United States Patent: (12) (10) Patent N0.: US 7,367,396 B2 Springett Et Al. (45) Date of Patent: May 6, 2008

US007367396B2
(12)
United States Patent
(10) Patent N0.:

US 7,367,396 B2
(45) Date of Patent:
May 6, 2008
Springett et al.
(54)
(75)
BLOWOUT PREVENTERS AND METHODS
3,766,979 A
OF USE
3,863,667 A
2/1975
Ward .... ..
137/318
3,918,478 A
11/1975
LerouaX .
.. 137/315
Inventors: i;
Frank Benjamin
_ James D
Springett,
Brugman
Houston,
Spnng
~
4,119,115
, ,
A
i * 10/1978 Carruthers
31g;
0
...... ..
(73) Asslgnee: Varco I/P, Inc., Houston, TX (US)

_
(*)
(21)
Nome?
4,132,265 A
1/1979 Williams, Jr
4,215,749 A
8/1980 Dare etal
4,253,638 A
3/l981 Troxell, Jr
4,341,264
7/1982
166/55
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
4,437,643 A
3/1984 Brakhage, Jr. et a1.
U.S.C. 154(b) by 56 days.
4,504,037 A
3/1985 Beam et a1. ................. .. 251/1
Apr. 25, 2006
4,516,598 A
5/1985
4,537,250 A
8/1985 TroXell, Jr. .

11/1985
251/1 A
Stupak ..................... .. 137/318
166/55
Shaffer ..................... .. 251/1.3
(Continued)
Prior Publication Data

Us 2007/0246215 A1
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Oct 25> 2007
Shear Ram Capabilities Study: West Engineering Services: pages

Cover to 4 - 7 (23 pages): Sep. 2004.
_
Int. Cl.
E21B 29/08
E21B 29/00
(2006.01)
(200601)
US. Cl. .......................... ..
(Con?rmed)
Primary ExamineriDavid J. Bagnell
166/298; 166/55; 83/51;
83/54
(58)
251 A
................ ..
2/1983 Rosenhauch et a1. ..... .. 251/1 A
(65)
(52)
166/55
166/361
4,372,527 A
4,550,895 A
(51)
CoX et a1
137/318
31111160110 any (1150121111169 thetelm Ofthls
Appl. No.: 11/411,203
(22) Flled:
10/1973 Petrick ...................... .. 166/55
Field of Classi?cation Search .............. ..
Assistant Examinerishane Bomar
(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiGuy McClung
166/298,
166/55, 85.4; 251/1.1, 1.3; 83/51, 54, 693,
(57)
ABSTRACT
83/694
See application ?le for Complete Search history
apparatus, in certain aspects, including: a ?rst member

movable toWard a tubular to be severed; a second member
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
With a second blade disposed opposite to the ?rst member
(56)
2,304,793 A *
2,592,197 A
3,040,611 A
3,554,278 A
3,554,480
Methods and apparatuses for severing a Wellbore tubular, the
_
References Clted
12/1942
Bodine, Jr. ............... .. 166/298
4/1952 Schweitzer
6/1962 Tournaire
1/1971 Reistle, III et a1.
1/1971
Rowe
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,647,174 A
3/1972 Lerouax ..
3,670,761 A
3,716,068 A
6/1972
2/1973
166/85
. . . ..
251/1
251/1
Lerouax ..
.. 137/315
Addison .................... .. 137/67
and movable toWard the tubular; a ?rst blade on the ?rst

member having a projection projecting from a center of a
blade body With point structure on the projection for punc

turing the tubular and cutting surfaces on the projection for
cutting the tubular; and cutting surfaces, as needed, on the
blade body adjacent the projection for cutting the tubular.

