Bidirectional sealing blowout preventer

(74) Agent

Cooper Cameron Corp, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1700, US-TX77027 HOUSTON, USA Bolie Calvin Williams, 309 Glenwood Drive, US-TX77007 HOUSTON, USA

Melvyn F Whitby, 15723 Stoney Fork Drive, US-TX77084 HOUSTON, USA

Paul L Tasson, 12614 Lady Jane Court, US-TX77044 HOUSTON, USA

Bryn Aarflot AS, PO Box 449 Center, 0104 OSLO, Norway

<td> (54)</td><td>Designation</td><td>Blower type blowout and method of operation of a two-way seal Blower</td>

<td> (56)</td><td>cited</td><td></td>

<td></td><td>publications</td><td>US 6164619 A US 4413642 A US 6158505 A US 5294088 A</td>

<td> (57)</td><td>Summary</td><td></td>

There is disclosed a two-way sealing blowout fuse, two-way sealing blowout fuses, and fluid communication systems for equalizing pressure between the backs of shutoff paths in a two-way sealing blowout fuse and a passage through the blowout fuse. Methods are described for operating a two-way sealing blowout fuse to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole pressure to control the well, and to seal a well around a well pipe to pressure test another blowout fuse or other device in the stack.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to blowout type shut-off fuses used in well operations, such as hydrocarbon recovery, for controlling the well, including preventing a well blowout. More particularly, the present invention relates to the design and operation of sealing devices included in blowout fuses, and finds particular application in the operation and testing of underwater blowout fuses and other devices in a blowout fuse stack.

Exhaust fuses are typically included in the assembly at a wellhead when drilling or completing a well, to shut off the well to prevent blowout. Such a blowout can occur, for example, when the well suddenly cuts through a pocket of fluid under high pressure, which then inflates the wellbore. A blowout fuse seals the well against fluid pressure from below. A blowout fuse can also be used to seal the well around a well pipe during normal drilling operations involving downhole overpressure. In practice, several blowout fuses are arranged in a vertical stack, which is positioned above the well, with the well tubes extending upward through the center of the blowout fuse stack.

Figs. 1 and 2 provide two views of an underwater blowout stack, generally illustrated by 10. Various hydraulic lines, frameworks and controls for operation of the blowout stack 10 are not shown for clarity. Stack 10 includes four blowout preventers (ram-type blowout preventers) 12, 14, 16 and 18. An annular blowout fuse 20, a connector 22, a second annular blowout fuse 24, and a flexible connection 26 are provided above the blowout fuses 12-18. A riser adapter 28 is positioned at the top of stack 10 for connection to a riser above (not shown). A wellhead connector 30 is located at the bottom of stack 10 for connection to a wellhead below (not shown). In general, the number and type of blowout fuses in a stack, as well as the order they are arranged in the stack, may vary.

A shutter type blowout includes a pair of linear actuators, or linear actuators, located on opposite sides of a central housing to provide movement along a straight line, perpendicular to the vertical, toward and away from the housing. For example, a shutter-type blowout fuse, such as shown in Fig. 12, provides a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies 32 and 34 with the cylinders secured on opposite sides of a central housing 36 positioned above the well so that the pistons are movable along a a line perpendicular to the vertical, i.e. perpendicular to the wellbore at the surface of the well. As shown, the lower two blowout fuses 12 and 14 have a common, extended central housing 36. A central vertical bore through the housing 36 is provided with the wellbore so that well pipes extending from the well pass upwardly through the housing along its central bore. The pistons are operated hydraulically to simultaneously move towards each other, or away from each other. Each piston carries a shutter at the piston end, towards the well, so that the two shutter meet in a closed configuration at the central bore of the housing as the pistons are driven together, and are pulled apart by the pistons to an open configuration. The central vertical bores through the housing of the blowout fuses 12-18 of the shutter type form parts of a central vertical passage extending from the wellhead and wellbore below, up through all the elements of the blowout fuse stack 10, and further through the riser.

A cavity is provided within the central housing for each blowout fuse 12-18 of the shutter type, that is, for each pair of piston and cylinder combinations 32-34. Each cavity crosses the vertical bore in the housing 36 and extends radially outwardly to piston and cylinder structures 32 and 34 in two guide paths 38 and 40, with each guide path disposed between the central housing and a corresponding piston and cylinder assembly. The shutter carried by a piston resides in and moves within the corresponding guide path.

The shutters in a multiple blowout fuse stack can operate in various ways by shutting off the well. Pipe shutters seal around a pipe extending from the well, shutting off the annulus between the well pipe and the wellbore surface. Blind shutters seal over the well without any tubing at the blind shutter location. Shear cutters cut across the well pipe, but do not seal the annulus around the pipe. Blind cutters cut across the well pipe and close and close the well. A blowout fuse with blind cutter shutters is typically at the top of a blowout fuse type stack, with various pipe shutters in blowout fuses located below. In a typical application, the blowout type top blowout fuse 18 will be provided with blind cutter shutters, and the lower fuses 12-16 will contain pipe cutters.

Fig. 3 shows an adapted pair of pipe shutters generally at 42 and 44, and is used here to illustrate various features of the shutters. To the extent that the rods 42 and 44 are equal, the same number mark is used to identify their equal parts and features. Each of the shutter bars 42 and 44 includes a shutter body 46 having a groove 48 at its front end, or front end. A gasket 50 is carried in the groove 48. A groove 52 extends over the top surface of the shutter body 46. A top seal 54 is received within the top groove 52 so that the ends of the top seal extend to the ends of the gasket 50. A T-groove 56 is cut into the back of each shutter body 46 to receive a cam at the end of a linear drive ( not shown), such as that included in piston and cylinder assemblies 32 and 34 (Figs. 1 and 2), used to operate shutters 42 and 44.

