Patent ID: 8826989
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for capping a subsea wellbore having a failed blowout preventer proximate the bottom of a body of water, comprising: lowering a replacement blowout preventer system into the water from a vessel on the water surface, the replacement blowout preventer system including an hydraulic pressure source comprising at least one accumulator precharged to a selected operating pressure compensated for hydrostatic pressure disposed proximate well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system; coupling the replacement blowout preventer system to the failed blowout preventer; and operating the well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system by using a remotely operated vessel to operate valve controls proximate the well closure elements to conduct pressure from the at least one accumulator of the hydraulic pressure source to actuators for the well closure elements.