SECTION 3

ANNULAR (SPHERICAL) BLOWOUT PREVENTERS

• General Operating Principles

• Shaffer Spherical Blowout Preventers
• Cameron Annular Blowout Preventers
• Hydril Annular Blowout Preventers

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 Annular (Spherical) BOP’s
Annular BOP’s have a single donut shaped rubber element which can be compressed by the
operating piston to seal the wellbore against a drill string or open hole. Annulars are very
versatile and in general can seal against drill pipe, drill collars, casing and wire line.

Common Characteristics

• Annular elements are made up of rubber and steel reinforcing inserts. The inserts restrict
upward rubber extrusion while under wellbore pressure.
• The drill string can be stripped in or out of a well through a closed annular which will
continue to maintain wellbore integrity.
• Annular closing hydraulic pressure must be bled down to a value that allows tool joints to be
pulled or pushed through the element while stripping.
• An accumulator is connected to the closing chamber which acts as a surge bottle for fluid
displaced when tool joints are stripped through the element.
• Reduced closing pressure should be used when closing in on casing to prevent damage
and/or collapse.
• After prolonged service, elements can loose their “memory” and not fully open after use.
The API specification (16A) requires elements to return to full open bore within 30 minutes.

Shaffer Spherical BOP’s

• Maximum allowable working pressure of the Shaffer Spherical operating system is 1,500
psi. This should never be exceeded.
• Preventer is balanced. Wellbore pressure does not assist in maintaining element closure.
• Nitrile elements (colour coded blue) are available for normal service and oil based mud.
• Natural rubber elements (colour coded red) are available for low temperature service.
• Elastomer operation temperature limits for the Shaffer Spherical are as follows:

Nitrile Packing Element 40oF to 170oF (-4oC to 77oC)

Natural Rubber Packing Element -20oF to 170oF (-29oC to 77oC)

SBOP Hydraulic Seals -10oF to 225oF (-23oC to 107oC)

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Cameron Type DL Annular BOP

• Maximum allowable working pressure of the Cameron type D operating system is 3,000 psi.
Normal operating pressure is 1,500 to 3,000 psi.
• Preventer is balanced. Wellbore pressure does not assist in maintaining element closure.
• Vents in the preventer body should be fitted with check valves to prevent sea water ingress
and subsequent corrosion.
• D shaped seals are available for service in annular BOP’s that have damaged seal grooves or
sealing surfaces (13-5/8” and 18-3/4” bore only) See Cameron Engineering Bulletin 699 D.

• A two piece element is used, an inner insert packer and an outer donut. These should always
be replaced as a pair.
• Elastomer operation temperature limits for the Cameron type DL Annular are as follows:

Continuous service: 70oF to 180oF Extremes: 30oF to 200oF

Hydril Annular BOP’s

Hydril currently offer four models of annular BOP. These are the MSP (Maximum Service
Pressure), GK (Granville Knox), GL (George Lewis) and the GX. The MSP and GK are
predominantly for surface applications, the MSP only being available at 2,000 psi MSP. The
GK can be used subsea though it is only available up to 16-3/4” bore. The two Hydril annular
models commonly used in a subsea application are the GL (18-3/4” – 5K) and the GX (18-3/4”
– 10K)

Common Features:

• All Hydril annular preventers include a field replaceable wear plate in the BOP head. This
serves as an upper non-sealing wear surface for the movement of the packing unit.
• The MSP, GK and GL models each have a port in the BOP head through which operator
piston travel can be measured. Piston stroke remaining at seal off is a direct indicator of
remaining packing life.
• All Hydril Annular BOP’s with a rated wellbore working pressure of 5,000 psi or greater are
rated for 3,000 psi maximum operator pressure.
• All Hydril Annular BOP’s with a rated wellbore working pressure of 3,000 psi are rated for
2,000 psi maximum operator pressure.

MSP Annular

• Used predominately for surface hole (2,000 psi MWP).

• Wellbore pressure assists in maintaining packing unit seal off.
• After initial seal off, closing hydraulic pressure should be proportionally reduced as
wellbore pressure increases.
• Low (< 1,000 psi) closing pressure required to achieve initial seal off (on 5” pipe).
• Natural or Nitrile rubber packing units available.
• Operating chambers rated to 2,000 psi.

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GK Annular

• Not commonly used subsea as 18-3/4” bore not available.

• Wellbore pressure assists in maintaining packing unit seal off.
• After initial seal off, closing hydraulic pressure should be proportionally reduced as
wellbore pressure increases.
• Low (< 1,000 psi) closing pressure required to achieve initial seal off (on 5” pipe).
• Natural, Nitrile or Neoprene rubber packing units available
• Operator chambers are tested to full working pressure of the BOP (at manufacture).

GL Annular

• Unique design in having a secondary chamber.

