BOP Position Sensing for Drill String Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position and state of blowout preventer (BOP) components in oil and gas wells are often unreliable, leading to potential damage to drill strings and internal components due to incorrect activation of the BOP.
Innovation Solution
Implementing sensors within the BOP components to monitor parameters indicative of their position, such as limit switches, proximity sensors, and ultrasonic sensors, which transmit data to a controller to accurately determine the position of radially movable members and enable disabling of rig systems as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed inside BOP components to monitor position, then measurement precision of component position is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is installed inside the BOP component housing, nesting the measurement device within the existing structure. This allows position monitoring without adding external components, resolving the contradiction by improving measurement precision while minimizing increases in device complexity through internal integration
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: monitoring radially movable member position, detecting drill string position, and triggering automatic rig shutdown. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision while justifying the added complexity through enhanced safety and operational control capabilities
2Reliability
If automatic shutdown system is implemented based on sensor data, then reliability of well control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback control where sensors continuously monitor BOP component positions and automatically trigger rig shutdown when unsafe conditions are detected. This feedback mechanism improves well control reliability by eliminating human response delays while the automated nature of the system prevents excessive complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic shutdown system is pre-programmed with safety criteria and response protocols. When sensor data indicates unsafe positions, the pre-configured system immediately executes shutdown procedures without requiring manual intervention, improving reliability through proactive safety management while maintaining manageable system complexity
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
Ensures precise knowledge of BOP component positions, preventing damage to drill strings and components by ensuring accurate activation and disabling of rig systems, thereby enhancing well control and safety.
Implementation Method 1
limit switches, proximity sensors, and ultrasonic sensors
Implementation Method 2
limit switches, proximity sensors, and ultrasonic sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A well system includes a rig system operable from an oil and gas platform, the rig system including at least one of the group consisting of a top drive, a rotary table, a draw works system, and a circulating system. The well system further includes a blowout preventer (BOP) positioned atop and fluidly coupled to a wellhead installation, the BOP including a longitudinal flow path and at least one radially movable member operable to move radially into the flow path to form a seal therein and to move radially out of the flow path. The well system includes at least one sensor arranged to monitor at least one parameter indicative of a position of the radially movable member and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one rig system, the controller operable to disable the at least one rig system in response to determining the at least one radially movable member is at least partially disposed within the longitudinal flow path.