Abstract: A sidepocket mandrel for use in a well tubing having coaxial threaded connections about an end bore at each end for connection in a well tubing. The body includes a main portion having an open bore and a flow control device receiving pocket offset from the open bore. The longitudinal axis of the open bore is offset from the axis of the end bores. The body includes a space portion both above and below the main body portion for allowing the passage of a well tool of a predetermined length and size which could not pass directly between an end bore and the open bore. The space portions have a bore greater in lateral drift dimension than the open bore and have a length greater than the predetermined length of the well tool whereby the well tool may move laterally in the space portions for alignment with either an end bore or the open bore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of making up and sealing between threaded sections of a well tool such as a safety valve. The female connection includes an end on one side of its thread and a shoulder on the other side of its thread and the male connection includes an end on one side of its thread and a shoulder on the other side of its thread. A soft metal seal is positioned between the end of the male connection and the shoulder on the female connection for sealing between the connections when the connections are threaded together. A hole is drilled in the made-up connection through the shoulder of the male connection and the end of the female connection and a plug is positioned in the hole with a force fit for maintaining the rotational and longitudinal alignment of the made-up connection. Preferably the metal seal is supported by a recess on one of the connections and a taper on the other of the connections. The plug may include a connection for removing the plug.

Abstract: A soft set and pull latch for setting and pulling a measuring instrument in a well conduit. The latch includes a body with a seal, a fishing shoulder and a no-go shoulder. A measuring instrument support is attached to the body by a shock absorber. Locking dogs are radially and longitudinally movable in the body. A dog expander sleeve includes a recess for allowing the dogs to retract and includes a shoulder for locking the dogs outwardly. A locking spring urges the dogs downwardly onto the sleeve shoulder but allows the dogs to move upwardly into alignment with the sleeve recess. A releasing spring acts on the expander sleeve for urging the sleeve upwardly for moving the sleeve shoulder under the dogs but allows the dogs to retract into the sleeve recess on downward movement of the sleeve relative to the body. The body may include pressure equalizing ports and a pressure prong releasably positioned in the body and initially blocking the port.

Abstract: An annulus subsurface safety valve for installation between inner and outer concentric members and controlling a fluid passageway therein in which the safety valve is locked to the outer member when the fluid passageway is closed. The outer member is provided with a threaded section and the safety valve housing includes a plurality of segments carried for inward and outward movement in which the segments include threads on the outside for coacting with the threaded section. A lock is provided upon the valve closure of the safety valve and positioned to be out of engagement with the segments when the valve is in the open position but is in engagement with and locks the segments outwardly in engagement with the threaded section when the valve is in the closed position. Springs urge the segments outwardly whereby the valve may be ratcheted downwardly into the threaded section and can be released from the threaded section by opening the passageway or can be released by rotation.

Abstract: A hydraulic control communication nipple for switching control fluid in a fluid passageway from one location to a second location. A metal plug is aligned with a portion of the fluid passageway and is positioned to be engaged by a vertically moving sleeve and moved into said portion to shut off fluid communication to a first location. The plug is a frangible plug that includes a longitudinal axis extending vertically into the passageway and includes threads screwed into and forming a metal-to-metal seal with the passageway. The movement of the plug into the portion of the passageway may also open communication of the passageway with the second location. For alternately opening the passageway to a second location, a metal breakable screw having a longitudinal axis extending vertically into the passageway adjacent the second location has threads screwed into and initially blocks the passageway with a metal-to-metal seal. The screw includes a cavity exposed to the passageway.

Abstract: A well packer for use in a well bore having initially retracted packing seal and slip means which are actuated by hydraulic pistons, the improvement in various seals which allow the packer to be used in high temperature environments. The pistons are ring shaped with cup-shaped sealing surfaces extending towards a hydraulic supply port for sealing by hydraulic fluid. Spacers are provided between the pistons for preventing damage to the piston seals. First and second abutments are provided adjacent one end of the seal packer with a metal seal ring between the abutments and coacting wedge surfaces are provided on the metal seal and each of the abutments for sealing against both abutments and wedging the seal inward for sealing. Metal static seals are provided in the packer which are compressed by threads for providing high temperature seals.