• Secondary chamber provides various options for hydraulic hook up depending on surface or
subsea application.
• Wellbore pressure does not assist with assist with maintaining packing unit seal off.
• As wellbore pressure increases, closing pressure should also be increased.
• Natural or Nitrile rubber packing units available
• Operator chambers are tested to full working pressure of the BOP (at manufacture).
• Operating chambers rated to 3,000 psi

GX Annular

• Wellbore pressure assists in maintaining packing unit seal off.

• After initial seal off, closing hydraulic pressure should be proportionally reduced as
wellbore pressure increases.
• Natural or Nitrile rubber packing units available.
• Operator chambers are tested to full working pressure of the BOP (at manufacture).
• Normal operating pressure (on 5” pipe) is +/- 1,400 psi.
• Operating chambers rated to 3,000 psi

Hydril Annular Packing Units

• Natural Rubber. All Black. Suitable for water based drilling fluids. Operating temperature
between –30oF and 225oF.

• Nitrile Rubber. Black with red band. Synthetic compound for use with oil based drilling
fluids. Operating temperature between 30oF and 180oF.

• Neoprene Rubber. Black with green band. Suitable for low temperature service and oil
based drilling fluids. Operating temperature between –30oF and 170oF.

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Hydril GL ABOP

• Latched head design for easy

access

• Only two moving parts for

simplicity

• Piston design to prevent piston

binding

• Field replaceable wear plate

• Opening and closing chamber

tested to BOP operating pressure -
secondary chamber to twice BOP
operating pressure

• API 16A monogram

Hydril GL ABOP

• Large lip-type seals for

improved reliability

• All packing units are factory

acceptance tested

• BOP acoustic emission

monitored during shell test

• Materials are resistant to

sulfide stress cracking - meet
the requirements of NACE

• 3 models
4

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Piston Operation

• Piston raised by applying closing

pressure

• Packing unit squeezed inward to

sealing engagement with pipe in the
hole or with itself on open hole

Packing Unit - Fully Open

• Full bore opening to pass

large diameter tools and
allow maximum annulus
flow

• Returns to full bore

because of normal
packing unit resiliency

• Retention of opening
pressure reduces piston
wear caused by vibration

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Packing Unit - Closed on Pipe

• Closed on drill pipe

• Seals on tool joints,

pipe, casing, tubing or
wire line to rated
working pressure

Packing Unit - Closed on Kelly

• Closes and seals on

square or hex Kellys
to rated working
pressure

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Packing Unit
Closed on Open Hole

• Complete shutoff
sealing up to rated
working pressure

Stripping Operation
Standard Surface Hookup
• Full seal-off while rotating or
stripping of drill pipe and tool
joints
• Slight leakage prolongs
packing unit life by providing
lubrication
• Slow tool joint stripping
speeds reduce surge
pressures
• Installation of surge absorber
accumulator for faster
closing pressure response
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Subsea Operation
Standard Hookup
• Hydrostatic Pressure of Drilling fluid column
exerts opening force on BOP piston because of
unbalanced areas
• Hydrostatic pressure of control fluid column
has no effect on opening and closing chambers
because they are of equal area
• Two hookup techniques provide means of
Optional Hookup compensating for the effects of the drilling fluid
on the BOP piston
• Standard Hookup
Secondary chamber connected to the opening
chamber
• Optional Hookup
Secondary chamber connected to the closing
chamber
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Standard Subsea Hookup

(continued)

Adjustment Pressure Calculation

Adjustment Pressure ∆P = (0.052 x Wm x Dw) - (0.45 x Dw)

ρ
Where:
Wm = drilling fluid density in lb/gal
Dw = water depth in ft
0.052 - conversion factor
ρ = 2.19 = the ratio of closing chamber area
to the secondary chamber area
0.45 psi/ft = pressure gradient of sea water,
using a specific gravity of sea water = 1.04
0.433 psi/ft = pressure gradient of fresh water

2 methods to arrive at closing pressure

1. Calculation
Add surface closing pressure from chart to calculated adjustment pressure
2. Using charts
Add surface closing pressure from chart to adjustment pressure from chart

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Physical Data

Engineering Data

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Physical Data (continued)

Bolt & Wrench Data

14

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Packing Units
• Manufactured by Hydril
• High quality rubber compounds bonded to flanged
steel segments

• Flanged steel segments anchor the packing unit and

control rubber extrusion and flow during sealing

Original Packing Unit LL Long Life Packing Unit

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Packing Units (continued)

• Newest packing unit design for use in GL-18-3/4

5000 annular BOPs

• Better fatigue life

• Better stripping life
• 2 Compounds:
Natural rubber
Nitrile rubber

MD Packing Unit
16

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Packing Unit Replacement

Pull Down Bolt Assembly

Jaw Operating Screw

Pipe Plug

Sleeve Screw

Jaw

Head

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Packing Unit Replacement (continued)

Retract Jaw Operating Screws

(4 turns counter clockwise)
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Packing Unit Replacement (continued)