The shutter bodies 46 are generally curved, oblong cylinders as shown. The guide paths (not shown) are also curved, oblong cylindrical internal surfaces which receive the rods 42 and 44 and which the rods are driven along by the corresponding pistons. In general, the blowout fuses and corresponding guide paths may also have other cross-sectional shapes, such as circular or rectangular. When the shut-offs 42 and 44 are driven together, they meet at the well pipe (not shown) inside the central vertical passage inside the blowout fuse stack 10. The pipe shut-off gaskets 50 have a vertical, cylindrical groove 58 receiving the well pipe and the front ends of the shut-off bodies 46 are cut to to fit together. Accordingly, in the closed configuration, the tube racks 42 and 46 fit together and around the well tube to enclose the well tube in an annular, sealing engagement. To complete the sealing of the well with the shutters 42 and 44 in the closed configuration, the shutters must be sealed against their respective guide fluid against well fluid under pressure from movement around the shutters and up into the housing above the level of the shut off gaskets. This seal is provided by the top seals 54 which engage the inner guide surface of a sliding seal. Accordingly, the combination of the top seal 54 and the seal 50 in a shutter 42 or 44 completes the seal between the well tube and the corresponding guide path, and the pair of shutter 42 and 44 in the closed configuration completes the seal of the wellbore surrounding the well tube.

Each shutter 42 and 44 is provided with a pressure equalizing passage in the form of a groove, or a slurry slot 60, which is longitudinally machined into the bottom surface of the shutter to transfer fluid pressure between the vertical bore in the central housing below the shutter pack 50 and the respective guide groove. behind the shut-off seals. Accordingly, each shutter 42 and 44 can be driven back and forth along its guide path without having to act against counter-fluid pressure differences between the area behind the shutter and the central vertical passage through stack 10 below the seals 50.

Each of the shutter type blowout fuses 12-18 has an access port 62 (Figs. 1 and 2) against the bottom of each side of the corresponding central housing 36. The ports 62 of each blowout fuse 12-18 are positioned to communicate with the central, vertical passage inside stack 10 at a location below where the shut-off gaskets for these blowout fuses will cooperate to form a seal. A throttle line 64 extends along the side of stack 10 and is connected to access ports 62 in the blowout fuses 12 and 16, and is regulated there by valves 66. A throttle line can be used to discharge high downstream fluid pressure by tapping through an access port. 62 by a closed and sealed blowout fuse. A kill line 68 extends along the opposite side of stack 10 and is connected to access ports 62 in the remaining blowout fuses 14 and 18 and is regulated there by valves 70. A kill line can be used to feed high pressure fluid or high density sludge. into the well through an access port 62 by a closed and sealed blowout fuse.

In practice, blowout fuses are periodically tested for their ability to seal downhole pressure. This is especially the case in the case of underwater installations. A test tool is lowered through the blowout fuse stack on a pipe and anchored below the lowest blowout fuse in the stack. The test tool is actuated to seal the well at this point. A blowout fuse to be tested is moved to its closed, or sealed, configuration. Thereafter, fluid pressure is transferred into the annular region surrounding the tube above the test tool and below the blowout fuse which is examined by means of plunger 64 or slurry 68 to perform the testing. A major disadvantage of this test operation is that it requires the drill string, or any tube used in the well, to be pulled from the well so that the test tool can be installed in the well. After testing, the test tool is removed and the original tube is then returned, into the well. Such tripping is time consuming and costly, especially in the case of a deep well or a deep water well.

An alternative to pulling the well pipe to test the shutters is provided by adding another blowout type blower fuse at the bottom of the blowout fuse stack. The shutters in the added blowout fuse are installed upside down so that their sliding seals which contact the guide tracks are on the bottom of the shutters instead of on the top of the shutters, as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the pressure equalization grooves 60 are on the top of the shutters turned upside down to allow fluid communication between the areas behind the two shutters and the central passage above the shutters turned upside down and below the blowout fuse being tested. These downwardly closed shutters are closed to seal around the well pipe already in place on the well against fluid pressure located above the shutters. Thereafter, fluid pressure is transferred into the annular region surrounding the well pipe above the test tool and below the blowout fuse which is examined by means of the choke line 64 or the kill line 68 to perform the testing. The disadvantage of this test technique is that it requires an additional blowout type shut-off type, which is used only to test other blow-out fuses in the stack.

US 6,164,619 discloses a two-way seal bar. A blowout control system is disclosed in US 4,413,642. US 6,158,505 relates to a blade seal for a blind cutter bar in a blowout type of the shutter type. A variable bore seal for a blowout type blower is shown in US 5,294,088.

It is advantageous and desirable to provide a technique for testing blowout fuses and other devices in a stack that does not require the draw-down of wellbore, and a technique which does not supply significant devices for the blowout fuse stack used for testing purposes only. The present invention provides such a technique.

There is disclosed a two way sealing blowout type of the shutter type, and a blowout safety stack which includes a two way sealing blowout of the shutter type.

A two-way seal-type blowout fuse has two-way seal-type shut-offs having top seals, bottom seals and gaskets at the front of each shutter, a selectively operable first fluid communication system for equalizing fluid pressure between the rear of each shutter and a second-line fluid shaft, of fluid pressure between the back of each shutter with fluid pressure above the shutter gaskets.

A shut-off body in an exhaust fuse has a receiver at the front end for receiving a gasket, a first groove over the top for receiving a top seal element, and a second groove over the bottom for receiving a bottom seal element. A shutter in a blowout fuse has a body, a receiver at the front end of the body, a gasket carried in the receiver, a first groove over the top of the body, a top seal member carried in the first groove, a second groove over the bottom of the body, and a bottom seal member carried in the second groove.

A blowout type fluid communication system for the shutter type has a selectively operable first fluid communication system for equalizing fluid pressure between the back of each shutter of the fluid pressure outlet below the shutter gaskets, and a selectively operable second fluid communication shutter of the shutter release system for counterbalancing the fluid shutter. . A fluid communication system further includes a first control device for selectively opening and closing the first fluid communication system, and a second control device for selectively opening and closing the second fluid communication system. A control unit connected to a first control device and to the second control device can selectively operate the first and second control devices to open and close the first and second fluid communication systems, respectively. The first control device may include at least one valve and the second control device may include at least one valve.

