Abstract: A well safety valve for use in a fluid well conduit through which fluid is produced by pumping. A body is adapted to be inserted into the conduit and includes a passageway for well fluid. A valve in the passageway opens and closes in response to the fluid level or hydrostatic pressure in the conduit. When pumping is discontinued, the fluid level in the conduit increases to a predetermined high level to close the valve. When pumping begins, the fluid level falls and when it reaches a predetermined low level the valve is opened. The valve includes an equalizing device.

Abstract: A landing nipple having a landing sub is adapted to be connected to a production well conduit. When temporarily abandoning the well, a pump-out plug is seated in the landing sub and includes a bi-directional valve which allows flow through the plug when running and after seating seals in both directions. When desired, the pump-out plug and landing sub may be expelled by pressure to provide a full bore production of the well.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve having a piston and cylinder assembly for actuating the safety valve. First and second flow sealing valves are positioned in communication with a flow control passageway to the assembly in which said first and second valves open and close in response to the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder. The first valve shuts off fluid flow from the fluid control passageway to the assembly when the safety valve is open and the second valve to shuts off fluid flow from the cylinder to the fluid control passageway when the safety valve is closed. A third valve may be positioned on the side of the piston in communication with the fluid control passageway and is redundantly positioned with the second valve. A lost motion connection may be provided for sequentially actuating the second and third valves.

Abstract: A double seated well circulating valve for use in a well conduit having a tubular housing with a vertically extending bore therethrough and a port providing communication between the inside and outside of the housing. A first valve seat is horizontally positioned in the bore below the port and a second valve seat is in communication with the port. A valve closure member is movable between the first and second valve seats for alternately closing and opening fluid flow through the bore and through the port. A flow tube telescopically moves in the housing for controlling movement of the valve closure member. A piston and cylinder assembly controls the flow tube and biasing means acts to move the flow tube upwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting steam containing water into a plurality of separated oil bearing zones for substantially equally dividing the injection of the water equally into the zones. A sidepocket mandrel with multiple pockets is positioned in the well tubing and includes a plug in the open bore for collecting water and directing the water substantially equally into each of the sidepockets for transmittal to the separated well zones.

Abstract: A well tool having a housing which includes a pressure reducing and fluid velocity reducing passageway. The passageway is formed by first and second vertically positioned members spaced from each other. The first member includes a tapered surface having plurality of grooves and ridges and the second member includes a tapered surface facing the grooves and ridges. Threads are provided for longitudinally moving one of the members relative to the other member for adjusting the space between the members thereby adjusting the size of the passage way. The one member may include an outer portion of the housing or may include a sleeve inside of the housing. A lock is provided for locking the first and second members together after adjustment of the size of the passageway.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having an equalizing line between a point below the safety valve and a point above the safety valve and an equalizing valve in the line. A sleeve valve is releasably locked in a first position opening the equalizing line and in a second position closing the equalizing line for protecting the equalizing valve or closing the equalizing line in the event the equalizing valve develops a leak.

Abstract: Injecting fluid by inserting a coil tubing having a fluid outlet and a valve above the outlet into a well conduit, biasing the valve to a closed position with a sufficient force to at least balance the hydrostatic force of injection fluid in the tubing, inserting a fluid to be injected in the conduit, and pressurizing the fluid in the coil tubing for opening the valve and injecting the fluid through the fluid outlet. The fluid is ejected in a circumferential direction from the tubing and the tubing may be moved relative to the well conduit while injecting. The upward flow of well fluids in the well conduit may be used to disperse the injected fluid around the interior of the well conduit. The interior of the well conduit may be wiped after injecting the fluid for more evenly spreading the injected fluid. An ejector is connected to the bottom of the coil tubing which initially overbalances the hydrostatic force of the fluid in the coil tubing and opens by injection pressure.

Abstract: A retrievable subsurface well safety valve for installation in and controlling fluid through a well conduit having a polished bore. Two upper seals are provided on the exterior of the valve for isolating the control fluid for actuating a piston and cylinder assembly. A lower seal is provided adjacent the valve closure member for blocking fluid flow through the valve housing. The seals initially have a smaller outside diameter than the internal diameter of the polished bore and the outside diameter of the valve housing for preventing damage to the seals while running in the well conduit. The seals are expanded into engagement with the polished bore either mechanically or hydraulically.

Abstract: A reverse flow check check valve for use in a pumping well to prevent backflow when the pump is shut down in which the valve has pump through capabilities for killing the well. The valve includes a housing having a bore with a valve closure element in the bore. A flow tube telescopically moves in the housing upwardly for opening and downwardly for actuating the closing of the member. The flow tube is biased downwardly, preferably by weight, for closing the valve and is responsive to a pressure drop for holding the valve element open. The housing has a port initially closed, but may be opened for pumping through the valve.

Abstract: A well packer adapted to be set in a well conduit and includes a mandrel, a packing seal surrounding the mandrel and slips positioned above the packing seal against an abutment. The abutment is connected to a latching head and to the mandrel. A connection is positioned adjacent the lower end of the latching head which can be broken for releasing the latching head and preferably the abutment from the mandrel for allowing the milling out of the packer without the necessity of milling the latching head. The packer is released by an upward jar on the latching head for retrieving the latching head in some embodiments and by chemical cutting in another embodiment. The packer slips are then milled out for releasing the packer for upward movement.

