Reduced mechanical energy well control systems and methods of use

Abstract

There is provided systems, methods and apparatus for the use of directed energy, including high power laser energy, in conjunction with mechanical shearing, sealing and closing devices to provide reduced mechanical energy well control systems and techniques.

Claims

1. A well control system having a reduced potential mechanical energy requirement, the system comprising: a. a body defining a pressure containment cavity, wherein the body comprises a blowout preventer; b. a mechanical device associated with the pressure containment cavity, wherein the mechanical device comprises a ram; c. a source of directed energy, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser, has a power greater than about 1 kW; and, has the capability to deliver a directed energy to a location within the pressure containment cavity, the directed energy having a first amount of energy having a power great than about 1 kW; and, d. a source of potential mechanical energy associated with the mechanical device, and capable of delivering mechanical energy to a location within the pressure containment cavity, the source of potential energy having a potential energy having a second amount of energy; e. wherein, the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 5% of the second amount of energy.

2. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical device comprises a shear ram.

3. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the ram is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

4. The well control system of claim 1, comprising a a riser and a blowout preventer stack.

5. The well control system of claim 4, wherein the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a fixed pipe ram, a variable pipe ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

6. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator.

7. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a plurality of charged accumulators.

8. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator bank.

9. The well control system of claim 6, wherein the charged accumulator has a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi.

10. The well control system of claim 6, wherein the charged accumulator has a pressure of at least about 3,000 psi.

11. The well control system of claim 6, wherein the charged accumulator has a pressure of at least about 5,000 psi.

12. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 10 kW.

13. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 15 kW.

14. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 20 kW.

15. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 40 kW.

16. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least about 150 kJ.

17. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least about 600 kJ.

18. The well control system of claim 12, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a ram, a blind shear ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

19. The well control system of claim 14, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

20. The well control system of claim 15, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a pipe ram, a ram and a casing shear ram.

21. The well control system of claim 16, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

22. The well control system of claim 17, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

23. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is greater than the second amount of energy energy.

24. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 25% of the second amount of energy.

25. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 50% of the second amount of energy.

26. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 100% of the second amount of energy.

27. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is greater than the second amount of energy.

28. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 25% of the second amount of energy.

29. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 50% of the second amount of energy.

30. The well control system of claim 1, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 100% of the second amount of energy.

31. The well control system of claim 5, wherein the first amount of energy is greater than the second amount of energy.

32. The well control system of claim 5, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 25% of the second amount of energy.

33. The well control system of claim 5, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 50% of the second amount of energy.

34. The well control system of claim 5, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 100% of the second amount of energy.

35. The well control system of claim 2, wherein the first amount of energy is greater than the second amount of energy.

36. The well control system of claim 4, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 25% of the second amount of energy.

37. The well control system of claim 9, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 50% of the second amount of energy.

38. The well control system of claim 12, wherein the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 100% of the second amount of energy.

39. A well control system having a reduced potential mechanical energy requirement, the system comprising: a. a body defining a pressure containment cavity, wherein the body comprises a blowout preventer; b. a mechanical device associated with the pressure containment cavity, wherein the mechanical device comprises a ram; c. a source of directed energy, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser, has a power of at least about 1 kW; and, has the capability to deliver a directed energy to a location associated with the pressure containment cavity, the directed energy having a first power of at least about 1 kW; and, d. a source of potential mechanical energy associated with the mechanical device, and capable of delivering mechanical energy to a location within the pressure containment cavity, the source of potential energy having a potential energy having a second power; e. wherein, the first power is at least as great as about 5% of the second power.

40. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the ram is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

41. The well control system of claim 39, comprising a riser and a blowout preventer stack.

42. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a bank of charged accumulators.

43. The well control system of claim 42, wherein the charged accumulators has a pressure of at least about 3,000 psi.

44. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 10 kW.

45. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 20 kW.

46. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the first amount of energy is at least about 150 kJ.

47. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the first amount of energy is at least about 600 kJ.

48. The well control system of claim 44, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a ram, a blind shear ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

49. The well control system of claim 46, wherein the well control systems comprises a high power laser system; the body comprises a blowout preventer; the source of potential mechanical energy comprises a charged accumulator, having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi; and the mechanical device is selected from the group consisting of a blind ram, a shear ram, a blind shear ram, a ram, a pipe ram and a casing shear ram.

50. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the first power is greater than the second power.

51. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 25% of the second power.

52. The well control system of claim 39, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 100% of the second power.

53. The well control system of claim 40, wherein the first power is greater than the second power.

54. The well control system of claim 40, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 25% of the second power.

55. The well control system of claim 44, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 50% of the second power.

56. The well control system of claim 44, wherein the first power is greater than the second power.

57. The well control system of claim 47, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 25% of the second power.

58. The well control system of claim 47, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 100% of the second power.

59. The well control system of claim 47, wherein the first power is greater than the second power.

60. The well control system of claim 48, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 25% of the second power.

61. The well control system of claim 48, wherein the first power is at least as great as about 50% of the second power.

62. A well control system having a reduced potential mechanical energy requirement, the system comprising: a. a high power laser system; b. a riser; c. a blowout preventer stack; d. the blowout preventer stack defining a cavity; e. a mechanical device for sealing a well associated with the cavity; f. a source of directed energy, wherein the source of directed energy is a high power laser, has a power of at least about 1 kW, and has the capability to deliver a directed energy to a location associated with the cavity, the directed energy having a first amount of energy of at least about 1 kW; and, g. a source of potential mechanical energy associated with the mechanical device, and capable of delivering mechanical energy to a location associated with the cavity, the source of potential energy having a potential energy having a second amount of energy energy; h. wherein, the first amount of energy is at least as great as about 5% of the second amount of energy, and i. wherein, the source of directed energy and the source of potential mechanical energy are within the cavity of the blowout preventer stack.

63. The well control system of claim 62, wherein in the source of directed energy is a high power laser have a power of at least about 15 kW, and the source of potential energy is a charged bank of accumulators having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi.

64. The well control system of claim 62, wherein in the source of directed energy is a high power laser of at least about 20 kW.

65. The well control system of claim 62, wherein the source of potential energy is a charged bank of accumulators having a pressure of at least about 1,000 psi.

66. A constant energy depth independent well control system, the system comprising: a. a device for delivering directed energy subsea, the directed energy having a power of at least about 1 kW; b. a device for delivering mechanical energy associated with a potential energy source having an amount of potential energy; and, c. the device for delivering directed energy subsea compensatively associated with the device for delivering mechanical energy, whereby the delivery of the directed energy compensates for losses in potential energy; d. a high power laser, a riser and a blowout preventer stack, e. wherein the device for delivering directed energy and the device for delivering mechanical energy are located within a cavity in the blowout preventer stack.

67. The well control system of claim 66, wherein the losses of potential energy arise from the potential energy source being positioned under a surface of a body of water at a depth.

68. The well control system of claim 67, wherein the depth is at least about 5,000 ft.

69. The well control system of claim 66, wherein the source of potential energy comprises a bank of charged accumulators.

70. A laser BOP comprising: a. a first and a second ram block; b. the first ram block of the laser BOP having within a first and a second laser device, the first laser device defining a first laser beam path for delivery of a laser beam, the second laser device defining a second beam path for delivery of a laser beam; c. the second ram block of the laser BOP having within a third and a fourth laser device, the third laser device defining a third laser beam path for delivery of a laser beam, the fourth laser device defining a fourth laser beam path for delivery of a laser beam; and, d. the ram blocks associated with an actuator center line; e. whereby the laser beam paths define beam path angles with respect to the actuator center line; and wherein the laser beam has a power of at least about 5 kW; and f. wherein the laser is for damaging or cutting a tubular within the laser BOP.

71. A laser BOP comprising: a. a first ram block; b. the first ram block of the laser BOP having within a first and a second laser device, the first laser device defining a first laser beam path for delivery of a laser beam, the second laser device defining a second beam path for delivery of a laser beam; and, c. the ram block associated with an actuator center line; d. whereby the laser beam paths define beam path angles with respect to the actuator center line; and wherein the laser beam has a power of at least about 5 kW; and e. wherein the laser is for damaging or cutting a tubular within the laser BOP.

72. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angle for the first laser beam path is 900.

73. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angle for the first laser beam path is greater than 90°.

74. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angle for the first laser beam path is less than 90°.

75. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angles for the first and second beam paths are greater than 90°.

76. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angles for the first and second beam paths are less than 90°.

77. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angles for the first and second beam paths are about the same angle.

78. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the beam path angles for the first and second beam paths are different angles.

79. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the first laser beam has a power of at least about 10 kW.

80. The laser BOP of claim 71, wherein the first and second laser beams each have a power of at least about 10 kW.

81. The laser BOP of claim 71, comprising: a. a second ram block; b. the second ram block having a third and a fourth laser device, the third laser device defining a third laser beam path for delivery of a laser beam, the fourth laser device defining a fourth beam path for delivery of a laser beam; and, c. the second ram block associated with the actuator center line; d. whereby the third and fourth laser beam paths define beam path angles with respect to the actuator center line.

82. A method of severing a tubular in a BOP cavity, comprising: a. delivering directed energy, having a power of at least about 5 kW, to a predetermined location on a tubular positioned in a cavity of a BOP; b. the directed energy damaging the tubular in a predetermined pattern; and, c. applying a mechanical force to the tubular in association with the damage pattern, whereby the tubular is severed, d. wherein the directed energy is a high power laser beam having at least about 5 kW of power, and having a focal length, wherein the damage pattern is a slot having a length and a varying width, whereby the width varies proportionally to the focal length of the laser beam, e. wherein a source of the directed energy is within the BOP cavity.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the directed energy is a high power laser beam.

84. The method of claim 82, wherein the directed energy is a high power laser beam having at least 10 kW of power.

85. The method of claim 82, wherein the predetermined damage pattern is a slot.

86. The method of claim 82, wherein the predetermined damage pattern is a slot having a length and a varying width.

87. A method for closing a well comprising: a. a step for delivering a high power laser beam, having a power greater than about 1 kW, to a tubular in a cavity in a BOP, wherein the high power laser beam is within the cavity of the BOP; b. a step for removing material from the tubular with the delivered high power laser beam; c. a step for applying a mechanical force to the tubular, wherein the mechanical force is provided by a ram; and, d. the step for mechanically closing the well.

88. A laser ram BOP comprising: a. a means for providing a high power laser beam to a BOP stack, the BOP stack defining a cavity, wherein the means for providing a high power laser beam is within the cavity of the BOP; b. a means for directing the high power laser beam, having a power greater than 1 kW, to a tubular within the BOP cavity; and, c. a means for applying a mechanical force to the tubular, wherein the mechanical force is provided by a ram.

89. The laser ram BOP of claim 88, wherein the means for providing a high power laser beam comprises a battery powered 10 kW laser located subsea adjacent to the BOP stack.

90. The laser ram BOP of claim 88, wherein the means for directing the high power laser beam comprises a pressure compensated fluid laser jet.

91. The laser ram BOP of claim 90, wherein the pressure compensated fluid laser jet comprises a means for pressure compensation.

92. A BOP package comprising: a. a lower marine rise package; b. a lower BOP stack; c. a connector releasable connecting the lower marine riser package and the lower BOP stack; and, d. the connector comprising a high power directed energy delivery device, having a power greater than 1 kW, wherein the high power directed energy delivery device is within the connector, e. wherein the high power energy deliver device comprises a high power laser beam delivery device capable of delivering a high power laser beam having a power of at least about 5 kW.

93. The BOP of claim 92, wherein the connector is capable of being released at an angle, defined by a position of a rig associated with the BOP stack with respect to a vertical line from the BOP stack, that is greater than about 5°.

94. The BOP of claim 93, wherein the releasable angle is greater than about 6°.

95. The BOP of claim 93, wherein the releasable angle is greater than about 7°.

96. The BOP of claim 93, wherein the releasable angle is greater than about 10°.

97. The well control system of claim 6, wherein the charged accumulator has a pressure of at least about 7,500 psi.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a laser BOP stack in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a laser BOP stack in accordance with the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a laser BOP stack in accordance with the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of a pipe being sheared.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of a pipe being sheared in accordance with the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic showing an embodiment of a pipe being sheared in accordance with the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a chart providing computer simulation modeling data for the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an accumulator system in accordance with the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic of an embodiment of a laser shear ram in accordance with the present invention.

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laser shear ram in accordance with the present invention.

(12) FIG. 10A is a perspective view of components of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 10B is a perspective view of components of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 11 is a illustration of an embodiment of laser beam path and laser beam positioning in accordance with the present invention.

(15) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot in a tubular in accordance with the present invention.

(16) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot in a tubular in accordance with the present invention.

(17) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot in a tubular in accordance with the present invention.

(18) FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot in a tubular in accordance with the present invention.

(19) FIG. 15B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot in a tubular in accordance with the present invention.

(20) FIG. 16A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a slot position relative to laser rams in accordance with the present invention.

(21) FIG. 16B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot position relative to laser rams in accordance with the present invention.

(22) FIG. 17A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a slot position relative to laser rams in accordance with the present invention.

(23) FIG. 17B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot position relative to laser rams in accordance with the present invention.

(24) FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a laser delivery assembly in an embodiment of a laser ram shear in accordance with the present invention.

(25) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a riser section in accordance with the present invention.

(26) FIG. 20 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a laser fluid jet assembly in accordance with the present invention.

(27) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a slot in accordance with the present invention.

(28) FIG. 22 is an embodiment of a slot in accordance with the present invention.

(29) FIG. 23 is a schematic of a LMRP connector ESD (Emergency System Disconnect) in accordance with the present invention.

(30) FIG. 23A is an illustration of rig position for an LMRP connector ESD in accordance with the present invention.

(31) FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the LMRP connector of the embodiment of FIG. 23.

(32) FIG. 24A is a cross sectional view of components of the embodiment of FIG. 24 is an unlocked position.

(33) FIG. 24B is a cross sectional view of components of the embodiment of FIG. 24 in a locked position.

(34) FIG. 25A is a face on illustration of an embodiment of a laser ram block in accordance with the present invention.

(35) FIG. 25B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 25A.

(36) FIG. 26 is perspective view of embodiments of positions and paths for the topside location and placement of the high power laser optical fiber cable in accordance with the present invention.

(37) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of embodiments of positions and paths for the subsea location and placement of the high power optical fiber cable in accordance with the present invention.

(38) FIG. 28 is a perspective cutaway view of an embodiment of a laser annular preventer.

(39) FIG. 29 is a cross sectional schematic view of an embodiment of a laser annular preventer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(40) The present inventions relate to the delivery and utilization of high power directed energy in well control systems and particularly to systems, methods and structures for utilizing high power directed energy, in conjunction with devices, that deliver mechanical energy, such as, for example, BOPs, BOP stacks, BOP-riser packages, ram assemblies, trees, sub-sea trees, and test trees.

(41) Generally, well control systems and methods utilize various mechanical devices and techniques to control, manage and assure the proper flow of hydrocarbons, such as oil and natural gas, into a well and to the surface where the hydrocarbons may be collected, transported, processed and combinations and variations of these. Such systems perform many and varied activities. For example, and generally, one such application is the mechanical shutting in, shutting off, or otherwise closing, or partially closing, of a well to prevent, mitigate, or manage a leak, blowout, kick, or such type of uncontrolled, unanticipated, emergency, or in need of control, event. Thus, for example, a BOP, may be used to mechanically close a well; and in the process of closing the well, to the extent necessary, sever any tubulars that may be blocking, or would otherwise interfere with the closing of the mechanical devices, e.g., rams, used to close and seal the well. In other situations, such as a tree, there may be a valve that is closed to shut the well off. This valve is intended to upon closing, sever or cut an object, such a wireline, that may be present.

(42) Generally, in such situations where the well is being closed, the associated well control devices are intended to close the well quickly and under any, and all, conditions. As exploration and product of hydrocarbons moves to more and more difficult to access locations, and in particular moves to deeper and deeper water depths, e.g., 1,000 ft, 5,000 ft, 10,000 ft, and deeper, the demands on BOPs and other such well control devices has become ever and ever more arduous.

(43) At such depths the increased pressure from the water column reduces the capabilities of the potential energy storage devices, e.g., the accumulators, by reducing the amount of potential energy that can be stored by those devices. Similarly, as depth increases, the temperature of the water decreases, again reducing the amount of potential energy that can be stored by those devices. On the other hand, as depth increases, the strength, size and ductility, of the tubulars used for drilling increases, requiring greater potential energy, mechanical energy and force to assure that any, and all, tubulars present in the BOP will be cut, and not interfere with the closing off of the well.

