Rotation-Operated BOP Portion for Bidirectional Wellbore Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blowout preventer (BOP) systems can only seal the wellbore below the BOP assembly, limiting their ability to manage fluid pressure surges and uncontrolled pressure conditions during drilling operations, as they rely solely on linear actuation of rams.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a second rotation-operated BOP portion with a rotatable member allows for bidirectional sealing of the wellbore through rotational actuation, complementing the existing radial operation, enabling sealing above and below the BOP assembly by positioning the bore into or out of alignment with the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional BOP system uses only linear actuation of rams, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the sealing capability is limited to one direction below the BOP assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different actuation mechanisms (linear radial actuation and rotational actuation) into a single BOP assembly. The radial-operated portion with movable rams and the rotation-operated portion with a rotatable member work together to provide both unidirectional and bidirectional sealing capabilities, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The BOP assembly is designed to perform multiple sealing functions: the radial-operated portion seals below the assembly, while the rotation-operated portion provides both below-assembly sealing (when bore aligns with wellbore) and above-assembly sealing (when bore rotates away from alignment). This multi-functionality addresses the limitation of conventional single-direction sealing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a BOP system uses only radial operation, then the device is easier to operate, but it cannot seal the wellbore in both directions above and below the BOP assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic rotational capability to the BOP assembly through the rotation-operated portion. The bore can dynamically change its orientation relative to the wellbore axis by rotating, enabling it to alternately align (for below-assembly sealing) and misalign (for above-assembly sealing), providing bidirectional sealing adaptability.
3Reliability
If the BOP assembly integrates both radial and rotational operation, then the sealing capability is enhanced for bidirectional control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The BOP assembly is segmented into two independent operational portions: the radial-operated portion with its own actuation mechanism for below-assembly sealing, and the rotation-operated portion with its own actuation mechanism for bidirectional sealing. This segmentation allows each portion to be controlled independently, improving reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A system has a blowout preventer (BOP) assembly with first and second BOP portions. The first BOP portion has one or more rams configured to move between a first open position and a first closed position relative to a central bore. The second BOP portion has an inner cylinder with a bore, wherein the inner cylinder is configured to rotate about an axis crosswise to the central bore to move between a second open position with the bore aligned with the central bore and a second closed position with the bore out of alignment with the central bore.