Blowout preventer quick connect bonnet system

Abstract

A technique facilitates reliable servicing and operation of a blowout preventer (BOP) system in a wide range of challenging environments. According to an example, the BOP system includes a BOP body, and a fastening mechanism secures the removable bonnet to the BOP body. The fastening mechanism may include a quick connect selectively actuatable to a lock position which prevents unwanted separation of the removable bonnet from the BOP body. The quick connect may be constructed for rapid operation as a non-threaded quick connect. Examples of such a quick connect include expandable lock rings such as split lock rings having one or more splits to enable rapid expansion and contraction between positions. The quick connects may be powered hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically, electrically and may comprise various components shifted in a linear, rotational, or other suitable movement to achieve the rapid transition between lock and unlock positions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 762,190 entitled “BLOWOUT PREVENTER QUICK CONNECT BONNET SYSTEM,” filed February 24, 2025, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] In many oil and gas well applications, various types of equipment may be used to contain and isolate pressure in the wellbore. For example, a blowout preventer (BOP) system may be installed on a wellhead to protect against blowouts. The blowout preventer has a BOP body with a longitudinal interior passage which allows passage of pipe, e.g. drill pipe, and other well components. Additionally, the blowout preventer has a variety of features including BOP rams, e.g. BOP pipe rams and shear rams. The BOP rams have internal shiftable components which are movable within corresponding BOP ram cavities so as to facilitate rapid well closing and sealing operations. Control over operation of the blowout preventer, e.g. over the BOP rams, generally is achieved with various types of hydraulic controls. Additionally, each BOP ram may comprise an extended portion of the BOP body to which is attached a bonnet via threaded bonnet bolts. However, un-torquing and torquing the threaded bonnet bolts to gain access to corresponding BOP ram cavities is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.SUMMARY

[0003] In general, a system and method facilitate operation and servicing of a blowout preventer (BOP) system in a wide range of challenging environments. According to an embodiment, the BOP system comprises a BOP body to which is attached a removable bonnet via a quick connect bonnet system. The quick connect bonnet system may comprise a plurality of fastening mechanisms which secure the removable bonnet to the BOP body. Each fastening mechanism may comprise a quick connect selectively actuatable to a lock position which prevents unwanted separation of the removable bonnet from the BOP body. The quick connect may be constructed for rapid operation as a non-threaded quick connect. Examples of quick connects include expandable lock rings, e.g. split lock rings having one or more splits to enable rapid expansion and contraction between positions. The quick connects may be powered hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically, electrically and may comprise various components shifted in a linear, rotational, or other suitable movement to achieve the rapid transition between lock and unlock positions.

[0004] However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:

[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of an overall well BOP system mounted on a wellhead above a borehole and incorporating quick connect bonnet systems to enable rapid removal and installation of bonnets, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an example of a quick connect fastening mechanism in an unlock position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of the quick connect fastening mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2 but actuated to a lock position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of another example of a quick connect fastening mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0010] FIG. 5 is an illustration of another example of a quick connect fastening mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and / or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

[0012] The disclosure herein generally involves a system and method which facilitate servicing and operation of a blowout preventer (BOP) system in a wide range of challenging environments. According to an embodiment, the BOP system comprises a BOP body to which is attached a removable bonnet via a quick connect bonnet system. The quick connect bonnet system may comprise a plurality of fastening mechanisms which secure the removable bonnet to the BOP body. Each fastening mechanism may comprise a quick connect selectively actuatable to a lock position which prevents unwanted separation of the removable bonnet from the BOP body. The quick connect may be constructed for rapid operation as a non-threaded quick connect. Effectively, the quick connects replace the slow, manual installation and removal operation of traditional bonnet bolts.

[0013] Examples of non-threaded quick connects include expandable lock rings such as split lock rings having one or more splits to enable rapid expansion and contraction between positions. The non-threaded quick connects may be powered hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically, or electrically and may comprise various components shifted in a linear, rotational, or other suitable movement to achieve the rapid transition between lock and unlock positions.

[0014] In a specific example, the quick connect bonnet system may be utilized on each ram BOP of the overall blowout preventer. Each bonnet is releasably secured via a plurality of fastening mechanisms which may be in the form of quick connects. In some embodiments, each quick connect comprises a lock ring, e.g. a split lock ring, having a multi-tooth external profile. Additionally, an engagement ring may be constructed with a wedge feature which interacts with the split lock ring. As the wedge feature is forced under the split lock ring, the multi tooth profile is forced outwardly into engagement with a cooperating surface, e.g. a matching tooth profile, in the body of the BOP. (In some embodiments, the cooperating surface may be an interior surface of the bonnet.)

