Abstract: A surface controlled, subsurface safety valve in which a force due to control pressure fluid from a first source at the surface for opening the valve is opposed in part by a force due to reference pressure fluid from a second source at the surface, whereby the valve closes in response to a fail condition.

Abstract: There are disclosed several embodiments of a fail safe gate valve and actuator having means for yieldably urging the gate from one position to which it is moved under one or more controlled conditions to its other position upon failure of one such condition, means including a handwheel mounted on the actuator for moving the gate to its one position, and means automatically responsive to a control signal for rendering the handwheel inoperative to move the gate to its one position upon reestablishment of said one controlled condition. In certain embodiments, the control signal is automatically responsive to the reestablishment of said one controlled condition; and, in another embodiment, it is automatically responsive to the failure of said one controlled condition. The controlled conditions are disclosed as being one or both of a predetermined fluid pressure condition, and or a predetermined environmental temperature condition.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a subsurface safety valve having operating means which is responsive to the supply of control fluid from a remote source for holding a closure member in open position and which is retrievable separately from the closure member, so that with the bore of the mandrel above and below the closure member fluidly disconnected, the closure member automatically closes so as to close in the well when the operating means is so retrieved.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in controlling flow within a well bore wherein each of two or more well tubing strings are suspended from the head of the well, and a mandrel connected as a part of each string, in a position spaced vertically of the other mandrel connected to the other string, has a side pocket to one side of its bore to receive a fluid pressure responsive, flow controlling tool which is run into and out of the pocket on a wireline, as well as a second bore which receives a section of the other string for vertical movement with respect to the one string.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for controlling flow through both a tubing string suspended within a well bore and the space within the well bore about the tubing string. The illustrated embodiment of the apparatus comprises a body made up of a pair of mandrels and having a first bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, whereby it may be lowered with the string into the well bore, a second bore therethrough parallel to the first bore for connection at its upper and lower ends with the space about the tubing string, and closure members mounted on the body for opening and closing the first and second bores. The body has first and second pockets therein each having one end opening to the first bore, a first tool is adapted to be run on a wire line through the tubing string and first bore into and out of the first pocket, and a second tool is adapted to be run on a wire line through the tubing string and first bore into and out of the second pocket.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a system for landing wire line "no go" tools at selected levels within a tubing string, a landing nipple connectible in the tubing string and in which either a top or a bottom "no go" tool may be landed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for holding and selectively mechanically releasing at least one plug device utilized in cementing a subterranean well, preferably a subsea well. The apparatus is securable and carryable on a manipulatable conduit, such as a drill string, communicating with the well. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing control head means positioned within the housing, shiftable in response to manipulation of the conduit from closed position, whereby the plug device is prevented from passing through the control head means, to open position, whereby the plug device is permitted to pass through the control head means. Means are provided for transferring at least one of longitudinal and rotational manipulation of the conduit to the control head means to selectively shift the control head means between closed and open positions. Subsequent to shifting of the control head means to open position, the plug device may be pumped through the control head means.

Abstract: An actuator is provided for converting linear to rotary motion to manipulate a valve. Preferably, the actuator has a rotor which is rotatable about an axis and is operably associatable with the valve member. A pair of motors, preferably actuated by pressure fluid, each includes a reciprocal push rod assembly. Flexible means are coupled between the push rod assemblies of the motors and spaced apart points on the rotor such that when one of the motors is actuated, the respective one of the push rod assemblies is moved linearly in a direction to transmit torque to the rotor, thus causing the rotor to rotate about its axis in one direction and manipulate the valve member to one of open and closed positions, and when the other of the motors is actuated, the other of the push rod assemblies is moved linearly in an opposing direction to transmit torque to the rotor whereby the rotor is rotated about its axis in an opposite direction to manipulate the valve to the other of open and closed positions.