Patent Publication Number: US-2023142840-A1

Title: Safety integrity level rated controls for all-electric bop

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Typical BOP systems are hydraulic systems used to prevent blowouts from subsea oil and gas wells. Conventional BOP equipment includes a set of two or more redundant control systems with separate hydraulic pathways to operate a specified BOP function. The redundant control systems are commonly referred to as blue and yellow control pods. In known systems, a communications and power cable sends information and electrical power to an actuator with a specific address. The actuator in turn moves a hydraulic valve, thereby opening fluid to a series of other valves/piping to control a portion of the BOP. 
     Many conventional BOP systems are required to be safety integrity level (SIL) compliant. In addition, most BOP systems are expected to remain subsea for up to 12 Chemical Form months at a time. In order to decrease the probability of failure on demand, BOP control valves need to be tested while they are subsea without requiring extra opening and closing cycles of the BOP or requiring additional high pressure hydraulic cycles to close the bonnets solely for testing purposes. Various types of control systems can be safety rated against a family of different standards. These standards may be, for example, IEC61511 IEC61508. Safety standards typically rate the effectiveness of a system by using a safety integrity level. The SIL level of a system defines how much improvement in the probability to perform on demand the system exhibits over a similar control system without the SIL rated functions. For example, a system rated as SIL 2 would improve the probability to perform on demand over a basic system by a factor of greater than or equal to 100 times and less than 1000 times. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a safety integrity level rated control system having a surface control system and a subsea control system. The surface control system may include one or more remote display panels, one or more buttons operatively connected to each of the one or more remote display panels, two main controllers connected to the one or more remote display panels, two junction boxes, each junction box connected to one of the two main controllers, and a surface intervention system controller connected to the one or more buttons via a wiring bus. The subsea control system may be connected to the surface control system by one or more umbilicals extending from the two junction boxes. 
     In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods that include coupling a safety integrity level rated control system to an all-electric blowout preventer stack. Such methods may include detecting, via a remote display panel, a failure in operation of a component of the all-electric blowout preventer stack, pushing a button connected to the remote display panel, wherein pushing the button generates a command, and sending the command from a surface intervention system controller to a subsea control system. A command may be received at a remote terminal unit coupled to one section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack and transmitted from the remote terminal unit to a control pod coupled to a different section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack. Methods may further include transmitting the command to a safety integrity level network switch within the control pod, transmitting the command from the safety integrity level network switch to a safety controller via black channel communications, and actuating the component based, at least in part, on the command. 
     In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods that include coupling a safety integrity level rated control system to an all-electric blowout preventer stack, wherein the safety integrity level rated control system has a surface control system and a subsea control system. Methods may further include creating a communication packet addressed to a component of the all-electric blowout preventer stack and transmitting the communication packet through the surface control system and the subsea control system to the component. Using such methods, a failure of the component to actuate according to the communication packet may be detected, and a command may be generated. Methods may further include transmitting the command to a remote terminal unit coupled to one section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack, transmitting the command from the remote terminal unit to a safety integrity level network switch within a control pod coupled to a different section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack, transmitting the command from the safety integrity level network switch to a safety controller via black channel communications, and actuating the component based, at least in part, on the command. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Specific embodiments of the disclosed technology will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not necessarily intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawing. 
         FIGS.  1    shows a schematic of a surface control system for an all-electric blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS.  2    shows a schematic of a subsea control system for an all-electric blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS.  3    shows a schematic of a subsea control system for an all-electric blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS.  4    shows a schematic of a subsea control system for an all-electric blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show a schematic of a power system for an all-electric blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    shows a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    shows a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    shows an example of an all-electric BOP stack in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. 
     Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create any particular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to being only a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as using the terms “before”, “after”, “single”, and other such terminology. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element, and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements. 