(44) Prior to the present inventions, to address these demands, e.g., the reduced ability to store potential energy and the increased need for greater mechanical energy, on BOPs and other similar devices, the art generally has taken a brute force approach to this problem. Thus, and in general, the size, weight, potential energy holding capabilities, and mechanical energy delivery capabilities, of such devices has been ever increasing. For example, current and planned BOP stacks can be over 60 feet tall, weigh over 350 tons, and have over one hundred accumulators, having sufficient potential energy when fully charged, to exert about 1.9 million pounds, about 2.0 million pounds, or more, of shear force at sea level.

(45) Embodiments of the present inventions, in part, utilize directed energy to replace, reduce, compensate for, augment, and variations and combinations of these, potential energy requirements, mechanical power requirements, mechanical energy requirements, and shear force requirements of well control systems, such as BOPs. Thus, by using directed energy, to replace, reduce, compensate for, augment, and variations and combinations of these, mechanical energy, many benefits and advantages may be realized.

(46) For example, among other things: smaller weight and size BOPs may be developed that have the same performance capabilities as much larger units; greater water depths of operation may be achieved without the expected increase in size, potential energy requirements and mechanical energy capabilities; in general, less potential energy may be required to be stored on the BOP to have the same efficacy, e.g., ability to cut and seal the well under various conditions; and, in general, less mechanical energy, and shear force, may be required to be delivered by the BOP to have the same efficacy, e.g., ability to cut and seal the well under various conditions.

(47) These and other benefits from utilizing directed energy and the substation, augmentation, and general relationship of, directed energy to mechanical energy, including potential mechanical energy, will be recognized by those of skill in the art based upon the teachings and disclosure of this specification; and come within the scope of protection of the present inventions.

(48) Thus, and in general, embodiments of the present systems and methods involve the application of directed energy and mechanical energy to structures, e.g., a tubular, a drill pipe, in a well control device, e.g., a BOP, a test-tree, and to close off the well associated with the well control device. For example, the directed energy may be applied to the structure in a manner to weaken, damage, cut, or otherwise destroy a part or all of the structure at a predetermined location, manner, position, and combinations and variations of these. A mechanical energy may be applied by a mechanical device having an amount of potential energy associated with the device, e.g., charged accumulators having over 5,000 psi pressure in association with a blind shear ram BOP, to force through what might remain of the structure and force the mechanical device into a sealing relationship with the well bore.

(49) The directed energy and mechanical forces are preferably applied in the manner set forth in this specification, and by way of example, may be applied as taught and disclosed in US patent applications: Ser. No. 13/034,175; Ser. No. 13/034,183; Ser. No. 13/034,017; and, Ser. No. 13/034,037, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(50) As used herein “directed energy” would include, for example, optical laser energy, non-optical laser energy, microwaves, sound waves, plasma, electric arcs, flame, flame jets, explosive blasts, exploded shaped charges, steam, neutral particle beam, or any beam, and combinations and variations of the foregoing, as well as, water jets and other forms of energy that are not “mechanical energy” as defined in these specifications. (Although a water jet, and some others, e.g., shaped charge explosions, and steam, may be viewed as having a mechanical interaction with the structure, for the purpose of this specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, will be characterized amongst the group of directed energies, based upon the following specific definition of mechanical energy). “Mechanical energy,” as used herein, is limited to energy that is transferred to the structure by the interaction or contact of a solid object, e.g., a ram or valve edge, with that structure.

(51) These methods provide for the application of unique combinations of directed energy and mechanical force to obtain a synergism. This synergism enables the combinations to obtain efficacious operations using, or requiring, less mechanical force, energy, and potential energy that would otherwise be expected, needed or required. This synergism, although beneficial in many applications, conditions and settings, is especially beneficial at increasing water depths.

(52) Thus, for example the compression ratio (“CR”) of a system, e.g., a BOP stack, is defined as the ratio of the maximum pressure (“P.sub.max”) the accumulator bank of the system can have and the minimum pressure (“P.sub.min”) needed for the system to perform the closing operation, e.g., shearing and closing. Thus, CR=P.sub.max/P.sub.min. For example, a system having a maximum pressure of 6,000 psi and a minimum pressure of 3,000 psi at sea level would have a CR.sub.sea level of 2. (Generally, the higher the CR, the better efficacy, or greater the shearing and sealing capabilities of the system.)

(53) This same system, however, at a depth of 12,000 feet would have a CR.sub.12,000 of 1.36. At a depth of 12,000 feet the pressure of the water column would be about 5,350 psi, which is additive to both P.sub.max and P.sub.min. Thus, for this same system—CR.sub.12,000=6000 P.sub.max+5,350/3000 P.sub.min+5,350=11,350/8,350=1.36. About a 32% decrease in CR (from a CR of 2 to a CR of 1.36).

(54) However, utilizing embodiments of the present inventions, the P.sub.min of the system may be significantly reduced, because the directed energy weakens, damages, or partially cuts the structure, e.g., a tubular, a drill pipe, that is in the BOP cavity. Thus, less shear force is required to sever the structure and seal the well. For example, using an amount of directed energy, e.g., 10 kW (kilo Watts) for 30 seconds (300 kJ (kilo Joules)), the P.sub.min of the system may be reduced to 750 psi, resulting in a CR.sub.12,000 of 1.86 for a directed energy-mechanical energy system. CR.sub.12000−6000 P.sub.max+5,350/750 P.sub.min+5,350=11,350/6100=1.86. About a 36% increase in the CR at depth over the system that did not utilize directed energy (from a CR of 1.36 to a CR of 1.86). Thus, utilizing an embodiment of the present invention, the CR at depth of the system can be increased through the use of directed energy without increasing the P.sub.max of the system. Thus, avoiding the need to increase the size and weight of the system. The potential energy of the system having the 750 P.sub.min would be 604 kJ, while the system having 3,000 P.sub.min would be 2,426 kJ, as set forth in Table I (stroke is 9⅜ inched based upon 18¾ inch bore size, divided by two).

(55) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Piston Stroke Pistons Pressure Force Energy Energy Inch Inch Qty psi lbf ft-lb kJ 22 9.375 2 750 285100 445468 604 22 9.375 2 3000 1140398 1781872 2416

(56) The reduced temperature of the water at depth can have similar negative effects on CR. Thus, for example, a 6,000 psi charge P.sub.max at 80° F. would be 4,785 psi at 40° F. These and other negative effects on CR, or other measures of a well control systems efficacy, may be over come through the use of directed energy to weaken, damage, cut, partially cut, or otherwise make the ability of the ram to pass through the structure in the well control system cavity, e.g., a tubular, drill pipe, tool joint, drill collar, etc. in the BOP cavity, easier, e.g., requiring less mechanical energy.

(57) The damaging, cutting, slotting, or weakening of a structure in a cavity of a well control device, such as for example a tubular such as a drill pipe in the cavity of a BOP may occur from the timed delivery, of a single from of directed energy or from the timed delivery of multiple forms of directed, and mechanical energy. Predetermined energy delivery patterns, from a shape, time, fluence, relative timing, and location standpoint, among others may be used. Thus, for example with laser energy the laser beam could be pulsed or continuous. Further the directed energy may be used to create weakening through thermal shock, thermal fatigue, thermal crack propagation, and other temperature change related damages or weakenings. Thus, differential expansion of the structure, e.g., tubular, may be used to weaken or crack the tubular. A mechanical wedge may then be driven into the weakened or cracked area driving the tubular apart. Hitting and rapid cooling may also be used to weaken the tubular, thus requiring less potential energy and mechanical force to separate the tubular. For example the tubular may be rapidly heated in a specific pattern with a laser beam, and then cooled in a specific pattern, with for example a low temperature gas or liquid, to create a weakening. The heating and cooling timing, patterns, and relative positions of those patterns may be optimized for particular tubulars and BOP configurations, or may further be optimized to effectively address anticipated situations within the BOP cavity when the well's flow needs to be restricted, controlled or stopped.

