Blind Seal Assembly for Ram Blowout Preventer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blowout preventers (BOPs) are heavy, complex, and non-NACE compliant, with sealing features that compromise shear ram cutting strength and require additional equipment for pressure testing, especially in subsea drilling.
Innovation Solution
Integration of NACE compliant seal bodies with angled cutting faces and bi-directional sealing capabilities into BOP ram assemblies, allowing for reduced BOP stack height and weight, and enabling pressure testing without pulling the drilling riser by incorporating multi-functional ram assemblies with integrated seal bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are placed near the cutting faces of shear rams, then sealing capability is improved, but the cutting or shearing strength of the shear rams is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The shear ram assembly is divided into separate components: a shear ram body with cutting edges and a separate seal body with sealing elements. This segmentation allows the cutting face to be optimized for shearing strength while the seal body provides sealing capability, eliminating the compromise of placing seals directly on the cutting face.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate seal body acts as an intermediary component between the shear ram body and the BOP bore. The seal body includes sealing elements that engage with the BOP bore to provide sealing, while the shear ram body maintains its cutting edges for shearing operations without direct seal interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of rams are stacked to increase functionality, then versatility is improved, but the height and weight of the BOP stack increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shear ram assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: shearing drill pipe through the angled cutting faces and sealing against the BOP bore through the seal body. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate blind rams, reducing the overall BOP stack height and weight while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function traditionally provided by separate blind rams is merged into the shear ram assembly through the integrated seal body. This combination reduces the number of separate ram sets needed in the BOP stack, thereby reducing height and weight.
3Reliability
If traditional sealing features are used in shear rams, then sealing is provided, but NACE compliance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is constructed from NACE compliant materials that resist corrosion from sulfur and other harmful substances. This use of corrosion-resistant composite materials ensures both sealing functionality and compliance with NACE standards for harsh drilling environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces BOP stack height and weight, enhances shear ram cutting strength, and facilitates pressure testing without additional equipment, improving operational efficiency and compliance with corrosion standards in subsea drilling.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric sealing element may be used between the ram bonnet and the main body. There are several configurations, but essentially they are all directed to preventing a leakage bypass between the mating faces of the ram bonnet and the main body.
Implementation Method 2
Each bonnet assembly includes a piston which is laterally movable within a ram cavity of the bonnet assembly by pressurized hydraulic fluid acting on the piston.
Data Source
AI summary
A ram blowout preventer (“BOP”) may be used for sealing about an object positioned in a vertical bore extending through the BOP. The ram BOP includes a body comprising a vertical bore extending through the body and a ram cavity intersecting the bore, a ram assembly movable laterally into and out of the BOP vertical bore and comprising a ram body, and an opposing ram assembly movable laterally into and out of the BOP vertical bore and comprising a ram body and a seal body coupled to the ram body, wherein the seal body comprises a seal configured to seal the entirety of the BOP vertical bore. The seal can be located on the upper and/or lower portion of the seal body to provide for bi-directional sealing across the BOP.