of a blowout preventer body includes first and second opposing ram pistons each powering a respective knife blade. Each knife blade may have a pair of angled shear edges on opposite sides of the respective ram centerline, with each pair of angled shear edges defining a generally V-shaped configuration. The pair of opposing knife edges preferably engage the oilfield tubular at four contact points spaced substantially equidistant about a circumference of the tubular, and thereby contain the tubular for the shearing operation. According to the method of the present invention, the oilfield tubular is sheared substantially by brittle shearing rather than ductile shearing.

Abstract: An improved blowout preventor actuator is provided for opening and closing a ram block within a blowout preventor body to control the flow of well fluid. The working or power piston within the actuator cylinder is provided with one or more axially extending cavities each for receiving a locking rod secured at one end to the cylinder head. To prevent inadvertent opening of the ram block, locking segments carried by the power piston repeatedly disengage one locking surface and re-engage an adjacent locking surface on the locking rods as the power piston and ram block secured thereto move to the ram closed position. To unlock the power piston from the locking rods, fluid pressure is applied to an unlocking piston which radially moves the locking segments out of engagement with the locking rods. The locking surfaces on the locking rods extend axially along a length which allows different ram blocks to be substituted for sealing with various diameter tubular members passing through the blowout preventors.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated slip assembly having a slip pivotally connected at its sides by parallel links to the side surfaces of a slip block with slip engaging surfaces which allow the slip to be engaged and disengaged from tubing or pipe and operated within a reduced area. An alternative embodiment utilizes a floating die to allow the parallel links to disengage the slip from the pipe in a compact configuration.