Retract jaw operating screws Remove 4 pull-down bolt

4 turns. This releases the assemblies from the top of the
jaws from the head. head.Lift off preventer head.
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Packing Unit Replacement (continued)

Lift out Packing Unit and Lubricate Piston Bowl

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Packing Unit Replacement (continued)

Install new Packing

Unit

Replace head

Install pull-down bolt

assemblies and pull
head fully into place

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Packing Unit Replacement (continued)

Tighten jaw operating screws 4 turns and

torque to 300-400 ft-lbs
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Seals

• Dynamic Seals - Hydril molded lip-type pressure energized design

• Static seals - O-ring or square design
• Seals molded from special synthetic rubber

Dynamic Seals Static Seals

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Maintenance
1. Inspect upper and lower connections
2. Check body
3. Inspect vertical bore
4. Check inner and outer body sleeve for wear
5. Check piston for wear or damage
6. Check wear plate
7. Inspect packing unit
8. Inspect seals

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 Seal Testing
Hydril recommends all seals be replaced if a seal leak is suspected.
1. Test seals 18, 16, 23, & 14
a. Pressure closing chamber to 1000 psi
(Packing unit closed on test pipe)
b. Open opening chamber to atmosphere
c. Open secondary chamber to atmosphere
d. Pressurize well bore to 1000 psi
IF: Well bore fluid (clean water or dyed water
is seen at secondary chamber
1)Seal 18 is leaking, OR
2) Seal 23 is leaking, OR
3) Seal 18 and 23 are leaking
IF: Closing fluid (milky colored water and
soluble oil) is seen at secondary
chamber--Seal 16 is leaking.
IF: Closing fluid is seen at opening
chamber--seal 14 is leaking.

NOTE: Seals 14, 16 and 18 are 2-way seals and get tested in both directions.
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Seal Testing (continued)

2. Test seals 18, 16, 23

a. Open closing chamber to atmosphere
b. Open opening chamber to atmosphere
c. Pressurize secondary chamber to
1500 psi (packing unit closed on test pipe)
d. Well bore full of water at 0 pressure
IF: Secondary chamber pressure gauge is
dropping and well bore pressure gauge
(below packing unit) is rising.
1) Seal 18 is leaking, OR
2) Seal 23 is leaking, OR
3) Seal 18 and 23 are leaking
IF: Secondary chamber fluid is seen
in closing chamber, seal 16 is leaking.

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Seal Testing (continued)

3. Test Seals 14, 27 (lower) and 29

a. Open closing chamber to atmosphere
b. Pressurize opening chamber to 1000 psi
c. Secondary chamber is at 0 pressure and
plugged (after application of opening
chamber pressure)
d. Well bore is empty
IF: Opening fluid is seen at closing
chamber, seal 14 is leaking.
IF: Opening fluid is seen in well bore or
coming from the relief valve.
1. Seal 27 (lower) is leaking, OR
2. Seal 29 is leaking, OR
3. Seal 27 (lower) and 29 are leaking.

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Seal Testing (continued)

4. Test seal 27 (upper)

a. Plug closing chamber
b. Open opening chamber to
atmosphere
c. Plug secondary chamber
d. Pressurize well bore to 1000 psi
(requires blind flange on top, as
packing unit is open)
IF: Well bore fluid is seen at opening
chamber, seal 27 (upper) is leaking.
5. Seals 2 and 3 are used primarily to
exclude external matter and are not
feasibly testable.

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Packing Unit Testing
• Reliable packing unit testing achieved by
measuring piston stroke.

• Maintain closing pressure during all seal-off

operations

• Begin test with recommended closing pressure

• Measure piston stroke through opening in the

head - Use 5/16 rod

• Maximum & minimum distance from top of head

to top of piston stamped in the head

• Record piston stroke

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Disassembly
• Vent all pressures
• Remove head (1)
• Release jaws (10) by rotating jaw
operating screw (4) counter clockwise
4 turns
• Remove pull-down bolt assemblies (32)
• Install three (2”- 4-1/2” NC) eyebolts
• Lift off head (1)
• Remove wear plate by removing 12 cap
screws
• Remove packing unit (35 & 36)
• Install two (5/8” 11 NC) eyebolts
• Lift out packing unit (11)
• Remove opening chamber head (24)
• Install three (7/8” 9 UNC) eyebolts
• Install triple-line sling
• Lift out head (24)
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Disassembly (continued)

• Remove piston (12)

• Install two piston
lifting devices
• Install two-line sling
• Lift piston (12)
Do not use air or gas
Low pressure
hydraulic pressure
(50 psi) may be used

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Disassembly (continued)

• Remove slotted body sleeve (20)

• Remove 14 cap screws (19)
• Lift out slotted body sleeve (20)

• Remove outer body sleeve (21)

• Install two (3/4”-10 NC) eye bolts
• Lift out sleeve (21)

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