Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. At least one seal is configured for positioning with an opening on the seal coincident with the through bore. The at least one seal being disposed to engage an element disposed in the transverse passage. The at least one seal being configured to receive a fluid under pressure to energize the seal to restrict fluid flow between the through bore and the transverse passage when the element is disposed proximate the through bore. A method for operating a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. A seal is disposed in the main body and arranged to restrict fluid flow from the through bore to the passage. The seal comprises a seal body formed as a closed loop having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises at least one wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide a lateral sealing surface. The upper surface comprises at least one raised portion to provide a sealing surface.

Abstract: An initiator monitoring and actuating system includes a first power supply selectively electrically connectable to a charge initiator. The first power supply provides a current lower than an activation current of the initiator. A second power supply is selectively electrically connectable to the charge initiator. The second power supply provides a current of at least the activation current. Switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to a test circuit operable to measure a current generated by the second power supply. The switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to the charge initiator. A current sensor is operable to measure current through the test circuit and operable to measure current from the first power supply when the first power supply is connected to the charge initiator.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. At least one seal is configured for positioning with an opening on the seal coincident with the through bore. The at least one seal being disposed to engage an element disposed in the transverse passage. The at least one seal being configured to receive a fluid under pressure to energize the seal to restrict fluid flow between the through bore and the transverse passage when the element is disposed proximate the through bore. A method for operating a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. A seal is disposed in the main body and arranged to restrict fluid flow from the through bore to the passage. The seal comprises a seal body formed as a closed loop having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises at least one wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide a lateral sealing surface. The upper surface comprises at least one raised portion to provide a sealing surface.

Abstract: A kinetic ram for a blowout preventer includes a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein. A gas generating charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A ram is coupled to the piston on a side of the piston opposed to the gas generating charge. The ram is arranged to move across a through bore in a blowout preventer housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. An initial volume in the pressure chamber between the one end and the piston is chosen to limit a maximum pressure caused by actuating the gas generating charge to a predetermined maximum pressure, and/or the pressure chamber comprises a pressure relief device arranged to vent pressure in the pressure chamber above the maximum pressure.

Abstract: A seal includes a seal body formed as a closed loop. The seal body having an upper surface and a lower surface. The seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises an inner wing and an outer wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide lateral sealing. The upper surface of the seal is configured to provide a sealing contact when the seal is urged into engagement via a fluid pressure.

Abstract: An initiator monitoring and actuating system includes a first power supply selectively electrically connectable to a charge initiator. The first power supply provides a current lower than an activation current of the initiator. A second power supply is selectively electrically connectable to the charge initiator. The second power supply provides a current of at least the activation current. Switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to a test circuit operable to measure a current generated by the second power supply. The switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to the charge initiator. A current sensor is operable to measure current through the test circuit and operable to measure current from the first power supply when the first power supply is connected to the charge initiator.

Abstract: A well pressure control device includes a housing having a through bore. A pressure chamber has a piston movably disposed therein. The pressure chamber is coupled at one end to the housing transversely to the through bore. The actuating piston defines a pressure source side and a through bore side of the pressure chamber. A fluid pressure source is coupled to the other end of the pressure chamber. A closure element is disposed in the pressure chamber on the through bore side. At least one locking element is coupled to the pressure chamber at an axial position along the pressure chamber on the through bore side.

Abstract: A well annular pressure control device includes a housing having a through bore and at least two iris valves within the housing. The iris valves comprise a plurality of vanes operable between an open position and a closed position to define an opening. At least one actuator is coupled to the plurality of vanes to move the plurality of vanes between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A coupling system includes a lower marine riser package having a connector at a bottom end and a blowout preventer having a connector at an upper end. Explosively frangible fasteners with explosively frangible nuts sealed off from the external environment are used to couple the connector on the lower marine riser package to the connector on the blowout preventer. A method for separating a lower marine riser package from a blowout preventer includes electronically triggering the detonation of a plurality of explosively frangible fasteners coupling the blowout preventer to the lower marine riser package.

Abstract: A well pressure control device includes a housing having a through bore. A pressure chamber has a piston movably disposed therein. The pressure chamber is coupled at one end to the housing transversely to the through bore. The actuating piston defines a pressure source side and a through bore side of the pressure chamber. A fluid pressure source is coupled to the other end of the pressure chamber. A closure element is disposed in the pressure chamber on the through bore side.

Abstract: A kinetic ram for a blowout preventer includes a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein. A gas generating charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A ram is coupled to the piston on a side of the piston opposed to the gas generating charge. The ram is arranged to move across a through bore in a blowout preventer housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. An initial volume in the pressure chamber between the one end and the piston is chosen to limit a maximum pressure caused by actuating the gas generating charge to a predetermined maximum pressure, and/or the pressure chamber comprises a pressure relief device arranged to vent pressure in the pressure chamber above the maximum pressure.

Abstract: A well annular pressure control device includes a housing having a through bore and at least two iris valves within the housing. The iris valves comprise a plurality of vanes operable between an open position and a closed position to define an opening. At least one actuator is coupled to the plurality of vanes to move the plurality of vanes between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A coupling system includes a lower marine riser package having a connector at a bottom end and a blowout preventer having a connector at an upper end. Explosively frangible fasteners with explosively frangible nuts sealed off from the external environment are used to couple the connector on the lower marine riser package to the connector on the blowout preventer. A method for separating a lower marine riser package from a blowout preventer includes electronically triggering the detonation of a plurality of explosively frangible fasteners coupling the blowout preventer to the lower marine riser package.

Abstract: A coupling system includes a lower marine riser package having a connector at a bottom end and at least one blowout preventer pressure control element coupled to a wellhead and having a connector at an upper end. Explosively frangible fasteners are used to couple the connector on the lower marine riser package to the connector on the at least one blowout preventer pressure control element. A method for separating a lower marine riser package from a blowout preventer coupled to a subsea wellhead includes closing a least one pressure control element in the blowout preventer. At least one explosively frangible fastener coupling the blowout preventer to the lower marine riser package is detonated. The lower marine riser package is then lifted from the blowout preventer.