Importance

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Abstract

The specific embodiment comprises a valve piston mounted on a shaft that is slidably disposed within an aperture in the lower housing of the blowout preventer. The valve piston and shaft may be extended into the central passage of the BOP in an open position through the use of a hydraulic operator assembly. When the valve piston and shaft have been extended into the open position, the wellbore gases enter into the annular space between the shaft and the aperture through the lower housing of the BOP. The wellbore gases are then vented from the aperture through an open vent conduit to the outside of the BOP. The hydraulic operator assembly is spring biased to keep the valve piston and shaft in closed position whenever the hydraulic operator assembly is not activated. The valve piston will therefore automatically close whenever there is a loss of hydraulic control. In normal operation, the hydraulic operator assembly will keep the valve piston and shaft in open position until the wellbore gases have been vented. When the venting has been completed, the hydraulic operator assembly draws the valve piston and shaft back into closed position.

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First Claim