GE Introduces Deepwater BOP Blind Shear Rams with Advanced Capabilities
May 02 2012 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
GE Oil & Gas (NYSE: GE) is introducing its next-generation
technology for shearing and sealing wellbore tubulars at the 2012
Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston.
The new Blind Shear Ram is designed for use in GE’s 18-3/4 inch
ram blowout preventers (BOP) used in drilling. The new
patent-pending Blind Shear Ram has the ability to both shear and
seal after cutting 6-5/8 inch tool joints, which are heavy coupling
elements for a drill pipe.
GE’s Blind Shear Ram allows customers to use current BOP stack
arrangements without having to manage the spacing between rams or
create operational methods to avoid 6-5/8 inch tool joints. This
technology solution also is designed to eliminate non-shearable
sections, allowing for greater shearing flexibility.
The shearing capability was confirmed during testing witnessed
by representatives from several leading oil companies. The rams
were successfully tested to 15,000 psi after cutting the tool
joint. Centralizing arms are designed to allow successful shearing
of buckled or offset pipe, and modifications to the block and blade
allow greater force to be applied without damage.
“Our new Blind Shear Rams are designed to centralize, shear and
seal after cutting tubulars up to and including 6-5/8 inch drill
pipe tool joints in the BOP,” said Sam Aquillano, vice
president—drilling and surface for GE Oil & Gas. “Previous
offerings included a new casing shear ram that could cut but not
seal 6-5/8 inch drill pipe tool joints.”
He added, “The Blind Shear Ram is the latest example of how GE
continues to seek and develop innovative solutions for the
challenges that our customers face in drilling, particularly in
deepwater and challenging environments. We are continuing testing
to understand the full upper limits of what the new blind shear ram
designs can achieve.”
The new ram design is now being offered for use with GE’s
current 5K operator.
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