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Rotating BOP Sealing Element

  • What is the well control system on a drilling rig?
    What is the well control system on a drilling rig?
    Apr 16, 2025
    The well control system of a drilling rig is a crucial device to ensure the safety of drilling operations. The following provides a detailed introduction to its various components: Ⅰ.Blowout Preventer (BOP) Stack Ram Blowout Preventer Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as the housing, ram assembly, side doors, piston rods, and hydraulic cylinders. The housing is the main body of the ram blowout preventer, inside which components like the ram assembly are installed. The ram assembly includes full-open rams and half-open rams, which are key components for achieving wellhead sealing. The side doors are used for installing and removing the ram assembly. The piston rods connect the ram assembly and the hydraulic cylinders, transmitting hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic cylinders provide the power to move the rams. Working Principle: When it is necessary to close the wellhead, the hydraulic system injects high-pressure oil into the hydraulic cylinders, pushing the piston rods to drive the rams to move horizontally. The rams then squeeze each other at the center of the wellhead to achieve the sealing of the wellhead. The full-open rams completely seal the wellhead when there is no drill string in the wellhead. The half-open rams, according to the size of the drill string, grip the drill string and seal the annular space when there is a drill string in the wellhead. Characteristics: It has a reliable sealing performance and can withstand a relatively high wellhead pressure. It is easy to operate, acts quickly, and can be remotely controlled. It has various types and specifications, which can adapt to different drilling working conditions and drill string combinations. Annular Blowout Preventer Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as the annular blowout preventer element, piston, housing, and top cover. The annular packing element is the core component of the annular blowout preventer, usually made of elastic materials such as rubber and has an annular structure. The piston is located below the element and closely cooperates with it. The housing supports the element and the piston and connects to the wellhead. The top cover is used to fix the element and seal the upper space. Working Principle: When hydraulic oil enters the hydraulic cylinder below the piston, it pushes the piston to move upward. The piston squeezes the element, causing the element to elastically deform, thereby gripping the drill string or sealing the wellhead annular space. When it is necessary to open the wellhead, the hydraulic system releases the hydraulic pressure, and the element returns to its original shape under its own elastic force, and the wellhead is opened. Characteristics: It can adapt to drill strings of different sizes and shapes, including kelly bars, drill pipes, and drill collars. It has a good sealing performance and allows the drill string to move up and down and rotate to a certain extent. However, it cannot withstand high pressure for a long time, and the element is prone to wear and needs to be replaced regularly. Rotating Blowout Preventer Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as the rotating assembly, rotating blowout preventer sealing element, housing, bearings, and hydraulic control system. The rotating assembly includes components such as the rotating shaft, rotating head, and connecting flanges, which are the components for the rotation of the drill string. The sealing element is used to seal the annular space between the drill string and the wellhead. The housing supports the rotating assembly and the sealing element and connects to the wellhead. The bearings are installed between the rotating shaft and the housing to ensure the smooth rotation of the rotating assembly. The hydraulic control system is used to control the gripping and releasing of the sealing element. Working Principle: During the drilling process, the drill string is connected to the rotating blowout preventer through the rotating assembly. When it is necessary to control the wellhead pressure, the hydraulic system provides pressure to the sealing element, causing the element to grip the drill string and achieve wellhead sealing. At the same time, the rotating assembly, supported by the bearings, can rotate along with the drill string to ensure the normal progress of the drilling operation. Characteristics: It allows the drill string to rotate and move up and down under pressure, improving the drilling efficiency. It has a reliable sealing performance and can withstand a certain wellhead pressure. However, its structure is complex, and the maintenance requirements are relatively high. Ⅱ.Choke Manifold and Kill Manifold Choke Manifold Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as choke valves, flat valves, pipelines, pressure gauges, and thermometers. The choke valve is the core component of the choke manifold, used to regulate the flow rate and pressure of the drilling fluid. The flat valve is used to control the opening and closing of the pipeline. The pipelines connect all the components to form the flow channel of the drilling fluid. The pressure gauges and thermometers are used to monitor the pressure and temperature of the drilling fluid in the choke manifold. Working Principle: In well control operations, by adjusting the opening degree of the choke valve, the flow area of the drilling fluid is changed, thereby