The present invention provides a shutter type blowout having a central housing having a cavity including first and second guide paths extending radially outwardly in opposite directions from a central vertical passage extending through the central housing and first and second linear actuators such as extends radially outward from the housing and is provided with the first and second guide paths respectively, comprising:

a. a first shutter connected to the first linear actuator and movable within the first guide path;

b. the first shutter includes a shutter body having a top, a bottom, a front end, a rear end, a gasket carried in a receiver at the front end of the body, a top gasket carried in a groove over the top of the body, a bottom gasket carried in a groove above the bottom of the body and connected to the first linear actuator at the rear end of the body;

c. a second shutter connected to the second linear actuator and movable within the second guide path;

d. the second shutter includes a shutter body having a top, a bottom, a front end, a rear end, a gasket carried in a receiver at the front end of the body, a top gasket carried in a groove over the top of the body, a bottom gasket which is carried in a groove above the bottom of the body, and is connected to the second linear actuator at the rear end of the body, and further comprising

e. a first fluid communication system comprising fluid communication lines and communicating with the central vertical passage through at least one access port below the level of the shutter gaskets and locations in the first and second guide paths behind the shutter;

f. a first control device for selectively opening and closing the first fluid communication system;

g. a second fluid communication system comprising fluid communication lines and communicating with the central vertical passage through at least one access port above the level of the shutter gaskets and locations in the first and second guide paths behind the shutter; and

h. a second control device comprising at least one second valve for selectively opening and closing the second fluid communication system.

A shutter type blowout is disclosed which includes a first shutter which is connected to a first linear actuator and is movable within a first guide path, and which includes a shutter body having a top, a bottom, a front end, a rear and a gasket which carried in a receiver at the front end of the body, a top seal carried in a groove over the top of the body, a bottom seal carried in a groove over the bottom of the body, and connected to the first linear actuator at the rear end of the body, a second shutter connected to a second linear actuator movable within a second guide path, and including a shutter body having a top, a bottom, a front end, a rear end and a gasket carried in a receiver at the front end of the body, a top seal carried in a groove over the top of the body, a bottom seal carried in a groove over the top of the body, and connected to the second linear actuator at the rear of the body, a first fluid communication system between a central vertical passage, through a central housing of the blowout fuse, below the level of the shut-off gaskets and locations in the first and second guide paths behind the shut-offs, a first control device for selective opening and closing the first fluid communication system, a second fluid communication system between the central vertical passage above the level of the shutter gaskets and locations in the first and second guide paths behind the shutter, and a second control means for selectively opening and closing the second fluid communication system. The first linear actuator may comprise a piston and cylinder assembly, and the second linear actuator may comprise a piston and cylinder assembly. The first fluid communication system may comprise fluid communication lines and at least one valve, and the second fluid communication system may comprise fluid communication lines and at least one valve. The first control device may comprise at least one valve and the second control device may comprise at least one valve. The first and second controls may be connected to a controller by means of which the first and second controls may be selectively operated to open and close the first and second fluid communication systems, respectively. The first fluid communication system may include fluid communication lines and may communicate with the central vertical passage through at least one access port, the first control device may include at least one valve, the second fluid communication system may include fluid communication lines, and may communicate with the central vertical passage through at least one access port, and the second control device includes at least one valve. The second fluid communication system may communicate with the central vertical passage through at least one access port located in the central housing of the blowout fuse, in an extension of the central housing above the blowout fuse, or in the central housing of a second, higher blowout fuse. All the access ports by which the first and second fluid communication systems are connected to the central vertical passage may be located in the central housing of the blowout fuse.

One method of operating a two-way sealing blowout type of the shutter type includes providing fluid communication between the area of ​​fluid pressure which the shutter in the two way sealing blowout of the shutter type must seal against and the rear of the shutter, and maneuvering the shutter between and closing the shutter. .

The present invention provides a method for operating a two-way sealing blowout type, including two-way sealing shutters having top seals, bottom seals and front seals operable by means of corresponding linear actuators for movement in corresponding guide lanes within corresponding guide lanes. sealing the annulus around a tube located within a central vertical passage through the central housing, a selectively operable first fluid communication system between the central vertical passage below the level of the shut-off gaskets and locations in the first and second guide paths behind the rods, and a selectively operable second fluid communication system between the central vertical passage above the level of the shut-off gaskets and locations in the first and second guide rails behind , a first control device comprising at least a first valve for opening and closing the first fluid communication system comprising a selectively operable second fluid communication system between the central vertical passage above the level of the shut-off gaskets and locations in the first and second guide paths, the shut-offs, and a second control device such as comprises at least one second valve for opening and closing the second fluid communication system. The method comprises:

a. opening one and closing the second of the first and second fluid communication systems; and

b. operation of the linear actuators for selective movement of the shutters in the corresponding guide paths.

Each of the first and second controls includes at least one valve. One method of operating the two-way sealing blowout type of the shutter type to apply fluid pressure above the two-way sealing blower of the shutter type includes closing the first fluid communication system with the second fluid communication system open, operating the linear actuators to move around the shutter. the central vertical passage through the central house, and applying fluid pressure within the vertical passage above the gaskets to the shut-offs in the two-way sealing blow-off type of the shut-off type. There is also described a method of testing a blowout fuse positioned above the two-way sealing blowout fuse type. One method of operating the two-way sealing blowout type shut-off valve to seal from below pressure includes closing the second fluid communication system with the first fluid communication system open, and operating the linear actuators to move the shutter to seal around a tube in the central vertical passage. through the central house.

A method of pressure testing a blowout fuse in a blowout fuse stack includes providing a two way sealing blowout fuse in the blowout fuse stack at a position below the blowout fuse to be extinguished between the blowout fuse to be tested, and the backs of the shut-offs in the two-way sealing blowout fuse of the shut-off type, closure of the shut-offs in the two-way sealing blow-off fuse of a sealing configuration, and, with the blow-out fuse to be tested in its sealing configuration, the two-way shut-off fuse of fluid pressure the type of shutter and the blowout fuse to be tested.

