Abstract: A packer actuation system for a blowout preventer includes a packer arrangement with an axial passage therethrough, an actuation system which is releasably mechanically connected to the packer arrangement, a contractor arrangement, and a retractor arrangement. The actuation system moves the packer arrangement from an expanded position to a contracted position so as to decrease a dimension of the axial passage, and to move the packer arrangement from the contracted position to the expanded position so as to increase the dimension of the axial passage. The contractor arrangement moves the packer arrangement from the expanded position to the contracted position. The retractor arrangement moves the packer arrangement from the contracted position to the expanded position.

Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer, the ram having a top side and a bottom side, a front and a back; a first front seal face and a second front seal face provided on the front of the ram; a fluid communication channel extending through the ram from the front to the back thereof, the first front seal face being provided above and the second seal face below the fluid communication channel.

Abstract: A blow out preventer includes a main body with a main passage arranged therethrough, a ram movable between a first ram position in which the ram is spaced from the main passage and a second ram position in which the ram at least partly interrupts the main passage, and a bonnet releasably secured to the main body. The bonnet includes a hydraulic ram actuator coupled to the ram. The hydraulic ram actuator includes a primary piston arranged within a primary cylinder and fixed to a piston rod, and a secondary piston arranged within a secondary cylinder to be slidable on the piston rod. The primary piston and the secondary piston are each arranged to actuate the ram via the piston rod. The primary piston and the secondary piston each comprise a stroke length, the stroke length of the secondary piston being shorter than the stroke length of the primary piston.

Abstract: A packer actuation system for a blowout preventer includes a packer arrangement with an axial passage therethrough, an actuation system which is releasably mechanically connected to the packer arrangement, a contractor arrangement, and a retractor arrangement. The actuation system moves the packer arrangement from an expanded position to a contracted position so as to decrease a dimension of the axial passage, and to move the packer arrangement from the contracted position to the expanded position so as to increase the dimension of the axial passage. The contractor arrangement moves the packer arrangement from the expanded position to the contracted position. The retractor arrangement moves the packer arrangement from the contracted position to the expanded position.

Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer, the ram having a top side and a bottom side, a front and a back; a first front seal face and a second front seal face provided on the front of the ram; a fluid communication channel extending through the ram from the front to the back thereof, the first front seal face being provided above and the second seal face below the fluid communication channel.

Abstract: A rod locking apparatus includes a housing which includes a first tubular passage and a second tubular passage which are arranged to intersect with each other, the first tubular passage including a serrated locking surface, and a wedge piston slidably arranged in the first tubular passage. The wedge piston includes a front side which includes a wedge surface which engages an end surface of a rod to be locked, and a serrated rear side which engages with the serrated locking surface.

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 packer for use with a ram-type blowout preventer which has the capacity to accommodate a plurality of sizes of tubular members extending through the bore of the blowout preventer, the packer having a resilient body to fit the face recess of the ram and a central recess to receive a tubular member, an upper plate positioned in the upper portion of the resilient body, a lower plate positioned in the lower portion of the resilient body, a plurality of metal insert segments positioned between the upper surface of the resilient body and the under surface of the upper plate and around the central recess of the resilient body, the metal insert segments having sufficient length to engage the exterior of a tubular member which is to be engaged and sealed against by the resilient body with the insert segments being selected to seal against a preselected small tubular member diameter which is less than the diameter which could be sealed by the packer without the insert segments.

Abstract: A new and improved ram locking apparatus for blowout preventer rams which allows the rams to be locked in the closed position and compensates for wear on the sealing elements of the rams. The device consists of a tubular cross containing a rod extension with a tapered end attached to the ram, a hydraulically reciprocal piston with a wedging surface to coact with the tapered end of the rod extensions and hydraulic fluid ports. The tapered end of the rod and the wedge surface of the piston have serrated surfaces to increase friction between the wedging surfaces and provide a self-locking engagement and thereby provide a small compact apparatus.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer having a body with a central bore therethrough and a packer recess surrounding and opening on said recess, an annular packer which is a complete ring or a split ring in said recess, means for actuating said packer to closed position, an opening through the side of said body into said packer recess of sufficient size to remove said packer therethrough, a plug sealed in said opening and a sleeve around said body to engage the exterior of said plug and retain it in sealing position in said opening.

