Abstract: Apparatus if provided for use in wells, particularly wells that have high-pressure and high-temperature conditions in the well. The shells of completion equipment that is required to withstand the rigorous conditions in such wells are increased in strength by laminate layers that are formed of materials having higher yield strength than the yield strength of materials that can be used in well fluids.

Abstract: Pump systems for installation in a wellbore and associated methods are disclosed. The pump system includes one or more internal safety valves that may include a closure mechanism, a biasing mechanism, and an actuator.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to communicate with a zone below a subsurface safety valve (104, 204) independent of the position of a closure member (106) of the safety valve are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying a subsurface safety valve (104, 204) to a profile located within a string of production tubing. The subsurface safety valve (104, 204) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (150,152; 250,252) and includes a bypass pathway (144, 244) to inject various fluids to a zone below.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to communicate with a zone below a subsurface safety valve (104, 204, 404) independent of the position of a closure member (106) of the safety valve are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying a subsurface safety valve (104, 204, 404) to a profile located within a string of production tubing. The subsurface safety valve (104, 204, 404) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (150,152; 250,252; 450;452) and includes a bypass pathway (144, 244, 444) to inject various fluids to a zone below. A redundant control to actuate subsurface safety valve (104, 204, 404) can include a three-way valve (180, 280) or three-way manifold 480 connecting the injection conduit (150,152; 250,252; 452) or the hydraulic ports (140,142; 240,242; 442?) to the subsurface safety valve (104, 204, 404).

Abstract: A kit for converting an existing wireline retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve (170, 270, 370) into a bypass passageway apparatus (100) allowing the injection of production-enhancing fluid into a wellbore while maintaining the operation of the closure member (374). Bypass passageway (280) can extend between upper (260) and lower (275) adapters external to the existing wireline retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve (270) to allow fluid injection bypass thereof. Conversion kit can include a tubing string hanger to suspend a velocity tubing string (407, 507), a gas lift valve (475) for gas lift operations, a locking mandrel (220), and/or a spacer tube (240).

Abstract: A valve (136, 136?, 136?, 200) adapted to replace an existing valve of a wellhead (114). Valve (136, 136?, 136?, 200) can have similar dimensions as the existing valve it replaces to utilize existing wellhead connections. In one embodiment, a replacement bypass master valve (136) incorporates a fluid bypass pathway (168) to enable communication and conveyance of a production enhancing fluid (132) from a location external to the well through small diameter tubing (126) to a specific downhole location independent the position of a flow control member in interior chamber (166). Replacement bypass master valve (136?) can include anchor seal assembly (122?) disposed in locking profile 180 of upstream inlet bore (162) to enable communication from fluid bypass pathway (168) to lower injection conduit (128). In another embodiment, replacement valve (200) includes a groove in gate (208) sealingly receiving capillary injection tubing (204) when in a closed position.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to inject chemical stimulants (284) to a production zone (102, 202) through a string of production tubing (110, 210) around a downhole obstruction are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying an anchor seal assembly (200) to a landing profile (120, 220) located within a string of production tubing (110, 210). The anchor seal assembly (200) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (260, 264) and includes a bypass pathway (262) to inject various fluids to a zone below.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly for an injection tubing string is provided which allows a master valve to be closed without damaging the injection tubing string while still allowing for the use of a back pressure valve to isolate the tree. Wellhead assemblies and related methods of the present invention include a flange adapted to be connected between a wellhead and a Christmas tree. The assembly also includes a mandrel adapted to being inserted into the longitudinal bore of the flange, the mandrel having a port for communicating with an injection port which extends radially through the flange. The assembly further includes a hanger adapted to connect to the upper end of the injection string, wherein the hanger is further adapted to land in the longitudinal bore of the mandrel. The hanger includes a communication passageway for facilitating fluid communication between the port of the mandrel and the injection tubing string.

Abstract: Apparatus if provided for use in wells, particularly wells that have high-pressure and high-temperature conditions in the well. The shells of completion equipment that is required to withstand the rigorous conditions in such wells are increased in strength by laminate layers that are formed of materials having higher yield strength than the yield strength of materials that can be used in well fluids.

Abstract: A Christmas tree is used between production tubing elevation and flow line elevation. The tree has a lower portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion. The intermediate portion is positioned between the production tubing elevation and the flow line elevation and has an axial dimension configured to substantially maintain the axial dimension between the elevations. The intermediate portion has first and second shut-off valves for closing fluid communication of the axial bore. A hanger is positioned in the axial bore of the intermediate portion between the first and second shut-off valves. The hanger defines a bore and a port. The port communicates a side of the hanger with the lower end of the hanger. The coil tubing attaches to the port at the lower end of the hanger, and the port at the side of the hanger communicates with the feed line of the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A lockout tool dimensioned to be received within a housing of a subsurface safety valve (SSV). The lockout tool generally comprises an elongated housing, and an expander mandrel slidably received within the housing. Together, the elongated housing and expander mandrel are run into the wellbore and landed into the housing of the SSV such that the end of the expander mandrel opens the flapper valve. A portion of the lookout tool housing shoulders against the flow tube in the SSV to drive the flow tube downward, thereby maintaining the flapper of the SSV in its open position. As the expander mandrel moves downward through the hard scat of the SSV, the mandrel engages the flow tube and expands it against the hard seat. In this manner, the flow tube is expanded into permanent, frictional engagement with the hard seat. This, in turn, looks the flapper member of the SSV in its open position.

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: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of locking out a subsurface safety valve (SSV) in a hydrocarbon wellbore. A lockout tool is provided that is dimensioned to be received within the housing of the safety valve. The lockout tool generally comprises an elongated housing, and an expander mandrel slidably received within the housing. Together, the housing and expander mandrel are run into the wellbore and landed into the housing of the SSV such that the end of the expander mandrel opens the flapper valve. A portion of the lockout tool housing shoulders against the flow tube in the SSV to drive the flow tube downward, thereby maintaining the flapper of the SSV in its open position. As the expander mandrel moves downward through the hard seat of the SSV, the mandrel engages the flow tube and expands it against the hard seat. In this manner, the flow tube is expanded into permanent, frictional engagement with the hard seat.

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: In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a locking assembly for a wellbore valve is provided comprising a cylindrical sleeve insertable into an interior of the valve. After insertion into the valve, the body is expanded into interference with a closing mechanism of the valve, thereby locking the valve in an open position.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.

Abstract: An elastomer seal member for use in a pump having adjustable side liners is structured with a bellows-type flange which provides and maintains a tight seal between adjoining casing elements of the pump as the side liners are axially adjusted to compensate for wear and abrasion of the side liners. The elastomer seal member provides a continuous seal between adjoining casing elements as the side liners are axially adjusted, thereby extending the service life of the side liners and extending the number of hours the pump may be operated before a replacement of the side liners and seal is required.

Abstract: An equalizing subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow in a well conduit has a tubular body member with a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, and a flapper hingably connected within the tubular body member to alternately permit and prevent fluid flow through the longitudinal bore. The flapper is biased to a normally closed position to prevent fluid flow through the longitudinal bore. A fluid passage is provided for fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent a first side of the flapper when the flapper is in a closed position and a second side of the closed flapper. A valve closure member is mounted across the fluid passage adjacent the first side of the flapper and is movable along an axis generally transverse to the longitudinal bore, and abuts a valve seat assembly.