Abstract: An inflatable packer system for an annular blowout preventer (BOP) includes an inflatable bladder configured to be positioned within a housing of the annular BOP and to inflate upon receipt of a fluid within the inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder may be an annular structure that is configured to circumferentially surround a bore of the annular BOP.

Abstract: An inflatable packer system for an annular blowout preventer (BOP) includes an inflatable bladder configured to be positioned within a housing of the annular BOP and to inflate upon receipt of a fluid within the inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder may be an annular structure that is configured to circumferentially surround a bore of the annular BOP.

Abstract: A packer assembly for an annular blowout preventer includes an annular packer, a plurality of inserts, and a support. The plurality of inserts is arranged circumferentially about the annular packer and configured to move radially inward to enable the packer assembly to move from an open position in which the packer assembly enables fluid flow through a central bore to a closed position in which the packer assembly blocks fluid flow through the central bore. The support is positioned below the plurality of inserts with respect to a height of the packer assembly and is configured to block at least a portion of the annular packer from moving into an opening extending through the annular packer in the closed position.

Abstract: The service life of a packer element, an annular BOP, is estimated using one pressure sensor below the elastomer seal or two pressure sensors positioned above and below the elastomer seal. The pressure variations below the elastomer are monitored versus piston position and used to detect elastomer wear with time/pressure cycles. The pressure variations above the elastomer can be used to detect potential leakage, as well as leak characteristics such as leaking rate or leak geometry.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and at least two pipe ram systems engageable with the housing. Each of the at least two pipe ram systems comprises an actuator, a bonnet and a sealing pipe ram element. The at least two pipe ram systems are disposed on opposed sides of the housing. A carousel is disposed proximate at least one of the at least two pipe ram systems. The carousel has mounted thereon a plurality of pipe ram systems. The carousel is rotatable to orient a selected one of the plurality of pipe ram systems toward a receiving bore in the housing.

Abstract: Improved sealing technology is used for any pressure containing equipment including BOP equipment applications. Examples of such BOP equipment include annular BOPs, fixed pipe ram BOPs, variable bore ram BOPs, and shear and seal ram BOPs. A plurality of extrusion resistant elements are distributed within an elastomer material used for seals and packers, and the elements are shaped and positioned to reduce or eliminate extrusion at extrusion gaps.

Abstract: A packer assembly for an annular blowout preventer includes an annular packer and a plurality of inserts arranged circumferentially about the annular packer. The plurality of inserts are curved along an axial axis of the packer assembly and are configured to rotate radially inwardly to enable the packer assembly to move from an open position in which the packer assembly enables fluid flow through a central bore to a closed position in which the packer assembly blocks fluid flow through the central bore.

Abstract: The service life of a packer element, an annular BOP, is estimated using one pressure sensor below the elastomer seal or two pressure sensors positioned above and below the elastomer seal. The pressure variations below the elastomer are monitored versus piston position and used to detect elastomer wear with time/pressure cycles. The pressure variations above the elastomer can be used to detect potential leakage, as well as leak characteristics such as leaking rate or leak geometry.

Abstract: Service life characteristics of an elastomer component used for sealing in a BOP are monitored. Measurements are made in situ on the BOP while deployed at a wellsite. The measurements can be related to contact pressure and/or sealing pressure of elastomer components in an annular BOP. The measurements are used to monitor the service life of the elastomer component.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer includes a housing, an annular packer positioned within the housing, and an annular piston assembly positioned within the housing. An annular contacting surface of the annular piston is configured to contact the annular packer while the annular blowout preventer is in the open position. The annular blowout preventer also includes a plurality of inserts extending axially through the annular packer and arranged circumferentially within the annular packer. The annular piston is configured to drive the annular packer in an axial direction within the housing, thereby compressing the annular packer, causing the plurality of inserts to rotate radially inwardly, and moving the annular blowout preventer from the open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (“BOP”) for sealing against an object includes a housing comprising a bore extending through the housing with the object being extendable through the bore. The BOP further includes a packer assembly movably positioned within the housing and configured to form a seal within the housing. The packer assembly includes a body comprising an elastomeric material and an insert at least partially positioned within the body. The insert comprises a harder material section and a softer material section with respect to the harder material section and configured to deform against the object.

Abstract: A packer assembly for an annular blowout preventer includes an annular packer and a plurality of inserts arranged circumferentially about the annular packer. The plurality of inserts are curved along an axial axis of the packer assembly and are configured to rotate radially inwardly to enable the packer assembly to move from an open position in which the packer assembly enables fluid flow through a central bore to a closed position in which the packer assembly blocks fluid flow through the central bore.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer includes a housing, an annular packer positioned within the housing, and an annular piston assembly positioned within the housing. An annular contacting surface of the annular piston is configured to contact the annular packer while the annular blowout preventer is in the open position. The annular blowout preventer also includes a plurality of inserts extending axially through the annular packer and arranged circumferentially within the annular packer.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (“BOP”) for sealing against an object includes a housing comprising a bore extending through the housing with the object being extendable through the bore. The BOP further includes a packer assembly movably positioned within the housing and configured to form a seal within the housing. The packer assembly includes a body comprising an elastomeric material and an insert at least partially positioned within the body. The insert comprises a harder material section and a softer material section with respect to the harder material section and configured to deform against the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing seals (e.g., metal end cap (MEC) seals) having inner and/or outer surfaces that include grooves are provided. In particular, seal mold assemblies may include removable, flexible, non-metallic annular mold inserts (e.g., sleeves) that may be inserted into annular mold cavities of inner and outer annular mold rings. As such, the mold inserts may be used interchangeably and modularly to create many different types of grooved seals, without the need to use different inner and outer annular mold rings. Using mold inserts in this manner eliminates the need for secondary machining processes on the inner and/or outer surfaces of the grooved seals, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs and time as well as providing greater consistency and repeatability between manufactured grooved seals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing seals (e.g., metal end cap (MEC) seals) having inner and/or outer surfaces that include grooves are provided. In particular, seal mold assemblies may include removable, flexible, non-metallic annular mold inserts (e.g., sleeves) that may be inserted into annular mold cavities of inner and outer annular mold rings. As such, the mold inserts may be used interchangeably and modularly to create many different types of grooved seals, without the need to use different inner and outer annular mold rings. Using mold inserts in this manner eliminates the need for secondary machining processes on the inner and/or outer surfaces of the grooved seals, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs and time as well as providing greater consistency and repeatability between manufactured grooved seals.