Automated Bop Control and Test System

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing a blowout preventer which includes a plurality of safety devices and an assembly of fluid control valves that are remotely actuatable to an open and closed position for controlling flow of drilling fluids into a well includes a hydraulic power unit control station for remotely and selectively actuating one or more safety devices and fluid control valves to a test orientation. A hydrostatic test system supplies fluid under first and second test pressure and documents any pressure loss due to fluid leaks within a closed system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of conducting a pressure test for a blowout preventer which includes a plurality of safety devices operated by hydraulic pressure and for an assembly of fluid control valves and conduits for directing pressurized drilling fluid into or out of a wellbore, the fluid control valves being remotely actuated to an open or closed position comprising;
 a) determining a test plan for testing isolated portions of the blowout preventer and fluid control valves and conduits,   b) causing pressurized fluid from a hydraulic power unit to align one or more of the safety devices within the blowout preventer,   c) remotely actuating the fluid control valves to an open or closed position according to the test plan, and   d) applying a first fluid test pressure to the blowout preventer and to the assembly of fluid control valves and conduits via a hydraulic test system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of applying a second fluid test pressure to the blowout preventer and assembly of fluid control valve and conduits. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  including the step of selecting one or more different safety devices according to the test plan and selecting one or more different fluid control valves to close and causing pressurized fluid to operate the one or more safety devices and to close the one or more different fluid control valves according to the test plan. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulic power unit supplies pressurized fluid to the blowout preventer for operating the safety devices in the event of an emergency and also provides pressurized fluid for remotely controlling the fluid control valves to an open or closed position, during a test procedure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further compressing the step of providing a hydraulic power unit remote control station for controlling the hydraulic power unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising sensing the condition of the fluid control valves and sending this information about the condition to the hydraulic unit remote control station. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing a hydraulic power unit local control station. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for testing a blowout preventer having a plurality of safety devices and an assembly of fluid control valves and conduits for directing drilling fluid into a well comprising;
 a) a hydraulic power unit for operating one or more of the safety devices in the blowout preventer in the event of an emergency,   b) a hydrostatic test system for pressurizing one or more safety devices and the assembly of fluid control valves to a first test pressure,   c) the fluid control valves adapted to be remotely controlled to an on and off state, and a hydraulic power control unit coupled to the hydraulic power unit to remotely and to selectively control the safety devices in the blowout preventer and the state of the fluid control valves during a test cycle.   
     
     
         9 . Apparatus for testing a blowout preventer as claimed in  claim 8  further including a communications link between the hydraulic power unit and the hydraulic power unit control station for selectively actuating the safety devices and closing the valves to an off condition in accordance with a test plan. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the hydrostatic test system is also controlled by the hydraulic power unit control station. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the hydrostatic test system is adapted to supply fluid under a first test pressure and a second test pressure to the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the blowout preventer is in fluid communication with the assembly of fluid valves and conduits. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the fluid control valves are electrically operated from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the fluid control valves are hydraulically or pneumatically opened from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluid control valves are actuated electrically. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fluid control valves are actuated hydraulically or pneumatically.