EP1888874A1 - Rod lock for ram blowout preventers - Google Patents
Rod lock for ram blowout preventersInfo
- Publication number
- EP1888874A1 EP1888874A1 EP05757492A EP05757492A EP1888874A1 EP 1888874 A1 EP1888874 A1 EP 1888874A1 EP 05757492 A EP05757492 A EP 05757492A EP 05757492 A EP05757492 A EP 05757492A EP 1888874 A1 EP1888874 A1 EP 1888874A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rams
- spherical
- locking elements
- blowout preventer
- thrust
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001010 compromised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000414 obstructive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009964 serging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000153 supplemental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
- E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
- E21B33/06—Blow-out preventers, i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers
- E21B33/061—Ram-type blow-out preventers, e.g. with pivoting rams
- E21B33/062—Ram-type blow-out preventers, e.g. with pivoting rams with sliding rams
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to locking mechanisms for a blowout preventer as deployed in the petroleum exploration and recovery industry. More particularly, the invention relates to a roller lock mechanism to prevent the undesirable reversal of a thrust rod for a ram-type blowout preventer.
- Wellbores are drilled deep into the earth's crust to recover oil and gas deposits trapped in the formations below.
- these wellbores are drilled by an apparatus that rotates a drill bit at the end of a long collection, or string, of threaded pipes known as a drillstring.
- a drilling fluid commonly referred to as drilling mud
- drilling mud is used to lubricate and cool the drill bit as it cuts the rock formations below.
- the drilling mud is capable of performing the secondary function of removing the drill cuttings from the bottom of the wellbore to the surface.
- drilling mud is delivered to the drill bit under high pressures through a central bore of the drillstring.
- nozzles on the drill bit direct the pressurized mud to the cutters on the drill bit where the pressurized mud cleans and cools the bit.
- the fluid As the fluid is delivered downhole through the central bore of the drillstring, the fluid returns to the surface in the annulus formed between the outside of the drillstring components and the cut wellbore. Therefore, a hydrostatic column of drilling mud typically extends from the surface to the bottom of the hole being cut.
- Blowout preventers are devices configured to seal the annular space that surrounds the drillstring.
- One of the most common types of blowout preventer is known as a ram-type blowout preventer.
- a ram-type blowout preventer includes a large housing mounted atop the wellhead that includes a large passageway through which the drillstring (and any components connected thereto) is able to pass.
- the housing also includes two or more rams located in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the drillstring and wellhead that are configured to move between retracted and extended positions. The ends of the rams are configured so that when extended, they provide a complete annular hydraulic seal around the drillstring disposed therethrough.
- Ram-type BOP 100 includes a main housing 102, two or more piston ram housings 104, and top 106 and bottom 108 bolting flanges for connection to other wellhead components (not shown).
- Ram-type blowout preventer 100 is preferably constructed such that a generally cylindrical through bore 110 allows oilfield tubulars 112 to unobstructedly pass through along a drillstring axis 114.
- Oilfield tubulars 112 are typically components of a drillstring and may include, but are not limited to, drill pipe, drill collars, measurement tools, coiled tubing, or wirelines.
- Each ram assembly 118 includes a sealing ram 120 having a leading edge 122 connected to a hydraulic piston 124 through a thrust rod 126.
- Leading edge 122 is preferably contoured such that it corresponds with an outer profile of oilfield tubular 112 so that a tight seal can be formed therebetween.
- hydraulic pistons are activated by an external hydraulic source (not shown) to engage leading edges 122 against tubular 112 and seal off annulus 116.
- a ram-type BOP 100 may employ three or more ram assemblies 118 with corresponding circular portions for leading edges 122 to shut off and seal annulus 116.
- One former method to lock hydraulic rams 120 in place involves the tightening of mechanical screws to lock pistons 124 in place once displaced in reservoir 130. Such screws were tightened either manually or through power devices and would effectively lock rams 120, thrust rods 126, and pistons 124 in place.
- accessibility concerns make such a solution less than optimal.
- these locking screws must be activated by remotely operated vehicles or through electrical actuators. As such, their reliability is suspect in depths of several hundred feet or more.
- the BOP 100 is typically located beneath the rig floor. As such, engaging and disengaging the locking screws takes considerable time, time that is not always available in the event of an emergency.
- a blowout preventer includes a housing configured to be positioned above a wellhead and to surround a drillstring, a plurality of rams positioned perpendicular to an axis of the drillstring, and a roller lock positioned about a thrust rod of each ram.
- the rams may be configured to engage the drillstring and hydraulically isolate an annulus between the wellbore and the drillstring from components located above the housing when the rams are in a closed position.
- the roller locks may be configured to maintain the rams in the closed position.
- the present invention related to a locking apparatus to be used with a blowout preventer.