(58) The ram block or other sealing device may further be shaped, e.g., have an edge, that exploits a directed energy weakened area of a structure, such as laser notched tubular in a BOP cavity. Thus, for example, the face of the ram block may be such that it enters the laser created notch and pry open the crack to separate the tubular, permitting the ram to pass through and seal the well bore. Thus, it may be preferable to have the face of the ram in a predetermined shape or configuration matched to, corresponding with, or based upon, the predetermined shape of the notch, cut or weakened area.

(59) The laser cutting heads, or some other types of directed energy devices, may inject or create gases, liquids, plasma and combinations of these, in the BOP cavity during operations. Depending upon the circumstances, e.g., the configuration of the BOP stack, the closing sequence and open-closed status of the various preventers in the BOP stack, the well bore conditions, the directed energy delivery assembly, and potentially others, the injected or created materials may have to be managed and handled.

(60) Thus, for example, it may be desirable to avoid having large volumes of undispersed gas, e.g., a big gas bubble, injected into the riser, or more specifically injected into the column of mud or returning fluids in the annulus between the inner side of the riser and the outer side of the drill pipe that is within the riser. Similarly, if large volumes of a fluid are injected into the BOP cavity, depending upon the circumstances, this introduced fluid may greatly increase the pressure within the BOP cavity making it more difficult to close the rams. Thus, this injected or created gases or fluids may be removed through the existing choke lines, kill lines, though modified ports and check valve systems, through other ports in the BOP, for example for the removal of spent hydraulic fluid. Generally, this injected or created gases or fluids, should be removed in a manner that accomplished the intended objective, e.g., avoiding an increase in pressure in the cavity, or avoiding large gas bubble formation in the rise fluid column, while maintaining and not compromising the integrity of the BOP stack to contain pressure and close off the well.

(61) Turning to FIG. 1 there is provided a schematic side view of an embodiment of a directed energy-mechanical energy BOP stack. The BOP stack 1003 has an upper section 1000, and a lower section 1013. The upper section 1000 has a flex joint 1012 for connecting to the riser (not shown in this figure), an annular preventer 1011, a collet connector 1001, a first control pod 1002a, a second control pod 1002b, and a choke and kill line connector 1020 (a second choke and kill line connector associated with the second control pod 1002b is on the back side of BOP stack 1003, and is thus not shown in this figure). The first choke and kill lines 1014 extend from the connector 1020 in to the lower section 1013. The lower section 1013 has an annular preventer 1004, double ram 1005 BOP, and a laser double ram BOP 1008. The lower section 1013 also has 100 accumulators, schematically shown in the drawing as two accumulators each in several accumulator banks, e.g., 1006a, 1006b, 1006c, 1006d, 1006e, 1006f. The lower section 1013 also has a wellhead connector 1010 that is shown attached to the wellhead 1009. The accumulator banks, e.g., 1006a, 1006b, 1006c, 1006d, 1006e, 1006f, are positioned on a frame 1007 that is associated with the lower section 1013. The laser ram may be located at other positions in the BOP stack, including either or both of the top two positions in the stack, and additional laser BOPs may also be utilized.

(62) In an example of a closing and venting operation for the BOP of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the annular preventer 1004 may be closed around the drill pipe or other tubular located within the BOP cavity. The laser shear ram may be operated and closed cutting and then severing the drill pipe and sealing the well. During the laser cutting operation fluid from the laser cutting jet may be vented through the choke line, which is then closed upon, or after the sealing, of the shear ram blocks.

(63) Turning to FIG. 2 there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a laser BOP stack. The laser BOP stack 2000 has a lower marine riser package ((“LMRP”) 2012 that has a frame 2050 and a lower BOP section 2014 having a frame 2051. The LMRP 2012 has a riser adapter 2002, a flex joint 2004, an upper annular preventer 2006, and a lower annular preventer 2008. The frame 2050 of the LMRP 2012 supports a first control module or pod 2010a and a second control module or pod 2010b.

(64) When deployed sub-sea, e.g., on the floor of the sea bead, each pod would be connected to, or a part of, a multiplexed electro-hydraulic (MUX) control system. An umbilical, not shown would transmit for example, control signals, electronic power, hydraulics, fluids for laser jets and high power laser beams from the surface to the BOP stack 2000. The pods control (independently, in conjunction with control signals from the surface and combinations thereof) among other things, the operation of the various rams, and the valves in the choke and kill lines.

(65) The choke and kill lines provide, among other things, the ability to add fluid, at high pressure and volume if need, such as heavy drilling mud, and to do so in relation to specific locations with respect to ram placement in the stack. These lines also provide the ability to bleed off or otherwise manage extra pressure that may be present in the well. They may also be utilized to handle any excess pressure or fluid volume that is associated with the use of a directed energy delivery device, such as a laser jet, a water jet, or a shaped explosive charge.

(66) The lower BOP section 2014 of the BOP stack 2000 has a double ram BOP 2016, a laser double ram BOP 2018, a double ram BOP 2020, a single ram BOP 2022, and a wellhead connector 2024. The lower BOP section 2014 has associated with its frame 2051 four banks of accumulators 2030a, 2030b, 2030c, 2030d, with each bank having two depth compensated accumulators, e.g., 2031. The depth compensated accumulators, and the accumulator banks, may be pressurized to a P.sub.max of at least about 1,000 psi, at least about 3,000 psi, at least about 5,000 psi, and at least about 6,000 psi, about 7,500 psi and more. The pressurized, or charged as they may then be referred to, accumulators provide a source of stored energy, i.e., potential energy, that is converted into mechanical energy upon their discharge to, for example, close the rams in a BOP. The laser ram may be located at other positions in the BOP stack, including either or both of the top two positions in the stack, and additional laser BOPs may also be utilized.

(67) Turning to FIGS. 3A and 3B there is shown an embodiment of a BOP stack, with a front perspective view shown in FIG. 3B and a side perspective view shown in FIG. 3A. The BOP stack 3000 has a riser adapter 3002, a flex joint 3004, an annular preventer 3006, a LMRP connector 3008, a laser blind shear ram 3010, a laser casing shear ram 3011, a first, second, third, fourth pipe rams, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015 and a wellhead connector 3020. There is a first choke and kill line 3005a and a second choke and kill line 3005b. The laser beam for the laser casing shear ram is delivered from a subsea fiber laser having 20 kW of power and a battery power supply (for example batteries currently used for powering electric automobiles, could be used to power the laser to deliver sufficient directed energy through the laser beam to make the necessary weakening cuts), which may be located on the frame (not shown) for the BOP stack. A second battery powered 20 kW laser may also be associated with this BOP stack and serve as a back up laser beam supply should the optical fiber(s) to the surface laser become come damaged or broken. It should be noted that although the batteries in these systems represent potential energy, they would be potential energy that is converted into directed energy, and would not be considered a source of potential mechanical energy or as providing mechanical energy or power.

(68) Embodiments of topside choke and kill system of the type generally known to those of skill in the art may be used with embodiments of the present BOPs. Thus, for example, embodiments of a fluid laser jet is used, it conjunction with, these choke and kill systems, while preferably not affecting the choke and kill lines and the performance of those lines. In an embodiment, the hydraulic lines on the drilling riser that can be generally used to supplement the fluid side of the BOP accumulators from the surface, may be used to provide the fluid for the laser fluid jet. Thus these lines may also be used, reconfigured, or additional lines added to the drilling riser, to transport the laser media, e.g., the fluid used in a laser fluid jet, down to the jet when it is deployed below sea level. Generally, there may be a hydraulic line for the subsea control pods. Further, there may be one or two boost lines present on the riser.

(69) These and other such lines may be modified, added or reconfigured, to provide a way for the laser jet fluid to be transported down to the laser jet. For example, a tube (for the laser jet fluid) may run inside of the boost line, with an appropriate exit, and valving at the bottom of the boost line, for the tube to be connected to the laser jet assembly and nozzle. This tube may also be run down the outside of the riser.

(70) Table 2 shows the expansion of a gas that is injected into a BOP cavity as the gas rises up through the riser column fluid, e.g., the drilling mud. The values presented in the Table 2 are based upon a wellbore temperature of 100° F., and gas discharge conditions at the surface of 115 psia and 60° F.