There is disclosed a two way sealing blowout type shut-off fuse for sealing a well around a bottom pressure fluid well for well control, as well as sealing around a top pressure fluid tube for testing or pressure actuation of other devices.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of an underwater blowout safety stack known in the prior art; FIG. 2 is another side view of the blowout fuse stack of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a pair of pipe closures known in the art; FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, but showing a pair of pipe shutters according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another pair of pipe closures of the present invention, wherein one of the pipe closures is shown in an outlined view; FIG. 6 is an isometric view, with a quarter shown in section, of a portion of a pair of blowout fuses which includes a two-way sealing blowout fuse of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a portion of a two-way sealing blowout fuse according to the present invention showing fluid communication systems of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7, but showing another version of fluid communication systems; FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 and 8, but showing yet another version of fluid communication systems; and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a control unit connected to control devices for the fluid communication systems of the present invention.

The present invention is shown and described in several preferred embodiments.

Fig. 4 shows a matched pair of two-way sealing pipe shutters according to the present invention, shown generally at 80 and 82. To the extent that the shutters 80 and 82 are equal, some similar features of the two shutters are identified by the same number marks. With the exceptions discussed below, the shutter bars 80 and 82 operate within guide lanes in a shutter type blowout fuse as described above.

Each of the shutter bars 80 and 82 has a shutter body 84 with a clear front end or front end 86, a rear end 88, a top 90 and a bottom 92. The shutter body front end 86 is broken by a groove, or a receiver 94, in which a gasket 96 is mounted. The front of the gasket 96 is broken by a vertical, cylindrical groove 98. The front end 86 of the shut-off body is further structured with recesses and projections, the front ends of the two shut-offs 82 and 84 being complementary, so that the two shut-offs fit together as their gaskets 96 seal around a well pipe received in the gasket grooves 98. Each rear end 88 of the shutter body has a T-groove 100 for receiving a cam on the end of a piston or the like (not shown), so that shutter 80/82 is driven forward or retracted by the corresponding linear drive mechanism, or actuator, such as a piston and cylinder assembly (not shown).

Each shutter body top 90 is broken by a groove 102 extending over the top and connected to the gasket groove 94. A top seal 104 is mounted in the top groove 102 to provide a sliding seal with the surface of the guide groove (not shown) where the shutter is located. Accordingly, the top seals 104 interact with the seals 96 to seal the central vertical passage through the corresponding blowout fuse stack against fluid pressure from below the shutters in their closed, sealed configuration around a well pipe.

Each shutter body bottom 92 is broken by a groove 106 extending over the bottom and connected to the gasket groove 94. A bottom seal 108 is mounted in the bottom groove 106 to also provide a sliding seal with the surface of the guide web (not shown) where the shutter is located. The bottom seals 108 thus cooperate with the seal 96 to seal the central vertical passage through the corresponding blowout protection stack against fluid pressure from above the shutters in their closed, sealed configuration around a well pipe. The shutters 80 and 82 therefore seal the central vertical passage through the blowout fuse stack against fluid pressure from above and below the shutters.

In view of the fact that the shutters 80 and 82 seal against the guide web surface both along the shutter body tops 90 and the shutter body bottom 92, in fact all around the shutter bodies 84, there can be no pressure equalization groove breaking the surface of the shutter body from the front side 86 of the shutter side 88. Pressure equalization is provided by another mechanism described below.

FIG. 5 shows another adapted pair of bidirectional sealing tube shutters according to the present invention, shown generally with 110 and 112, which are presented to show one of the shutters 110 in plotted outline. To the extent that the rods 110 and 112 are equal, some of the same features of the two rods are identified by the same numbers. Again, with the exceptions discussed below, the shutters 110 and 112 operate within guide paths in a blowout type of the shutter type, as described above.

The rods 110 and 112 correspond to the rods 80 and 82 of FIG. 4. Each shutter 110 and 112 have a shutter body 114 with a front end 116, a rear end 118, a top 120 and a bottom 122. The front end 116 is broken by a front slot, or a receiver 124, the top 120 is broken by a top slot. 126, and the bottom 122 is broken by a bottom groove 128. It can be seen that the cut out view of the shutter 110 extends the top groove 126 over the top 120 of the shutter body and is connected to the front groove 124. Further, the bottom groove 128 extends over the shutter body bottom 122 and is connected to the front groove 124.

A gasket 130 fits into the front receiver 124 and is retained there by pins 132 received in holes (not shown) within the front slot. The top and bottom of the gasket 130 are partially clad by metal plates 134 and 136, respectively, which improves the fit of the gasket inside the front groove 124 of the metal shutter body 114. The front of gasket 130 is broken by a vertical cylindrical groove 138 which receives a well tube in the closed configuration of the shutter, as discussed above. The front edges of plates 134 and 136 are cut to follow the profile having a groove on the front of gasket 130.

A top seal 140 is designed to fit into the top groove 126 and to protrude slightly out of the groove to maintain a sliding sealing engagement with the surface of the guide (not shown). The top seal 140 is retained in the top groove 126 by pins 142 received in holes (not shown) within the top groove.

A bottom seal 144 is designed to fit into the bottom groove 128, and to project slightly out of the groove to maintain sliding, sealing engagement with the guide web surface (not shown). The bottom seal 144 is retained in the bottom groove 128 with pins 146 received in holes (not shown) within the bottom groove.

As shown, partially in the view of the shutter 112, the top seal 140 and the bottom seal 144 extend around the shutter body 114 to contact the gasket 130 so that a complete and continuous seal circumscribes the shutter body and extends across the front of the shutter body.

The rear end 118 of the shutter body 114 is broken by a T-groove 148 to receive a cam on the end of a piston or the like (not shown), whereby the shutter 110/112 is driven forward or retracted by a corresponding linear actuator, or drive mechanism. , such as a piston and cylinder assembly (not shown). The forward end 116 of each shutter 110 and 112 has projections and notches that complement the projections and notches on the front end of the second shutter as the two shutter moves together in the closed configuration. Accordingly, an upper projection 150 on the shutter 110 is received by an opposite facing upper cut 152 on the shutter 112, and an upper projection 154 on the shutter 112 is received by an opposite facing upper cut 156 on the shutter 110. Similarly, a lower cut-in 158 in the shutter 110 receives an opposite-facing lower projection 160 on the shutter 112, and a lower cut 162 in the shutter 112 receives an opposite-facing lower projection (not visible) on the shutter 110. Furthermore, the forward end of the shutter body 114 has cylindrical cutouts 164 to accommodate the well tube to be received by the seal 130.