17 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
US 7,367,396 B2
Page 2
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,558,842 A
4,699,350 A
12/1985
10/1987
4,923,005 A
5/1990 L=1_ky_ et 91
4969390 A
5,360,061 A
166/55
11/1990 wllllams, III -
5,013,005 A
5,217,073 A
Peil et 91 ------------------ -- 251/13

Herve
- 251/13
5/1991
Nance ------ --
92/28
- 251/13
6/1993
Bruns .... ..
. 166/298
1/2001
6,510,897 B2
1/2003 Hemphill
6,969,042 B2
7,044,430 B2
Morrill .................... .. 166/854
11/2005
5/2006
7,051,990 B2
5/2006 Springettetal. ..
2006/0137827 A1*
2007/0137866 A1*
. 166/373
Gaydos .................... .. 251/1.3

Brugman e161. .......... .. 251/1.1
.251/11
6/2006 Uneyama et a1. ......... .. 156/510

6/2007 Ravensbergen e161.
166/384
.. 166/55
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
5400857 A
3/1995 Whitby et a1 '
' 166/297
Land & Marine Drilling: Cameron Iron Works Oil Tool Division:
5,505,426 A
4/1996
Whltby e161. .
.. 251/1.3
5515916 A
5/1996 Haley """"" "
" 166/55
5,575,451 A
11/1996 Colvin et al. ..
5,897,094 A
6,158,505 A
11/1994 Womble
6,173,770 B1
4/1999
Brugman e161.
.. 251/1.3
.
.. 251/1.3
12/2000 Araujo ...................... .. 166/55
pages Cover. 1604. 1617. 1621. 1982 - 1983.

Varcos NXT Next Generation BOP Systems reduce the cost of
Drmin ,vmo, 6 3 es, 2001
g
P g
* cited by examiner
'
'
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 1 6f 15
FIG. 1A
so
52
FIG. 1B
US 7,367,396 B2
U.S. Patent
.OEup
May 6, 2008
Sheet 2 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 3 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
FIG. 2A
FIG. 25
FIG. 2C
65
65
w"
2?
FIG. 2D
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 4 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
2
D
Q
LL-
9
U
D
IO
(Q
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 5 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
90
95
/'
97
FIG. 4-D
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 6 0f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
FIG. 5B
FIG. 5C
100
105
50L
100a
100a
92
FIG. 5D
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 7 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
FIG. 6C
110
111
1158
no
115
117 J69
119a
112
117
100*
115
11Ob/ 118a
FIG. 60
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 8 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
FIG. 7A
FIG. 75
H6. 7C
156
152
51
155
129
125
126-)
70
/1
122
128
157
156
_\154
158
////,mn
125
FIG. 7D
129
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 9 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 10 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
FIG. 9A
161
FIG. 95
FIG. 9C
160
90L
1?
171
////\\\\\
Alll
164
162
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 11 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
mnu
6ENF
5NNnN
.QE2
DON
/
__
NON
_*O
QN
PX
i
PM
QON N/
h,
6N
mum
/
ZN.
Nu
N/
CN
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 12 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
6/
24o\
I ..l]
242
244
245
246
245
FIG. 15 =_'l[|==
Q)
250
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 13 6f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
___
M5inN5
05
.QE
mm
r.6,6M/\NQD
(Q.6E
U.S. Patent
May 6,2008
Sheet 14 0f 15
US 7,367,396 B2
501
515
510 512
514
FIG. 150
515
5:0
514
502
FIG. 156
502
FIG. 15E
U.S. Patent
May 6, 2008
Sheet 15 6f 15
5 FIG. 15H
US 7,367,396 B2
US 7,367,396 B2
1
BLOWOUT PREVENTERS AND METHODS

OF USE
ef?cient, nonobvious blowout preventers and methods of

their use, cutting blades for such blowout preventers, and
methods of their use; and
Such a blowout preventer with one or two cutting blades,
at least one of which has at least one part for making a hole,
etc. in a tubular to facilitate shearing of the tubular.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention

This present invention is directed to blowout preventers,
to tubular-shearing blades for them, and methods of their
Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to
any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include

combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in
their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features
use.
2. Description of Related Art

