Blowout Preventer Actuation System

Abstract

A blowout preventer actuation system including at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer; a kinetic blowout preventer configured with an initiator; at least one sensor disposed on the kinetic blowout preventer and configured to monitor an internal pressure parameter therein; wherein the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and the kinetic blowout preventer are configured for: (a) simultaneous actuation if the internal pressure parameter is at or below a predefined level; or (b) actuation of only the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer if the internal pressure parameter is above the predefined level. A method for actuating a blowout preventer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blowout preventer actuation system, comprising:
 at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer;   a kinetic blowout preventer configured with an initiator;   at least one sensor disposed on the kinetic blowout preventer and configured to monitor an internal pressure parameter therein;   wherein the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and the kinetic blowout preventer are configured for:
 a) simultaneous actuation if the internal pressure parameter is at or below a predefined level; or 
 b) actuation of only the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer if the internal pressure parameter is above the predefined level. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface module configured for signal communication with the at least one sensor disposed on the kinetic blowout preventer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the interface module is configured to generate an actuation signal to actuate the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and/or the kinetic blowout preventer. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the interface module is configured to generate an actuation signal to actuate the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and/or the kinetic blowout preventer upon detection of at least one of an electrical signal, an acoustic signal, and a hydraulic signal. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface module configured to link with at least two of an electrical signal communication channel, an acoustic signal communication channel, and a hydraulic signal communication channel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the electrical signal communication channel comprises a cable. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the hydraulic signal communication channel comprises a hydraulic line. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the acoustic signal communication channel comprises a body of water. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump configured to supply the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer with pressurized hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is disposed on the kinetic blowout preventer to monitor an internal pressure parameter near the initiator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is disposed on the kinetic blowout preventer to monitor a pressure parameter in an internal passage in the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the kinetic blowout preventer is configured with a plurality of sensors disposed thereon to respectively monitor an internal pressure parameter. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface module configured to generate an actuation signal for the initiator in response to triggering by a remotely operated vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . A method for actuating a blowout preventer, comprising:
 disposing at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer at a site;   disposing a kinetic blowout preventer configured with an initiator at the site;   monitoring an internal pressure parameter in the kinetic blowout preventer with at least one sensor disposed thereon;   wherein the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and the kinetic blowout preventer are configured for:
 a) simultaneous actuation if the internal pressure parameter is at or below a predefined level; or 
 b) actuation of only the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer if the internal pressure parameter is above the predefined level. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using an interface module for signal communication with the at least one sensor disposed on the kinetic blowout preventer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the interface module is configured to generate an actuation signal to actuate the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and/or the kinetic blowout preventer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the interface module is configured to generate an actuation signal to actuate the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer and/or the kinetic blowout preventer upon detection of at least one of an electrical signal, an acoustic signal, and a hydraulic signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using an interface module to link with at least two of an electrical signal communication channel, an acoustic signal communication channel, and a hydraulic signal communication channel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using a pump to supply the at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer with pressurized hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the kinetic blowout preventer is configured with a plurality of sensors disposed thereon to respectively monitor an internal pressure parameter.