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: An injection valve for use in a well conduit for injecting fluids into the conduit having a housing with a bore and a valve closure member in the bore moving between open and closed positions. A flow tube is telescopically movable in the housing for controlling the movement of the valve closure member and moves downwardly to open the valve closure member and is biased upwardly for closing the valve closure member. A variable, radially retractable choke is connected to the flow tube and extends into the bore for moving the flow tube downwardly in response to fluid injection, but contracts to allow passage of well tools through the valve. The flow tube may include a no-go shoulder and a releasable lockout may be provided between the flow tube and the housing.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having a housing with a valve closure member which is controlled by a flow tube which includes an improved hydraulic actuating mechanism. The housing includes a cylinder with a straight portion and a curved portion which is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid from the surface and a piston is movable in the cylinder and connected to the flow tube for moving the flow tube to an open position. The piston includes a metal seal and a flexible portion connected to the top of the metal seal and the flexible portion is adapted to move through the curved portion of the cylinder. A valve and a valve seat are provided in the cylinder above the piston for sealing the hydraulic fluid from the well surface when the valve is open and for engaging and holding the flexible portion and the piston in the open position.

Abstract: A well safety valve having a piston and cylinder assembly which is connected to and actuated by a hydraulic control line extending to the well surface for moving the valve to an open position in which the hydrostatic head in the control line is balanced by a fluid column exposed to the opposite side of the assembly acting to close the valve. The fluid column has a greater density than the hydraulic fluid in the control line for biasing the valve to the closed position. The volume of fluid in the fluid column is greater than the volume of fluid in the control line whereby exposure of the fluid column to gas will not substantially change its density. The housing includes a container in communication between the other side of the assembly and the fluid column and contains a grease for protecting the assembly. The grease has a density less than the density of the fluid column and is of a volume greater than the volume displaced in the assembly upon actuation of the piston and cylinder.

Abstract: A vertically positioned valve body having a valve seat positioned coaxially in the body in a horizontal plane. A valve element positioned upstream of the seat and axially movable in the body. The cross-sectional area of the valve element is approximately one-half of the cross-sectional area of the body around the valve element. A plurality of diametrically opposed piston and cylinder assemblies raise the valve element away from the valve seat and allow the valve element to seat by gravity and fluid flow. Guide means are provided between the valve element and the body for guiding the valve element. A sealing valve and seat are positioned upstream of the valve seat about each of the assemblies for sealing off the assemblies when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locking out a subsurface well safety valve in the open position in which the valve includes a housing having a bore and at least one downwardly directed shoulder adjacent the bore with a valve closure member in the bore moving between open and closed positions, and a flow tube telescopically movable in the housing for controlling the movement of the valve closure member. The method includes engaging the flow tube from the bore, moving the flow tube towards the open position, and from the inside of the bore making one or more outward indentations in the flow tube at a predetermined location whereby the indentations will engage a downwardly directed shoulder on the housing thereby preventing the flow tube from moving through the closed position. The indentations may be made around the outer circumference of the flow tube, circularly positioned, and at a predetermined distance from the top of the flow tube.

Abstract: A safety valve having a flow tube telescopically movable in the housing for controlling the opening and closing of the valve in which the housing has a fluid chamber with a piston connected to the flow tube and a fluid passageway connected to the chamber adapted to be in communication with the fluid pressure at the well surface. A valve element and valve seat in the passageway seals off fluid flow through the seat and holds the flow tube in the open position when pressure is applied to the fluid passageway. Spaced minimum leak seals may be provided to form the fluid chamber. An antiburst communication line may be provided between the chamber and the bore of the safety valve having a check valve for equalizing pressure in the chamber. A valve mechanism operable by the flow tube shuts off the flow of fluid in the passageway to the fluid chamber when the valve closure member is in the open position.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuated communication nipple for switching control fluid from one location to a second location in a well tool. A body having a longitudinal bore includes a control fluid passageway adapted to be connected to the well surface. A vertical moving sleeve in the body opens communication from the fluid passageway to the bore and is connected to a hydraulic piston in the fluid passageway which includes a bypass opening normally passing fluid through the passageway. A ball dropped down the control line seats on the piston, closes the fluid passage, moves the sleeve, and opens the fluid passageway to the bore. The piston also actuates a vertical moving plug to seal off the outlet with a metal-to-metal seal. A dual communication nipple may be provided which are internally connected by a line to move the fluid displaced by a piston.

Abstract: An injection valve for injecting chemicals into a well which is actuated by a piston having an upwardly and a downwardly directed metal cup seal with a resilient seal therebetween and a gas pressure charge above the piston acting to close the injection valve. Oil may be provided in the body between the gas charge and the piston for acting as a barrier. The gas charge may be placed in a closed gas container having a rupturable portion with a piercing means for opening the container. The container may include oil.

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: 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: 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.