Category: News

LAFAYETTE, La. (May 8, 2025) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram and BOP component providers in the world, is celebrating 45 years of delivering dependable products and trusted support to blowout preventer operators.

Founded in 1980 in Lafayette, La., VBR has grown its inventory of blowout preventer ram products to more than 1,500 across three major OEM brands, including Cameron, HMH and NOV.

“Since our company’s infancy, we’ve dedicated ourselves to accommodating rigs with BOP components, but our presence has grown immensely,” said Hines M. “Chip” Marshall Jr., president of Variable Bore Rams, Inc. “For 45 years, the VBR team has delivered quality services and quality equipment to customers worldwide, and we’re looking forward to continuing that legacy.”

With facilities located in Louisiana and Texas, VBR supports operations globally and is known for its expansive inventory. VBR operates 24/7 to ensure operators have the tools and support they need to reduce downtime and drive results.

BROUSSARD, La., (Nov. 6, 2019) – Variable Bore Rams Inc. (VBR), the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram and blowout preventer (BOP) component provider in the world, has added Cameron’s new dual-string interlocking (DSI) shear rams to its inventory.

The DSI shear rams enhance operational flexibility with an innovative performance-improving ram interlocking mechanism. Arms on the upper ram prevent any vertical separation between the lower and upper blades, shearing wireline and braided cable with zero tension in the line. Without the need for a foldover shoulder, the DSI shear rams have the capacity to shear larger diameter pipe and casing.

Chip Marshall, chief executive officer and president, VBR, said, “The new dual-string interlocking shear rams are completely new and unique in the industry, complying with upcoming Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) requirements for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) drilling platforms. The shearing capability of the new DSI rams far surpasses that of any other rams on the market, providing a valuable extra layer of safety to operations on site.”

The DSI shear rams are available in 13-5/8 in. 3-10 M Cameron U/UM BOPs.

BROUSSARD, La. (May 1, 2018) – Variable Bore Rams Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram and blowout preventer (BOP) component providers in the world, has opened a new facility in Kermit, Texas.

VBR provides a wide variety of BOP rams manufactured by Cameron, HMH (Hydril), and NOV (Shaffer). With access to the 9,000 sq. ft facility, which spans 5 acres of land, VBR has extended its reach further into West Texas and surrounding areas.

President of VBR, Hines M. “Chip” Marshall Jr. said, “We have a complete line of variable bore, fixed bore, dual, casing and shear rams ready to ship worldwide at a moment’s notice. Our new Kermit facility will handle both shipping and receiving of ram rentals, enabling faster equipment delivery and easing access logistics for our customers in West Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado.”

BROUSSARD, La. (Sept. 12, 2016) – Variable Bore Rams Inc. is lending support to communities in the southern Louisiana disaster zone in the wake of recent flooding.President of VBR, Hines M. “Chip” Marshall Jr. said, “I am truly blessed to have everyone at VBR and the people of Louisiana in my life. I love southern Louisiana, and find the people in this region to be so gentle, loving and loyal to the core.When I moved here, straight out of Texas A&M, everyone welcomed me with open arms.”

After seeing the devastation the flooding has caused, Chip and VBR employees were compelled to do something. The team distributed gift cards directly to families affected by the worst U.S. natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, in an effort to help communities rebuild.

VBR was founded in Lafayette, La., in 1980 and is now headquartered in Broussard, La. With strong roots in the heart of southern Louisiana, the company employs multiple personnel from the surrounding area, and regularly hosts local appreciation events to strengthen the company’s ties with customers, vendors and the neighboring communities.

Chip continued, “I have grown to deeply appreciate the people and culture that surround and support our employees in southern Louisiana, and I owe so much to so many.”

LAFAYETTE, La. (April 16, 2015) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram and BOP component providers in the world, is celebrating its 35th year of providing exceptional support and service to blowout preventer operators.

The company, founded in Lafayette, Louisiana, has grown from offering a single variable bore ram model to hosting one of the largest inventories of OEM blowout preventer rams and elastomers in the world.

VBR’s 26,654 square foot state-of-the-art warehouse facility, recently constructed in Broussard, Louisiana, houses more than 1,600 different types and sizes of blowout preventer ram type products. All VBR equipment is maintained to meet OEM, API, NTL and BOERME requirements and is stored in temperature and humidity controlled facilities to ensure product reliability.

