Side packer for a blowout preventer

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system that includes a ram configured to mount in a blowout preventer. The ram includes a packer assembly configured to form a seal between the ram and a bore formed through the blowout preventer and an insert of the packer assembly, where the insert is coupled to a surface of the ram via a key-slot interface.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a ram configured to mount in a blowout preventer, wherein the ram comprises:
 a packer assembly configured to form a seal between the ram and a bore formed through the blowout preventer; and 
 an insert of the packer assembly, wherein the insert is coupled to a surface of the ram via a key-slot interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the packer assembly is configured to be disposed in a receptacle of the ram. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising a second insert of the packer assembly, wherein the second insert comprises a rounded surface configured to engage a corresponding surface of the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a packing element of the packer assembly, wherein the packing element is configured to be compressed upon contact between the packer assembly and a second packer assembly of a second ram of the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the packing element comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is configured to move within a receptacle of the ram. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the insert comprises a slot configured to receive a protrusion disposed on the surface of the ram, wherein the protrusion is configured to slide within the slot, and wherein the protrusion is configured to engage an end of the slot to block movement of the packer assembly within the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising one or more structural supports of the packer assembly, wherein the one or more structural supports are configured to substantially maintain a shape of the packer assembly during compression of the packer assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ram is a shearing ram. 
     
     
         10 . A blowout preventer system, comprising:
 a body surrounding a bore configured to enable fluid flow between a wellhead and a drilling riser;   a first ram disposed adjacent a first end of the body, wherein the first ram is coupled to a first actuator; and   a second ram disposed adjacent to a second end opposite the first end of the body, wherein the second ram is coupled to a second actuator;   wherein the first ram, or the second ram, or both, comprise:
 a packer assembly configured to form a seal between the respective ram and a bore through the blowout preventer; 
 a first insert of the packer assembly, wherein the first insert comprises a slot configured to receive a protrusion disposed on a surface of the ram; and 
 a second insert of the packer assembly, wherein the second insert comprises a rounded surface configured to engage a corresponding surface of the ram. 
   
     
     
         11 . The blowout preventer system of  claim 10 , wherein the packer assembly is configured to be disposed in a receptacle of the ram, wherein the protrusion is disposed on a first surface of the receptacle, and wherein the rounded surface of the second insert is configured to engage a second surface of the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The blowout preventer system of  claim 10 , wherein the first ram comprises the packer assembly, the first insert, and the second insert, wherein the packer assembly comprises a packing element, wherein the packing element is configured to be compressed upon contact between the packer assembly and a second packer assembly of the second ram of the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the packing element comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         14 . The blowout preventer system of  claim 10 , wherein the insert is configured to move within a receptacle of the ram, such that the protrusion slides within the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion is configured to engage an end of the slot to block movement of the packer assembly within the receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 monitoring a well condition of a wellbore;   actuating a blowout preventer having opposed rams when the well condition is indicative of blowout conditions, wherein each of the opposed rams comprises a packer assembly, the packer assembly comprising an insert that is coupled to surface of a ram of the opposed rams via a key-slot interface; and   directing the opposed rams toward one another such that respective packer assemblies of the opposed rams contact one another and form a seal between the opposed rams and a wall of a bore extending through the blowout preventer.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising coupling a slot of the insert of the packer assembly to a protrusion of the surface of the ram of the opposed rams to form the keys-slot interface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising sliding the protrusion along the slot as the insert moves along the surface of the ram of the opposed rams. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising compressing the packer assembly as the respective packer assemblies of the opposed rams contact one another, wherein the insert of the packer assembly is configured to move along the surface of the ram of the opposed rams. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 retracting the opposed rams away from one another; and   blocking movement the packer assembly with respect to the ram of the opposed rams when the protrusion contacts an end of the slot, such that the packer assembly is maintained within a receptacle of the ram of the opposed rams.