(71) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Water Depth 5,000 ft 10,000 ft 5,000 ft 10,000 ft Mud density 15 15 17 17 ppg(pounds per gallon) N2 volume 28.2 44.9 30.9 47.9 (gal.) N2 volume BBL 0.67 1.07 0.74 1.14 (barrels)

(72) As can be seen from Table 2 a gallon of gas, for example at 10,000 feet depth, in a riser having mud having a density of 15 ppg will occupy a volume of 44.9 gallons at the surface. For example, even if this gas reaches the surface as one monolithic bubble, the top side diverter, which would be closed and holding 100 psig should be able to handle this influx of gas from the laser cutting, and divert this gas to the gas handler system of the rig. This influx of gas from the laser cutting may be diverted to the sea, buy way of the annular vent line, which may be positioned in the BOP stack; it may be handled by the choke and kill system by venting into either existing valving or modified valving. Preferably, this influx of gas from the laser jet fluid may be vented into the choke lines and bled off in a manner similar to the management of a kick. Further, this influx of laser jet fluid my be handled through the drilling riser to either the topside gas handling system or through a topside vent line to the flare boom. If a disconnect occurs, the entire contents of the drilling riser will be dumped to the sea, and this influx will be vented to the sea. Preferably, if a laser fluid jet is used, the laser media, e.g., the fluid, (N.sub.2, water, brine, silicon oil, D.sub.2O) is vented subsea prior to disconnect as a preferred option to entry into the drilling riser.

(73) In some situations gas from the laser jet may also enter into the drilling pipe as the slots are cut in the pipe. In this situation the gas should be vented, or otherwise managed, e.g., bled off from the top of the drilling pipe before connections are broken.

(74) If laser fluid jets of the type disclosed and taught in US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0074110, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/1605,429 and 61/605,434, the entire disclosure of each of which are incorporated herein by reference, are used, the source of fluid (gas, e.g., nitrogen (N.sub.2), or liquid, e.g., “hydraulic,” e.g., liquid, oil, aqueous, etc.) for the jet may come from accumulators located at, near or on the BOP stack, e.g., mounted on the BOP stack frame. Table 3 sets forth examples of some operating parameters that may be utilized with such an accumulator system.

(75) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Accumulator Drivers Input Data Analysis Results Total Surf. Surf. Sub- Sea Well- Laser laser Avg. Total pre- pre- sea Water Head bore differ- press. Jet flow flow charge charge charge Accum Depth press. press. ential MOP fluid Time rate vol. temp press. press. Vol # ft psig psig press. psia Media sec. gpm gal F. psig Pisg gal 1 1,000 445 45 125 585 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 11,104 20 2 1,000 445 5,000 125 5,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 11,104 170 3 1,000 445 10,000 125 10,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 11,104 1,400 4 1,000 445 15,000 125 15,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 5 1,000 445 445 1,000 1,460 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 4.890 11,230 20 6 1,000 445 5,000 1,000 6,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 8,935 11,230 50 7 1,000 445 10,000 1,000 11,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 10,912 11,230 480 8 1,000 445 15,000 1,000 16,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 9 5,000 2,226 2,226 125 2,366 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 10,068 70 10 5,000 2.226 5,000 125 5,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 10,068 170 11 5,000 2,226 10,000 125 10,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 10,068 1,410 12 5,000 2,226 15,000 125 15,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 13 5,000 2,226 2,226 1,000 3,241 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 6,905 11,152 30 14 5,000 2,226 5,000 1,000 6,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 9,486 11,152 40 15 5,000 2,226 10,000 1,000 11,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 10,917 11,152 160 16 5,000 2,226 15,000 1,000 16,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 17 10,000 4,452 4,452 125 4,592 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 8,885 140 18 10,000 4,452 5,000 125 5,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 8,885 170 19 10,000 4,452 10,000 125 10,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 70 10,912 8,885 1,410 20 10,000 4,452 15,000 125 15,140 nitro. 45 45 33.8 21 10.000 4,452 4,452 1,000 5,467 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 9,635 11,055 40 22 10,000 4,452 5,000 1,000 8,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 10,121 11,055 40 23 10,000 4.452 10,000 1,000 11,015 hydra. 45 8 6.0 70 10,912 11,055 100 24 10.000 4,452 15,000 1,000 18,016 hydra. 45 8 6.0

(76) Existing accumulators have a gas side and a fluid side. In general only the fluid side can be recharged via the riser hydraulic lines. This is how the higher ambient pressure (as the operating depth of the BOP increases) decreases the volume subsea as the gas side becomes compressed due to ideal gas laws. To charge the gas side subsea an ROV is employed, which maybe cumbersome and requires venting the pressure upon retrieval. In embodiments using a laser fluid jet, where the fluid is a gas, e.g., N.sub.2, a gas source may be by accumulation subsea, scavenging an existing line, adding a new line, and combinations and variations of these. In embodiments using a laser fluid jet where the fluid is a liquid, a source for this liquid may be to provide accumulation subsea, scavenge an existing line to the surface, or add a line to the surface, or install a pump, e.g., an electrically driven pump. In embodiments where a compound liquid and gas laser jet is utilized sources for both the gas and liquid will be provided. The source of fluid for the laser jet may be sea water, in which case for example the sea water may be pumped from the sea to form the jet, or used to fill an accumulator for discharge to form the jet. For example, seawater may be used with the laser and laser systems disclosed and taught in Ser. Nos. 61/734,809 and 61/786,763 the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(77) Generally, if a subsea tank is used to hold the fluid for the laser jet, it may be desirable for that tank to be pressure compensated to the well bore pressure. In this manner a pump or an accumulator would not have to overcome the well bore pressure (or at least would not have to overcome the amount of well bore pressure that is compensated for). For example, turning to FIG. 20 there is provided an embodiment of a well bore pressure compensated system 2000 for a laser jet 2002. Upon activation the valve 2007 would be opened causing the fluid in the BOP cavity 2001 to flow in and against the piston 2005, having seals 2006. Thus, the pressure from the BOP cavity is exerted against the bottom of the piston 2005, which pressurizes the laser jet fluid in the tank 2004 to the same pressure as is present in the BOP cavity 2001. In this manner the booster pump 2003, which preferably is a piston type pump, would not have to over come the BOP cavity pressure to create, e.g., shoot, launch, the fluid jet into the BOP cavity. A pressure intensifier may be used, and thus create the fluid jet without the need for a booster pump. If seawater is used for the laser jet fluid, it could be sucked through a filter into the pump for forming the jet.

(78) Turning to FIG. 8 there is provided a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an accumulator system 8000 for providing potential energy to a BOP stack for use as, conversion into, mechanical energy, through the actuation of rams, in conjunction with a laser ram BOP system. Thus, in this embodiment the system 8000 has accumulator banks 8014a, 8104b, 8014c, 8014d, which have pre-charge valves 8013a, 8013b, 8013c, 8013d respectively associated with the accumulator banks. The accumulator banks are connected through tubing having full open valves 8015a, 8015b, 8015c, which in turn are in fluid communication through tubing with relief valve 8007, pressure regulator 8009 (e.g., 1,800-3,000 psi), and a regulator by-pass 8008. There is then a valve and gauge 8016, and a relief value 8018, which are located along the tubing which connects to the BOP rams 8024, to the laser shear ram 8024a, to the choke 8023, and to the annular BOP 8022. Four way valves, e.g., 8017, are associated with the rams, choke and annular. There is also associated and in fluid communication via tubing and valves in the system a check valve 8019, a pressure regulator (e.g., 0-1,500 psi, 0-10.3 Mpa), and a valve and gauge 8021. The system 8000 also has a fluid reservoir 8001; two pumps 8003, 8004, which are associated via tubing with a test fluid line 8002, a BOP test line or connection for another pump 8011, a check valve 8010, a check valve 8012, a connector for another pump 8005. Table 4 sets forth examples of powers and energy values that may be present and utilized in embodiments of such systems.

