Abstract: A well system in which a dual annular type valve with wall flow ports, operable by ambient pressures, is utilized as part of the well tool string to provide an unrestricted flow path for production through and prevent excess back pressure on the producing formation. The valve has outside seals and internal valves above and below the wall ports controlling flow therethrough. Higher pressure outside the valve will open the biased closed lower sleeve valve to production flow through the wall ports into the flow path through the well production tubing. If pressure in the flow path through increases, both valves close preventing flow out through the wall ports. Increasing flow path pressure to a predetermined value shears lower valve seat positioning pins to open wall flow ports to high volume flow pumped into the formation to kill the well and to two-way flow afterward.

Abstract: A hanger and valve assembly which can be employed as a safety valve assembly to close both the production tubing and the tubing-casing annulus in a subterranean well is disclosed. The assembly includes a hydraulically activated, mechanically locked hanger which has slip anchoring members engaging the casing or, exterior conduit for preventing movement in both longitudinal directions. The hanger also has annular packing elements to seal the tubing-casing annulus. An annulus safety valve member employing a longitudinally recessed resilient seal member can be mounted in a landing nipple mounted in the hanger. By recessing the seal it is protected from the turbulent flow through the valve. A second shuttle located in the landing nipple is employed in conjunction with the first annulus safety valve to permit flow in one direction while metering flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A single control line, surface controlled subsurface safety valve for controlling flow in a well, having a valve closure member responsive to the longitudinal movement of an operator tube disposed in the bore of the safety valve. The operator tube is moved to a position opening the valve closure member by action of a piston, housed in an annular pressure zone, which is responsive to control fluid pressure from the surface of the well. The operator tube is returned to a position closing the valve closure member by action of a resilient urging means housed in an annular chamber located above the annular pressure zone. There is no pressure differential between the bore of the safety valve and the annular chamber housing the resilient urging means.

Abstract: A control valve for a passageway in which the valve is reciprocated toward and away from its seat by pressure within a pressure dome and pressure exteriorly of the valve housing and in which reciprocation is controlled by a J-slot capable of latching the valve in open position while being run and releasing the valve for reciprocation after being landed in the well together with a frangible disc which may be ruptured to permit flow past the valve member; said valve being used to control flow through a H mandrel in a pumpdown system.

Abstract: A running tool for installing a wireline retrievable safety valve in a landing nipple of a well tubing string including a body connectible with a wireline tool string, a locking assembly for releasably locking the body with a well safety valve, a core connected with the body and connectible by a shear pin with a well safety valve, and a spring isolator tube assembly connected with the core and engageable with a spring operator tube in a safety valve to hold the valve spring compressed during valve installations. The isolator tube assembly prevents down forces on the running tool from direct delivery to the spring operator tube during valve installation.

Abstract: A valve for landing in a landing nipple which landing nipple includes an actuator for the valve with the valve including radially expansible locking means for locking the valve to the landing nipple and to the actua

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is combined with a locating means for locating the safety valve as it is pumped down into the well. A locking mandrel is provided that locks the safety valve in position after it has been located by a downward force being exerted on the locking means. When it is desired to remove the subsurface safety valve a pulling tool is run in and a downward force exerted to release the locking means permitting it thereafter to be retrieved from the well by reverse circulation.

Abstract: A valve and particularly a safety valve for use in controlling flow from a well in which an external motor is utilized to shift the actuator of a valve such as a ball valve. The reciprocating rod of the motor is protected by resilient means between the crosshead attached to the motor and the reciprocating actuator. The actuator is latched when the valve is in the open position so that it cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the reciprocating motor. The valve and seat assembly are designed to be replaced as a unit and can be fabricated as a subassembly with the valve in exact open alignment when the reciprocating actuator is in full valve open position as determined by a stop against which the valve member bottoms.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable differential pressure operated well safety valve which closes at a predetermined rate of flow which may be changed from the well surface. A housing is adapted to be threadedly connected to well tubing. A spring forces a flow tube and choke bean downwardly to normally hold the valve open, but when the producing rate increases to a preset value the bean and flow tube moves upwardly overcoming the spring allowing the valve to close. A releasable connection is provided between the choke bean and the flow tube for connecting the choke bean to and releasing the choke bean from the flow tube by longitudinal movement of the bean relative to the flow tube. The connection may include a collet interconnecting the beam and the flow tube in which the collet includes an enlargement for engaging a recess in the bean. The flow tube includes a backup shoulder for locking the enlargement in the recess and also includes an opening for allowing the collet to become released from the bean.

