Automated blowout preventer control and testing system

1. A method of conducting a pressure test for a blowout preventer which includes a plurality of safety devices operated by hydraulic pressure and for an assembly of fluid control valves and conduits for directing pressurized drilling fluid into or out of a wellbore, the fluid control valves being remotely actuated to an open or closed position comprising:

a) determining a test plan for testing isolated portions of the blowout preventer and fluid control valves and conduits,

b) causing pressurized fluid from an hydraulic power unit to operate one or more of the safety devices within the blowout preventer according to the test plan,

c) remotely actuating one or more of the fluid control valves by fluid pressure from the hydraulic power unit to a closed or open position according to the test plan, and

d) applying a first fluid test pressure to the blowout preventer and to the assembly of fluid control valves and conduits via a hydraulic test system.

2. The method of claim 1 including the step of applying a second fluid test pressure to the blowout preventer and assembly of fluid control valves and conduits.

3. The method of claim 2 including the step of selecting one or more different safety devices according to the test plan and selecting one or more different fluid control valves to close and causing pressurized fluid to operate the one or more safety devices and to close the one or more different fluid control valves according to the test plan.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic power unit supplies pressurized fluid to the blowout preventer for operating the safety devices and also provides pressurized fluid for remotely controlling the fluid control valves to an open or closed position.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of providing a hydraulic power unit remote control station for controlling the hydraulic power unit.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising sensing a condition of the fluid control valves and sending this condition to the hydraulic unit remote control station.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a hydraulic power unit local control station.

8. Apparatus for testing a blowout preventer having a plurality of safety devices and an assembly of fluid control valves and conduits for directing drilling fluid into a well comprising:

a) a hydraulic power unit for operating one or more of the safety devices in the blowout preventer in the event of an emergency,

b) an hydrostatic test system for pressurizing one or more safety devices and the assembly of fluid control valves to a first test pressure,

c) the fluid control valves adapted to be remotely controlled to an on and off state by the hydraulic power unit during a test, and a hydraulic power control unit coupled to the hydraulic power unit to remotely and to selectively control the safety devices in the blowout preventer and the state of the fluid control valves.

9. Apparatus for testing a blowout preventer as claimed in claim 8 further including a communications link between the hydraulic power unit and the hydraulic power unit control station for selectively actuating the safety devices and closing the valves to an off condition in accordance with a test plan.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the hydrostatic test system is also controlled by the hydraulic power unit control station.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the hydrostatic test system is adapted to supply fluid under the first test pressure and a second test pressure to the blowout preventer.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the blowout preventer is in fluid communication with the assembly of fluid valves and conduits.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hydraulic power unit control section includes a computer programmed with a predetermined test plan to control the hydraulic power unit, the hydrostatic test system, and the fluid control valves according to the predetermined test plan.