A system and method for shutting in a wellbore in the event that primary blow-out preventer (BOP) system fails. The system comprises a smart-BOP shear ram system that operates independently and autonomously from the primary BOP system and that includes a pneumatically actuated shear ram installed on top of the primary BOP preventers. A dedicated control system and pneumatic pump are encased inside one or more explosion proof boxes. The control system detects primary BOP failure using sensors located above and below the primary BOP shear ram and actuates the smart-BOP shear ram accordingly. The control system is configured such that, activation of the primary BOP stack automatically activates the smart-BOP shear ram system and the control unit assumes autonomous control over operation of the smart-BOP shear ram until the control unit confirms that a complete seal has been made against the wellbore fluids.

A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.

A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.

Systems and methods for initiating an emergency disconnect sequence (EDS) are provided. In an aspect, a disconnection system is provided and configured to initiate the EDS, and includes a controller including a processor and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The controller receives, from a set of motion reference units (MRU(s)) operably coupled to a flexible joint, position data generated by the set of motion references units and associated with the joint when the joint is operably coupled to and disposed between a drilling riser and a lower marine riser package (LMRP). The controller determines, based on the position data, an angular offset of the joint. The controller sends, to a subsea control pod disposed at or adjacent to the LMRP, a trigger signal in response to determining that the angular offset exceeds a predetermined threshold, such that the subsea control pod initiates the EDS.

Systems and methods for initiating an emergency disconnect sequence (EDS) are provided. In an aspect, a disconnection system is provided and configured to initiate the EDS, and includes a controller including a processor and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The controller receives, from a set of motion reference units (MRU(s)) operably coupled to a flexible joint, position data generated by the set of motion references units and associated with the joint when the joint is operably coupled to and disposed between a drilling riser and a lower marine riser package (LMRP). The controller determines, based on the position data, an angular offset of the joint. The controller sends, to a subsea control pod disposed at or adjacent to the LMRP, a trigger signal in response to determining that the angular offset exceeds a predetermined threshold, such that the subsea control pod initiates the EDS.

Systems and processes for subsea marine managed pressure operations. One system includes a modified riser joint configured to fluidly connect inline with one or more riser joints. The modified riser joint and the one or more riser joints are connected to form a riser connecting a floating vessel with a wellhead. The system further includes a subsea pressure management sub-system configured to be operatively and fluidly connected to the modified riser joint at a subsea location.

Systems and processes for subsea marine managed pressure operations. One system includes a modified riser joint configured to fluidly connect inline with one or more riser joints. The modified riser joint and the one or more riser joints are connected to form a riser connecting a floating vessel with a wellhead. The system further includes a subsea pressure management sub-system configured to be operatively and fluidly connected to the modified riser joint at a subsea location.

A system for tethering a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) or well head is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system comprises an interface associable with the BOP, and more than one anchors disposed about the BOP. Each anchor is configured to carry or support a tensioning system arranged in operable association with a respective tether. Each tether is arranged so as to link a respective anchor with a respective operable means associated with the BOP. Furthermore, each of the respective operable means are configured in operable association with the interface such that tension in the tethers can be adjustable either individually or together as a group of two or more tethers, by way of the interface.

A control system automatically operates a subsea well control device on detecting that a load in an Intervention Riser System (IRS) coupled to the subsea well control device has reached a threshold. The control system has a first control unit to detect that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold and a second control unit triggering actuation of the subsea well control device. The first control unit is in communication with the second control unit and issues an activation command to the second control unit to cause it to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device. The first control unit automatically issues the activation command to the second control unit upon detecting that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold, to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device prior to structural failure of an IRS.

A control system for automatically operating a well control device located in a subsea blow-out preventer (BOP), has a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit is connected to the second control unit and issues an activation command to the second control unit to cause it to trigger actuation of the well control device, and the first control unit is configured to automatically issue the activation command to the second control unit on detecting issue of the signal indicative of a requirement to trigger actuation of the subsea BOP shear mechanism.