The prior art discloses a wide variety of blowout preven
ters and tubular-shearing blades for blowout preventer bon
of the invention have been broadly described so that the
detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood,

and in order that the contributions of this invention to the
arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, addi
tional aspects of the invention described below and which
may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this
invention. Those skilled in the art who have the bene?t of
nets.
Typical blowout preventers have selectively actuatable

rams in oppositely disposed bonnets secured to the body.
The rams are either pipe rams (to contact, engage, and
encompass pipe and/or tools to seal a wellbore) or shear
this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate
rams (to contact and physically shear a tubular, casing, pipe

or tool used in wellbore operations). Rams are usually
positioned opposite each other on either side of a main body
and can, upon activation and subsequent shearing of a
tubular, seal against each other at a center of the main body
that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a

20
tion. The claims of this invention are to be read to include
any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not
over a center of a wellbore.
Typical rams include a ram block on which parts, eg
seals and/or cutting blades, are releasably secured. Blowout

preventers and tubular-shearing blades for them are dis
closed in many US. patents, including, but not limited to,
US. Pat. Nos. 3,946,806; 4,043,389; 4,313,496; 4,132,267,
4,558,842; 4,969,390; 4,492,359; 4,504,037; 2,752,119;

3,272,222; 3,744,749; 4,253,638; 4,523,639; 5,025,708;
5,056,418; 5,400,857; 5,575,452; 5,655,745; and 5,918,851;
4,313,496; 4,550,895; 5,360,061; 4,923,005; 4,537,250;
5,515,916; 6,173,770; 3,863,667; 6,158,505; 5,575,451;
4,057,887; 5,505,426; 3,955,622; 3,554,278; and 5,013,005.
There has long been a need, recogniZed by the present
25
30
35
The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the US. Patent

40
takes time and, if a tool joint is improperly located, no or

45
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention discloses a blowout
preventer and methods of its use, the blowout preventer
50
having movable ram blocks, one or both of which has a
ings, or punctures of a tubular as the tubular is sheared to

55
present invention may include one, some, or all of the
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL

VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
A more particular description of embodiments of the

invention brie?y summariZed above may be had by refer
60
ences to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings
which form a part of this speci?cation. These drawings

illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be
used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which
may have other equally e?fective or legally equivalent
which form an opening hole or puncture area in a tubular to
facilitate shearing of the tubular.

It is, therefore, an object of at least certain embodiments
of the present invention to provide new, useful, unique,
are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of phrase

ology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or
review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this
invention. The Abstract is neither intended to de?ne the
invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in
any way.
It will be understood that the various embodiments of the
or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this

invention.
facilitate complete shearing of the tubular.

therethrough from the top to the bottom; and ram apparatus
movable within the body, the ram apparatus including two
ram blocks, each with a cutting blade thereon according to
the present invention.
In certain aspects, the present invention discloses cutting
blades for blowout preventers, each blade with one, two,
three or more projections, points or pronounced portions
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and scien

tists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art who
disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/
cutting blade that produces one, two, or more holes, open
In certain aspects, the present invention discloses a blow

out preventer with a body with a top, a bottom, and a bore
The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this

patents object to claim this invention no matter how others
may later disguise it by variations in form, changes, or

additions of further improvements.
a relatively smaller portion of the tubular. Proper location
ine?fectual shearing may result.
bene?ts of this inventions realiZations, teachings, disclo

sures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will
be appreciated from the following description of certain

preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure,
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
inventor for a blowout preventer which can effectively and
tubular shearing systems, a tool joint is located so that

shearing rams do not encounter the tool joint, but shear only
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention recogniZes and addresses the pre
viously-mentioned problems and long-felt needs and pro
vides a solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting
of those needs in its various possible embodiments and
equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the
ef?ciently shear tubulars, e.g. tubulars used in wellbore

operations, including relatively large tubulars such as cas
ing, drill collars, and drill pipe tool joints. In certain prior
creative basis for designing other structures, methods and

systems for carrying out and practicing the present inven
65
embodiments.
FIG. 1A is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a
blowout preventer according to the present invention.
US 7,367,396 B2
4
3
FIG. 1B is a top vieW of the blowout preventer of FIG.
1A.
FIG. 1C is a side vieW, partially in cross-section, of the
blowout preventer of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2A is a top perspective vieW of a blade according to
the present invention for a bloWout preventer according to
FIG. 10 is a top schematic vieW of a bloWout preventer
according to the present invention With blades according to

FIG. 11 is a top schematic vieW of a bloWout preventer

FIG. 12 is a side schematic vieW of a bloWout preventer
FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective vieW of the blade of FIG.

