Article: Varco's new lightweight BOP ready for heavyweight well duty.

Taking lessons learned from the field and listening to customers has paid off with the development of a new, lightweight blowout preventer designed and built through the efforts of Texas and South Louisiana companies.

A blowout preventer (BOP) is essentially a large valve that sits on the top of the well bore and seals off the well from unexpected pressure surges, known as "kicks" in the industry. It is a tried-and-true technology with designs first introduced in the 1970s and some earlier models produced in the 1950s.

On the land, the BOP is located beneath the rig at the earth's surface; at the water's surface on jackup or platform rigs; and on the ...

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