     In the following description of  FIGS.  1 - 8   , any component described with regard to a figure, in various embodiments disclosed herein, may be equivalent to one or more like-named components described with regard to any other figure. For brevity, descriptions of these components will not be repeated with regard to each figure. Thus, each and every embodiment of the components of each figure is incorporated by reference and assumed to be optionally present within every other figure having one or more like-named components. 
     Additionally, in accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein, any description of the components of a figure is to be interpreted as an optional embodiment which may be implemented in addition to, in conjunction with, or in place of the embodiments described with regard to a corresponding like-named component in any other figure. 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of a control system for an all-electric blowout preventer system. In one or more embodiments, the control system may include a surface control system and a subsea control system. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a safety integrated level (SIL) rated control system for an all-electric blowout preventer stack. In contrast to conventional blowout preventer systems using hydraulics, an entire all-electric blowout preventer system, including all of the blowout preventer components and the control system components, is able to be safety rated. 
       FIGS.  1 - 4    show a control system connected to an all-electric blowout preventer stack in accordance with one or more embodiments. Specifically,  FIG.  1    shows a surface control system  100  and  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4    show various embodiments of a subsea control system, where the surface control system and one of the subsea control systems may be combined to form the control system. The control system may also allow for the integration of a primary electric control system and a secondary electric control system, where the secondary electric control system is configured to act as a safety rated control system. 
     The surface control system  100  may include one or more remote display panels  102  which may be disposed on a surface facility, such as a drilling rig. In one or more embodiments, the remote display panels  102  may be touchscreens. The remote display panels  102  may be connected to two main controllers  106   a ,  106   b  (collectively  106 ), which may be part of the primary electric control system. In one or more embodiments, one of the main controllers  106  may be referred to as a “blue” main controller  106   b  and the second of the main controllers may be referred to as a “yellow” main controller  106   a . Each main controller  106  may be connected to a junction box  108 . Each junction box  108  may combine communication wiring (which may connect the remote display panels  102  and the main controllers  106 )) and power wiring (not pictured) such that an umbilical  110  may extend from each junction box  108  to the subsea control system. In one or more embodiments, the umbilical  110  may form a conventional communication line within the primary electric control system. 
     One or more buttons  104  may be connected to each of the remote display panels  102  via a wiring bus and may be a part of the secondary electric control system. Each button  104  may be connected to a different component within the all-electric blowout preventer stack, such that there is a number of buttons  104  equal to the number of desired safety critical components. The one or more buttons  104  may serve as actuators for the safety rated control system. Each set of buttons  104  may be connected to a surface intervention system (SIS) controller  112 . The SIS controller  112  may also be connected to each of the two junction boxes  108  via black channel communications lines  114 . Black channel communication may refer to a conventionally used communication system used in safety rated control systems (e.g., as defined in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508). 
       FIG.  2    shows a subsea control system  116  in accordance with one or more embodiments. The subsea control system may include two control pods  118 , which may be coupled to the lower stack section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack or to the lower marine riser package (LMRP) section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack. In one or more embodiments, each control pod  118  may include two or more subsea electronics modules (SEMs)  120  (e.g., where an SEM may include firmware and hardware such as printed circuit boards to implement electronic control over one or more connected equipment units). Each control pod  118  may also include a first network switch  122  configured to connect the various components within the control pod  118  to the surface control system  100  via the umbilical  110 . In one or more embodiments, the first network switch  122  and the two or more SEMs  120  may form a part of the primary electric control system. 
     The control pods  118  may also include components of the secondary safety rated control system. For example, each control pod  118  may include a first safety integrity level network switch  124 , which may be connected to the first network switch  122 , and a safety controller  126 . In one or more embodiments, the first safety integrity level network switch  124  may be connected to and may communicate with the safety controller  126  via black channel communications. 