The use of two-way sealing shutters such as 80/82 and 110/112 within a blowout fuse can further be understood with reference to FIG. 6, wherein a portion of a pair of two shutter type blowout fuses is generally shown with 170. An upper blowout fuse 172 and a lower blowout fuse 174 are connected by an extended central housing assembly 176 having an upper housing portion 176a and a lower housing portion 176b . The extended housing 176 provides a central vertical passageway 178 which is part of the central vertical passageway of the blowout safety stack where tandem fuses 170 may be included.

Each of the blowout fuses 172 and 174 has a pair of linear actuators in the form of piston and cylinder assemblies on opposite sides of the central housing 176, although any suitable mechanism for producing linear motion can be used. Only the piston and cylinder assemblies and related features on one side of the housing 176 are shown in FIG. 6, the piston and cylinder assemblies and related features on the opposite side of the housing having a similar construction and operation as shown. In particular, the upper blowout fuse 172 includes a piston and cylinder assembly 180 with a piston head 182 positioned for movement within a cylindrical chamber 184. A piston rod 186 is connected to the piston head 184 against the side of the piston head where the central housing is located, and another rod 188 is connected to the piston head on the opposite side. Hydraulic fluid is circulated through hydraulic fluid lines and access ports (not shown), into and out of the chamber 184 on both sides of the piston head 182, to selectively move the piston head toward or away from the central housing 176a. The rods 186 and 188 move together with the piston head 182. A locking mechanism 190 may be actuated to engage the rod 188 to lock the piston head 182 in its closed position against the central housing 176a in the case of hydraulic pressure within the chamber 184 holding the piston head in the closed position is lost or removed. Both exhaust fuses 172 and 174 are shown in their retracted, open configuration.

A standard tube shutter 192, such as one similar to the shutter 42 and 44 in FIG. 3, is attached to the piston 186 with a cam 194 on the end of the piston 186 located in a T-groove 196 at the rear of the shutter. The standard shutter 192 is movable within a guide lane 198. The shutter

192 carries a gasket 200 at its forward end and a top seal 202 over its top. Accordingly, the shutter 192 can be operated to move longitudinally along the guide path 198 by operation of the piston and cylinder assembly 180, maintaining a sliding seal with the top surface of the guide path 198 by the top seal 202 of the shutter connected to the gasket 200. A fluid pressure equalization slot (not shown) is provided along the bottom of the shutter 192 to allow fluid communication between the guide path 198 behind the shutter and the central vertical passage 178 below the level of the gasket 200 when the shutter is in the closed configuration discussed above. The shutter 192 is shown in the open configuration.

The lower blowout fuse 174 includes a piston and cylinder assembly 210 with a piston head 212 positioned for movement within a cylindrical chamber 214. A piston rod 216 is connected to the piston head 212 towards the side of the piston head where the central housing is located, and a second rod 218 is connected to the piston head on the opposite side. Hydraulic fluid is circulated through hydraulic fluid lines and access ports (not shown), into and out of chamber 214 on both sides of piston head 212, to selectively move piston head toward or away from central housing 176b. The rods 216 and 218 move together with the piston head 212. A locking mechanism 220 can be actuated to engage the rod 218 to lock the piston head 212 in its closed position against the central housing 176b in the case of hydraulic pressure within the chamber 214 holding the piston head in the closed position is lost or removed.

A two-way sealing pipe riser 222 according to the present invention, such as one similar to, for example, rods 80 and 82 of FIG. 4 or the shutters 110 and 112 of FIG. 5, is attached to the piston 216 with a cam 224 on the end of the piston 216 located in a T-groove 226 at the rear of the shutter. The bidirectional sealing shutter 222 is movable within a guide path (not shown). The shutter 222 carries a gasket 228 at its front end, a top seal 230 over its top and a bottom seal 232 over its bottom. Accordingly, the shutter 222 can be operated to move longitudinally along its corresponding guide path by operation of the piston and cylinder assembly 210 while maintaining a sliding seal all around the surface of the guide path by the shutter head seal 230 and the shutter bottom seal 232 connected to the seal 228. . The shutter 192 is shown in the open configuration. As discussed above, the bidirectional sealing shutter of the present invention has a top seal and a bottom seal so that there is no longitudinal pressure equalization groove cut along the surface of the shutter. A fluid communication system is provided to equalize the fluid pressure between the back and front of the shutter 222 above or below its seal 228, as necessary to move the shutter in its guide path.

The lower housing portion 176b has a side access port 234 on the front of the housing portion, as shown, below the level of the seal 228 on the bidirectional sealing shutter 222. The upper housing portion 176a has a side access port 236 on the front of the housing portion, as shown, below the level of the seal 200 on the the standard shutter 192, and also above the level of the seal 228 on the two-way sealing shutter 222. Similarly, the lower housing portion 176b has a side access port 238 on the rear of the housing portion, as shown, below the level of gasket 228 on the bidirectional sealing shutter 222. The upper housing portion 176a has a side access port 240 on the rear of the housing portion, as shown, below the level of the gasket 200. on the standard shutter 192, and also above the level of the seal 228 on the two-way sealing shutter 222.

A fluid communication system according to the present invention is shown, in part, connected to the front access ports 234 and 236. A first fluid communication system comprises a fluid communication line 242 which is connected between the lower access port 234 and a valve 244. A second fluid communication line 246 leaves valve 244 and is connected to a third fluid communication line 248. A second fluid communication system comprises a fluid communication line 250 which is connected between the upper access port 236 and a valve 252. The second fluid communication line 246 is also connected to the valve 252, and consequently connects this valve 252 to the third fluid communication line 248. The fluid communication line 248 is connected to the interior of the guide path (not visible) where the bidirectional sealing shutter 222 is located and moving, with connection at a point behind the rear end of the shutter.