(79) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Power in kW of delivered mechanical energy Potential Mechanical energy Time of laser Directed (based upon Energy kJ of delivered by shear Laser pattern Energy Example 15 second Charged ram to laser power in delivery in delivered in No. shear time) accumulator effected area in kJ kW seconds kJ 1 60 >893 893 10 30 300 2 87 >1,305 1,305 20 30 600 3 67 >1,003 1,003 40 15 600 4 73 >1,091 1,091 40 30 1,200 5 30 >447 447 10 30 300 6 44 >657 657 20 30 600 7 33 >502 502 40 15 600 8 36 >546 546 40 30 1,200 9 89 >1340 1340 10 30 300 10 131 >1958 1958 20 30 600 11 100 >1505 1505 40 15 600 12 109 >1637 1637 40 30 1,200 13 15 >223 223 10 30 300 14 22 >326 326 20 30 600 15 17 >251 251 40 15 600 16 18 >273 273 40 30 1,200 17 119 >1786 1786 10 30 300 18 174 >2610 2610 20 30 600 19 134 >2006 2006 40 15 600 20 145 >2182 2182 40 30 1,200

(80) The use of a laser mechanical shear rams further provides the ability to use, require, the same amount of mechanical energy for shearing different sizes and types of tubulars. Because the laser can cut or weaken, these different size tubulars down to a structure that can be cut by the same mechanical ram, one laser shear ram may be configured to handle all of the different types of tubulars intended to be used in a drilling plan for a well. Thus, a further advantage that may be seen with a laser shear ram BOP stack is that the stack does not have to be changed, or reconfigured, or swapped out, to accommodate different sizes and types of tubulars that are being used during the advancement of a well. Thus, the BOP would not have to be pulled from the bottom to have rams changed for example to accommodate casing verse drill pipe. The elimination of such pulling and replacement activities can provide substantial cost savings, and avoids risks to personnel and equipment that are associated with pulling and rerunning the riser and BOP.

(81) FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 schematically showing three examples of approaches to shearing a pipe located in a BOP cavity. In FIG. 8, there is shown the brute force solely mechanical manner of using the potential energy in the accumulators to force standard shape rams 4001, 4002 through the tubular 4003, creating two sections 4003a, 4003b, In FIG. 5, there is shown a tubular 5003 that has two laser cuts 5005a, 5005b, removing about 80% of is cross sectional area. Standard shear rams 5001, 5002 are then forced into and through the cut, e.g., weakened area 5020 of the tubular, severing it into two sections 5003a, 5003b. In FIG. 6, there is shown a tubular 6003 that has two laser cuts 6005a, 6005b, removing about 80% of is cross sectional area. Tapered shear rams 6001, 6002, e.g., ram wedges, are then forced into the cuts 6005a, 6005b forcing the tubular apart, along its longitudinal axis. The ram wedges 6001, 6002 move into and through the cut, e.g., weakened area of the tubular 6020, severing it into two section 6003a, 6003b.

(82) In FIG. 7, there are provided computer simulation modeling of the three approaches shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. Where line 7008 represents the approach of FIG. 4, line 7009 represents the approach of FIG. 5, and line 7010 represent the approach of FIG. 6. A comparison of these lines shows the considerable reduction in the force needed to sever the tubular after the tubular has been weakened by the laser cuts. Additionally, the peak force required to sever the cut tubulars, 7011 is reduced by about 75,000 lbs when the wedge rams 6001, 6002, are used, compared to the peak force 7019 for convention rams 901, 902 (both still being significantly reduced by the laser cuts, when compared with the non-laser cut 7008). In the simulation of FIG. 7 the pipe cross-section area reduction along shearing plane due to the laser cut is 80% laser cut. For the standard pipe simulation Ram Max. force (klbs) is 530.78 and Ram Avg. force (klbs) is 199.16. For the laser cut pipe simulation Ram Max. force (klbs) is 152.51 (a 71% reduction) and the Ram Avg. force (klbs) is 83.61 (a 58% reduction). For the laser cut pipe with modified blades simulation the Ram Max. force (klbs) is 82.33 (a 84% reduction) and the Ram Avg. force (klbs) is 49.08 (a 75% reduction). Turning to FIG. 9 there is provided a schematic representation of an embodiment of a laser shear ram. The laser shear ram configuration 900 has a moving block 903 and a stationary block 905. It being understood that a second moving block may be used. The moving block 905 has two laser delivery assemblies, 902, 903 associated with it. Each laser delivery assembly 901,902 is optically associated with a source of a high power laser beam to provide the delivery of a 10 kW, or greater, laser beam to the tubular 904, which is located between the blocks 903, 905 in the BOP cavity 906. In this embodiment each laser delivery assembly will deliver the laser beam to the pipe 904 in the BOP cavity. If a second moving block is used, that moving block may also have two laser delivery assemblies configured in a similar manner to delivery assemblies 901, 902. In operation the laser beams are fired, i.e., the laser beams are propagated from the laser delivery assemblies 901, 902 and travel along their respective beam paths 907, 908 to strike and cut the tubular 904. As block 903 moves forward, further into the cavity 906, along the direction of arrow 909, the laser beams are moved along, and through, the side of the tubular 904, cutting a slot in the tubular 904. In this embodiment the laser beams' focal points are located at an area 910, which is about where the beams first strike the tubular 904, and preferably slightly behind the inside wall of the tubular. Thus, as the bock 903 moves forward the laser beams will be striking the tubular at locations along the beam paths that are progressively further removed from the beams focal points, providing for a slot that increases in width from its starting point to its endpoint. This increase in width is proportional to the focal length of the laser beams.

(83) Examples of such varying width cuts are shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15A, 15B, and 21; and examples of a uniform width cut is shown in FIG. 21. Thus, in FIG. 12 there is shown a single cut 1201, in tubular 1200. The cut 1201 has a length shown by arrow 1210, and a width. The width changes from narrow 1220 to wide 1221. The wide end of the cut is essentially circular, but could be other shapes, e.g., oval, diamond, square, keyed, etc., based upon the shape and position of the laser beam. In FIG. 13 there is shown a single cut, which may be viewed as two of the cuts of FIG. 12 joined at their narrow ends. This type of cut may be formed by the embodiment of the laser shear ram of FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a view of a similar type of cut to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 14, there are two cuts 1402, 1403 each having a narrow or neck center section and wider rounded ends. FIGS. 15A and 15B show that different cross-sectional areas of the tubular may be removed, e.g., cut out, by the laser, with a greater cross-sectional area being removed in FIG. 15A as compared to FIG. 15B. Thus, at least about 10%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, at least about 80% and at least about 90%, or more, of the cross-sectional area may be removed by the laser cut (or slot). Viewing the same property in a different manner, the length of the laser slot or cut in the tubular may be about 10%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, and at least about 90%, or more, of the outside circumference of the tubular. It being understood that less than 10%, e.g., a small penetrating shot, and 100%, i.e., the laser completely severing the tubular, may employed.

(84) FIG. 10 is a perspective schematic view of an embodiment of a laser shear ram BOP, and FIGS. 10A and 10B are components of that shear ram BOP, which are all shown in ghost or phantom lines to illustrate both outer and inner components of the assembly. The laser shear ram BOP 1000 has a cavity 1002 that has a tubular, e.g., drill pipe 1004, in the cavity. (The total length of the drill pipe is not shown in this drawing, and may be hundreds, thousands, and tens-of-thousands of feet.) The laser shear ram BOP 1000 has two piston assemblies 1006, 1008 that drive, e.g., move, laser shear rams 1020, 1030 respectively into and out of the BOP cavity 1002. The pistons may be driven, for example, by an accumulator system, such as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8. Turning to FIG. 10A there is shown, in ghost or phantom lines, the internal laser delivery assemblies for the rams 1020, 1030. (which may also be referred to as ram blades, ram blocks, blades or blocks). Ram 1020 has a first laser delivery assembly 1021, and a second laser delivery assembly 1022. Each laser delivery assembly 1021, 1022, is capable of, and propagates a laser beam 1023, 1023 respectively along laser beam paths 1024, 1026. The laser beam and beam path may be along a fluid jet. Ram 1030 has a first laser delivery assembly 1031, and a second laser delivery assembly 1032. Each laser delivery assembly 1031, 1032, is capable of, and propagates a laser beam 1033, 1033 respectively along laser beam paths 1034, 1036. The laser beam and beam path may be along a fluid jet. High power optical cables, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063 are shown and provide high power laser energy from a high power laser, and may also transport the fluid(s), for the formation of a fluid laser jet.

(85) By way of example, the laser delivery assemblies and optical cables may be of the type disclosed and taught in the following US patent application publications and US patent applications: Publication Number 2010/0044106; Publication Number 2010/0044105; Publication Number 2010/0044103; Publication Number 2010/0215326; Publication Number 2012/0020631; Publication Number 2012/0074110; Publication No. 2012/0068086; Ser. No. 13/403,509; Ser. No. 13/486,795; Ser. No. 13/565,345; Ser. No. 61/605,429; and Ser. No. 61/605,434 the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(86) The laser beams in the embodiment of FIG. 10, preferably are each about 10 kW. The laser beams may have different powers, e.g., one beam at 10 kW, two beams at 20 kW and a fourth beam at 5 kW, they may all have the same power, e.g., each having 10 kW, each having 15 kW, each having 20 kW. Greater and lower powers, and variations and combinations of the forgoing beam power combinations may be used. FIG. 10B shows the laser rams of FIG. 10A in the completely closed and sealing position after the pipe has been severed.

