Abstract
Transforming century old technology not only alters the way the industry can physically operate, but also the way we think about the future of operations. This paper will discuss the next generation of pressure control equipment for surface blowout preventer (BOP) systems, which displace conventional hydraulically operated equipment with electric actuation, utilizing precise motor control and implementing advancements in stored energy technology. We will discuss how the electric BOP system will replace complex hydraulics with simplified product architecture that provides real-time monitoring (RTM) of components, overall reliability improvements, and applies condition-based maintenance (CBM) to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for end users.
To facilitate market introduction, the electric BOP system needs to be as retrofittable as possible. This requirement to interface with existing BOP stack configurations and components creates restrictions on the new technology envelopes and provides performance load requirements. A crucial part of the design process also involves ensuring the new components are sized appropriately to meet the conventional force requirements found in shearing and complete shut-off operations.
As a part of ongoing development of the electric BOP system, it was demonstrated that the new electric ram bonnet assembly can provide an equivalent shear force to existing hydraulic ram-type BOPs with a more consistent shear curve. In the case of electric actuation, the rams are constantly supplied power to maintain position and do not have the same stalling effect seen in hydraulically actuated shears. Additionally, the fine motor control required to operate electric systems can lead to improved closing times, prolonged elastomer life, and optimized testing procedures.
Conventional BOP systems rely upon inferred measurements, such as pressure and volume, to determine successful operation. With electric actuation, we reduce system complexity by removing the network of valves and hoses and replacing them with simplified control using communication over power. The digitally enabled actuators found in electric BOP systems provide real-time feedback that can be compared against historical data to determine degradation of the equipment. The electric BOP system development program will utilize CBM and remote access technology to monitor equipment condition. This data will aid the end user in determining the proper maintenance timing and result in a lower cost of ownership due to reduced non-productive time.