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.

Abstract: A hydraulic controlled valve for use in a well conduit for controlling fluid flow between the inside and outside of the conduit. A sliding valve is hydraulically controlled by a piston from the well surface in which the piston is also in communication with the outside of the body for hydrostatically compensating the piston. A tubular member is positioned inside of the sliding sleeve and has an opening with seals affixed to the tubular member about the tubular member opening and against the valve element whereby the valve is uninfluenced by pressure inside of the conduit. The valve may be retrievable and can be positioned in a mandrel pocket or a tubing nipple. The valve may seal against the internal diameter of the well conduit eliminating a tubular wall for providing maximum flow area capabilities.

Abstract: A well flow control device for use in an oil and/or gas well tubing string for communicating between the tubing string and the annulus. A tubular body having a plurality of openings with a sleeve telescopically movable in the interior of the body and initially covering and closing the openings. A plurality of dogs are carried by the sleeve in windows which taper upwardly and inwardly. The dogs include a ball which engages a backup shoulder in the body to hold the dogs inwardly when the sleeve covers the openings. The sleeve includes a shoulder engaging the balls for limiting the extent of the inward movement of the dogs and the body includes a recess to receive the dogs when the sleeve is moved to an opening position. Mechanical or hydrostatic shear releases are provided.

Abstract: A well service line cutter for connection in a well conduit for cutting a line extending therethrough. A housing having a bore through which a service line may extend and the housing is adapted to be connected in a well conduit. An energy chamber for holding pressurized gas is releasably contained by a hydraulic valve mechanism which in turn is held closed by a hydraulic control line extending to the well surface. Release of the hydraulic pressure opens the valve allowing the compressed gas to actuate a piston which moves cutters into the bore for cutting any line in the bore. A biasing mechanism is connected to the piston for returning the piston and cutter to the retracted position and opening the bore after cutting the line. The energy chamber may be charged for a single operation or may be recharged by a line extending to the well surface.

Abstract: A pump out sub for use in a well tubing for receiving a plug for sealing the tubing and applying pressure to the tubing for actuating a well device and thereafter applying a higher pressure to pump out the plug and open the bore. A circular ring is connected in a recess in the bore of the body by shear pins. An expandable seat is positioned in a second recess above the first recess and extends into the bore for receiving a plug and is positioned above and supported from the circular ring. When a plug is seated on the seat pressure may be applied to the tubing for actuating well tools. Thereafter additional pressure is applied to the plug and the ring and the seat moves downwardly and the seat expands into the first recess and out of the bore.

Abstract: A sidepocket mandrel having a one piece body section with a keyhole cross section extending from one end of the body to the other end of the body forms an open bore and an offset bore. A one piece integral insert having a locking shoulder and a sidepocket includes an external shape to mate in the offset bore in the lower portion of the body allowing the upper portion of the offset bore to function as a discriminator.

Abstract: A well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well conduit having a tubular housing and valve closure member moving between open and closed positions by a longitudinally tubular member telescopically movable in the housing. A piston and cylinder assembly is positioned in the housing, connected to the tubular member, and actuated by hydraulic fluid from the well surface for moving the valve to an open position. The valve prevents pressure in the well conduit from affecting the opening or closing of the valve by providing first and second spaced seal means between the tubular member and the housing for preventing fluid pressure in the tubular member from communicating with the piston and cylinder assembly. The outside diameter of the tubular member on which the first and second seals engage are of the same diameter whereby the tubular member is pressure balanced.

Abstract: A grease injection control head for maintaining a seal about a wire performing wireline operations in a well. A tubular body includes a grease injection port for injecting grease for counteracting pressure in the well with a vent port above the injection port for venting fluids. A plurality of tubular members are provided in the body positioned between the injection port and the vent port. Each member includes a close fitting longitudinal bore for passage of a wireline for providing a grease pressure seal. The members are telescopically and sealably joined to adjacent members. The members include an enlarged cavity about the bore at each end for providing a turbulent grease chamber between adjacent members for distributing the pressure drop along the body for reducing loading on the wire and friction with a minimum length body. The length of a longitudinal bore relative to the longitudinal length of a chamber is no greater than 5:1.