Abstract: A wire line removable well safety valve in an oil and gas well completion design including a tubing string, a well packer around the tubing string sealing with the well casing, and a submergible well pump on the tubing string below the packer. The safety valve controls flow of pumped well fluids through the tubing string, directs separated gas into the casing annulus around the tubing string above the packer, and shuts off the flow of pumped fluids and separated gas to the surface while permitting recirculation of pumped well fluids between the annulus and tubing string below the packer.

Abstract: A differential pressure operated subsurface safety valve (20). A latch mechanism, having ball detents (63), holds the safety valve (20) open until the difference in pressure between fluid in chamber (40) within the safety valve (20) and fluid flowing through the safety valve (20) exceeds a preselected value. The difference in pressure acts upon a piston (37) which is attached to an actuator sleeve (31) causing the actuator sleeve (31) to shift the safety valve (20) from its open to its closed position. The chamber (40) is charged by and equalized with fluid pressure around the exterior of the safety valve (20).

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing fluids entering into a well bore from a well formation while the well is being drilled, such as gas, in which the gas bubble is chopped into small bubbles by mixing the gas with drilling mud and pumping the mixed gas and drilling mud upwardly through the drill string-bore hole annulus and removing it from the well.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided having particular utility in a test assembly securable in a blowout preventer stack above a subterranean well. The valve assembly is carriable between upper and lower portions of a tubular conduit extendible to at least one production zone in the well. The valve assembly comprises first and second ball valve elements interior of the assembly and is shiftable between fully open and fully closed positions, with one of the valve elements being manipulated from the fully closed position to the fully open position prior to the other of the valve elements being manipulated from the fully closed position. The ball valve elements are circumferentially off-set from one another, and may be provided in a cartridge-type assembly.

Abstract: A landing nipple, adaptable to be made up in a tubing string having a sliding sleeve disposed in its bore for selectively providing communication of balance and control pressure fluid to the nipple bore. When the sleeve is shifted to its first, upper position, balance fluid is conducted via the nipple to a tubing retrievable safety valve placed in the tubing string below the nipple. In the event the tubing retrievable safety valve is taken out of service, a secondary safety valve can be landed in the nipple, the sleeve shifted to its downward, second position, opening sleeve ports for conducting control and balance fluids to the landed, secondary safety valve.

Abstract: A drill string safety and kill valve for a string of drill pipe used for drilling wells including a tubular valve body connectible in the drill pipe, a ball valve in the body mounted to rotate between open and closed positions for controlling flow through the body, a longitudinally movable tubular ball valve operator in the body connected with the ball valve, a spring biased flapper valve in the ball valve operator mounted to permit downward flow and to close responsive to upward flow for raising the ball valve operator to close the ball valve, a side port provided in the side of the ball valve positioned upwardly when the ball valve is closed for pumping drilling fluids downwardly into the bore of the closed ball valve, and a spring biased lower ball valve seat moved downwardly by downward flow of drilling fluid when the ball valve is closed to allow pumping into a well for killing the well after valve closure.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve having a flapper-like pivoting closure element that is moved to and from the open and closed positions by a reciprocating operator assembly. When moved to the open position, the closure element is pivoted out of the flow path to protect it from possible damage.

Abstract: Subsurface well apparatus and method of operating same, wherein a controlled ball valve or closure means is provided, with means for mounting same in a well tubing for normally opening and closing flow through the well tubing, and wherein a fluid flow control assembly having a replacement ball valve therewith is adapted to be dropped in or otherwise lowered through the well tubing so as to position same above said controlled ball valve for subsequent operation of said replacement valve to thereafter serve as a replacement for said controlled valve.