controlling the flow rate of the drilling fluid and the wellhead backpressure. When the wellhead pressure rises, the opening degree of the choke valve is reduced to increase the wellhead backpressure, causing the bottomhole pressure to rise and balance the formation pressure. When the wellhead pressure drops, the opening degree of the choke valve is increased to reduce the wellhead backpressure and prevent the bottomhole pressure from being too high, which may lead to lost circulation. Characteristics: The choke valve has good throttling performance and adjustment accuracy, which can precisely control the flow rate and pressure of the drilling fluid. The flat valve has a good sealing performance and can withstand a relatively high pressure. The choke manifold has a variety of connection methods and specifications and can be selected according to different drilling equipment and working conditions. Kill Manifold Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as a kill pump, check valve, safety valve, pipelines, and pressure gauges. The kill pump is the core equipment of the kill manifold, used to pump the kill fluid into the well. The check valve prevents the backflow of the kill fluid. The safety valve is used to protect the kill manifold and wellhead equipment and prevent the pressure from being too high. The pipelines connect all the components to form the conveying channel of the kill fluid. The pressure gauges are used to monitor the pressure in the kill manifold. Working Principle: In the event of a kick or blowout, first, the wellhead blowout preventer is closed, and then the kill pump is started to pump the prepared kill fluid into the well through the kill manifold. The kill fluid mixes with the formation fluid in the well and gradually balances the formation pressure to restore the pressure balance in the well. During the kill operation, by adjusting the displacement and pressure of the kill pump and observing the readings of the pressure gauges, the safety and effectiveness of the kill operation are ensured. Characteristics: The kill pump has sufficient displacement and pressure to quickly pump the kill fluid into the well. The check valve and safety valve ensure the safety and reliability of the kill manifold. The pipelines of the kill manifold usually use high-strength and corrosion-resistant materials, which can withstand high pressure and harsh working environments. Ⅲ.Well Control Instruments Drilling Fluid Tank Level Monitor Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as sensors, transmitters, and display instruments. The sensors are installed in the drilling fluid tank and are used to measure the liquid level height. The transmitters convert the signals measured by the sensors into standard electrical or pneumatic signals. The display instruments are installed in the operation room or control console of the drilling platform and are used to display the numerical value and change situation of the liquid level height. Working Principle: The sensors measure the liquid level height in the drilling fluid tank through principles such as buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and ultrasonic waves and transmit the measured signals to the transmitters. The transmitters convert the signals and then transmit them to the display instruments for display. When the liquid level height changes, the numerical value on the display instrument will also change accordingly. The operator can promptly determine whether abnormal situations such as kick or lost circulation occur in the well according to the rise and fall of the liquid level. Characteristics: It has high measurement accuracy and can accurately measure small changes in the liquid level height. It has a fast response speed and can promptly reflect the dynamic changes of the liquid level. It has a variety of measurement methods and signal output forms and can adapt to different structures of the drilling fluid tank and control systems. Standpipe Pressure Sensor Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as a pressure-sensitive element, signal conversion circuit, and housing. The pressure-sensitive element usually uses materials such as strain gauges and piezoelectric crystals and is used to sense the pressure of the drilling fluid in the standpipe. The signal conversion circuit converts the weak electrical signals generated by the pressure-sensitive element into standard electrical signals. The housing protects the pressure-sensitive element and the signal conversion circuit from interference and damage by the external environment. Working Principle: When the pressure of the drilling fluid in the standpipe acts on the pressure-sensitive element, the pressure-sensitive element deforms, causing changes in its parameters such as resistance or capacitance. The signal conversion circuit converts these parameter changes into electrical signals and transmits them to the instrument control system of the drilling platform through cables. The instrument control system processes and displays the received electrical signals. The operator can judge the change trend of the bottomhole pressure according to the change situation of the standpipe pressure and promptly adjust the drilling parameters and take well control measures. Characteristics: It has high measurement accuracy and can accurately reflect the changes in the pressure of the drilling fluid in the standpipe. It has good stability and can work stably for a long time in harsh working environments. It has good anti-interference ability and can avoid the influence of factors such as electromagnetic interference on the measurement