     In one or more embodiments, the subsea control system  116  may also include two remote terminal units  128 , which may be coupled to the lower marine riser package (LMRP) section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack or to the lower stack section of the all-electric blowout preventer. A remote terminal unit may include a microprocessor-based electronic device with hardware and software components that connect data output streams to data input streams. Each remote terminal unit  128  may include a second network switch  130 , which may connect the remote terminal unit  128  to the surface control system  100  via an umbilical  110 . The second network switch  130 , like the first network switch  122 , may form part of the primary electric control system. The remote terminal unit  128  may also include a second safety integrity level network switch  132 , which may form part of the secondary safety rated control system. 
     Each control pod  118  and remote terminal unit  128  may be connected to various components  134  of the all-electric blowout preventer stack. In one or more embodiments, components  134  of the all-electric blowout preventer stack may refer to a blind shear ram, a casing shear ram, a LMRP connector, an annular ram, frame components, or an emergency disconnect. One skilled in the art will be aware that there are many different embodiments of components  134  of the all-electric blowout preventer stack, and that the above list of examples is not exhaustive. 
     For example,  FIG.  8    shows an example of an all-electric blowout preventer (BOP) stack  200  including two control pods  118 , two remote terminal units  128  and various components that may be used in an all-electric BOP stack. In the embodiment shown, an LMRP  210  of the all-electric BOP stack  200  includes an upper annular BOP  212 , a lower annular BOP  214 , and an LMRP connector  222 . The lower stack  220  in the all-electric BOP stack  200  shown includes a blind shear ram  224 , a casing shear ram  226 , pipe rams  228 , and a wellhead connector  221 . Well fluid piping and flow paths may also be provided through the LMRP and lower stack of the BOP stack. In the embodiment shown, the control pods  118  and RTUs  128  are mounted on the frame of the BOP stack. Additionally, battery packs  225  may be connected to the RTUs  128 . The battery packs  225  may provide instantaneous power to the RTUs  128  sufficient to power the RTUs for an operation (e.g., to provide power for between 0.5 to 1.5 minutes to close one or more rams). The battery packs  225  may be recharged over a longer period of time via a connection to a power source at the surface. RTUs  128  and their associated batteries may be smaller than the lower stack components. 
     Various electrical connection lines (not shown) may be provided along the all-electric BOP stack  200  and from the BOP stack to the surface. For example, electrical lines may connect the control pods  118  to one or more of the components in the all-electric BOP stack  200  and may connect the remote terminal units  128  to one or more components in the all-electric BOP stack  200 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the control pods  118  may be connected to the frame of the LMRP  210 , and the RTUs  128  may be connected to the frame of the lower stack  220 . In other embodiments, the all-electric BOP stack  200  may have control pods  118  mounted in the lower stack  220 . In such embodiments, RTUs  128  and associated batteries  225  may be mounted in the LMRP  210 , and power may be sent to the control pods  118  via the RTUs  128 . Alternatively, in embodiments having control pods  118  provided in the lower stack  220 , RTUs  128  may be omitted from the BOP stack  200 , and the control pods  118  may be hard wired to the surface (e.g., via umbilical  110  in  FIGS.  1 - 4   ) without use of RTUs. 
     The subsea control system  116  may be assembled by coupling one remote terminal unit  128  and one control pod  118  to the “yellow” communication system, which may originate from the “yellow” main controller  106 a. The second remote terminal unit  128  and the second control pod  118  may be coupled to the “blue” communication system, which may originate from the “blue” main controller  106   b.    
       FIG.  3    shows a subsea control system  136  in accordance with one or more embodiments. Similar to the subsea control system  116  shown in  FIG.  2   , the subsea control system  136  may be couple to the surface control system  100 . The subsea control system  136  includes two control pods  118   a ,  118   b  (collectively  118 ) and two remote terminal units  128   a ,  128   b  (collectively  128 ). The first control pod  118   a  and the first remote terminal unit  128   a  may be connected to the “yellow” communication system. The second control pod  118   b  and the second remote terminal unit  128   b  may be connected to the “blue” communication system. 
