Electric Annular BOP Closing for Fast Subsea Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic operating systems in blowout preventers are susceptible to failure in challenging environments such as deep subsea wells, necessitating a more reliable and rapid sealing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An electrically actuated annular closing system using an array of electrically operated linear actuators to compress a packer inwardly, sealing the internal passageway through a pusher mechanism, eliminating hydraulic actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic operating systems are used in blowout preventers, then operational flexibility and control are maintained, but system reliability deteriorates in challenging deep subsea environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic operating system with an electric operating system. The electric actuator receives an electrical signal and directly actuates the closing mechanism, eliminating hydraulic fluid, hoses, and associated components. This substitution improves reliability in deep subsea environments by removing the hydraulic system's susceptibility to leaks, contamination, and pressure-related failures while maintaining operational control through electrical signaling.
2Speed
If hydraulic actuation is used for packer compression, then sealing force is achieved, but response time and sealing speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electric actuator provides direct mechanical actuation of the pusher mechanism without the intermediate steps required by hydraulic systems (fluid pressure buildup, hose transmission, valve control). This direct electrical-to-mechanical conversion enables faster response time and more rapid packer compression, achieving both high sealing speed and improved operational availability through reduced system complexity and fewer failure points.
3Force
If hydraulic components are employed in the annular closing system, then actuation force is sufficient, but susceptibility to failure in challenging environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric actuator is designed to generate sufficient actuation force directly through electromagnetic or electrostatic mechanisms, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid pressure to transmit force. This direct force generation maintains the required actuation capability while improving environmental reliability by removing hydraulic components that are susceptible to failure in deep subsea conditions such as high pressure, low temperature, and potential contamination.
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
Enables dependable and rapid sealing of the internal passageway without hydraulic components, enhancing operational reliability in diverse environments.
Implementation Method 1
Electrically operated linear actuators are positioned and selectively actuatable to shift the pusher mechanism linearly
Implementation Method 2
a pusher mechanism is positioned in the annular closing system and is linearly shiftable such that its linear motion causes the packer to be compressed in the radially inward direction
Implementation Method 3
a packer which may be compressed inwardly to seal off flow along the interior passage
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates reliable operation of a blowout preventer (BOP) system in a wide range of challenging environments. To enable dependable and rapid closing of the internal passageway of the BOP system, an annular closing system is employed. The annular closing system is fully electrically actuated and may comprise a variety of components which cooperate to provide reliable sealing of the internal passageway. Examples of those components comprise a packer which may be compressed inwardly to seal off flow along the interior passage. Additionally, a pusher mechanism is positioned in the annular closing system and is linearly shiftable such that its linear motion causes the packer to be compressed in the radially inward direction. Electrically operated linear actuators are positioned and selectively actuatable to shift the pusher mechanism linearly when causing compression of the packer.