2A.
FIG. 2C is a top vieW of the blade of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2D is a side vieW of the blade of FIG. 2A.


3B is a bottom perspective vieW of the blade of FIG.

3C is a top vieW of the blade of FIG. 3A.

3D is a cross-section vieW along line 3D-3D of FIG.
according to the present invention using apparatus according
FIG.
3A.
FIG.
FIG.
3A.
FIG.

FIG. 15A is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method
to the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method
4A is a top perspective vieW of a blade according to

20

4A.
FIG. 4D is a cross-section vieW along line 4D-4D of FIG.
4A.

5A.
5A.
FIG. 15C is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method

25

FIG. 15E is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method
30

FIG. 15F is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method

35
FIG. 15G is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method

FIG. 15H is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method

40

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
45

FIG.
7A.
FIG.
FIG.
7A.
FIG.
FIG. 15D is a top vieW that illustrates a step in a method

6A.
6A.
As shoWn in FIGS. 1A-1C, a bloWout preventer 10

according to the present invention has a body 12 With a
7B is a bottom perspective vieW of the blade of FIG.
vertical bore 14 extending therethrough. A tubular, e.g. part
7C is a top vieW of the blade of FIG. 7A.

7D is a cross-section vieW along line 7D-7D of FIG.
of a drill string D passes through the bore 14. The body 12

has a loWer ?ange 16 and an upper ?ange 18 for connecting
the bloWout preventer 10 in a Wellhead stack. Ram guide
Ways 20 and 22 extend outWardly from opposite sides of the
bore 14. Ram assemblies of the bloWout preventer 10
8A is a top perspective vieW of a blade according to

8A.
8A.
50
include ?rst and second rams 24 and 26 Which are positioned
in guideWays 20 and 22, respectively. Reciprocating appa

55
the rams in response to ?uid pressure into the bore 14 for
shearing the portion of the drill string D Which extends

through the bore and for retracting the rams from the bore.
60

9A.
9A.
ratus, such as actuators 28, are provided to move or extend
The actuators 28 each include a piston 30 in a cylinder 32

and a rod 34 connecting betWeen the piston and the ram
Which it is to move and are suitably connected to body 12 as
shoWn. Suitable apparatus is provided to deliver ?uid under
pressure to opposite sides of piston 30.

An upper cutting blade 36 (any blade according to the
65
present invention) is on the ram 24 and a loWer cutting blade
38 (any blade according to the present invention) is on the

ram 26. The cutting blades 36 and 38 are positioned so that
US 7,367,396 B2
5
the cutting edge of the blade 38 passes just below the cutting
projection 131 With an edge 135. The faces 128, 134 are at
an angle to each other forming the projection 133 With an
edge of the blade 36 in shearing of a section of a tubular, eg
edge 137.
the drillstring D.
The shearing action of cutting blades 36 and 38 shears the
drillstring D (see FIG. 1C). The lower portion of the
drillstring D has dropped into the Well bore (not shoWn)
beloW the bloWout preventer 10. Optionally (as is true for
any method according to the present invention) the drill
FIGS. 8A-8D shoW a blade 140 according to the present

invention Which has a body 142; a base 144; opposed
inclined faces 146, 148; a projection 150 betWeen the faces
146, 148; and inclined end portions 156, 158. The projection
150 has inclined faces 151, 152 and a center face 153. A
projection 155 is formed betWeen the faces 156, 146 having
string TD is hung off a loWer set of rams.

invention Which has a body 52 With a base 57 and a front
face 54. The front face 54 has tWo inclined portions 61, 62
and a projection 60 that projects from the front face 54
an edge 154. A projection 157 is formed betWeen the faces

