Pressure assisted blowout preventer

摘要

A blowout preventer (BOP) includes a pressure driven operator that is equipped with a balancing circuit to offset pressure inside the BOP. The operator, which is used to drive a ram, includes a piston, coupled to the ram by an operator arm, and a balance arm on a side of the piston opposite the operator arm. Pressure from inside the BOP communicates to an end of the balance arm opposite the piston and exerts a force to drive the ram radially inward.

主权项

1. A blowout preventer (BOP) comprising:
an annular body having a main bore in pressure communication with a wellbore; an operator assembly having an end that selectively projects radially into the body; a piston coupled with the operator assembly; and a balance rod coupled to a side of the piston distal from the main bore, and having a pressure surface in selective pressure communication with the main bore, so that the pressure on the balance rod at the pressure surface mirrors the pressure in the main bore when the pressure surface is in pressure communication with the main bore.