     The control pods  118  may include two or more SEMs  120 , a first network switch  122 , a first safety integrity level network switch  124 , and a safety controller  126 . The remote terminal units  128  may include a second network switch  130  and a second safety integrity level network switch  132 . Further, in the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   , the remote terminal units  128  also include a remote terminal unit controller  138 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a subsea control system  140  in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments of subsea control systems, such as subsea control system  140 , the safety controller  126  may be located in the remote terminal unit  128  as opposed to the control pod  118 . As such, the remote terminal units  128  may contain a safety controller  126 , a second network switch  130 , and a second safety integrity level network switch  132 . The control pod  118  may contain two or more SEMs  120 , a first network switch  122 , and a first safety integrity level network switch  124 . 
       FIGS.  2 - 4    show different examples of RTU and control pod configurations in a subsea control system. The different configurations shown may be used for different applications and in different BOP stack configurations. For example, when RTUs are mounted on the LMRP section of an all-electric BOP stack, the RTUs may or may not have an RTU controller  138 . In some embodiments, when RTUs are mounted on the LMRP section, the RTUs could be used as a network switch only to direct communications to the annular BOPs, the connector, the lower stack, etc. In alternate embodiments, when RTUs are mounted on the LMRP section, the RTUs may include an RTU controller to provide local control of the loads. In yet other embodiments, when RTUs are mounted on the lower stack section of an all-electric BOP stack, the RTUs would include an RTU controller to provide intelligence during an autoshear or deadman event. 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show a power system of an all-electric blowout preventer in accordance with one or more embodiments. More specifically,  FIG.  5 A  shows a surface power system  141  and  FIG.  5 B  shows a subsea power system  151  in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, the one or more remote display panels  102  may be connected to a configuration and diagnostic panel (CDP)  142  and a diverter  144 . The CDP  142  may include a human machine interface (HMI), which may show and include digital controls to control one or more processes. The diverter  144  may include one or more remote I/O (input/output) units having input and output modules (to send and receive data from a computer) installed at one end and a connection to a controller at the other end (e.g., a programmable logic controller (PLC) or central processing unit (CPU)). The diverter  144  may also include a central controller. A data aggregator  146  may also be connected to the remote display panels  102 , where the data aggregator  146  operates in a demilitarized zone (DMZ) behind a firewall. The CDP  142 , the diverter  144 , and the data aggregator  146  may be connected to a surface power and control (SPC) unit located in the main controllers  106 . 
     In the same way that the main controllers  106  may be referred to as the “blue” main controller  106   b  and the “yellow” main controller  106   a , there may be two uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs)  148  which may be referred to as the “blue” UPS  148   b  and the “yellow” UPS  148   a . In one or more embodiments, the UPSs  148  may be connected to rig power. The main controllers  106  may be connected to one or more transformers  150 , which may feed into the two junction boxes  108 . In one or more embodiments, the transformers  150  may step up the voltage through the system from 120V before the transformers  150  to 600V after the transformers  150 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  5 B , each junction box may be connected to a remote terminal unit  128 , which forms part of subsea power system  151 . Each remote terminal unit  128  may be connected to an LMRP battery pack  152  via a circuit. The LMRP battery packs  152  may include one or more batteries and a battery management system. Each remote terminal unit  128  may be connected to a control pod  118 . Each control pod  118  may be connected to lower stack battery packs  154  via the circuit  153 , where each lower stack battery pack  154  may include one or more batteries and a battery management system. In one or more embodiments, a diode  155  may be installed between the control pods  118  and the lower stack battery packs  154  to enable one-way flow of electricity around the circuit  153 . Flow of electricity through the circuit  153  and the diodes  155  allows for charging of the one or more lower stack battery packs  154  from the surface. Further, the circuit  153  may be used to connect the surface power system  141  and the subsea power system  151  to the components  134  of the all-electric blowout preventer. 