Abstract: A well safety valve having a housing and a valve closure member moving between opened and closed positions by a longitudinally tubular member movable in the housing. A piston and cylinder assembly includes a seal between the piston and cylinder, is connected to the tubular member, and is actuated by hydraulic fluid from the well surface for moving the valve to an open position. The valve is biased to a closed position by a U-shaped chamber. The chamber includes a pressurized gas and hydraulic fluid in the chamber between the gas and the assembly seal for lubricating and preventing the gas from escaping through the seal. The piston cylinder assembly is out of communication with and unaffected by pressure in the bore. At least one actuator rod is connected between the assembly and the tubular member and includes first and second spaced seals. The pressure in the bore is in communication with the rod between the first and second seals thereby balancing the housing pressure on the rod.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well conduit having an improved fluid actuator with a ceramic piston connected to and actuating the valve and movable in a ceramic sleeve. The actuator metal valve seats and metal valve elements for seating on the valve seats for providing positive seals.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having a flow tube telescopically movable in a housing for controlling the movement of a valve closure member. A piston and cylinder assembly actuates the flow tube and is in communication with hydraulic control fluid from the well surface on one side and a gas biasing chamber on the second side and includes a spring acting on the flow tube to close the valve. An equalizing system equalizes fluid pressure on opposite sides of the piston and cylinder assembly in the event of a failure in the seal between the piston and cylinder thereby allowing the spring to close the valve.

Abstract: A dump and kill valve for use in a sidepocket having a main bore, a sidepocket in communication with the main bore with ports between the sidepocket and the outside of the mandrel and a shoulder above the pocket. The valve includes a body having a no-go shoulder with an upper first and a lower second seal spaced apart and positioned on the body sealing in the pocket on opposite sides of the port for initially blocking fluid flow. One of the seals is releasably connected to the body and is movable relative to the body upwardly in response to fluid pressure for opening communication between the ports and the main bore. Latch means may be provided between the movable seal and the body for latching the movable seal after opening and the setting tool may include a releasable seal holding shoulder for preventing premature movement of the movable seal.

Abstract: A surface controlled electrically operated solenoid subsurface safety valve is positioned in a well tubing in a well and controlled by an electrical control line extending from the solenoid coil to the well surface. One or more measuring sensors are positioned in the well for measuring a physical property of the well. The input of the sensor is connected to the control line for receiving electrical power and the output of the sensor is connected to the control power for supplying an output signal proportional to the measurement of the physical property. The output signal is distinguishable from the electrical supply current to the solenoid coil. A signal processor at the well surface receives the sensor output. Preferably the sensors are connected in parallel with at least a portion of the solenoid coil.

Abstract: In combination with a subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow through a well tubing of an equalizing system for reducing the pressure differential across the first valve. A housing includes an equalizing line in communication with the bore between points above and below the first valve. An equalizing valve is positioned in the line, operated from hydraulic pressure and opens prior to the opening of the first valve. A labyrinth passageway is provided in the equalizing line upstream of the equalizing valve for providing pressure drops for controlling the velocity of the fluid flowing through the equalizing valve. A seal is provided in the housing to engage the flow tube in its open position for blocking fluid flow in the equalizing line. The equalizing valve closes before the first valve starts to close thereby preventing flow through the equalizing valve. Preferably the labyrinth passageway includes a plurality of grooves and ridges.

Abstract: A well safety valve controlling flow through a well tubing using a hydraulic control line extending from the well surface to one side of an actuating piston and cylinder assembly for opening the valve. A balance line extending to the second side of the piston and cylinder assembly for compensating for the hydrostatic pressure in the control line. The piston and cylinder assembly includes a check valve providing communication of hydraulic fluid from the balance line to the control line for purging the balance line of gas. A second piston and cylinder assembly is positioned adjacent to and actuated by the first piston cylinder assembly. The cross-sectional area of the piston of the first assembly is greater than the cross-sectional area of the piston of the second assembly whereby a lower surface operating pressure in the control line on the larger first assembly will open the valve. The closing force acts through the smaller second assembly to close the valve.

Abstract: First and second members each having a first side shape for coacting with and secured longitudinally to the outside of a tubular member in a parallel spaced relationship for enclosing a portion of a well control line. Each of the members has tapered ends for avoiding catching on shoulders in a well. Each of the members has a longitudinal groove on the inside extending the length of the member and a plate is inserted in the grooves for enclosing a control line between the plate and the outside of the tubular member. An opening is provided in each of the members extending from the outside of the member through the groove for allowing the deformation of the plate for securing the plate in the grooves. The outside of the members are rounded for fitting into an outer tubular member.

Abstract: The improvement in a hydraulic actuator for actuating a subsurface safety valve having a metal piston connected to and actuating the valve and movable in a cylinder in which the cylinder is connected at one end to a hydraulic control fluid passageway and on the second end to pressure in the safety valve. The cylinder includes metal valve seats and metal valve elements are connected to the piston for seating on the valve seats for providing positive seals. A universal connection may be provided between the pistons and the valve elements. The piston seal may be opposing metal cups or a labyrinth seal.