results. Casing Pressure Sensor Structure: Similar to the standpipe pressure sensor, it is mainly composed of components such as a pressure-sensitive element, signal conversion circuit, and housing. The pressure-sensitive element is installed on the wellhead casing and directly senses the pressure in the casing. The signal conversion circuit converts the pressure signal into an electrical signal. The housing protects the pressure-sensitive element and the signal conversion circuit. Working Principle: When the pressure in the casing changes, the pressure-sensitive element senses the pressure change and generates corresponding electrical signal changes. The signal conversion circuit converts these changes into standard electrical signals and transmits them to the instrument control system of the drilling platform through cables. The instrument control system processes and displays the signals. The operator can judge the size of the wellhead backpressure and the relationship between the bottomhole pressure and the formation pressure according to the change situation of the casing pressure, providing an important basis for well control operations. Characteristics: It has high measurement accuracy and reliability and can accurately measure the pressure changes in the casing. It is easy to install and can be directly installed on the wellhead casing. It has good sealing performance to prevent the fluid in the casing from leaking. Ⅳ.Control System Hydraulic Control System Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as a hydraulic station, control pipelines, directional control valves, relief valves, and accumulators. The hydraulic station includes components such as an oil pump, motor, oil tank, and filter, which are used to provide hydraulic power. The control pipelines connect the hydraulic station with devices such as the blowout preventer stack, choke manifold, and kill manifold to transmit hydraulic oil. The directional control valves are used to control the flow direction of the hydraulic oil to achieve the action control of each device. The relief valves are used to regulate the system pressure and prevent the pressure from being too high. The accumulators are used to store hydraulic energy and provide additional power for the system in case of an emergency. Working Principle: The motor drives the oil pump to extract hydraulic oil from the oil tank, pressurizes it, and then transports it to each hydraulic device through the control pipelines. When it is necessary to control the action of a certain device, by operating the directional control valve, the flow direction of the hydraulic oil is changed, and the hydraulic oil enters the hydraulic cylinder of the corresponding device, pushing the piston to move and realizing the opening or closing of the device. The relief valve automatically adjusts the flow rate of the hydraulic oil according to the system pressure to maintain the system pressure stable. When the system pressure drops, the accumulator releases the stored hydraulic energy to supplement the system pressure and ensure the normal action of the device. Characteristics: The hydraulic control system has the advantages of fast response speed, high control accuracy, and large output force, and can quickly and accurately control the actions of the well control devices. It has good reliability and stability and can work stably for a long time in harsh working environments. Redundant design and safety protection measures are adopted, which improve the safety and fault tolerance of the system. Remote Control Console Structure: It is mainly composed of components such as the console body, display screen, operation buttons, control circuit, and power supply system. The console body is the core component of the remote control console, inside which the control circuit and various electronic components are installed. The display screen is used to display the status information of the well control devices, pressure data, etc. The operation buttons are used to remotely control the actions of the well control devices. The control circuit controls the actions of the hydraulic control system or other actuators according to the operation instructions of the operator. The power supply system provides power support for the remote control console and is usually equipped with a backup power supply, such as a battery pack. Working Principle: The operator issues control instructions by operating the buttons on the remote control console. The control circuit converts the instructions into electrical signals and transmits them to the hydraulic control system or other actuators through cables or wireless communication methods. The hydraulic control system controls the actions of the well control devices according to the received signals. At the same time, the status information and pressure data of the well control devices are collected by sensors and transmitted to the display screen of the remote control console for the operator to monitor in real time. In case of an emergency, the backup power supply is automatically put into use to ensure the normal operation of the remote control console. Characteristics: The remote control console realizes the remote operation and monitoring of the well control devices, improving the safety and convenience of well control operations. It has a good human-machine interaction interface, and the operation is simple and intuitive. It has the function of data recording and storage and can record and analyze the data during the well control operation process, providing a basis for subsequent accident investigation and handling.      