Abstract: A ram-type blowout preventer having a body with a central bore extending therethrough and with guideways extending outward from the central bore, a ram in each of the guideways and having a recess on its front face, a front packer positioned in said ram recess and including a backing portion and an insert portion, the insert portion being tightly inter-engaged with said backing portion.

Abstract: A ram-type blowout preventer having a housing with a vertical bore, aligned ram guideways extending outward from opposite sides of the bore, a ram in each guideway, means for moving the rams inward and outward in the guideways to open and close on a drill or pipe string in the bore, a packer in each ram having a packing with an upper slotted plate thereon and a lower slotted plate therebelow, the plates being sufficiently flexible to move into close proximity to a string when the rams are closed thereon to support the packing against extrusion.

Abstract: An improved annular blowout preventer having a body with a central bore, an annular packer chamber facing the bore, an improved annular packer in said chamber and means for axially loading said annular packer to actuate it to closed position, said improved annular packer including a resilient annulus including an upper set of insert plates embedded in said annulus, a reaction ring embedded in the outer periphery of said annulus and means for moving said reaction ring toward said upper set of insert plates responsive to actuation of said packer loading means to ensure inward movement of said insert plates to their desired supporting position for said annulus when closed. The improved packer may have both upper and lower insert plates and upper and lower rings and a sleeve within the rings to ensure proper movement of both sets of insert plates.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer having a housing with a vertical bore therethrough, a packer within the housing including a resilient annulus and upper and lower series of irising metal inserts adapted to increase the support for the annulus when it is deformed axially and extended radially to constrict the vertical bore, a support ring in the annulus under the outer ends of the irising metal inserts to support against upward movement of the inner ends of the inserts on closing of the annulus and an annular piston movable in the housing to apply an axial deformation load to the packer to move it to closed position sealing the bore.

Abstract: An improved annular blowout preventer having a housing, an annular packer mounted in the housing, and a piston mounted in the housing for the application of an axial force to the annular packer; the annular packer includes a resilient annulus with a circular series of rigid interengaging inserts embedded in its upper face with the inner ends of the inserts being thicker than the outer ends so that the inner ends of the inserts move inward as the resilient annulus is moved and interengaging side projections and recesses with shoulders to ensure substantially uniform inward movement of the inner ends of the inserts to a preselected inner support position for the resilient annulus.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer having a body with a central bore, a piston chamber, and a packer chamber surrounding the central bore, a piston in the piston chamber, an annular packer in the packer chamber, the annular packer including a resilient annulus and a plurality of metal irising inserts embedded in the annulus and having upper triangular plates, lower triangular plates, a stem connecting the plates and means interconnecting adjoining plates to avoid inadvertent separation of one or more of said inserts, the annular packer moving between open and closed positions responsive to movement of the piston.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer having a housing with a vertical bore therethrough, a packer including a resilient annulus and upper and lower series of irising metal inserts adapted to increase the support for the annulus when it is compressed axially to constrict the vertical bore and an annular piston movable in the housing to apply an axial compression load to the packer.

Abstract: A packer assembly for a blowout preventer having movable rams consisting of two packers, in which the packer assembly is of deformable material for sealing around a well member extending through the preventer and has a variable bore so that it will effectively seal around members, such as pipe, within a range of sizes or diameters. More particularly, each packer includes a main body of deformable material having an arcuate or curved recess with the wall defining said recess forming a sealing surface, and deformable side sealing elements or portions at each side of said recess, said side sealing elements being of a size, configuration and volume which are so related to the deformable material of the main body that when the packer assembly is moved inwardly toward and around a well member or pipe extending through the preventer, a substantially uniform radial displacement of the main body and of the side sealing elements is effected to assure uniform circumferential sealing about said object or pipe.

Abstract: There is disclosed an annular blowout preventer wherein a plurality of flexible bands are arranged about the packer within the recess about the bore through the preventer housing, and means are provided for moving the bands toward and away from the bore so as to selectively contract the packer into sealing engagement about an object in the bore or upon itself when the bore is empty or permit said packer to expand into the recess.