“What started, back in 1980, as a small company focused on accommodating rigs with specific blowout preventer requirements has expanded to include both domestic and international energy markets,” said Hines M. “Chip” Marshall Jr., president of Variable Bore Rams, Inc. “For the past 35 years our team at VBR has been proud to offer quality services and equipment at a moment’s notice in an effort to keep our customers operating in a safe and productive environment, and I look forward to continuing to provide customers with this same service for years to come.”

VBR has distribution centers in Louisiana, Texas and the United Kingdom.

LAFAYETTE, La. (July 29, 2014) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram providers in the world, has expanded with a new distribution center in Midland, Texas, President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall Jr. announced.

The new facility will improve response time in New Mexico, Oklahoma and West Texas by up to seven hours and make inventory rotation into and out of VBR’s headquarters easier. Available inventory will include approximately 100 sets of various dressed rams and 200 sets of spare elastomers.

“This is the second facility in Texas we have opened in the last two years as a result of the increasing demand,” said Marshall. “We look forward to handling the high volume of work in this area at an even more accelerated pace with this new facility.”

VBR has identified at least 300 rigs in West Texas that would benefit from the new distribution center’s expansive ram inventory and quick response time.

Variable Bore Rams, Inc. provides support for blowout prevention operators worldwide and offers a wide variety of variable bore ram products. Stocking the latest in equipment and providing the most recent product upgrades, engineering updates and technical bulletins, VBR provides services worldwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and at a moment’s notice.

Broussard, LA (September 19, 2013) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original
equipment manufacturers (OEM) of blowout preventer components and ram providers in the world, has named Cameron McCreary as sales account manager, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr.

Based in San Antonio, McCreary will be responsible for expanding sales and revenue in the west and south Texas regions. He will establish productive, professional relationships with key personnel within his accounts while cultivating existing company relationships. McCreary’s role also requires management of tickets and invoices within his area.

Previously, McCreary held two positions at Drilformance as a city sales representative and a field sales representative. He has also worked with National Oilwell Varco (NOV) and Hughes Christen Company. Additionally, McCreary has completed various bit selling solutions courses and seminars.

“We are pleased to add Cameron to the VBR team due to the immeasurable value he brings to this position,” said Marshall. “His previous sales experience will be an asset to VBR as he leads his team as a sales account manager.”

LAFAYETTE, La. (Jan.22, 2013) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc.(VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of blowout preventer components and ram providers in the world,has entered into an agreement with Weatherford Asia Pacific Pte Ltd to provide Blowout Preventer (BOP) rams, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr.

Equipment stocking will begin in Feb. 2013 and will allow for the quicker deployment of rams in the Asia Pacific region. The range of stock will include rams of multiple sizes in varying categories including 7-1/16 inch, 3-15M; 11-inch, 3-10M; 13-5/8-inch, 3-10M; 18-3/4-inch, 10-15M; and 21-1/4-inch, 2M.

“We have a long standing relationship with Weatherford UK Ltd which significantly influenced being chosen for this contract,” said Marshall.”The company is proud to be connected with such a worldwide influence in the industry, and we hope that our presence in the Asia Pacific region will help us to grow globally and increase our service offerings overseas.”

The venture will be headed by the Weatherford Pressure Control Business unit and Variable Bore Rams, Inc.’s International Operations department.Both organizations will oversee all operational activity involved with the contract.

LAFAYETTE, La. (Nov.28, 2012) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of blowout preventer components and ram providers in the world, has added the HMH (Hydril) shearing blind ram to its offerings, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr.

Manufactured by HMH Hydril, the ram is capable of completely shutting off the well after pipe has been sheared. It is recommended for all applications using 9-5/8″pipe and below and available in sizes 18-3/4-10M and 18-3/4-15M.

In adherence to safety requirements, the ram is American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) certified. As an added advantage, interchangeable shearing blades separate this product from competing rams.

“This product is available worldwide through VBR Inc. and benefits our clientele by providing them with a more versatile option to their operational needs,” said Marshall. “As the demand for our products grow, it is imperative that we match that with an expanding inventory.”

Click here to read more about the HMH (Hydril) ram.