Abstract: Disclosed herein is a communication and lock open device which includes a lock open portion including a latch configured to engage a shifting profile on a closure member of a safety valve. Further included is a communication portion configured to rotationally align a cutter with a non-annular hydraulic bore in the safety valve and axially cut into the hydraulic bore with the cutter. Also disclosed is a method for replacing the function of a safety valve while employing an original control line including running a communication and lock open tool in a wellbore, locating the tool in a tubing retrievable safety valve and shearing a thread in the valve to render moveable a closure member of the tubing retrievable safety valve. The method includes shifting the closure member to lock the member in an open position, orienting a cutter and establishing fluid communication with a bore of the valve.

Abstract: A lock open device for a flapper is disclosed. The tool engages in the sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) body and rotates the flapper to the open position, without shifting the flow tube. The flapper base is preferably held by a shearable thread and has a groove for engagement by the tool. The tool jars down on the flapper base to shear the thread and force the held open flapper into a retaining groove. Optionally, a penetrating tool can be connected so that, in a single trip, the flapper can be locked open and the pressurized control system can be accessed. Shearing the thread allows the flow tube spring to bias the held open flapper into its retaining groove.

Abstract: An equalizer valve for a flapper in an SSV has one embodiment where the plunger body is covered with a lubricious material in the bore in the flapper to counteract wear caused by off-center contact with the plunger by the flow tube. In another embodiment the flow tube and the plunger have matching angled surfaces to reduce the resultant moment of the plunger from offset contact of the flow tube. In another embodiment the flow tube contacts the plunger on center to eliminate a resultant moment, which can cause wear in the flapper bore or to the plunger.

Abstract: A lock open device for a flapper is disclosed. The tool engages in the sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) body and rotates the flapper to the open position, without shifting the flow tube. The flapper base is preferably held by a shearable thread and has a groove for engagement by the tool. The tool jars down on the flapper base to shear the thread and force the held open flapper into a retaining groove. Optionally, a penetrating tool can be connected so that, in a single trip, the flapper can be locked open and the pressurized control system can be accessed. Shearing the thread allows the flow tube spring to bias the held open flapper into its retaining groove.

Abstract: An equalizer valve for a flapper in an SSV is disclosed. In one embodiment the plunger body is covered with a lubricious material in the bore in the flapper to counteract wear caused by off-center contact with the plunger by the flow tube. In another embodiment the flow tube and the plunger have matching angled surfaces to reduce the resultant moment of the plunger from offset contact of the flow tube. In another embodiment the flow tube contacts the plunger on center to eliminate a resultant moment, which can cause wear in the flapper bore or to the plunger.