Patent ID: 9004178
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A blowout preventer assembly comprising a blowout preventer and control apparatus, the blowout preventer comprising a housing, a sealing element, and a fluid pressure operated actuator mounted in the housing, the actuator dividing the interior of the housing into an open chamber and a close chamber, substantially preventing flow of fluid between the two chambers, and being movable, by supplying pressurised fluid to the close chamber, to urge the sealing element into sealing engagement with a drill pipe extending through the blow out preventer, the control apparatus including a close line which extends from the exterior of the housing to the close chamber, and a source of pressurised fluid which is connected to the close line, wherein the source of pressurised fluid is located adjacent to the housing, the control apparatus further comprising an open line which extends from the exterior of the housing to the open chamber, wherein the open line is provided with an exhaust valve which is located adjacent to the housing, and which is movable between a first position in which flow of fluid along the open line into the open chamber is permitted, and a second position in which the open line is substantially blocked upstream of the exhaust valve relative to the open chamber, and the open chamber is connected to a low pressure region.