Abstract: A well safety system comprising a tubing retrievable safety valve adaptable for being connected in a well tubing string with means therein, responsive to pressure, for opening and closing the valve. The tubing retrievable safety valve is to be connected, in the tubing string, below a landing nipple for receiving a secondary safety valve. The safety valve and landing nipple are connected by a common conduit for conducting a suitable pressure fluid for control and balance of the safety valve and a secondary valve landed in the landing nipple. Means are provided on the landing nipple for selectively flushing pressure fluid into the tubing bore. This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is measured by the claims nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: A flow control and safety valve for oil wells where control of flow in the casing annulus is accomplished with a wire-line retrievable device. A basic valve structure provides for control of flow in the casing annulus by means of a control line to the surface. A number of additional functions can be added to the basic valve structure to accomplish control of flow through the tubing string and can accommodate control of dual and triple zone recovery. These additional functions are accomplished by landing additional wire-line retrievable valves within the basic structure whereby independent control of the annulus and tubing string flows is possible, at the same time affording increased flow diameters for a greater volume of production in a given casing size.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: In a well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well conduit in which the valve has a housing and a tubular member controlling a valve element the improvement in means for opening and closing the valve. At least one piston is telescopically movable within and has its longitudinal axis within the wall of the housing and outside of the tubular member and engages the tubular member. The first side of the piston is in communication with a hydraulic passageway adapted to extend to the well surface for opening the valve. The second side of the piston extends into a closed gas chamber tending to move the valve to the closed position. The piston has a small cross-sectional area for reducing the pressure effect in the gas chamber of the gas caused by movement of the second side of the piston whereby the differential between the opening and closing forces are reduced thereby allowing the valve to be used at greater depths in the well.

Abstract: A control tool is provided which is insertable through a tubing string in a subterranean well for selectively transmitting fluid pressure through the tool in first and second fluid flow paths for application of the pressure to activate an auxiliary tool on the tubing string, the auxiliary tool typically having first and second piston chambers and piston means in communication therewith, the chambers receiving fluid pressure delivered through the control tool. The control tool comprises a cylindrical housing with means defining first and second selectively pluggable fluid ports thereon. One of the ports is communicable with the first piston chamber, with the other port communicable with the second piston chamber. First and second selectively pluggable fluid vent passageways are defined through the housing with one of the vent passageways being communicable to one of the piston chambers, and the other of said vent passageways being communicable to the other of the piston chambers.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety apparatus for controlling control fluid used to operate subsurface safety valves mounted in well production tubing. The apparatus is operated by a shifting tool between a first position enabling a pair of tandem subsurface safety valves to operate together and a second position to isolate one of the subsurface safety valves from the control fluid. The apparatus is shifted between positions by a tool movable through the production tubing to the subsurface location.

Abstract: In a well valve such as a safety valve or gas lift valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well tubing having a valve closure member with means for moving the valve member in a direction to open the valve and spring means acting against the opening force for moving the valve to a closed position, the improvement of an external adjustment for adjusting the spring closing force. A shoulder member is longitudinally movable in the housing but non-rotatably movable relative to the housing and abuts the spring. Adjusting means is rotatably connected, but is longitudinally fixed, relative to the housing and is exposed to the exterior of the housing for allowing external rotation of the adjusting means. Coacting threads between the shoulder means and the adjusting means moves the shoulder toward and away from the spring by externally rotating the adjusting means thereby varying the closing force of the spring.

Abstract: A check valve is provided for use in the tubing string of a fluid producing well. The check valve is removably seated within the restricted diameter of a seating nipple in the tubing string. Resilient holddown means at the base of the valve are provided for this purpose. The check valve comprises a hollow generally tubular body having a pierceable valve element positioned therein, the valve opens and closes in response to fluid pressures bearing thereon. To equalize the pressures above and below the valve the pierceable valve element may be ruptured by a conventional wireline spear, allowing the fluid to drain slowly through the valve.

