Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of operating a wellbore. The blowout preventer has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of operating a wellbore. The blowout preventer has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of closing a wellbore. The blowout prevented has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main housing containing a through bore. A first chamber is arranged transverse to the through bore. A second chamber is transverse to the through bore and is diametrically opposed to the first chamber. A first shearing device is located in the first chamber and a second shearing device located in the second chamber. The blowout preventer includes a charge that when activated propels each shearing device along its respective chamber and across the through bore into the opposing chamber, such that the first and second shearing devices are adjacent each other.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of closing a wellbore. The blowout prevented has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of closing a wellbore. The blowout prevented has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A choke and kill system, and a method of adapting a low pressure drilling rig for use in a high pressure application are described. The system has a low pressure stack and a high pressure blowout preventer stack fluidly connected to the low pressure stack. A choke is fluidly connected to a low pressure choke line of the low pressure stack and is connected to a high pressure choke line of the high pressure blowout preventer stack. The choke is adapted to reduce the pressure from the high pressure choke line to the low pressure choke line.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main housing containing a through bore. A first chamber is arranged transverse to the through bore. A second chamber is transverse to the through bore and is diametrically opposed to the first chamber. A first shearing device is located in the first chamber and a second shearing device located in the second chamber. The blowout preventer includes a charge that when activated propels each shearing device along its respective chamber and across the through bore into the opposing chamber, such that the first and second shearing devices are adjacent each other.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of closing a wellbore. The blowout prevented has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A choke and kill system, and a method of adapting a low pressure drilling rig for use in a high pressure application are described. The system has a low pressure stack and a high pressure blowout preventer stack fluidly connected to the low pressure stack. A choke is fluidly connected to a low pressure choke line of the low pressure stack and is connected to a high pressure choke line of the high pressure blowout preventer stack. The choke is adapted to reduce the pressure from the high pressure choke line to the low pressure choke line.