Blowout preventer with interlocking ram assembly and method of using same

A ram assembly, comprising:

• a ram wedge having a tubular cavity therethrough for receiving a tubular, the ram wedge configured to be slidably positionable in a ram channel of a housing and move between a retracted and an extended position relative to a passage in the housing;
• a blade positionable about the tubular cavity, wherein the blade includes rails extending therefrom, wherein the blade is carried by the ram wedge, and wherein the blade is configured to move with the ram wedge and in the same direction as the ram wedge as the ram wedge moves between the retracted and the extended positions to cuttingly engage the tubular;
• and
• a ram seat positionable in the housing about the passage, wherein the ram seat includes a hole for receiving the tubular therethrough, wherein the ram seat has an outer surface interlockingly engageable with the rails of the ram wedge as the ram wedge moves relative thereto whereby a gap is reduced therebetween.

A blowout preventer, comprising:

• a housing including a passage for receiving a tubular and a ram channel therethrough;
• and
• at least one ram assembly, wherein the ram assembly comprises:
• a ram wedge having a tubular cavity therethrough for receiving the tubular, wherein the ram wedge is slidably positioned in the ram channel of the housing and configured to move between a retracted and an extended position relative to the passage in the housing;
• a blade positioned about the tubular cavity, wherein the blade includes rails extending therefrom, wherein the blade is carried by the ram wedge, and wherein the blade is configured to move with the ram wedge and in the same direction as the ram wedge as the ram wedge moves between the retracted and the extended positions to cuttingly engage the tubular;
• and
• a ram seat positioned in the housing about the passage, wherein the ram seat includes a hole for receiving the tubular therethrough, wherein the ram seat has an outer surface interlockingly engageable with the rails as the ram wedge moves relative thereto whereby a gap is reduced therebetween.

A method for sealing a wellbore, comprising:

• providing a blowout preventer comprising a housing having a passage and a ram channel therethrough and at least one ram assembly, wherein the ram assembly comprises:
• a ram wedge having a tubular cavity therethrough for receiving the tubular, wherein the ram wedge is slidably positioned in the ram channel of the housing and configured to move between a retracted and an extended position relative to the passage in the housing;
• a blade positioned about the tubular cavity, wherein the blade has rails extending therefrom, wherein the blade is carried by the ram wedge, and wherein the blade is configured to move with the ram wedge and in the same direction as the ram wedge as the ram wedge moves between the retracted and the extended positions to cuttingly engage the tubular;
• and
• a ram seat positioned in the housing about the passage, wherein the ram seat includes a hole for receiving the tubular therethrough, wherein the ram seat has an outer surface interlockingly engageable with the rails of the ram wedge as the ram wedge moves relative thereto whereby a gap is reduced therebetween;
• and
• positioning the tubular through the passage, the tubular cavity and the hole;
• and
• forming a seal between the ram seat and the ram wedge by moving a ram shuttle and the ram wedge to the extended position.