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  • What are the sealing elements of blowout preventers in the oil drilling industry?
    What are the sealing elements of blowout preventers in the oil drilling industry?
    Mar 05, 2025
    In the oil drilling industry, the blowout preventer sealing elements mainly include the following types: Ⅰ. Packing Elements of Annular Blowout Preventer There are two types of annular packing element. Annular Packing Element GK Type: It is conical in shape and generally composed of rubber and a metal framework. Under the action of the hydraulic control pressure oil, the piston moves upward. Restricted by the top cover, the annular packing element is squeezed towards the center of the wellbore under the action of the inner conical surface of the piston, thus sealing the annular space of the wellhead. When there is no drill string in the well, it can fully seal the wellhead. Annular Packing Element Spherical Type:It is hemispherical in shape and is composed of multiple bow-shaped rubber blocks combined with metal hemispherical blocks. When closing the well, the piston pushes the annular packing element to squeeze and deform towards the center of the wellbore to achieve sealing. It has better wear resistance and erosion resistance, and can adapt to higher pressures and harsher working conditions. Advantages of the Packing Elements of the Annular Blowout Preventer: Wide Sealing Range: When there are drill strings, tubing or casing in the well, it can seal various annular spaces of different sizes; when the well is empty, it can fully seal the wellhead. During operations such as drilling, milling, casing grinding, logging, and fishing for downhole lost objects, if there is overflow or blowout, it can seal the space formed between the kelly, cable, wire rope, and the tools for handling accidents and the wellhead. Simple Operation: Only by pushing the piston through hydraulic pressure to make the annular packing element move can the wellhead be closed and opened. The action is rapid, and it can respond quickly to seal the well in case of an emergency. Forcible Tripping and Running of Drill Pipe: With the cooperation of a pressure reducing and regulating valve or a small accumulator, it can perform the operation of forcibly tripping and running drill pipe tools on the 18° butt-welded pipe string joints without fine threads, which improves the flexibility of the operation to a certain extent. Soft Well Closing Function: In case of severe overflow or blowout, it can cooperate with the ram blowout preventer and the choke manifold to achieve soft well closing, which is beneficial to protecting the wellhead equipment and controlling the pressure in the well. Ⅱ. Sealing Elements of Ram Blowout Preventer Ram Rubber Core: It is usually installed on the ram of the ram blowout preventer, and the material is mostly rubber or a composite material of rubber and metal. There are full closing ram rubber cores and half closing ram rubber cores. The full closing ram rubber core is used to fully seal the wellhead when there is no drill pipe; the half closing ram rubber core is used to hold the drill pipe body and seal the annular space between the drill pipe and the wellhead. Advantages of the Sealing Elements of the Ram Blowout Preventer: High Pressure Bearing Capacity: It can withstand high wellhead pressures. Common ram blowout preventer rubber cores can withstand pressures of 35MPa, 70MPa or even higher, ensuring effective sealing under high-pressure working conditions. Good Wear Resistance: Due to frequent contact and friction with the drill pipe, the rubber core material has high wear resistance. For example, wear-resistant materials such as nitrile rubber are used, and wear-resistant fillers are added to extend the service life. Corrosion Resistance: The fluids in oil and gas wells contain corrosive media such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The rubber core material needs to have corrosion resistance. For example, rubbers with good corrosion resistance such as fluororubber are used, or surface anti-corrosion treatment is carried out. Ⅲ. Sealing Elements of Rotating Blowout Preventer Rotating BOP Sealing Element: It is the core sealing component of the rotating blowout preventer and is generally made of special rubber materials. It can achieve wellhead sealing when the drill string is rotating. The rotating bop sealing element is pressed by hydraulic drive to seal the wellhead, and the well sealing pressure can be automatically compensated according to the well pressure. Good Wear Resistance: The rotating bop sealing element needs to be in frequent contact and friction with the rotating and moving up and down drill string. Therefore, rubber materials with good wear resistance, such as nitrile rubber (NBR) or hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), etc., should be used. High Pressure Resistance: It can withstand a certain wellhead pressure to ensure effective sealing during the operation under pressure and prevent the fluid in the well from spraying out. Temperature and Corrosion Resistance: The fluids in the oil and gas well environment may have characteristics such as high