Abstract: A communication nipple for communicating control fluid flow from the outside of a well tool to the inside of a well tool through a fluid passage in the well tool without the use of elastomer seals. A metal breakable screw extends vertically into and initially blocks the passageway with a metal-to-metal seal and extends to the inside of the well tool. The screw includes a cavity exposed to the passageway. A vertically-moving breaking sleeve is connected to the screw and is adapted to break the screw in tension and expose the cavity to the interior of the well tool when the sleeve is moved away from the screw. The present apparatus is particularly useful for supplying hydraulic control fluid into the valve bore of a first well safety valve for controlling a second safety valve positioned in the first valve bore.

Abstract: An improved no go shoulder on a well lock which is adapted to lock in a locking notch in a landing nipple in a well in which the lock includes a setting wedge to be moved, after shearing setting shear means, for actuating locking dogs into the locking notch. The no go shoulder is of a shearable material having a shear strength load capacity greater than the shear strength capacity of the setting shear means but having a shear strength capacity less than the shear strength capacity of the landing nipple shoulder whereby the strength of the no go is sufficient to allow the lock to be set but is insufficient to deform the landing nipple shoulder. Preferably, the no go shoulder is a shearable insert positioned in a recess in the lock.

Abstract: A dynamic metal-to-metal seal for use in a double acting piston and cylinder for use in high pressures and temperatures. First and second metal cup seals engage the piston and face in opposite directions for sealing against the cylinder wall whereby the higher pressure in the cylinder acting against the first or second seal will move the piston. In order to prevent high differential pressures across the seals when the piston is actuated, means are provided for transmitting fluid pressure from the lower pressure in the cylinder to the cylinder between the cup seal. The piston includes first and second oppositely directed seats with first and second metal seals telescopically movable on the piston adjacent one of the seats and each metal seal includes a sealing surface adapted to mate with one of the seats. Each metal seal also includes an outwardly directed cup seal extending away from their seats and sealingly engaging the cylinder.

Abstract: A well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well tubing in which at least one piston having a small cross-sectional area for reducing the effect of high hydrostatic forces controls the opening and closing of the valve. The piston has a piston rod extending upwardly from the piston for connection to the tubular member controlling the valve whereby the piston and piston rod are acted on in tension by hydraulic control fluid and avoids subjecting the small piston to compression loads. A stop is provided on the piston on the side remote from the upwardly extending piston rod for preventing compression loading on the piston in the event the tubing pressure is greater than the control fluid pressure. The connection between the piston rod and the tubular member includes at least one telescopically movable elongate member having a greater cross-sectional area than the piston rod and is connected between the piston rod and the tubular member.

Abstract: A seal on a well tool for sealing off the space between two well members consisting of an encapsulated polyelastic thermal and/or corrosive seal. The seal includes an outer protective layer which physically protects the seal as it is moved into place and set and which is preferably of a plastic. A second pliable layer is encapsulated in the first outer layer and is impervious to well fluids. Preferably the second layer is a corrugated shaped metal layer. A third layer is encapsulated within the second layer and is an elastic material such as an elastomer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring bottom hole conditions such as pressure in the tubing of a well including a locking and sealing sub to lock into and seal against the interior of the tubing, an isolation valve connected in the sub and a measuring instrument connected to the valve for measuring conditions in the tubing. The isolation valve has a bore with an annular seat in the bore and side ports leading into the bore below the seat. A valve element is longitudinally movable in the valve between an open position below the ports and a closed position against the seat and includes an elongate mandrel having a backup shoulder. A latch mechanism initially holds the valve in the open position and includes a collet member initially engaging the mandrel and holding the valve element in the open position and the collet is held in a latched position by a spring loaded backup shoulder.