(87) FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the relative position and characteristics of the laser beam path 1026 and laser beam 1024 with respect to the pipe 1004 in the BOP cavity 1002. For clarity, only one of the four laser beam paths and laser beams of the embodiment of FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 11. It being understood that for this embodiment the other three beam paths, 1025, 1035, 1036, and the other three laser beams 1023, 1033, 1034 are the same. In other embodiments the beam paths and beams may be different, and more or less beams and beam paths my be utilized. The arrow showing 9.84 inches is the distance from the center of the BOP cavity (18¾ inch diameter) to the face of the laser jet. Which in this embodiment is about ½ inch removed from the cavity. The beam path angle 1070, which in this embodiment is 85.00°, is the angle of the beam path with respect to the ram actuator centerline.

(88) The beam path angle may be greater than and smaller than 85°. Thus, for example, it may be about 70°, about 75°, about 80°, about 90°, about 95°, and about 100°. The beam path angle is, in part, based upon the position of the laser beam device's launch point for the laser beam, the desired shape of the cut(s) in the tubular, and the angle of the leading face of the block (to preferably prevent the laser beam from striking or being directed into that face of the block). In laser shear rams having multiple laser beams and laser beam paths, the beam path angles may be the same or different.

(89) The position of the laser induced flaws, e.g., slots, cuts, etc., may be normal to, parallel to, or some other angle with respect to the ram actuator centerline.

(90) In FIG. 16B there is provided a perspective view of rams engaging a cut tubular and in FIG. 16A a top view schematic of this configuration. Thus, Ram faces 1610, 1620 are engaging the tubular 1650 that has cuts 1601, 1602, which are positioned normal to the ram actuator centerline 1670. (It being noted that the remaining tubular cross sectional material, i.e., uncut material, is parallel to the ram actuator centerline.)

(91) In FIG. 17B there is provided a perspective view of rams engaging a cut tubular and in FIG. 17A a top view schematic of this configuration. Thus, Ram faces 1710, 1720 are engaging the tubular 1750 that has cuts 1701, 1702, which are positioned parallel to the ram actuator centerline 1770, (It being noted that the remaining tubular cross sectional material, i.e., uncut material, is normal to the ram actuator centerline.)

(92) FIG. 18 is an illustrated diagram of an embodiment of a section of a ram block 1801, having a laser delivery device 1802 integrated into the block. The laser delivery device 1802 has a prism 1803, a laser jet nozzle 1804 that is directed toward the pipe 1805 to be cut by blade face 1806.

(93) Laser delivery devices may be used for emergency disconnection of any of the components along a deployed riser BOP package to enable the drilling rig to move away from (either intentionally, or unintentionally such as in a drift-off) the well and lower BOP stack. The laser delivery devices may be placed at any point, but preferably where mechanical disconnects are utilized, and should the mechanical disconnect become inoperable, jammed, or otherwise not disconnect, the laser device can be fired cutting though preselected materials or structures, such as the connector, bolts, flanges, locking dogs, etc. to cause a disconnection.

(94) Turning to there is shown a schematic of a rig 2301 on a surface 2301 of a body of water 2309 that is connected to a BOP stack 2304 on the sea floor 2303 by way of a riser 2308. The BOP stack 2304 has a LMPR 2305 that is attached to the lower BOP stack 2306 by way of a connector 2307. The connector may be, for example, a VETCOGRAY H-4® Connector. When the drilling rig moves a certain distance away from being directly above the well and BOP, i.e., moves away from the vertical axis or centering line 2311, the connector 2307 may be come jammed. When the angle 2311 formed between the centering line 2311 and the riser, (or the line between the top of the BOP and the rotary table of the drill ship) becomes large enough, at times around 2-4°, generally around 5°, and in some cases slightly more, the connector 2907 engagement-disengagement mechanism can become inoperable, jamming the connector and thus preventing it from being unlocked, and preventing the LMRP from being able to be disconnected from the lower stack. This distance that the rig 2902 is from the centerline 2310 can also be viewed, as shown in FIG. 23A, as a series of circles showing the distance of the rig form the centerline. Thus, the inner circle 2312 may correspond to a distance where the angle 2311 is not larger enough to prevent the connector from disconnecting and the outer circle 2313 is the farthest away from centerline where the connector can be safely and reliably disconnected.

(95) To increase the angle at which the rig can be off the centerline, i.e., increase the size of the area, e.g., the diameter of the outer sage circle in FIG. 23A, laser devices may be associated with the connector 2307. In this manner the laser beam may be directed to a specific component of the connector, severing that component, freeing the mechanical comments to then operate and disengage. In this manner the operating angle can be increased, and any damage to the connector from the laser minimized. The laser device, or a second laser device, may also be associated with the connector in a manner that completely cuts the connection, should the mechanical components fail to operate properly.

(96) For example, turning to FIGS. 24, 24A, 24B, there is shown cross section of connector 2307, and detailed enlargements of the locking components of that connector in a locked position, FIG. 24B, and an unlocked position, FIG. 24A. The connector 2307 has attachment bolts 2401 positioned on a body 2402 that forms a cavity 2403. The body 2402 engages a member 2404 from the lower BOP stack 2306. The locking, engagement, mechanism, in general, has an engagement member 2405 that has an engagement surface 2405a and a locking surface 2405b. As the engagement member 2405 is moved downwardly, engagement surface 2405a engage engagement surface 2406a on locking member 2406, moving locking member 2406 into locking engagement with member 2404. As engagement member 2405 moves further down locking surface 2405b is positioned adjacent locking surface 2406b, holding locking member 2406 into locked engagement with member 2404. A laser delivery device 2450 may be placed inside of the body 2402, and a laser beam path provided in the body, such that the laser beam can be delivered to the internal locking and engagement components of the connector. Thus, for example the laser beam could be direct to the locking surfaces, to the locking member, to the engagement member, to the means to move the engagement member, to other components or structures associated therewith, and combinations and variations of these. The laser device may also be located, or a second laser device may be employed to cut other structures of the connector assembly to effect a disconnect, such as the bolts 2401, the body 2402, the member 2404, or the member attached to bolts 2404 (but which is not shown in the figures), and combinations and variations of these. Preferably the laser beam device, laser beam path and intended target for the laser beam is a component, structure or area that causes minimal damage, is easily reparable or replaceable, but at the same, time provides a high likelihood of effecting a disconnect.

(97) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a riser section 1900 having a choke line 1901, a boost line 1902, a kill line 1903, and a BOP hydraulics line 1904. As discussed in these specifications these lines, or additional lines, could be used to carry or contain the high power laser fiber, the laser conduct, the fluid conveyance tubes, and in general the components and materials needed to operate the fluid laser jet(s).

(98) Turning to FIGS. 25A and 25B there are face on view and a perspective view of a laser ram block in relations to a pipe. The ram block 2500 has two laser delivery assemblies 2502, 2503 are positioned in the block 2500 and deliver laser beams 2505, 2504 to pipe 2501. The angle of the laser beams with respect to he longitudinal axis of the pipe (and in the illustration the cavity axis) can be seen. The laser beams 2505, 2504 have a slight downward angle, that may be at least about 2° below horizontal, at least about 5°, and at least about 10°. The laser beams make cuts 2525, 2526 in pipe 2501.

(99) is a schematic view of an embodiment of a surface system that may be used with a drilling rig, e.g., a drill ship, semi-submersible, jack-up, etc., and a laser BOP system. The surface system 2600 may have a diverter 2601, a flex joint 2602, a space out joint 2603, an inner barrel telescopic joint 2604, a dynamic seal telescope joint 2605, tensioners 2606, a tension ring 2607, an outer barrel telescopic joint (tension joint) 2608, and a riser joint 2609. The laser conveyance and laser fluid conveyance structures could be located at or near position 2626a, e.g., near the diverter 2601; at or near position 2626b, e.g., below the space out joint 2603; at or near position 2626c, e.g., below the tensioners 2606; or at or near position 2626d, near the riser joint 2609. The high power laser fiber, the high power laser fluid jet conduits, or conveyance structures, may enter into the riser system at these positions or other locations in, or associated with, the surface system 2600.

