Shear/seal ram assembly for a ram-type blowout prevention system

A sealing system for sealing between an upper shear blade and a lower shear blade of a shear ram assembly of a ram-type blowout preventer, the sealing system comprising:

• a seal groove formed in the top planar surface of the lower shear blade;
• a seal assembly positioned substantially within the seal groove, the seal assembly comprising an actuator plate, a seal member, and an integral solid retainer for retaining the seal member in the seal groove when the seal member is compressed;
• one or more rail seal actuators, the one or more rail seal actuators extending downwardly from the bottom planar surface of the upper shear blade;
• and
• one or more rail guide grooves formed in the top planar surface of the lower shear blade.

A method of sealing between an upper shear blade and a lower shear blade of a shear ram assembly of a ram-type blowout preventer, the method comprising:

• providing a seal groove in the top planar surface of the lower shear blade;
• positioning a seal assembly substantially within the seal groove, the seal assembly comprising an actuator plate, a seal member, and an integral solid retainer;
• providing the upper shear blade with one or more rail seal actuators that extend downwardly from the bottom planar surface of the upper shear blade;
• providing one or more rail guide grooves in the top planar surface of the lower shear blade;
• actuating the shear ram assembly such that the upper shear blade passes over the lower shear blade;
• causing the one or more rail seal actuators to contact the actuator plate of the seal assembly as the upper shear blade passes over the lower shear blade;
• compressing the seal member of the seal assembly as the one or more rail seal actuators contact the actuator plate and move it within the seal groove as the upper shear blade passes over the lower shear blade.