148, 158 having an edge 159. Optionally, as shoWn, the
projection 150 is rounded off.
betWeen the tWo inclined portions 61, 62. Edges 56, 58 are
at ends of the inclined portions 61, 62, respectively. The
projections 181, 182; and a recess 180 formed betWeen the
inclined faces 172, 173; inclined end portions 171, 174;
projection 60 has tWo inclined faces 63, 64 Which meet at a
central edge 65. An angle 68 betWeen the faces 63, 64 (as

may be true for the angle betWeen any tWo projection faces
according to the present invention) may be any desired angle

and, in certain aspects, ranges betWeen 30 degrees to ninety
degrees and, in certain particular aspects, is 30 degrees, 60
degrees, or 90 degrees.
In certain aspects (as is true for any blade according to the
present invention) the cutting surfaces are slopped from the
20
faces 183, 185 and an inclined center portion 184. The

projection 182 has inclined faces 186, 188 and an inclined
center portion 187. Optionally, as shoWn, the projections

25
181, 182 are rounded off.

FIG. 10 shoWs an apparatus 200 for severing a tubular
30
tubing, and drill pipe tool jointsias is true and can be

accomplished With any apparatus herein according to the
present invention and With any blade or blades according to
the present invention). The apparatus 200 has tWo alternately
(e.g., but not limited to, drill pipe, drill collar, casing, riser,
vertical and in one particular aspect, as shoWn in FIG. 2D,

the tWo inclined portions 61, 62 are at an angle of 20 degrees
from the vertical. In other aspects the angle for any cutting
surface of any blade according to the present invention
ranges betWeen 20 degrees and 60 degrees; and, in certain
aspects, the angle is 20 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees.
movable sets of rams 201, 202 and 203, 204. In one aspect,
degrees.
invention Which has a body 72 With a base 77, tWo opposed
inclined faces 81, 82 and a projection 80 betWeen the tWo
inclined faces 81, 82. The projection 80 has tWo inclined
faces 83, 84 Which meet at a central edge 85. Inclined end
portions 76, 78 are at ends of the faces 81, 82 respectively.

invention With a body 99; opposed inclined faces 91, 92;
each ram 201, 202 has a plurality of spaced-apart puncturing

points 206 Which make a series of corresponding spaced
apart holes in a tubular, thereby Weakening the tubular and
35
40
opposed inclined faces 93, 94; and inclined end portions 95,
96. Projections 97, 98 are formed betWeen faces 91, 93 and
94, 92, respectively. The blade 90 has a base 90a.
invention With a body 100a; opposed inclined faces 101,
45
102; opposed inclined faces 103, 104; and opposed inclined
50
55
110b. Projections 118, 119 are formed betWeen faces 111,
113 and 114, 112, respectively. Projection 118 has an edge

118a and projection 119 has an edge 119a.
ing to the present invention or any knoWn blade) of the rams

203, 204. In certain aspects, there are one, tWo, three, four,
?ve, six or more points and, optionally, the points may be
hardfaced or have hardening material applied thereto (as is
true of any blade, blade projection, or blade part disclosed
herein according to the present invention regarding hardfac
may be used on any blade according to the present invention
and/or the blades may be deleted.
FIG. 11 shoWs an apparatus 220 according to the present
invention Which has tWo sets of movable rams 221, 222 and
223, 224. Rams 221, 222 have ?at faces 228 Which are used
to ?atten a tubular 229 (?atten means make non-round to
opposed inclined faces 113, 114; inclined end portions 115,

116; a central semicircular inclined face 117; and a base
facilitating its complete shearing by blades 208 (any accord
ing and/or hardening material). Any such point or points
end portions 105, 106. Projections 107, 108 are formed

betWeen faces 101, 103 and 104, 102, respectively. The
blade 100 has a base 109. Projection 107 has an edge 107a
and projection 108 has an edge 108a.
invention With a body 110a, tWo inclined faces 111, 112; tWo
projections 181, 182. A projection 161 With an edge 163 is

formed betWeen the face 172 and the end portion 171. A
projection 165 With an edge 167 is formed betWeen the face
173 and the end portion 174. The projection 181 has inclined
any extent as compared to the original round shape of the