The first and second fluid communication systems shown in FIG. 6 and described in part above are shown schematically in the diagram of FIG. 7, where the shutter 222 is shown in its guide path 254. Fig. 7 is only schematic, and not drawn to scale. Further, the right side of the blowout fuse 174 of FIG. 6 partly shown in FIG. 7, showing its two-way sealing rods 256 in its guide path 258 opposite guide path 254. Shutters 256 are connected to a corresponding piston and cylinder assembly (not shown) with a piston 260 for selected movement within the guide web 258, and carry a front gasket 262, a top seal 264 and a bottom seal 266. The two shutters 222 and 256 are mutually complementary in that when they come together in the closed configuration by a well pipe within the central vertical passage, the gaskets 228 and 262 form a sealing ring around the well pipe, and in that the front ends of the the two shutters fit together, as discussed above. The first and second fluid communication systems described above in connection with the shutter 222 continue in similar constructions related to the shutter 256. Specifically, a first fluid communication line 268, by means of the lower housing access port 238 (Fig. 6), is connected between the central vertical passage and a valve 270. A second fluid communication line 272 extends on the other side of the valve 270 and is connected to a third fluid communication line 274 which is connected to the interior of the guide path 258 where the bidirectional sealing shutter 256 is located and moves, with the connection at a point behind it. rear end of the shutter. Further, a fluid communication line 276 is connected between the upper port access port 240 (FIG. 6) and a valve 278. The second fluid communication line 272 is also connected to the valve 278, and consequently connects the valve 278 to the third fluid communication line 248 and, consequently, to the rear of the guide path 258.

It is noted that in the case of the shutter 222, both guide paths 254 and 258 are connected to the central vertical passage 178 below the seals 228 and 262 by the fluid communication lines 242, 246 and 248 and the valve 244, and, in the case of the shutter 256, the fluid communication lines 268. , 272 and 274 and valve 270, and that these fluid communication lines and valves are included in the first fluid communication system. It is further noted that in the case of the shutter 222, both guide paths 254 and 258 are connected to the central vertical passage 178 of the seals 228 and 262 by means of fluid communication lines 246, 248 and 250 and the valve 252, and, in the case of the shutter 256. , the fluid communication lines 272, 274 and 276 and the valve 278, and that these fluid communication lines and valves are included in the second fluid communication system. Both fluid communication systems share fluid communication lines 248 and 274. In practice, the shutters 222 and 256 operate together within their respective guide paths 254 and 258, and the first fluid communication system will therefore operate for both shutters together and the second fluid communication system will operate for both shutters together. The first and second fluid communication systems are operated to allow or block continuous fluid flow by opening or closing their respective valves. Accordingly, the valves 244 and 270 provide a first control device for operating the first fluid communication system, and the valves 252 and 278 provide a second control device for operation of the second fluid communication system. The operation of the first and second fluid communication systems can be understood with reference to FIG. 6 and 7.

The two-way sealing blowout fuse 174 can be used as a blowout fuse to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole fluid pressure, as in the case of a standard blowout fuse with a pipe cutter, except that the first fluid communication system is used to equalize fluid pressure between the guide paths 25 behind the shutters 222 and 256, respectively, and the central vertical passage 178 below the shutters gaskets 228 and 262. To perform this operation, the second fluid communication system connected to the upper access port 236 and 240 is closed by closing the valves 252 and 278. The first fluid communication system connected to the lower access port 234 and 238 is opened for fluid flow at the opening of the valves 244 and 270. As the piston and cylinder assembly 210 is operated to drive the shutter 222 toward its closed configuration, fluid pressure from the central vertical passage 178 below the level of the shutter gaskets 228 and 262, and therefore from within the wellbore, is accordingly transmitted through the access port 234, fluid communication line 242, valve 244. , the fluid communication line 246 and the fluid communication line 248 to the guide path 254 behind the shutter 222. Similarly, when shutter 256 is driven toward its closed configuration, fluid pressure from the central vertical passage 178 below the level of shutter gaskets 228 and 262, and therefore from within the wellbore, is transmitted through access port 238, fluid communication line 268, valve 270, fluid communication line 272, and fluid communication line guide path 258 behind shutter 256. With the shutters closed and sealed around the well pipe, the annulus surrounding the well pipe inside the passage 178 is closed to prevent or shut down a blowout of pressure up the passage from the wellbore. When the piston and cylinder assembly 210 is operated to retract the shutter 222 to its open configuration, fluid pressure from the rear of the shutter in the guide path 254 is transmitted backward through fluid communication lines 248, 246, 242 and valve 244 to the access port 234 and into the central vertical passage. 178. Likewise, when the shutter 256 is retracted into its open configuration, fluid pressure from the rear of the shutter in the guide path 258 is transmitted backward through the fluid communication lines 274, 272, 268 and valve 270 to the access port 238 and into the central vertical passage 178. Shutters 222 and 256 can thus be moved within the guide paths 254 and 258, respectively, without resistance from a pressure difference. Through this operation, and with shutters 222 and 258 in the closed configuration around a well pipe (not shown) within the central vertical passage 178, the shutters maintain sealing engagement with the guide paths 254 and 258, respectively, against downhole fluid pressure within the annular space surrounding the well pipe in the passage. 178. This sealing engagement is performed using the shutter seals 230 and 264.