[0015] In this example, the split lock ring is positioned around a reaction rod and interacts with a load shoulder to enable transition of the lock ring between unlock and lock positions via shifting of the engagement ring. When the engagement ring is moved to a disengaged position with respect to the split lock ring, the split lock ring returns to its original shape and size so as to enable removal / opening of the bonnet. The engagement ring may be actuated hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically, electrically, or by other suitable systems and techniques.

[0016] Referring generally to FIG. 1, a well system 30 is illustrated as comprising a BOP system 32 for providing pressure control at a well 34. In this example, the BOP system 32 is mounted on a wellhead 36, e.g. a land-based wellhead or a subsea wellhead, located above a borehole 38, e.g. a wellbore. The BOP system 32 may be arranged as a BOP stack 40 and may comprise a variety of BOP components, such as ram BOPs 42 having removable bonnets 44 mounted to extensions of a BOP body 46. The bonnets 44 may be releasably secured to the BOP body 46 via quick connect bonnet systems 48. Depending on the parameters of a given well or well operation, the ram BOPs 42 may comprise various pipe rams and shear rams. Additionally, the BOP system 32 may have a central, longitudinal passage 50 for receiving tubular components 52, e.g. drill pipe or other pipe, therethrough.

[0017] Referring generally to FIG. 2, an example of a fastening mechanism 54 for releasably attaching one of the bonnets 44 is illustrated. By way of example, each quick connect bonnet system 48 may comprise one or more fastening mechanisms 54, e.g. four or more fastening mechanisms 54. According to the illustrated embodiment, the fastening mechanism 54 is in the form of a non-threaded quick connect 56.

[0018] One example of a non-threaded quick connect 56 utilizes a lock ring 58 which is selectively expandable from an unlock position to a lock position, the lock position preventing separation of the bonnet 44 from the BOP body 46. Each lock ring 58 may be in the form of a split lock ring having a single split 60 or a plurality of splits 60 which enable expansion and contraction of the split lock ring 58. The split lock ring 58 is shiftable between an unlock position and a lock position via a shiftable engagement ring 62.

[0019] In the example illustrated, the shiftable engagement ring 62 and the split lock ring 58 are mounted around a reaction rod 64. The shiftable engagement ring 62 is shifted linearly along the reaction rod 64 and into engagement with the split lock ring 58 so as to actuate the split lock ring 58 between unlock and lock positions. It should be noted the shiftable engagement ring 62 also may be constructed to enable a rotational shifting movement or other type of suitable movement for transitioning the lock ring 58 between unlock and lock positions. In FIG. 2, the non-threaded quick connect 56 and its lock ring 58 are illustrated in the unlock position. FIG. 3, on the other hand, illustrates the non-threaded quick connect 56 and its lock ring 58 in the lock position.

[0020] To facilitate locking, various locking features may be utilized. For example, an outer surface of lock ring 58 may comprise teeth 66 oriented outwardly to engage a corresponding inner surface of BOP body 46. In the illustrated example, the corresponding inner surface of BOP body 46 includes corresponding teeth 68 oriented to engage teeth 66 when lock ring 58 is expanded to the lock position.

[0021] The engagement ring 62 may comprise a wedge surface 70 oriented to engage an interior of the lock ring 58 as the engagement ring 62 is shifted linearly toward lock ring 58. The wedge surface 70 facilitates transition of the lock ring 58 from the unlock position (FIG. 2) to the lock position (FIG. 3) by forcing the lock ring 58 to expand in a radially outward direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, the engagement ring 62 may be actuated hydraulically by, for example, introducing hydraulic fluid into a hydraulic chamber 72 within bonnet 44 via one or more hydraulic ports 74. The pressurized hydraulic fluid forces the engagement ring 62 into the split lock ring 58 which, in turn, is forced to expand radially outwardly until teeth 66 engage corresponding teeth 68, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be noted the engagement ring 62 may be actuated by other methods including mechanical methods and electrical methods. For example, the engagement ring 62 may be shifted pneumatically or it may be shifted mechanically via a suitable lever system or other mechanical system. Additionally, the engagement ring 62 may be shifted electrically via a suitable solenoid or linear motor.

[0023] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the reaction rod 64 may have various configurations. In the illustrated example, the reaction rod 64 comprises a shaft portion 76 about which the lock ring 58 and engagement ring 62 are mounted. The reaction rod 64 may further comprise a load shoulder 78 against which the lock ring 58 is forced as engagement ring 62 is moved into the lock ring 58 during expansion and locking of lock ring 58.

[0024] Additionally, the reaction rod 64 may comprise a mounting portion 80 which forms a mechanical connection 82 with the surrounding structure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, mechanical connection 82 is formed between mounting portion 80 and bonnet 44. The mechanical connection 82 may comprise a threaded connection, welded connection, or other suitable connection which secures the reaction rod64. When bonnet 44 is removed from BOP body 46, the mechanical connection 82 secures reaction rod 64 to bonnet 44 while load shoulder 78 slides out of its cavity within BOP body 46.

