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: There is provided a breech lock coupling for coupling riser sections together. The breech lock coupling may be used non-pre-loaded or pre-loaded according to the user's preferences. In addition, the breech lock coupling may be disassembled for inspection and maintenance and reassembled. A locking ring secures two coupling components together. The coupling components may be attached to opposite ends of the riser sections, such as via welding. The locking ring may be pre-attached to the first coupling component for easy storage and fast assembly. Assembly of the riser may be accomplished by inserting the second coupling component into the locking ring and the first coupling component, then rotating the locking ring with respect to the second component. Furthermore, the coupling may be pre-loaded by tightening fasteners on the locking ring to provide a more stable coupling. Unlike with traditional riser couplings, the pre-load fasteners may be tightened via hand-held tools.

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: 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 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 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 ram type blowout preventer includes variable ram packers for sealing about tubulars of different outside diameters in the bore of the preventer housing or about a single tubular having a variable outside diameter. Each ram packer includes a body of elastomeric material formed about vertical ribs to conform to tubular having variable OD within a certain range.

Abstract: A blowout preventer for coiled tubing includes a pressure regulator for a slip ram so that the coiled tubing can be held firmly without exceeding the yield strength of the coiled tubing material and without damaging the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A stripper/packer includes first and second packing elements, which are interchangeable to alleviate inventory concerns. The upper actuating hydraulic piston is the same diameter as the lower piston, which allows the operator to utilize the same amount of pressure to maintain a seal during transition between packing elements. Both packing elements are separately actuated from the lower side allowing the wellbore pressure to assist the seal.

Abstract: A stripper/packer includes first and second packing elements, which are interchangeable to alleviate inventory concerns. The upper actuating hydraulic piston is the same diameter as the lower piston, which allows the operator to utilize the same amount of pressure to maintain a seal during transition between packing elements. Both packing elements are separately actuated from the lower side allowing the wellbore pressure to assist the seal.

Abstract: The variable bore packer for a ram-type blowout preventer includes a body of resilient packing material with upper and lower plates embedded in the upper and lower surfaces of the body and upper and lower sets of insert segments disposed adjacent the upper and lower plates. The plates have arcuate radial corners at their terminal ends for preventing extrusion. Each of the insert segments includes a pair of insert plates forming an arcuate opening to receive an appropriate sized tubular member and dimensioned to expand and move rearwardly in the resilient packing material upon engagement with a larger diameter tubular member. A polyester rope is embedded in the resilient packing material adjacent the insert segments so as to bond with the resilient packing material.

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.