(100) FIG. 27 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea system that may be used with a drilling rig, e.g., a drill ship, semi-submersible, jack-up, etc., and a laser BOP system, and may be used with the surface system of the embodiment of FIG. 26. The subsea system 2700 may have a riser joint 2701, a flex joint 2702, an annular preventer 2703a, and an annular preventer 2703b, an EDP hydraulic connector 2705, BOP rams 2704a, 2704b, 2704c, 2704d, and a hydraulic connector or a wellhead 2706. The high power laser fiber, the high power laser fluid jet conduits, or conveyance structures, may enter into the subsea system 2700 at many points. One or more of the BOP rams and annular preventers may be laser rams and laser preventers. Thus, the laser fiber, fluid conveyance system and fluid laser jet conduit above the annular preventer, below the flex joint, below the annular preventer, between the annular preventer, at the annular preventer, at, above or below the EDP connector, and at or in the area of the BOP rams.

(101) Turning to FIG. 28 there is provided a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of a laser annular preventer 2801. The laser annular preventer 2801 may have an outer housing 2802, a central axis 2803, a cavity 2804, an annular assembly 2805. The annular assembly 2805 has an elastomeric body 2806, which has several metal inserts, e.g., 2807, which are positioned in the elastomeric body 2806 and around that body. The assembly 2805 has a cavity 2808 that is connected to, and forms a part of cavity 2804. A piston chamber 2809 is has a piston 2811, and an external port 2810. The piston 2811 drives wedges, e.g., 2812 against the elastomeric body 2806 forcing it and the metal inserts, e.g., 2807, into cavity 2808. There is also a retract port 2817 and a cavity 2820 that will be associated with the BOP cavity. Within the metal inserts 2807 that is a laser delivery assembly 2850, which provides a laser beam path and delivers a high power laser beam into the cavity 2808. Thus, as the wedge 2812 is driven up the elastomeric body 2806, which carries the metal inserts moves into the cavity 2808 and movers closer to and seals against any tubular in the cavity 2808. One metal insert may have a laser device, two metal inserts may each have a laser device, and three or more metal inserts may each have laser devices. The laser devices may be positioned around the cavity, opposite to each other, at thirds, quarters or other arrangements. More than one laser delivery device may be located in a metal insert. As the metal inserts are moved into the cavity the distance of the beam free path, the distance from when the laser beam leaves the laser device and strikes the pipe, is reduced and potentially reduced to essentially zero, as the metal insert mores toward and potentially contacts the pipe. Preferably the metal inserts are spaced a slight distance away from the pipe with the elastomer member forming a seal against the pipe and thus shielding the laser beam path to the pipe from the formation fluids, drilling fluids and pressures that are below the annular. Further, a second annular, or other type of sealing member may be located above the metal inserts. This second or upper sealing member can then be sealed against the pipe creating a sealed cavity that essentially isolates the laser beam path from conditions both above and below the cavity. A vent or relief valve preferably can be located in, or associated, with the upper sealing member to provide a relief port for the laser jet fluid that is used, added into the sealed cavity, during the laser cutting process.

(102) Turning to FIG. 29 is a cross section of an embodiment of a laser module an annular preventer. The laser modules 2926a, 2926b are located above the annular prevent elastomeric body 2902 and wedge 2993. As the elastomeric body grabs and holds a pipe in the cavity 2901 it will center the pipe providing a constant distance for the laser beam path from the laser module to the pipe. The laser modules may rotate around the pipe providing for a complete cut.

(103) Laser cutters, laser devices and laser delivery assemblies can be used in, or in conjunction with commercially available annular preventers, rotating heads, spherical BOPs, and other sealing type well control devices. Thus, they may be used in, or with, for example, NOV (National Oilwell Varco) preventer, GE HYDRIL pressure control devices, SHAFFER pressure control devices, spherical preventers, tapered rubber core preventers, CAMERON TYPE D preventers, and CAMERON TYPE DL preventers.

(104) Table 5 set forth examples of operating conditions for a laser module using a rotating cutting type laser delivery device.

(105) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Sample Power Offset Time Beam Size Focal Length Nozzle Diameter Angular Offset Warm Up Time % Cross Section 1 10 kW .5″-2″ 10 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 50 2 10 kW .5″-2″ 10 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 50 3 10 kW .5″-2″ 5 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 25 4 10 kW .5″-2″ 5 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 25 5 10 kW .5″-2″ 3 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 12.5 6 10 kW .5″-2″ 3 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 12.5 7 10 kW .5″-2″ 1.5 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 6.25 8 10 kW .5″-2″ 1.5 0.18 500 MM 0.325 10 Deg 2 s 6.25 9 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 10 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD 11 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Rotary 17.3 Kw   .030″ 7.5 0.04 250 MM 0.06  0 Deg 5s 100% Axial 20 Kw .060″ 40 0.18 500 MM 0.325  1 Deg 5s 100%

(106) High power laser systems, which may include, conveyance structures for use in delivering high power laser energy over great distances and to work areas where the high power laser energy may be utilized, or they may have a battery operated, or locally powered laser, by other means. Preferably, the system may include one or more high power lasers, which are capable of providing: one high power laser beam, a single combined high power laser beam, multiple high power laser beams, which may or may not be combined at various point or locations in the system, or combinations and variations of these.

(107) A single high power laser may be utilized in the system, or the system may have two or three high power lasers, or more. High power solid-state lasers, specifically semiconductor lasers and fiber lasers are preferred, because of their short start up time and essentially instant-on capabilities. The high power lasers for example may be fiber lasers or semiconductor lasers having 10 kW, 20 kW, 50 kW or more power and, which emit laser beams with wavelengths in the range from about 455 nm (nanometers) to about 2100 nm, preferably in the range about 800 nm to about 1600 nm, about 1060 nm to 1080 nm, 1530 nm to 1600 nm, 1800 nm to 2100 nm, and more preferably about 1064 nm, about 1070-1080 nm, about 1360 nm, about 1455 nm, 1490 nm, or about 1550 nm, or about 1900 nm (wavelengths in the range of 1900 nm may be provided by Thulium lasers).

(108) An example of this general type of fiber laser is the IPG YLS-20000. The detailed properties of which are disclosed in US patent application Publication Number 2010/0044106.

(109) Examples of lasers, conveyance structures, high power laser fibers, high power laser systems, optics, connectors, cutters, and other laser related devices, systems and methods that may be used with, or in conjunction with, the present inventions are disclosed and taught in the following US patent application publications and US patent applications: Publication Number 2010/0044106; Publication Number 2010/0044105; Publication Number 2010/0044103; Publication Number 2010/0215326; Publication Number 2012/0020631; Publication Number 2012/0074110; Publication No. 2012/0068086; Ser. No. 13/403,509; Ser. No. 13/486,795; Ser. No. 13/565,345; Ser. No. 61/605,429; Ser. No. 61/605,434; Ser. No. 61/734,809; Ser. No. 61/786,763; and Ser. No. 61/98,597, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(110) These various embodiments of conveyance structures may be used with these various high power laser systems. The various embodiments of systems and methods set forth in this specification may be used with other high power laser systems that may be developed in the future, or with existing non-high power laser systems, which may be modified in-part based on the teachings of this specification, to create a laser system. These various embodiments of high power laser systems may also be used with other conveyance structures that may be developed in the future, or with existing structures, which may be modified in-part based on the teachings of this specification to provide for the utilization of directed energy as provided for in this specification. Further the various apparatus, configurations, and other equipment set forth in this specification may be used with these conveyance structures, high power laser systems, laser delivery assemblies, connectors, optics and combinations and variations of these, as well as, future structures and systems, and modifications to existing structures and systems based in-part upon the teachings of this specification. Thus, for example, the structures, equipment, apparatus, and systems provided in the various Figures and Examples of this specification may be used with each other and the scope of protection afforded the present inventions should not be limited to a particular embodiment, configuration or arrangement that is set forth in a particular embodiment in a particular Figure.

(111) Many other uses for the present inventions may be developed or realized and thus the scope of the present inventions is not limited to the foregoing examples of uses and applications. The present inventions may be embodied in other forms than those specifically disclosed herein without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.