     In one or more embodiments, the LMRP battery packs  152  and the lower stack battery packs  154  may be configured to power one or more motor(s) attached to the all-electric blowout preventer stack such that each component  134  in the all-electric blowout preventer may be closed without power from the surface. In one or more embodiments, a motor may produce  180  horsepower and may enable component  134  closure within 45 seconds. As such, the lower stack battery packs  154  and the LMRP battery packs  152  may store enough power to perform component  134  closure multiple times without needing to be recharged. 
     A battery management system (BMS), in accordance with one or more embodiments, may be integrated into the LMRP battery packs  152  and the lower stack battery packs  154 . The BMS may be configured to connect to the first network switch  122  and the second network switch  130 , such that the network switches  122 ,  130  can access and query the status of every battery in the LMRP battery pack  152  or the lower stack battery pack  154 . As a result, battery failures within the packs  152 ,  154  may be detected and reported to the surface, specifically to the remote display panels  102 , so that an operator can flag those batteries for replacement at the next available opportunity. 
     A deadman and autoshear (DM/AS) battery pack  156  may also be connected to the circuit  153 , where the DM/AS battery pack  156  includes one or more batteries and a battery management system. The DM/AS battery pack  156  may be located in the lower stack section. In one or more embodiments, the DM/AS battery pack  156  may be used exclusively to power deadman operations or autoshear operations in emergency situations where an additional reserve store of power is required. For example, in emergency situations in which there is a failure to provide power to the all-electric blowout preventer and control systems from the surface, a deadman operation may be required. Further, in emergency situations where the LMRP section of the all-electric blowout preventer disconnects from the lower stack section and there are components  134  in open configurations, an autoshear operation in the lower stack section may be required. In one or more embodiments, if either emergency situation is detected, the DM/AS battery pack  156  may store enough energy to power all motor(s) connected to the various components  134  such that the DM/AS battery pack  156  may assist in actuating the various components  134  in the lower stack section. 
     In one or more embodiments, an acoustic pod  158  may also be connected to the circuit  153 . An acoustic pod  158 , in accordance with one or more embodiments, may refer to a device which may be dropped into the ocean from the surface facility, and which may be secured to the all-electric blowout preventer stack. The acoustic pod  158  may send acoustic signals through the water surrounding the all-electric blowout preventer, allowing it to access the blowout preventer through the safety rated control system, specifically through the first and second safety integrity level network switches  124 ,  132 , in order to close components  134  in emergency situations. For example, in one or more embodiments, an acoustic pod  158  may be provided in the lower stack section of an all-electric BOP stack, where the acoustic pod  158  may be used to close components  134  in the lower stack section. 
       FIG.  6    depicts a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments. More specifically,  FIG.  6    depicts a flowchart  600  of a method for actuating a component of an all-electric blowout preventer via a control system. Further, one or more blocks in  FIG.  6    may be performed by one or more components as described in  FIGS.  1   -B and  8 . While the various blocks in  FIG.  6    are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the blocks may be executed in different orders, may be combined, may be omitted, and some or all of the blocks may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the blocks may be performed actively or passively. 
     Initially, a safety integrity level rated control system may be coupled to an all-electric blowout preventer stack, S 602 . In one or more embodiments, the safety integrity level control system may include a surface control system  100  and a subsea control system  116 ,  136 ,  140 . A failure in operation of a component  134  of the all-electric blowout preventer may be detected via a remote display panel  102 , S 604 . Once alerted to the component  134  failure, a user may push a button  104  connected to the remote display panel  102 , where the button  104  corresponds to the failed component  134  and where pushing the button generates a command at the surface intervention system (SIS) controller  112 , S 606 . 
     The command may be sent from the SIS controller  112  to the subsea control system  116 ,  136 ,  140 , S 608 . In one or more embodiments, the command may be received at a remote terminal unit  128  coupled to one section of the all-electric blowout preventer, S 610 , e.g., a lower marine riser package (LMRP) section. Further, the command may be transmitted from the remote terminal unit  128  to a control pod  118  coupled to the other section of the all-electric blowout preventer, S 612 , e.g., a lower stack section. Specifically, the command may be transmitted to a safety integrity level network switch, such as the first safety integrity level network switch  124 , within the control pod  118 , S 614 . In one or more embodiments, the first safety integrity level network switch  124  may form a part of the safety rated control system. The command may then be transmitted from the first safety integrity level network switch  124  to a safety controller  126  via black channel communications, S 616 . The safety controller  126 , according to one or more embodiments, may communicate with the failed component  134  via black channel communications. 