[0025] Referring generally to FIG. 4, another embodiment of fastening mechanism 54 is illustrated. In this example, the components are similar to those described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, however the orientation of lock ring 58, engagement ring 62, and reaction rod 64 has been reversed. In other words, the mounting portion 80 of reaction rod 64 is secured to the BOP body 46. Additionally, the lock ring 58 is transitioned between unlock and lock positions within the bonnet 44.

[0026] Referring generally to FIG. 5, another embodiment of fastening mechanism 54 is illustrated. In this example, the components are similar to those described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4; however, the teeth 66 of lock ring 58 have been oriented inwardly. In this example, the inwardly oriented teeth 66 are constructed for engagement with a corresponding surface of reaction rod 64. For example, the inwardly oriented teeth 66 may be constructed for engagement with corresponding teeth 68 which are positioned along the exterior surface of reaction rod 64. The lock ring 58 may be actuated between the unlock position and the illustrated lock position via a variety of linear, rotational, or other suitable actuation motions to drive the lock ring 58 between operational positions.

[0027] Depending on the specific well operation, well environment, and well equipment, the overall well system 30 may be adjusted and various configurations may be employed. For example, the BOP system 32 may comprise many types of alternate and / or additional components. Additionally, the BOP system 32 may be combined with many other types of wellheads and other well components used in, for example, land-based or subsea hydrocarbon production operations.

[0028] Furthermore, the components and arrangement of quick connect bonnet systems 48 may vary according to the parameters of a given environment and / or well operation. For example, various numbers of fastening mechanisms 54 may be employed with respect to each bonnet 44. Additionally, each fastening mechanism 54 may comprise various types of quick connect mechanisms which avoid the use of time-consuming and labor-intensive bonnet bolts. For example, various types of lock rings 58 may be employed for engagement with various types of locking features.

[0029] In some embodiments the lock rings 58 may utilize split rings formed of resilient material which returns to the contracted or unlock position upon withdrawal of the engagement ring 62. However, other types of lock rings 58 may utilize one or more components which are drawn to the contracted / unlock position via various types of springs or other biasing techniques. Similarly, various configurations of engagement rings 62 and reaction rods 64 may be employed. In some embodiments, the fastening mechanisms 54 may be constructed without reaction rods and may utilize other features for guiding the actuatable components.

[0030] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A system for preventing blowouts at a well, comprising:a blowout preventer (BOP) system comprising:a BOP body having a longitudinal passage therethrough;a plurality of bonnets, each bonnet being mounted to the BOP body; anda plurality of fastening mechanisms securing each bonnet to the BOP body, each fastening mechanism comprising a lock ring selectively expandable to a lock position preventing separation of the bonnet from the BOP body.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each fastening mechanism comprises a reaction rod extending between the BOP body and the bonnet.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the lock ring is disposed around the reaction rod and is in the form of a split lock ring expandable to the lock position.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the split lock ring comprises a single split to enable expansion and contraction.

5. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the split lock ring comprises a plurality of splits.

6. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the split lock ring is shiftable between the lock position and an unlock position via a linearly shiftable engagement ring.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the linearly shiftable engagement ring is shifted via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation.

8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the linearly shiftable engagement ring is shifted via mechanical actuation.

9. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the linearly shiftable engagement ring is shifted via electrical actuation.

10. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the lock ring comprises external teeth oriented to engage an internal surface of the BOP body.

11. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the lock ring comprises external teeth oriented to engage an internal surface of the bonnet.

12. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the lock ring comprises internal teeth oriented to engage a surface of the reaction rod.

13. A system, comprising:a blowout preventer (BOP) system comprising:a BOP body to which is attached a removable bonnet; anda plurality of fastening mechanisms securing the removable bonnet to the BOP body, each fastening mechanism comprising a non-threaded quick connect selectively actuatable to a lock position preventing unwanted separation of the removable bonnet from the BOP body.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the non-threaded quick connect comprises a lock ring selectively expandable to the lock position.

15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the non-threaded quick connect comprises at least four non-threaded quick connects arranged to releasably attach the removable bonnet.

16. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the lock ring is in the form of a split lock ring having at least one split to enable selective expansion and contraction of the split lock ring.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the lock ring comprises outwardly oriented teeth.

18. A method, comprising:constructing a BOP system with a BOP body and a plurality of removable bonnets attached to the BOP body; andreleasably securing each removable bonnet to the BOP body via a plurality of non-threaded quick connects to enable rapid removal and attachment of each removable bonnet.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising constructing each non-threaded quick connect with a split lock ring mounted about a reaction rod extending between the BOP body and the removable bonnet.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising selectively actuating the split lock ring between a contracted unlock position and an expanded lock position via a hydraulically actuated engagement ring.

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