temperature and corrosion. The rotating bop sealing element material should have temperature and corrosion resistance to adapt to different working environments. Ⅳ. To select suitable blowout preventer sealing elements for the oil drilling industry, multiple factors need to be comprehensively considered. The following are the specific selection points: 1.Drilling Working Conditions Pressure and Temperature: Accurately understand the maximum pressure and temperature range that may be encountered during the drilling operation. Different sealing elements have different temperature and pressure resistance performances. For example, in high-temperature and high-pressure wells, fluororubber or metal sealing elements may be more suitable because fluororubber can maintain good sealing performance at relatively high temperatures (up to about 200°C) and high pressures, and metal sealing elements can withstand higher pressures and temperatures; while in low-temperature and low-pressure environments, nitrile rubber sealing elements may be able to meet the requirements. Properties of Drilling Fluid: Determine the type of drilling fluid (such as oil-based drilling fluid, water-based drilling fluid, synthetic-based drilling fluid, etc.), the pH value, as well as the additives and impurities contained in it. Oil-based drilling fluids have higher requirements for the oil resistance of the sealing elements, and nitrile rubber has good resistance to oils; if the drilling fluid is strongly acidic or alkaline, sealing element materials with good chemical corrosion resistance need to be selected, such as fluororubber or some special composite materials. Wellbore Size and Drill String Type: Select suitable sealing elements according to the diameter of the wellbore and the size and type of the drill string (such as drill pipe, drill collar, casing, etc.) used. Different wellbore sizes and drill string combinations require the sealing elements to have corresponding sizes and shapes to ensure a good sealing effect. For example, the annular packing element spherical type has good adaptability to different sizes of drill strings, while the ram rubber core of the ram blowout preventer needs to be selected according to the specific size of the drill string. 2.Performance Characteristics of Sealing Element Sealing Performance: This is the key factor in selecting sealing elements. Consider the sealing reliability of the sealing elements under different working conditions, such as static and dynamic sealing performances. For example, the sealing elements of the rotating blowout preventer need to have good dynamic sealing performance and be able to effectively prevent the fluid in the well from leaking when the drill string is rotating; while the sealing elements of the annular blowout preventer need to be able to achieve reliable sealing in various drill string states (with drill string, without drill string).    Wear Resistance: During the drilling process, the sealing elements will rub against the drill string and drilling fluid, so they need to have good wear resistance. Composite material sealing elements containing reinforcing fibers or particles, or rubber sealing elements with special surface treatment, usually have better wear resistance and can extend the service life.    Elasticity and Recovery: The sealing elements should have good elasticity so that they can quickly return to their original shape after being subjected to pressure and friction to maintain the sealing performance. Rubber sealing elements usually have good elasticity, but different types of rubber also have different elasticities and recovery abilities, and need to be selected according to specific working conditions. 3.Type and Structure of Blowout Preventer Annular Blowout Preventer: For the annular blowout preventer, the Annular Packing Element GK Type and the Annular Packing Element Spherical Type are common sealing elements. The Annular Packing Element GK Type is suitable for general working conditions and has a relatively low cost; the Annular Packing Element Spherical Type has better sealing performance and adaptability to different drill strings, and is suitable for more complex working conditions, but the cost is higher. When selecting, it is necessary to decide according to the specific requirements and budget of the drilling operation. Ram Blowout Preventer: The selection of the ram rubber core should be determined according to the size of the drill string and the wellbore conditions, and the full closing ram rubber core and the half closing ram rubber core should be correctly selected. Rotating Blowout Preventer: The material and structural design of the rotating BOP sealing element have a great influence on its performance, and it is necessary to select products with good rotating sealing performance and durability. 4.Quality and Reliability Quality Certification and Standards: Ensure that the sealing elements meet relevant industry standards and specifications, such as API (American Petroleum Institute) standards, etc. Products with quality certification are more reliable in terms of performance and safety and can meet the strict requirements of the oil drilling industry. 