Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having a curved flapper closure member and method making. The curved flapper has a concave sealing surface coacting with a valve seat. A flow tube has a lower end contoured to the flapper sealing surface. A flapper can be made out of a tubular member in which the inside has been honed providing a flapper with a concave surface which forms a sealing surface.

Abstract: A power actuating tool for connection to a coil tubing having first and second conduits for supplying first and second fluids, respectively, to the power tool. A housing includes first and second lines for connection to the coil tubing. A fluid actuated holding mechanism is connected to the housing and to the first line for receiving the first fluid for holding the housing in the wall. A fluid power actuator is connected to the housing and in fluid communication with the second line for providing fluid power for actuating the fluid power actuator. A control mechanism is connected to the first line and controls the supply of the second fluid to the fluid power actuator.

Abstract: A well tool having a body with a plurality of sections which are joined together without welds or threads. The sections form telescoping interconnections with adjacent sections and each interconnection includes a male and female part with an outer end. The parts are telescopically joined and rotationally aligned and sealing means are positioned between each male and female part. A hole is drilled through the female part and into the male part between the ends and a removable plug is positioned in the hole for providing for the transfer of rotational and longitudinal forces. Aligned eccentrically positioned fluid passageways extend through each of the sections.

Abstract: A safety valve where weight and length and consequently the cost is reduced to a minimum. A longitudinally moveable flow tube controls the movement of a valve closure element, a biasing mechanism biases the tube to a closed position, and a piston and cylinder assembly engages and moves the flow tube. A portion of the assembly is positioned beside and longitudinally overlaps the biasing mechanism for allowing the length of the valve to be reduced.

Abstract: A retrievable well subsurface safety valve having a valve seat and an arculate valve closure member on the bottom of the housing for increasing fluid flow through the bore of the housing. A nose, separate from the housing, is adapted to be connected in the well conduit below the bottom of the housing for protecting the valve closure member. The subsurface safety valve may be rotationally oriented to connect a flow control passageway to a port in the well conduit. A landing nipple includes a port for receiving hydraulic control fluid, a latching recess for latching the valve housing, and a latching recess for latching the nose, and orientation mechanism for rotating the safety valve relative to the port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recompleting an oil and/gas well inside of an existing well tubing in a well by supporting a coil tubing in the well tubing from a hanger assembly. A hydraulically actuated safety valve is connected in the coil tubing for controlling fluid flow through the coil tubing and is controlled by a hydraulic line connected to the safety valve and extending to the well surface outside of the coil tubing and inside of the well tubing. Packing is provided between the coil tubing and the well tubing and may include a well packer and/or annular safety valve. Gas lift mandrels may be connected to the coil tubing above the packoff.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable, hydrostatically operated liquid sleeve valve to control and shut off well production to the well surface of a producing well. The sleeve valve includes a port for supplying production fluid through the well annulus for pumping. When the pump stops, the liquid level in the annulus rises and creates a hydrostatic head against a sleeve piston which is biased to the open position by a gas charge. When the liquid reaches a selected level, the valve will move to a closed position. When the pump is reactivated, the liquid level is lowered and the valve is moved to the open position. Low friction seals minimize friction and a dynamic seal is set after the valve is shifted to the closed position.

Abstract: A surface pipeline safety valve having a tubular member telescopically movable in the housing for controlling the movement of a valve closure member, a rod piston and cylinder assembly contacting and moving the tubular member in response to pressure in the bore of the housing in which the second side of the assembly is in communication with the atmosphere. High and low pressure responsive mechanisms for closing the valve. Seals in the assembly and high and low pressure responsive mechanisms are replaceable from the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A choke and kill control system for stopping production of an oil and/or gas well by injecting a fluid from the outside of the well conduit into the well bore through a check safety valve. A biasing piston and cylinder assembly initially latches the valve in the open position and is actuated by a retrievable control positioned in a sidepocket mandrel. The control may be a bias valve, a rupture disc, or may be a blanking plug for maintaining the valve in the open position. The assembly may be flushed and cleaned when desired to overcome well contamination.

Abstract: A circulating kill valve having a body with an initially closed port which is opened in response to pressure in the body. A shifting sleeve in the body is releasably held in a position closing the port, and a normally opened valve connected to the sleeve is closed in response to a pressure increase on the orifice. Closing of the valve stop fluid flow and shifts the sleeve to an open position.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow through a well tubing by actuating a first piston and cylinder assembly through a fluid passageway. A positive valve seat and valve element closes the flow of fluid to the assembly when the safety valve is opened. An equalizing valve is provided in an equalizing line and is actuated by a second piston and cylinder assembly through a fluid communication line downstream of the positive valve seat and element. A fluid bypass bypasses the second piston and cylinder assembly for bleeding off the opening pressure to the equalizing valve for allowing the equalizing valve to be biased to the closed position.

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 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 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 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 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 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.