Abstract: A pipe section with an exteriorally secured valve body is arranged to be inserted in a lower portion of a well pipe string containing sucker rods and a lower pump, the pipe section and valve body being disposed slightly above the pump itself. A lateral pin passes through a connecting bore between the pipe section and valve body and is arranged to be urged in a lateral direction to operate the valve when the sucker rods are moved beyond their normal stroke within the pipe string. Opening of the valve serves to place the column of fluid in the well pipe string into communication with the well annulus and thereby permit emptying the pipe string of the fluid column and thus permitting the pipe to be pulled for repairing the pump or for other operations without the disadvantage of the heavy hydrostatic pressure resulting from the fluid column.

Abstract: A specially designed valve is incorporated in the pumping tube of an oil well pump secured to the lower end of an oil well pipe string. In pumping the well, oil is drawn up through the pumping tube and oil pipe string to the surface. The check valve is arranged to be actuated from the surface of the well in response to lowering the sucker rods for operating the pump beyond the normal amplitude limits to thereby place into communication the oil in the pumping tube and pipe string with the annulus of the well between the well casing and exterior walls of the pumping tube pipe string thereby equalizing the hydrostatic pressure and permitting pulling of the well pipe for pump servicing or other operations.