5.Maintenance and Replacement Costs Service Life: The service life of the sealing elements directly affects the maintenance and replacement costs. Selecting sealing elements with a long service life can reduce the replacement frequency, reduce the downtime and maintenance costs. However, it is also necessary to comprehensively consider its initial purchase cost and conduct an economic analysis. Maintainability: Consider the ease of installation, disassembly, and replacement of the sealing elements. Some sealing elements are designed for easy maintenance and replacement, which can improve work efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. At the same time, consider the universality of the sealing elements so that spare parts can be conveniently obtained when needed. Ⅴ. In the oil drilling industry, various factors will affect the service life of the sealing elements. The following is a specific introduction: 1.Working Environment Factors Pressure: Excessive pressure will make the sealing elements bear a large load, resulting in deformation, wear, or even cracking. In a high-pressure environment, the friction force between the sealing elements and the sealing surface increases, accelerating the wear of the sealing elements and shortening their service life. For example, when the pressure in the well exceeds the designed bearing pressure of the sealing elements, the rubber part of the sealing elements may be extruded or torn. Temperature: Temperature has a significant impact on the performance of the sealing elements. High temperatures will accelerate the aging of rubber sealing elements, making them hard and brittle, and reducing their elasticity and sealing performance; low temperatures may cause the rubber sealing elements to lose their elasticity and become stiff, unable to seal effectively. For example, fluororubber sealing elements have good performance in high-temperature environments, but they may harden in low-temperature environments. Chemical Media: Various chemical substances contained in the drilling fluid, such as acids, alkalis, salts, oils, etc., will corrode the sealing elements. Different materials of the sealing elements have different tolerances to chemical media. For example, nitrile rubber has good tolerance to oils, but it is easily corroded in a strong acid and alkali environment; while fluororubber has better chemical corrosion resistance. Particle Impurities: Solid particle impurities carried in the drilling fluid, such as cuttings, sand grains, etc., will scour and wear the surface of the sealing elements during the flow process. These particle impurities will scratch the surface of the sealing elements, damage their sealing performance, lead to leakage, and thus shorten the service life of the sealing elements. 2.Factors of the Sealing Elements Themselves Material Quality: The material quality of the sealing elements directly determines their performance and service life. High-quality materials have better elasticity, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance. For example, sealing elements made of high-quality rubber materials have better elasticity and aging resistance and can maintain good sealing performance for a long time in harsh working environments. Structural Design: A reasonable structural design can make the sealing elements better adapt to the working environment and reduce stress concentration and wear. For example, the shape, size of the sealing elements, and the design of the sealing lips will all affect their sealing performance and service life. A reasonably designed sealing element can evenly distribute the pressure during operation and reduce local wear. Manufacturing Process: The quality of the manufacturing process will affect the precision and quality of the sealing elements. A precise manufacturing process can ensure the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the sealing elements and reduce internal defects and stress concentration. For example, rubber sealing elements manufactured by advanced molding processes have a more uniform internal structure and more reliable quality. 3.Maintenance and Repair Factors Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the sealing elements, and promptly discover and deal with problems such as wear, aging, and damage of the sealing elements, which can extend their service life. If the inspection is not carried out regularly, small problems of the sealing elements may gradually develop into major problems, leading to sealing failure. Storage Conditions: The sealing element should be placed in a dry and dark room with a constant temperature throughout the year (below 27°C) and should never be exposed to the wind, sun, and rain outdoors. The sealing element should be kept away from electrical equipment that generates arcs, such as motors and electric welders, to prevent ozone corrosion. The sealing element should be placed flat individually and should not be squeezed or stacked. Bending, extrusion, and hanging are strictly prohibited. During the inspection, if it is found that the sealing element is brittle, cracked, bent, or has cracks, it should no longer be used.
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