Abstract: A lockout for use with a fluid injection valve which injects fluids in a tubing string of a well. The lockout, when actuated, holds the injection valve open for allowing passage of well tools therethrough; but when deactuated, allows the injection valve to operate normally. In combination with a spring-loaded, normally closed injection valve, which is opened by pressure actuating a flow tube in response to injection flow, of a lockout having a second flow tube coaxially aligned with the first flow tube for engagement therewith, piston means connected to the second flow tube and adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure from the well surface for moving the second flow tube against the first flow tube for holding the injection valve open, and a biasing spring acting against the second flow tube for moving the second flow tube away from the first flow tube whereby the injection valve may operate normally and independently of the lockout.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve assembly for connection in a well pipe, including a valve member disposed in a valve body having a bore or passageway therethrough, a pair of spaced apart and oppositely facing valve seats in surrounding relation to an intermediate portion of the passageway, the valve positioned thereat and operable to open and close said passageway, a space within the valve body outwardly of the passageway therethrough, a control frame guidably movable within the space and having a piston associated therewith adapted to define first and second variable capacity pressure chambers within the space, means for moving the control frame in opposite longitudinal directions to open and close the valve, the means for moving the control frame including first and second ports, the first port providing fluid communication between the first variable capacity pressure chamber and an external source of pressure fluid, the second port providing fluid communication between the second variable capacity pressure chamb

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve having provisions for blocking communication of control fluid to the valve's pressure responsive operator and for locking the valve open in the event of valve failure. This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is measured by the claims nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface controlled subsurface safety valve adapted to be landed in a dual line landing nipple. The safety valve is used to control well fluids conducted through the bore of a well tubing string. The valve has a control fluid pressure chamber and a balance pressure chamber along with a zone in the valve exposed to balance fluid pressure. The control fluid pressure chamber is interspersed between the balance fluid pressure chamber and the balance pressure zone, and has a system of seals associated therewith, that provide a fail-closed safety system. Tubing bore pressure, in the event of seal failure, enters the balance pressure chamber, causing the safety valve to close. This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is measured by the claims nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: A disaster valve for downhole use in a gas or oil well is built into a unitary housing having a wireline running tool connector at one end and a control package at the other end. In the center of the housing, a ball valve (in one embodiment) or a piston and cylinder valve (in another embodiment) is arranged to be operated by a new and improved mandrel driven by a motor for rotating a feed screw. The housing includes passages and parts configured so that the lower end of the housing lies along the axis of the tubing to enable a peripheral fluid flow, coaxially around the housing. Near the valve, the fluid is diverted from the peripheral flow into an axial flow. The valve controls the fluid flow at the point where the peripheral flow converts into the axial flow. During catastrophic conditions, a quick release feature enables the valve to be driven to a closed position under spring tension.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pumpdown, retrievable, subsurface, safety valve for use in a well. The valve comprises a valve section including a valve member to control flow through the well tubing and one or more force exerting sections urging the valve member to a position blocking flow. The valve section and force exerting sections are interconnected. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve to through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety system to control flow within a well which includes an annulus safety valve to control flow in the annulus between concentric well pipe and which may include a tubing safety valve to control flow in the inner pipe.

Abstract: A surface-controlled wire-line retrieval subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve having a rotatable ball closure element and a movable operator mechanism that controls the operating stroke when the valve is operably installed as well as moving the ball and seat into sealing engagement.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve well tool securable in a well conduit for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the conduit. An increase or decrease in the well pressure from the normal flowing pressure of the well operates a rotatable ball valve to block flow of fluid through the conduit. Increasing and then decreasing the pressure in the bore above the ball valve rotates the valve to enable flow of fluid through the conduit.

Abstract: A surface-controlled wire-line retrieval subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve having a rotatable ball closure element and a movable operator mechanism that controls the operating stroke when the valve is operably installed as well as moving the ball and seat into sealing engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling flow from a producing zone through a tubing string and through a bypass into the annulus between the tubing string and casing, the apparatus including a production flow tube and bypass tube extending through a packer which is set by fluid pressure supplied through the tubing string. A safety valve and sleeve assembly is positioned by wire line after the packer is set, the sleeve including a bypass control valve. The tubing string may carry a pump and electric motor and the bypass may receive encased conductors for the motor. The safety valve sleeve assembly includes fluid pressure responsive means for holding the safety valve in its open position, and a small pressure fluid line extends to the well mouth. Drop in pressure in the fluid line, either by control at the well mouth or by damage to the pressure fluid line, permits a spring to close the safety valve against upward flow of well fluid, and also to close the bypass control valve.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.