The two-way sealing blowout fuse 174 can be used to seal around a well pipe (not shown) inside the central vertical passage 178 to allow the introduction of high fluid pressure inside the passageway to pressure test a blowout fuse or other device, or to pressurize other equipment, around the blowout fuse 174. To perform this operation, the first fluid communication system connected to the lower access port 234 and 238 is closed by closing the valves 244 and 270. The second fluid communication system connected to the upper access port 236 and 240 is opened against fluid flow by opening the valves 252 and 278. Accordingly, as the piston and cylinder assembly 210 is operated to drive the shutter 222 toward its closed configuration, fluid pressure from the central vertical passage 178 above the level of the shutter gaskets 228 and 262 is accordingly transmitted through the access port 236, fluid communication line 250, valve 252, fluid communication line 246 and fluid communication line 246. to the guide path 254 behind the shutter 222. Similarly, as the shutter 256 is driven toward its closed configuration, fluid pressure from the central vertical passage 178 above the level of the shutter gaskets 228 and 262 is transmitted through the access port 240, fluid communication line 276, valve 278, fluid communication line 272, and fluid communication line 274 to guide path 258. . With the shutters 222 and 256 in the closed and sealed configuration, the blowout fuse to be tested is closed, or other devices to be tested or activated are prepared, and fluid pressure from inside the annulus surrounding the well tube within the passage 178 is increased to perform the pressure test, or to pressurize the device. When the test is completed, or the device is pressurized, the high pressure is released and the shut-offs 222 and 256 can be retracted. The test or activation fluid pressure can be transmitted to, and released from, the central vertical passage using a killer line or a choke line as discussed above. As the piston and cylinder assembly 210 is operated to retract the shutter 222 to its open configuration, fluid pressure from the rear of the shutter in the guide path 254 is transmitted backward through fluid communication lines 248, 246, 250 and valve 252 to the access port 236, and into the central vertical passage 178. Likewise, as the shutter 256 is retracted into its open configuration, fluid pressure from the rear of the shutter in the guide path 258 is transmitted backward through the fluid communication lines 274, 272, 276 and valve 278 to the access port 240, and into the central vertical passage 178. Shutters 222 and 256 can therefore be moved within the guide paths 254 and 258, respectively, without resistance from a pressure difference. Through this operation, and with the shut-offs 222 and 258 in the closed configuration around a well pipe (not shown) within the central vertical passage 178, the shut-offs remain in tight engagement with the guide paths 254 and 258, respectively, against high fluid pressure inside the annulus surrounding the well pipe. in the passage 178 which is used for pressure testing of an exhaust fuse or other device, or to pressurize other equipment, above the exhaust fuse 174. This sealing procedure is performed using the shutter seals 232 and 266.

Another version of a fluid communication system for operating two-way sealing shutters according to the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 8. A two-way sealing blowout fuse of the shutter type of the present invention is positioned with a central vertical passage 280 extending through the blowout fuse. A bidirectional sealing rod 282 is connected to a linear actuator with a rod 284 for movement within a guide path 286. The shutter 282 carries a front gasket 288, a top seal 290 and a bottom seal 292. A bidirectional sealing bar 294 is connected to a linear actuator with a rod 296 for movement within a guide path 298. The shutter 294 carries a front gasket 300, a top seal 302 and a bottom seal 304. Rods 282 and 294 seal the annular space around a pipe (not shown) within passage 280, and fit into the closed configuration.

A fluid communication line 306 is connected between the interior of the passage 280 by means of an access port 308 and a valve 310. Another fluid communication line 312 connects the valve 310 to a fluid communication line 314. A fluid communication line 316 is connected between the interior of the passage by means of an access port 318. 280 and a valve 320. Another fluid communication line 322 connects valve 320 to fluid communication line 314. A fluid communication line 326 connects the fluid communication line 314 to the interior of the guide path 286 behind the shutter 282, and a fluid communication line 328 connects the fluid communication line 314 to the interior of the guide path 298 behind the shutter 294. The access port 308 opens to the passage 288 below the level of the ports 29 and opens to passage 280 above the level of the shut-offs. A first fluid communication system comprises fluid communication lines 306, 312, 314, 326 and 328 and valve 310 which connects the guide paths 286 and 298 behind the shutters 282 and 294, respectively, with the inner passage 280 below the level of the shutters. Another fluid communication system comprises the fluid communication lines 316, 322, 324, 326 and 328 and the valve 320 which connect the guide paths 286 and 298 behind the shutters 282 and 294, respectively, with the inner passage 280 above the level of the shutters. Again, the first and second fluid communication systems share some fluid communication lines. The first and second fluid communication systems are operated to allow or block continuous fluid flow by opening or closing their respective valves. Accordingly, valve 310 provides a first control device for operation of the first fluid communication system, and valve 320 provides a second control device for operation of the second fluid communication system.

To use the device of FIG. 8 for sealing a well against downhole fluid pressure, with the first fluid communication system open to transmit downward fluid pressure below the level of the shutters 282 and 294 through the open valve 310 to the guide paths 286 and 298 behind the shutters 282 and 294, respectively, the second fluid communication system is closed. closing valve 320, and the shutoffs are moved to the closed configuration to seal the well around the well pipe (not shown) within passage 280. To use the device of FIG. 8 in a pressure test of a higher blowout fuse or other device, or to pressurize higher equipment, with the second fluid communication system open to transmit fluid pressure from the passage above the level of the shutters 282 and 294 through the open valve 320 to the guide paths 286 and 298 behind the shutters 282 294, respectively, the first fluid communication system is closed by closing valve 310, and the shut-offs are moved to the closed configuration to seal the well around the well pipe (not shown) within passage 330. Thereafter, fluid pressure is introduced into passage 280 to test the closed blowout fuse or other device being examined, or to perform any preferably any other operation with high fluid pressure. In both applications, the shutters 332 and 344 can be moved within the guide paths 336 and 348, respectively, without resistance to a pressure difference.

Yet another version of a fluid communication system for operating two-way sealing shutters according to the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 9. A two-way sealing blowout fuse of the shutter type of the present invention is positioned with a central vertical passage 330 extending through the blowout fuse. A bidirectional sealing rod 332 is connected to a linear actuator with a rod 334 for movement within a guide path 336. The shutter 332 carries a front gasket 338, a top seal 340 and a bottom seal 342. A two-way sealing bar 344 is connected to a linear actuator with a rod 346 for movement within a guide path 348. The shutter 344 carries a front gasket 350, a top seal 352 and a bottom seal 354. Bars 332 and 344 seal the annulus around a tube (not shown) within passage 330, and fit into the closed configuration.