tubular 229 and includes, but it not limited to, a substantially
or totally ?attened tubular), eg as shoWn by the dotted line
in FIG. 11. Once ?attened, the tubular 229 is completely
severed by blades 225, 226 on the rams 223, 224, respec
tively. The blades 225, 226 may be any blade according to
the present invention or any knoWn blade.
FIG. 12 illustrates a method for severing a tubular 230 by
either applying tension T to the tubular lengthWise With a
tension applying apparatus TA, shoWn schematically (see

arroWs T) or by applying compression to it With a compres
60
sion applying apparatus CA shoWn schematically (see
inclined faces 126, 128; inclined faces 132, 134; inclined
arroWs C). Ram apparatuses 231, 232 With blades 233, 234
end portions 136, 138; and a semicircular inclined face 130.

A serrated cutting surface 125 extends around a loWer edge
127 of the face 130 and extends partially onto the faces 126,
128. As shoWn the serrations of the surface 125 have pointed
respectively of a bloWout preventer 235 are movable to

sever the tubular 230.
Optionally, in a tWo-stroke (or multiple stroke operation)

65
the tubular 230 is put in tension and the blades 233, 234
tips 129; but, optionally, these tips may be rounded off. The
impact the tubular; then the tubular is put in compression
faces 126, 132 are at an angle to each other forming a
and the blades 233, 234 then completely sever the tubular;

United States Patent: (12) (10) Patent N0.: US 7,367,396 B2 Springett Et Al. (45) Date of Patent: May 6, 2008

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

United States Patent: (12) (10) Patent N0.: US 7,367,396 B2 Springett Et Al. (45) Date of Patent: May 6, 2008

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

United States Patent: (12) (10) Patent N0.: US 7,367,396 B2 Springett Et Al. (45) Date of Patent: May 6, 2008

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

US007367396B2

United States Patent

(10) Patent N0.:

BLOWOUT PREVENTERS AND METHODS

(73) Asslgnee: Varco I/P, Inc., Houston, TX (US)

8/1980 Dare etal

patent is extended or adjusted under 35

3/1984 Brakhage, Jr. et a1.

U.S.C. 154(b) by 56 days.

3/1985 Beam et a1. ................. .. 251/1

Apr. 25, 2006

8/1985 TroXell, Jr. .

Stupak ..................... .. 137/318

Shaffer ..................... .. 251/1.3

Prior Publication Data

Oct 25> 2007

Shear Ram Capabilities Study: West Engineering Services: pages

US. Cl. .......................... ..

166/298; 166/55; 83/51;

2/1983 Rosenhauch et a1. ..... .. 251/1 A

31111160110 any (1150121111169 thetelm Ofthls

Appl. No.: 11/411,203

10/1973 Petrick ...................... .. 166/55

Field of Classi?cation Search .............. ..

Assistant Examinerishane Bomar

(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiGuy McClung

166/55, 85.4; 251/1.1, 1.3; 83/51, 54, 693,

See application ?le for Complete Search history

apparatus, in certain aspects, including: a ?rst member

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

With a second blade disposed opposite to the ?rst member

Methods and apparatuses for severing a Wellbore tubular, the

Bodine, Jr. ............... .. 166/298

and movable toWard the tubular; a ?rst blade on the ?rst

blade body With point structure on the projection for punc

blade body adjacent the projection for cutting the tubular.

11/1990 wllllams, III -

Peil et 91 ------------------ -- 251/13

Morrill .................... .. 166/854

Gaydos .................... .. 251/1.3

6/2006 Uneyama et a1. ......... .. 156/510

3/1995 Whitby et a1 '

5/1996 Haley """"" "

11/1996 Colvin et al. ..

12/2000 Araujo ...................... .. 166/55

pages Cover. 1604. 1617. 1621. 1982 - 1983.

BLOWOUT PREVENTERS AND METHODS

ef?cient, nonobvious blowout preventers and methods of

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to

any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include

2. Description of Related Art

of the invention have been broadly described so that the

detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood,

Typical blowout preventers have selectively actuatable

this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate

rams (to contact and physically shear a tubular, casing, pipe