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BOPs are essential for maintaining well control. They protect workers, equipment and the environment by containing unexpected pressure surges from underground formations, which could otherwise lead to catastrophic blowouts.
There are two main types: annular BOPs, which use a rubber sealing element to close around various pipe sizes, and ram BOPs, which use steel rams to seal the wellbore. Ram BOPs include pipe rams, blind rams and shear rams for different sealing needs.
When abnormal pressure is detected, the BOP is activated—either manually or automatically—to close off the wellbore. It can seal around the drill pipe, close an open hole or even shear through the pipe to completely shut in the well.
A BOP failure can lead to a blowout, posing serious risks to human life, the environment and infrastructure. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster is a notable example where BOP failure contributed to a massive oil spill and loss of life.
