Challenges for the Development of New Bop Generation

Abstract

Blowout preventer (BOP) is critical equipment during the exploration of O&G fields. It keeps the sealing between the well and the external environment and supports the blowouts from the well keeping the drilling safe. Current technology has been challenged to improve reliability, availability and safety specially when exploring new wells on deep and ultra-deep water. In the end, the development of new technologies applied for the BOP targets the overall cost reduction of the well lifecycle. The current weight and size of the BOPs are rulers for the size of the drilling platforms. The deeper the well, the higher the pressure and the bigger and heavier the equipment. This lead to the need of new platforms to operate in such range and increase of the exploration cost. Not to mention the problems with long hydraulic lines. New technologies should target reliability, weight and size reduction of BOPs. Current BOPs are a jigsaw of redundant equipment that might not make sense for future technology to be developed. However, only tested, proofed and reliable technology can be used in the final equipment. Nevertheless, radical changes in the current design of BOP will also trigger modifications on standards/regulations and procedures.