Bidirectional ram BOP and method

A method for assembling a ram blowout preventer that is configured to bidirectionally seal a well when a pressure is applied either from above or below the ram blowout preventer, the method comprising:

• placing a ram block in a cavity of a body of the ram blowout preventer, the cavity having a recess;
• disposing a top seat in the recess such that the top seat is configured to seal the when in contact with the ram block;
• inserting a lock ring inside a groove of the body and a corresponding groove of the top seat, a width of the groove of the body being different than a width of the groove of the top seat by at least a predetermined value, the lock ring being configured to move inside one of the grooves, along a direction substantially parallel to the well;
• providing a first seal between the top seat and the body, wherein the first seal is configured to contact the body and the top seat;
• and
• providing a second seal between the ram block and the top seat, wherein the second seal is configured to contact the ram block and the top seat, wherein
• a distance from a centerline of the well to the first seal is larger than a distance from the centerline of the well to a point where the second seal contacts each of the ram block and the top seat when the ram block is in a closed position.

A method for bidirectionally sealing a well with a ram blowout preventer that is configured to seal the well when a pressure is applied either from above or below the ram blowout preventer, the method comprising:

• applying a closing pressure to a ram block within a cavity of a body of the ram blowout preventer, the cavity having a recess;
• moving the ran block to overlay with a top seat disposed the recess;
• sliding the top seat toward the ram block when a pressure from above the ram blowout preventer acts on the top seat, wherein the top seat is configured to slide along a direction substantially parallel to the well as a lock ring, extending inside a groove of the body and a corresponding groove of the top seat, is configured to move inside one of the grooves along the direction substantially parallel to the well;
• sealing a space between the body and the top seat with a first seal, the first seal being positioned between the body and the top seat;
• and
• sealing a space between the ram block and the top seat with a second seal, the second seal being positioned between the ram block and the top seat, wherein a width of the groove of the body is larger than a width of the lock ring by a predetermined value, and a distance from a centerline of the well to the first seal is larger than a distance from the centerline of the well to a point where the second seal contacts each of the seat and the ram block when the ram block is in a closed position.