Abstract: A packing unit for a blowout preventer includes an elastomeric, annular body configured to be disposed about a longitudinal axis of the blowout preventer and configured to be displaced radially inward towards the longitudinal axis upon actuation of the blowout preventer. The elastomeric, annular body includes a first section having a first set of material properties and a second section having a second set of material properties. The packing unit includes a plurality of rigid inserts distributed at equal radial distances from each other within the elastomeric annular body and about the longitudinal axis of the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A process to manufacture an oilfield component comprises selectively reinforcing a base material with an age-hardenable clad material and age-hardening the clad material for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile, wherein the age-hardening results in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient. A body of a ram blowout preventer comprises, a low-ally base material, a vertical bore through the body, and a horizontal bore through the body intersecting the vertical bore, wherein at least a portion of the body is selectively reinforced with a clad material, and wherein the clad material is age-hardened for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile resulting in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient.

Abstract: A method to manufacture a blowout preventer seal including disposing at least one insert and at least one elastomeric material in a mold, heating the mold to a cure temperature, curing the at least one elastomeric material, measuring a temperature of the at least one elastomeric material during the curing, adjusting a cure time and the cure temperature based on the measured temperature of the elastomeric material, and removing the cured blowout preventer seal from the mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ram blowout preventer including analyzing a first model of a ram blowout preventer, identifying regions of high stress concentrations in the first model at a selected loading condition, constructing the ram blowout preventer, and selectively reinforcing the regions of high stress concentration corresponding to the manufactured ram blowout preventer. Other embodiments include a method to reinforce an irregular pressure vessel, including analyzing the irregular pressure vessel, identifying regions of high stress concentration in the irregular pressure vessel, and selectively reinforcing the regions of high stress concentration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ram blowout preventer including analyzing a first model of a ram blowout preventer, identifying regions of high stress concentrations in the first model at a selected loading condition, constructing the ram blowout preventer, and selectively reinforcing the regions of high stress concentration corresponding to the manufactured ram blowout preventer. Other embodiments include a method to reinforce an irregular pressure vessel, including analyzing the irregular pressure vessel, identifying regions of high stress concentration in the irregular pressure vessel, and selectively reinforcing the regions of high stress concentration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oilfield component includes analyzing a first model of the oilfield component, identifying at least one region in the oilfield component susceptible to fatigue failure at a selected loading condition, constructing the oilfield component from a base material, and selectively reinforcing with a clad material the at least one region susceptible to failure.

Abstract: A process to manufacture an oilfield component comprises selectively reinforcing a base material with an age-hardenable clad material and age-hardening the clad material for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile, wherein the age-hardening results in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient. A body of a ram blowout preventer comprises, a low-ally base material, a vertical bore through the body, and a horizontal bore through the body intersecting the vertical bore, wherein at least a portion of the body is selectively reinforced with a clad material, and wherein the clad material is age-hardened for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile resulting in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient.

Abstract: A packing unit for a blowout preventer includes an elastomeric, annular body configured to be disposed about a longitudinal axis of the blowout preventer and configured to be displaced radially inward towards the longitudinal axis upon actuation of the blowout preventer. The elastomeric, annular body includes a first section having a first set of material properties and a second section having a second set of material properties. The packing unit includes a plurality of rigid inserts distributed at equal radial distances from each other within the elastomeric annular body and about the longitudinal axis of the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing, certifying, and optimizing a seal for a blowout preventer. The method includes generating a finite element analysis seal model, smoothing the finite element analysis seal model, and analyzing a strain plot of the smoothed finite element analysis seal model based upon a displacement condition.

Abstract: A seal and a method of manufacturing a seal for a blowout preventer. The seal includes a rigid material insert disposed within an elastomeric body, with at least a portion of the rigid material insert selectively de-bonded from the elastomeric body.

Abstract: A method to manufacture a blowout preventer seal including disposing at least one insert and at least one elastomeric material in a mold, heating the mold to a cure temperature, curing the at least one elastomeric material, measuring a temperature of the at least one elastomeric material during the curing, adjusting a cure time and the cure temperature based on the measured temperature of the elastomeric material, and removing the cured blowout preventer seal from the mold.