     As a result, the failed component  134  may be actuated based, at least in part, on the command, S 618 . In one or more embodiments, actuating the component  134  may include, for example, closing an open component  134 , such as an open connector section, of the lower stack section of the all-electric blowout preventer. In one or more embodiments, actuating the component  134  may also involve overriding the failure in operation of the component  134 . 
       FIG.  7    depicts a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments. More specifically,  FIG.  7    depicts a flowchart  700  of a method for a method for actuating a component of an all-electric blowout preventer via a control system. Further, one or more blocks in  FIG.  7    may be performed by one or more components as described in  FIGS.  1 - 5 B and  8   . While the various blocks in  FIG.  7    are presented and described sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of the blocks may be executed in different orders, may be combined, may be omitted, and some or all of the blocks may be executed in parallel. Furthermore, the blocks may be performed actively or passively. 
     Initially, a safety integrity level rated control system may be coupled to an all-electric blowout preventer stack, S 702 . In one or more embodiments, the safety integrity level rated control system comprises a surface control system  100  and a subsea control system  116 ,  136 ,  140 . A communication packet addressed to a component of the all-electric blowout preventer may be created, S 704 . In one or more embodiments, the communication packet may include instructions for actuation of a component  134 . The communication packet may be transmitted through the surface control system  100  and the subsea control system  116 ,  136 ,  140  to the component  134 , S 706 . 
     In one or more embodiments, a failure of the component  134  to actuate according to the communication packet may be detected, S 708 . In one or more embodiments, the failure may be detected at a computer processing unit included in the two main controllers  106 . In other embodiments, the failure may be detected at the remote display panels  102 . 
     A command may be transmitted to a remote terminal unit  128  coupled to a section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack, S 710 , e.g., a lower marine riser package (LMRP) section or a lower stack section of the BOP stack. In one or more embodiments, the command may contain instructions for overriding the failure of the component  134  to actuate according to the communication packet. In one or more embodiments, the command may be transmitted from the remote terminal unit  128  to a safety integrity level network switch  124  within a control pod  118  coupled to a different section of the all-electric blowout preventer stack, S 712 , e.g., the lower stack section or the LMRP section. In other embodiments, the command may be routed to a second safety integrity level network switch  132  within the remote terminal unit  128 . 
     The command may further be transmitted from the safety integrity level network switch, such as the first safety integrity network switch  124  and the second safety integrity network switch  132 , to a safety controller  126  via black channel communications, S 714 . In one or more embodiments, the safety controller  126  may be located in either the control pod  118  or the remote terminal unit  128 . The component  134  may be actuated based, at least in part, on the command,  5716 . In one or more embodiments, actuating the component  134  may include, for example, closing an open component  134 , such as an open connector section, of the lower stack section of the all-electric blowout preventer. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide at least one of the following advantages. In currently commercially available blowout preventer systems, a safety rated control system may require hydraulic equipment in addition to electrical equipment in order. Further, since hydraulic equipment is installed in conventional blowout preventer systems, the blowout preventer, which may be referred to as the end device, is not able to be safety rated since it is outside of the electrical system. With an all-electric blowout preventer system, the entire system, including all of the blowout preventer components and the control system components, are able to be safety rated. An all-electric blowout preventer system and an all-electric control system eliminates the need for hydraulic equipment, reducing the complexity of the blowout preventer system. Accordingly, all-electric blowout preventer systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be lighter, smaller, and more energy efficient when compared with conventional blowout preventer systems. 
     Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.