- the locking apparatus includes a plurality of spherical locking elements to engage and restrict movement of thrust rods connected to rams of the blowout preventer.
- the locking apparatus may also include a plurality of receptacles for the spherical locking elements, wherein each receptacle includes an inclined surface configured to thrust the spherical locking elements into compressive contact with the thrust rods when the operating rams are urged open.
- the locking apparatus may also include a release cage to retract and retain the spherical locking elements into the receptacles and to direct them out of compressive contact with the thrust rods when the operating rams are to be opened.
- the present invention relates to a method to lock rams of a blowout preventer.
- the method may include positioning spherical locking elements inside receptacles located adjacent to thrust rods of the rams, wherein the receptacles include inclined surfaces configured to engage the spherical locking elements into the thrust rods when the rams are urged open.
- the method may further include locking the thrust rods with compressive engagement of the spherical locking elements.
- the method may further include retracting the spherical locking elements into their respective receptacles with a release cage to unlock the rams.
- Figure 1 is a schematic section-view drawing of a ram-type blowout preventer.
- Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a thrust rod retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a thrust rod retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- thrust rod lock 250 is preferably located within a piston ram housing (e.g. 104 of Figure 1) in a fixed position surrounding a thrust rod 226.
- Thrust rod lock 250 is desirably configured to allow displacement of thrust rod 226 in a locking direction 252, while disallowing displacement of thrust rod 226 in an unlocking direction 254.
- Thrust rod lock 250 includes a main body 256, into which one or more roller receptacles 258 are formed. Roller receptacle 258 is shown including a deep section 260 that extends to a shallow section 262 through an inclined surface 264.
- each roller receptacle 258 is configured to retain and deploy a roller
- thrust rod 226 within and from receptacle 258 when locking of thrust rod 226 is selectively desired.
- roller 266 when roller 266 is located within deep section 260, substantially no contact occurs between roller and thrust rod 226, but as roller 266 travels down inclined surface 264, thrust rod 226 is increasingly locked into a bind by roller 266 and surface 264.
- further increases in load upon thrust rod 226 in unlocking direction 254 tend to cause roller 266 in contact with inclined surface 264 to compress against thrust rod 226 even tighter, resulting in an even stronger locked position.
- Displacements of thrust rod 226 in locking direction 252 tend to roll roller 266 up inclined surface 264 toward deep section 260 of main body 256, such that rod 226 is free to move in locking direction 252.
- a retainer cage 268 of thrust rod lock 250 retains roller 266 within receptacle 258 and is configured to retrieve roller 266 into deep section 260 when thrust rod 226 is to be released.
- Retainer cage 268 preferably includes a slot (not shown) adjacent to roller 266 to allow retainer cage 268 to displace roller 266 without interfering with the roller's engagement with thrust rod 226.
- slot can be a longitudinal slot or a spherical section to match the outer profile of roller 266.
- the slot can be a transverse slot approximately the same width as roller 266.
- retainer cage 268 is displaced in direction 270 to retrieve roller 266 up inclined surface 264 and into deep section 260, away from the engagement with outer surface of thrust rod 226.
- Retainer cage 268 may be biased so that roller 266 is biased in the direction opposite 270 and into thrust rod 226.
- cage 268 may be unbiased allowing movement of thrust rod 226 to be the sole force in causing roller 266 to be engaged therewith.
- any means to displace or bias retainer cage known in the art may be employed, including, but not limited to, hydraulic lines, springs, and tension cables.
- retainer cage can be constructed to be displaced when hydraulic pressure is applied to a hydraulic actuator attached thereto.
- a control system (not shown) can be used to direct such hydraulic pressure to either the retainer cage actuator, the thrust rod retractor, or both.
- a hydraulic system to release thrust rod lock 250 can be distinct from a hydraulic system to displace thrust rod 226 in unlocking direction 254.
- inclined surface 264 can be any of various types known in the art. Particularly, surface 264 can be a mere planar surface or can be profiled to fit the contours of spherical rollers 266. Furthermore, while rollers 266 are described generically, it should be understood that they can be constructed as spherical or cylindrical devices and can be constructed with various hardness and friction values to facilitate contact and engagement between thrust rod 226 and inclined surface 264.
- thrust rod lock 350 of Figure 3 is preferably located within a piston ram housing 304 in a fixed position surrounding a thrust rod 326. While a single thrust rod lock 350 is shown, it should be understood that a plurality of rod locks 350 can surround thrust rod 326 radially and axially.
- Thrust rod lock 350 is desirably configured to allow displacement of a thrust rod 326 in a locking direction 352, while resisting displacement of thrust rod 326 in an unlocking direction 354.
- Thrust rod lock 350 includes a main body 356, into which two series of roller receptacles 358A, 358B are formed.