A fluid communication line 356 is connected by means of an access port 358 between the interior of the passage 330 and a fluid communication line 260. Fluid communication line 360 ​​connects fluid communication line 356 with two valves 362 and 364. The other side of valve 362 is connected to a fluid communication line 368, and the other one. the side of the valve 364 is connected to a fluid communication line 370. A fluid communication line 372 is connected by means of an access port 374 between the interior of the passage

330 and a fluid communication line 376. The fluid communication line 376 connects fluid communication line 372 to two valves 378 and 380. The other side of valve 378 is connected to fluid communication line 368, and the other side of valve 380 is connected to fluid communication line 370. A fluid communication line 382 connects fluid communication line 368 to the interior of the guide path 336 behind the shutter 332, and a fluid communication line 384 connects fluid communication line 370 to the interior of the guide path 348 behind the shutter 344. Access gate 358 opens to passage 330 opens to passage 330 above the level of the shutter. A first fluid communication system comprises the fluid communication lines 356, 360, 368, 370, 382 and 384 and the valves 362 and 364, and connects the guide paths 336 and 348 behind the shutters 332 and 344, respectively, with the inner passage 330 below the level of the shutters. A second fluid communication system comprises the fluid communication lines 372, 376, 368, 370, 382 and 384 and the valves 378 and 380, and connects the guide paths 336 and 348 behind the shutters 332 and 344, respectively, to the inner passage 330 above the level of shutoffs. The first and second fluid communication systems are operated to allow or block continuous fluid flow by opening or closing their respective valves. Accordingly, valves 362 and 364 provide a first control device for operation of the first fluid communication system, and valves 378 and 380 provide a second control device for operation of the second fluid communication system. Again, the first and second fluid communication systems share some fluid communication lines.

To use the device of FIG. 9 for sealing a well against downhole fluidity, with the first fluid communication system open to transfer fluid pressure from the bottom of the well below the level of the shutters 332 and 344, through the open valves 362 and 364, to the guide paths 336 and 348 behind the shutters 332 and 344, respectively, the second fluid communication system is closed by closing valves 378 and 380 and the shutoffs are moved to the closed configuration to seal the well around the well pipe (not shown) within passage 330. To use the device of FIG. 9 in a pressure test of a higher blowout fuse or other device, or to pressurize higher equipment, with the second fluid communication system open to transmit fluid pressure from the passage above the level of the bars 332 and 344, through the open valves 378 and 380, to the guide paths 336 and 348 behind shutters 332 and 344, respectively, the first fluid communication system is closed by closing valves 362 and 364, and the shut-offs are moved to the closed configuration to seal the well around the well pipe (not shown) within passage 330. Then fluid pressure is introduced into passage 330 to test the closed blowout fuse or other device being examined, or to perform any other operation. operation under high fluid pressure. In both of these modes of operation, the switches 332 and 344 are movable within the guide paths 336 and 348, respectively, without resistance from a pressure difference.

All of the fluid communication systems described above and shown in FIG. 6-9 are operated by a control unit which may be located on the framework (not shown) of the blowout fuse stack. FIG. 10 is a diagram of the operating system of the first and second fluid communication systems of the present invention, for example, as shown in some of FIG. 6-9. A control unit in the form of a control box 390 is connected to the first control device 392 in a first fluid communication system by a suitable conduit 394, and to a second control device 396 in a second fluid communication system by means of a conduit 398. The first control device 392 may be one or more valves in the first fluid communication system which selectively open or close, as discussed above. The second control device 396 may be one or more valves in the second fluid communication system which are selectively opened or closed, as discussed above. The type of conduits 394 and 398 will be determined by whether the valves 392 and 394 themselves are operated electrically, or by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. The control box 390 will also provide the appropriate electrical or fluid pressure signals to open or close valves 392 and 396.

In the case of the fluid communication system of FIG. 6 and 7, the first control device 392 includes the valves 244 and 270 of the first fluid communication system, and the second control device 396 includes the valves 252 and 278 of the second fluid communication system. In the case of the fluid communication system of FIG. 8, the first control device 392 includes the valve 310 in the first fluid communication system, and the second control device 396 includes the valve 320 in the second fluid communication system. In the case of fluid communication systems of FIG. 9, the first control device 392 includes the valves 362 and 364 of the first fluid communication system, and the second control device 396 includes the valves 378 and 380 of the second fluid communication system.

The control box 390 generates signals to operate all the valves in the control device with several valves simultaneously. The valves 244 and 270 of FIG. 7 is consequently opened and closed together, and valves 252 and 278 are opened and closed together. Similarly, the valves 362 and 364 of FIG. 9 is opened and closed, and valves 378 and 380 are opened and closed together.

Furthermore, the first and second control devices 392 and 396, respectively, are interlocked through the control box 390. That is, the control box 390 generates its signals to operate the first and second controls simultaneously, thus ensuring that all the valves in one of the first and second fluid communication systems are open while all the valves in the second of the first and second fluid communication systems are closed. Accordingly, the control box 390 opens all the valves in a control device 392 or 396 while simultaneously closing all the valves in the second control device. Accordingly, fluid communication between the central passage through the housing of the two-way sealing blowout fuse of the present invention and the area behind the two-way closing rods within their respective guide paths will always be available.

The fluid communication system shown in FIG. 8 is preferred to the fluid communication systems shown in FIG. 6/7 and 9, in view of the fact that each of the first and second fluid communication systems of FIG. 8 only includes a control valve 310 or 320 for operating the system, while each of the first and second fluid communication systems of FIG. 6/7 and 9 include two valves.

A two-way sealing rod is described here which, with its guide paths, provides sealing all the way around the body of the shutter. Seals, or sealing elements, and seals used with the present invention may be made of plastic or any suitable elastomeric or other material. The first and second fluid communication systems may share components such as fluid communication lines. The fluid communication lines of the first and second fluid communication systems may be tubes, hoses or any other suitable conduit. The access ports of the central passageways used by the fluid communication systems may be located at any location below the shutter gaskets of the first fluid communication system, and any location above the shutter gaskets of the second fluid communication system. Although an embodiment using piston and cylinder assemblies for moving the shutters is shown and described here, any linear actuation method for closing and opening the shutters can be used with the present invention.

The present invention provides a two-way seal-off blowout type which can be used in well control operations to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole pressure at the well control, for example, during drilling or completing a well with downhole well as well as preventing or shut down a blowout, and can also be used to seal around a well pipe against pressure above to pressure test a blowout fuse that is higher in the blowout fuse stack without removing the well pipe from the well and inserting a test tool. Applications for the present invention include use as a blowout fuse as well as use in a blowout fuse stack for sealing wells and for pressure testing of other fuse fuses in the stack. Uses for the present invention include such use, especially in underwater blowout protection stacks. Further applications include testing or hydraulically activating various tools or completing devices within a blowout fuse stack over the bidirectional blowout fuse type of the present invention, both in surface and underwater installations.