Abstract: A safety system for a well having a cable deployed electronic submersible pump includes a barrier valve having a control line for opening and closing the valve, a first flapper safety valve assembly, and a second flapper safety valve assembly. The second flapper safety valve allows the cable for the pump to pass through the second flapper safety valve when the valve is in a closed position. An integral flapper safety valve assembly incorporates the first and second flapper safety valves.

Abstract: A flapper for use as a component of a safety valve designed for deployment in a well bore having well bore fluids. The flapper includes a flapper body forming a flapper valve bore therethrough. The flapper body forms a groove proximate to the flapper bore. The flapper also includes a plunger member sized and configured to be received in the flapper valve bore. The plunger member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. Additionally, the flapper includes a leaf spring including a primary end portion and a secondary end portion, the primary end portion of the leaf spring detachably attached to the second end portion of the plunger member and unattached to the flapper body and the secondary end portion of the leaf spring being sized and configured to be received and retained in the groove and to bias the plunger member into the flapper valve bore.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved to a closed position without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. The latch mechanism includes one or more micro pistons.

Abstract: A flapper for use as a component of a safety valve designed for deployment in a well bore having well bore fluids. The flapper includes a flapper body forming a flapper valve bore therethrough. The flapper body forms a groove proximate to the flapper bore. The flapper also includes a plunger member sized and configured to be received in the flapper valve bore. The plunger member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. Additionally, the flapper includes a leaf spring including a primary end portion and a secondary end portion, the primary end portion of the leaf spring detachably attached to the second end portion of the plunger member and unattached to the flapper body and the secondary end portion of the leaf spring being sized and configured to be received and retained in the groove and to bias the plunger member into the flapper valve bore.

Abstract: A flapper for use as a component of a safety valve designed for deployment in a well bore having well bore fluids. The flapper includes a flapper body forming a flapper valve bore therethrough. The flapper body further forms a groove proximate to the flapper bore. The flapper also includes a plunger member sized and configured to be received in the flapper valve bore. The plunger member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. Additionally, the flapper includes a leaf spring including a primary end portion and a secondary end portion, the primary end portion of the leaf spring detachably attached to the second end portion of the plunger member and unattached to the flapper body and the secondary end portion of the leaf spring being sized and configured to be received and retained in the groove and to bias the plunger member into the flapper valve bore.

Abstract: Presented is a subsurface safety valve in which the flapper mount, hard seat and spring housing have been integrated into a single assembly. To accommodate a “soft seat insert,” a special retainer soft seat ring and soft seat seal are provided. The soft seat seal fits over a conical protruding surface (hard seat) that surrounds the main bore of the safety valve on the bottom side of the spring housing. The retainer ring fits over the soft seat seal and holds it in place against the conical surface. Notches along the perimeter of an upper flanged end of the soft seat seal prevent gases, such as nitrogen, from becoming trapped behind the seal and potentially damaging it during a rapid decompression event. A gap between the upper flanged end of the soft seat seal and the lower spring housing allow the seal to move up and down the conical protruding surface as the flapper opens and closes, reducing compression of the seal and the risk of a compression set due to repeated opening and closing of the flapper.

Abstract: A flapper for use as a component of a safety valve designed for deployment in a well bore having well bore fluids. The flapper includes a flapper body forming a flapper valve bore therethrough. The flapper body further forms a groove proximate to the flapper bore. The flapper also includes a plunger member sized and configured to be received in the flapper valve bore. The plunger member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. Additionally, the flapper includes a leaf spring including a primary end portion and a secondary end portion, the primary end portion of the leaf spring detachably attached to the second end portion of the plunger member and unattached to the flapper body and the secondary end portion of the leaf spring being sized and configured to be received and retained in the groove and to bias the plunger member into the flapper valve bore.

Abstract: Presented is a subsurface safety valve in which the flapper mount, hard seat and spring housing have been integrated into a single assembly. To accommodate a “soft seat insert,” a special retainer soft seat ring and soft seat seal are provided. The soft seat seal fits over a conical protruding surface (hard seat) that surrounds the main bore of the safety valve on the bottom side of the spring housing. The retainer ring fits over the soft seat seal and holds it in place against the conical surface. Notches along the perimeter of an upper flanged end of the soft seat seal prevent gases, such as nitrogen, from becoming trapped behind the seal and potentially damaging it during a rapid decompression event. A gap between the upper flanged end of the soft seat seal and the lower spring housing allow the seal to move up and down the conical protruding surface as the flapper opens and closes, reducing compression of the seal and the risk of a compression set due to repeated opening and closing of the flapper.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow in a well bore. In one embodiment, the subsurface safety valve includes a tubular member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, a curved flapper removably connected to the tubular member. The curved flapper is configured to pivot against the tubular member between an open position and a closed position. The subsurface safety valve further includes a hard seat positioned inside the tubular member, in which the hard seat defines a seating surface configured to receive a sealing surface defined on a bottom periphery portion of the curved flapper to form a sealing interface having a slope that varies along the sealing interface.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow in a well bore. In one embodiment, the subsurface safety valve includes a tubular member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, a curved flapper removably connected to the tubular member. The curved flapper is configured to pivot against the tubular member between an open position and a closed position. The subsurface safety valve further includes a hard seat positioned inside the tubular member, in which the hard seat defines a seating surface configured to receive a sealing surface defined on a bottom periphery portion of the curved flapper to form a sealing interface having a slope that varies along the sealing interface.