Abstract: A blowout preventer (“BOP”) includes a housing comprising a vertical bore extending through the housing, and a pair of opposing shear rams configured to move into the vertical bore. The shear rams comprise an engagement feature configured to engage with a corresponding engagement feature and urge the shear rams into axially towards each other with respect to an axis of the vertical bore when the shear rams are located in the vertical bore.

Abstract: A variable bore packer used in a blowout preventer to form a seal against different diameter tubular members for oil and gas drilling operations. The variable bore packer includes a packer member molded of elastomeric material with certain mechanical properties and including an inside curved surface. The packer also includes a plurality of packer inserts molded within the packer member to form an insert array. Additionally, the packer includes a protrusion extending from and bonded to the packer member inside curved surface, the protrusion including increased mechanical properties compared to the packer member. The packer member, the insert array, and the protrusion are molded into a unitary structure and sized to form a seal against the different diameter tubular members upon closure of the blowout preventer. Also, the insert array and the protrusion diminishing extrusion of the elastomeric material between the packer inserts and the tubular members.

Abstract: A variable bore packer used in a blowout preventer to form a seal against different diameter tubular members for oil and gas drilling operations. The variable bore packer includes a packer member molded of elastomeric material with certain mechanical properties and including an inside curved surface. The packer also includes a plurality of packer inserts molded within the packer member to form an insert array. Additionally, the packer includes a protrusion extending from and bonded to the packer member inside curved surface, the protrusion including increased mechanical properties compared to the packer member. The packer member, the insert array, and the protrusion are molded into a unitary structure and sized to form a seal against the different diameter tubular members upon closure of the blowout preventer. Also, the insert array and the protrusion diminishing extrusion of the elastomeric material between the packer inserts and the tubular members.

Abstract: A dual sided elevator for supporting a tubular member in a wellbore operation, the elevator in one aspect having an openable back end and an openable front end, either end openable by using opening apparatus at the front of the elevator; such an elevator with operation apparatus within an elevator body; and/or a top drive system which, in at least certain embodiments, has an apparatus connected below it for breaking connections and such an elevator.

Abstract: A dual sided elevator for supporting a tubular member in a wellbore operation, the elevator in one aspect having an openable back end and an openable front end, either end openable by using opening apparatus at the front of the elevator; such an elevator with operation apparatus within an elevator body; and/or a top drive system which, in at least certain embodiments, has an apparatus connected below it for breaking connections and such an elevator.

Abstract: A blowout preventer assembly 10 includes opposed rams 12, 14, each including a rubber or elastomer sealing assembly 16, 18, with a plurality of inserts 20 forming an array 22 of metal inserts within each sealing assembly. Each insert has an upper body 24, a lower body 26, and a rib 50. Each upper and lower body includes a trailing face 36, a radially outward opposite face 38 and a leading face 40. An antiextrusion ledge 46 minimizes the extrusion gap between the OD of a tubular in the BOP and the leading face of the metal inserts in the array.

Abstract: A blowout preventer assembly 10 includes opposed rams 12, 14, each including a rubber or elastomer sealing assembly 16, 18, with a plurality of inserts 20 forming an array 22 of metal inserts within each sealing assembly. Each insert has an upper body 24, a lower body 26, and a rib 50. Each upper and lower body includes a trailing face 36, a radially outward opposite face 38 and a leading face 40. An antiextrusion ledge 46 minimizes the extrusion gap between the OD of a tubular in the BOP and the leading face of the metal inserts in the array.

Abstract: A blade seal for a shearing blind ram designed for use in a standard 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 blade seal includes a generally planar shaped central member that tapers from one end to the other and is constructed of rubber. A pair of metal caps are bonded to the lateral edges of the blade seal to aid in preventing extrusion. The lower face of the rubber central member includes a groove adjacent to the metal cap to aid in preventing extrusion of the rubber. A pair of the blade seals is used in the upper ram of the shearing blind ram assembly. The opposing lower ram has a upwardly facing surface that seals against the pair of blade seals after the pipe is sheared.