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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A BLOWOUT PREVENTER
BACKGROUND
[0001] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of
art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are
described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in
providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better
understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it
should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not
as admissions of prior art.
[0002] A blowout preventer (BOP) is installed on a wellhead to seal and
control an oil and gas well during drilling operations. A drill string may be
suspended inside a drilling riser from a rig through the BOP and into the well
bore. During drilling operations, a drilling fluid is delivered through the drill string
and returned up through an annulus between the drill string and a casing that
lines the well bore. In the event of a rapid invasion of formation fluid in the
annulus, commonly known as a “kick,” the BOP may be actuated to seal the
annulus and to control fluid pressure in the wellbore, thereby protecting well
equipment disposed above the BOP. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to
determine and/or monitor a structural integrity of the BOP and/or components
disposed within the BOP in order to determine when to perform repairs and/or
maintenance on the BOP.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure
will become better understood when the following detailed description is read
with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like
parts throughout the figures, wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an offshore system, in accordance
with an aspect of the present disclosure;