- inner roller receptacle 358A is profiled to urge a roller 366A into engagement with thrust rod 326 when thrust rod 326 is displaced in unlocking direction 354.
- outer roller receptacle 358B is profiled to urge a roller 366B into engagement with an outer wear plate 380 when main body 356 is displaced in unlocking direction 354.
- thrust rod 326 of Figure 3 will experience double the radial compression as would be experienced by a thrust rod in a single roller configuration (e.g. Figure 2).
- inner and outer retainer cages 368A, 368B retain rollers 366A,
- retainer cages 368A, 368B allow rollers 366A, 366B to contact thrust rod 326 and wear place 380 through slots or other forms of apertures (not shown) therethrough.
- apertures in retainer cages 368A, 368B can take the form of longitudinal slots or spherical sections in the case where rollers 366A, 366B are spherical or can be transverse slots if rollers 366A, 366B are cylindrical.
- a pair of bias springs 382, 384 is shown working in conjunction with main body 356 and retainer cages 368A, 368B to thrust rollers 366A, 366B into locking engagement with thrust rod 326 and wear plate 380 by default.
- spring 382 urges main body in the direction of arrow 352 such that inclined surface 364A urges roller 366A into contact with thrust rod 326.
- spring 384 between main body 356 and outer retainer cage 368B urges cage 368B and roller 366B in the direction of arrow 352 such that inclined surface 364B urges roller 366B into contact with wear plate 380.
- Unlocking mechanism 386 can be constructed any number of ways, but is preferably configured to retract rollers 366A, 366B into their respective receptacles 358A, 358B so that thrust rod 326 can be retracted in unlocking direction 354. Unlocking mechanism 386 of Figure 3 is shown within a recess 388 of housing 304. A hydraulic seal 390 surrounding mechanism 386 ensures that when hydraulic pressure is increased to a hydraulic port 392, mechanism 386 is displaced in the direction of 354 such that a thrust face 394 engages a corresponding load shoulder 396 of outer retainer cage 368B.
- Rod lock assemblies 250 and 350 of the present invention exhibit many advantages over locking mechanisms currently available.
- rod lock assemblies 250, 350 are capable of securing thrust rods 226, 326 almost instantaneously and with little or no backlash or slippage.
- rod lock assemblies 250, 350 are disclosed as "fail safe" devices, in that they lock by default. No affirmative steps are necessary to lock thrust rods 226, 326 in place once they are extended.
- Rod lock assemblies 250, 350 automatically engage and resist disengagement of thrust rods 226, 326. As no external power source is necessary to engage rod locks 250, 350, their effectiveness is not compromised by power failures. In contrast, hydraulic (or other) power is only necessary to disengage rod locks 250, 350.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Actuator (AREA)
- Hydraulic Clutches, Magnetic Clutches, Fluid Clutches, And Fluid Joints (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2005/019754 WO2006132627A1 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-06-06 | Rod lock for ram blowout preventers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1888874A1 true EP1888874A1 (en) | 2008-02-20 |
Family
ID=37498744
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05757492A Withdrawn EP1888874A1 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-06-06 | Rod lock for ram blowout preventers |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1888874A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005332690A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0520245A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2611238A1 (en) |
EA (1) | EA010713B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2007015515A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006132627A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111042758A (en) * | 2019-10-18 | 2020-04-21 | 江苏信得石油机械股份有限公司 | Switch lever connecting device and blowout preventer |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4523639A (en) * | 1983-11-21 | 1985-06-18 | Koomey Blowout Preventers, Inc. | Ram type blowout preventers |
US6845959B2 (en) * | 2001-05-04 | 2005-01-25 | Hydril Company, L.P. | Quick release blowout preventer bonnet |
-
2005
- 2005-06-06 CA CA002611238A patent/CA2611238A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-06-06 BR BRPI0520245-0A patent/BRPI0520245A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-06-06 EP EP05757492A patent/EP1888874A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-06-06 AU AU2005332690A patent/AU2005332690A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-06-06 WO PCT/US2005/019754 patent/WO2006132627A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-06-06 MX MX2007015515A patent/MX2007015515A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2005-06-06 EA EA200702610A patent/EA010713B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2006132627A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MX2007015515A (en) | 2008-04-21 |
CA2611238A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
EA200702610A1 (en) | 2008-06-30 |
BRPI0520245A2 (en) | 2009-04-28 |
AU2005332690A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
EA010713B1 (en) | 2008-10-30 |
WO2006132627A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20071220 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT CZ GB NL RO SK |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: JUDGE, ROBERT ARNOLD Inventor name: BERCKENHOFF, MICHAEL WAYNE |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AT CZ GB NL RO SK |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: HYDRIL USA MANUFACTURING LLC |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20100104 |