BACKUP WELLHEAD BLOWOUT PREVENTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A backup blowout prevention system 10 for a subsea wellhead 90 that is positioned between an existing primary blowout preventer system 102 and the wellhead 90. The system 10 includes an independently operated shear/blind ram assembly 20 that attaches to a standard wellhead connector 30 that connects to the wellhead 20. The ram assembly 20 includes an upper neck 34 with an upper flange 36 on which a dual housing assembly 40 is attached. The dual housing assembly 40 includes a secondary housing 50 longitudinally aligned under a primary housing 60 longitudinally aligned over a secondary housing. The secondary and primary housings 50, 60 include lower bodies 52, 62, and upper necks 54, 64, respectively, that have identical diameters. During assembly, the existing primary blowout assembly 102 is initially connected to the primary housing 60 and the ram assembly 20 is connected to the wellhead connector 30. When a blowout occurs, the primary housing 60 may be disconnected from the secondary housing 50 to expose the upper neck 54 of the secondary housing 50 upon which a replacement primary blowout assembly system 102' or cap system 104 may be attached.