Patent ID: 8720584

Claim:
A laser riser and blowout preventer system for use with an offshore drilling rig, a vessel or platform to control and manage potential emergency and emergency situations, the laser riser blowout preventer system comprising: a. a high power laser capable of providing a high power laser beam having greater than 1 kW of power; b. a high power beam switch in optical association with the high power laser, whereby the laser beam from the high power laser is capable of being transmitted from the high power laser to the high power beam switch; c. a riser; d. a blowout preventer, comprising a pressure containment cavity; e. a first laser cutter and a second laser cutter, in optical association with the high power beam switch, whereby a first cutting high power laser beam from the high power beam switch is capable of being transmitted from the high power beam switch to the first laser cutter, and whereby a second cutting high power laser beam from the high power beam switch is capable of being transmitted from the high power beam switch to the second laser cutter; f. wherein the first laser cutter is positioned adjacent the riser, whereby the first laser cutter is capable of directing the first cutting high power laser beam toward a component of the riser; g. wherein the second laser cutter is positioned in the blowout preventer, whereby the second laser cutter is capable of directing the second cutting high power laser beam toward a tubular within the pressure containment cavity of the blowout preventer; and, h. a control network in data and control communication with the high power laser, the high power beam switch and the blowout preventer, wherein the control network provides for firing of the high power laser and actuation of the blowout preventer.