Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a subsurface safety valve (SSV). A pressure-balance feature is introduced such that the control system components are unaffected by the depth of placement of the SSV. Through the use of this feature, the standard hydraulic control system used for surface components can also be used for an SSV regardless of its depth of installation. In another feature of the invention, a shuttle valve is provided so that each time the SSV is stroked, a volume of control fluid is purged into the annulus. One embodiment of the shuttle valve may or may not be sensitive to annulus pressure and employs annulus pressure as an aid to stroking the shuttle valve upon application of surface control pressure to assist in actuation of the SSV, while at the same time providing for a purge of a controlled volume of fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a subsurface safety valve (SSV). A pressure-balance feature is introduced such that the control system components are unaffected by the depth of placement of the SSV. Through the use of this feature, the standard hydraulic control system used for surface components can also be used for an SSV regardless of its depth of installation. In another feature of the invention, a shuttle valve is provided so that each time the SSV is stroked, a volume of control fluid is purged into the annulus. One embodiment of the shuttle valve may or may not be sensitive to annulus pressure and employs annulus pressure as an aid to stroking the shuttle valve upon application of surface control pressure to assist in actuation of the SSV, while at the same time providing for a purge of a controlled volume of fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subterranean well annulus pressure safety valve. In one embodiment, the valve is full opening to permit complete access therethrough of wireline and other remedial tools, and contains the annulus safety valve members completely offset from the central housing. The invention also relate to an annulus safety valve wherein a series of valve elements are placed exterior of a central housing and may be staged to open in series upon incremental increase of pressure thereacross. The annulus safety valve also provides pressure equalization means to equalize pressure across the valve cluster prior to opening of the cluster. The annulus safety valve also has selectively disengagable sealing plug means therein which may be removed while the valve is in the well to increase total fluid flow area through the valve components of the apparatus. A method of controlling an annular area interior of casing within a well using the annulus safety valve also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subterranean well annulus pressure safety valve. In one embodiment, the valve is full opening to permit complete access therethrough of wireline and other remedial tools, and contains the annulus safety valve members completely offset from the central housing. The invention also relates to an annulus safety valve wherein a series of valve elements are placed exterior of a central housing and may be staged to open in series upon incremental increase of pressure thereacross. The annulus safety valve also provides pressure equalization means to equalize pressure across the valve cluster prior to opening of the cluster. The annulus safety valve also has selectively disengagable sealing plug means therein which may be removed while the valve is in the well to increase total fluid flow area through the valve components of the apparatus. A method of controlling an annular area interior of casing within a well using the annulus safety valve also is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securement onto one end of a continuous length of remedial tubing introducable into a subterranean well and concentrically insertable through production tubing previously positioned within said well, said remedial tubing having a pre-determined tensile strength. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises inner and outer cylindrical housing members having an opening for receipt of the remedial tubing. A first element on one of the housings has a first tapered surface decreasing in internal diameter from a first end away from the opening to a second end toward the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selectively shifting a tool member in a subterranean well, such as a sliding sleeve of a ported element, which may be carried on a continuous length of remedial tubing, or other conduit into the well and insertable through a second conduit, such as production tubing. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing with a fluid passageway therethrough. Means are carried by the housing for selectively indicating proximity of the apparatus relative to the auxiliary tool, or ported member of a sliding sleeve. Actuating means are positioned by longitudinal manipulation of the first conduit, or remedial tubing, and movable into engaging position with a ported member, upon a first movement of the first conduit in a second direction to resist movement of the apparatus in the second direction.