Importance

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Abstract

A blowout preventer (10) is provided for use in a hydrocarbon recovery operation to prevent a well blowout. The BOP body (20) has a central passageway (22),therein for receiving an oilfield tubular T. First and second radially opposing doors (16) and (18) are provided for sealing engagement with the corresponding side face (15) on the BOP body. First and second ram assemblies (12, 14) are each supported on a respective door and may be pressure energized for driving first aid second ram blocks (24) into engagement with the oilfield tubular. A door connector (60, 90, 110, 140, 160 and 180) is provided for securing each door to the BOP body. Each door connector includes an upper connector bar and a lower connector bar (62, 64, 92, 94, 112, 114, 142, 144, 146, 148, 160 and 180) each having a bar axis generally perpendicular to the BOP body central axis. Each upper and lower connector bar is movable with respect to the BOP body from a locked position for locking the door into sealing engagement with the BOP body to an unlocked position for structurally releasing the door from the BOP body, such that the door may be disengaged from the BOP body for servicing the ram blocks. A significant feature of the present invention is the reduced time required to service the BOP ram blocks. The axial height of the BOP is desirably reduced by providing the upper and lower connector bars.

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First Claim