Abstract: A sample bottle makes it possible to sample mixtures of water and gases in deep bore or drill holes. The filling of the volume (4) of the bottle is obtained by placing a volume (4) under a vacuum beforehand. Once in place, the pipe (10) is opened by withdrawing the piston (20) and opening the valve (6). Once the pressures balance, the valve (6) closes again and the piston (20) is reintroduced into the sleeve (8). Pressure compensation is provided by a sliding valve member (46). Emptying takes place by means of the tap (24), which is also initially used to place the volume (4) under a vacuum. The sample bottle is applicable to geothermy, nuclear power stations, oceanography and geochemistry.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve has a valve seat and an upwardly closing flapper plate whose sealing surfaces each have a matched spherical radius of curvature. The sealing surface of the valve seat is a concave spherical segment and the sealing surface of the flapper plate is a convex spherical segment. The matching spherical surfaces are lapped together to provide a metal-to-metal seal along the interface between the nested convex and concave sealing surfaces. This permits angular displacement of the flapper plate relative to the valve seat without interrupting positive sealing engagement. The concave spherical seating surface of the safety valve seat will tolerate a limited amount of misalignment of the flapper plate which sometimes occurs during operation of the safety valve under high flow rate, high differential pressure conditions.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for obtaining multiple fluid samples from subterranean formations of interest. The present invention is particularly well suited for testing nuclear migration in ground water utilizing test wells surrounding a nuclear test site. A plurality of flow ports are provided in the casing each at a depth of a formation of interest, and a sliding sleeve is positioned over each port. A wireline tool is lowered to the selective depth, and downhole electric motor energized to power a pump and pass pressurized fluid to move a first dog radially outward. The downhole tool may be axially moved until the first dog locks into a groove provided in the casing. Fluid entering the casing is sealed above and below the sliding sleeve. Fluid pressure may then be applied to move a second dog radially outward to engage the sliding sleeve, and a control valve regulated to apply fluid pressure to axially move the sleeve and open the port.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve has a resilient valve seat and an upwardly closing flapper plate whose sealing surfaces each have a match spherical radius of curvature. The sealing surface of the valve seat is a concave spherical segment of elastomer material and the sealing surface of the flapper plate is a convex spherical segment. The matching spherical surfaces are lapped together to provide a metal-to-metal seal along the interface between the nested convex and concave sealing surfaces. This permits angular displacement of the flapper plate relative to the valve seat without interrupting positive sealing engagement. The concave spherical seating surface of the resilient valve seat will tolerate a limited amount of misalignment of the flapper plate which may be caused by operation in low differential pressure, sandy well conditions.

Abstract: To significantly reduce voids in cementing fluids and the effects of cement free fall encountered in well cementing operations, a differential pressure control regulator is inserted in series with the bottom of the well casing to be cemented. Fluid passing through the choke portion passes through an annular valve seat to one end of the tool. A valve stem is slidably and sealably mounted in the flow regulator and has a head portion which, in one position, can contact the valve seating surface and prevent any significant flow of fluid through the casing. The valve stem is biased to one position by a trap chamber filled with a fluid at a known pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, or a vacuum, so that the hydrostatic pressure existing at the bottom of the well casing normally urges the valve head into engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve suitable for use in high-pressure environment for transmitting a treatment fluid from exterior of which is affected by a pre-charged compression gas which keeps the bellows in contracted position and a piston preventing fluid communication between the tubing and the casing through the valve body. The interior of the bellows is affected by the tubing pressure, one half of which is transmitted to the bellows through radial sensing ports, and the other half of which is transmitted to the bellows through the bottom of the piston. When the pressure inside the bellows exceeds the pre-charged pressure, the bellows expands, pulling the piston upwardly and opening fluid communication from the tubing into the casing through the valve. A controlled-size fluid outlet port allows the tubing fluid to exit into the casing.

Abstract: A circulating valve for use in oil field operations which is pressure operated without use of a wireline tool. The valve has a sleeve assembly with telescopically joined sleeve members normally closing off a circulation port in a mandrel. A pressure differential is utilized to shift the joined sleeve members to an unjoined condition opening the circulation ports. A second pressure differential is utilized to rejoin the sleeve members and close off the circulation ports. The sleeve members are independently shear pinned to the mandrel.

Abstract: A subsurface slide valve and flapper valve controlled by a single actuator responsive to control pressure from the surface. A shifting tool landable in a landing nipple and in response to pressure in the tubing first extending dogs to contact the actuator and then shifting the dogs downwardly to move the actuator to valve open position.

Abstract: A fail safe annulus valve for fluids has a valve area across the annulus with inlet and exit ports and a slide valve in the area capable of sliding to open or close the ports. The slide valve is biased to its fail safe position by a spring, is susceptible to being opened by independent pressure apparatus, and is also susceptible to movement by differential annulus fluid pressure across the valve. Thus while it fails safe, it can always be moved by differential annulus pressure. The valve may be used for the annuli of oil or gas wells (e.g. annuli used for artificial lift) and may be mounted on a packer of the annulus. It may also be used for closing other types of annuli.

Abstract: The specific embodiment comprises a valve piston mounted on a shaft that is slidably disposed within an aperture in the lower housing of the blowout preventer. The valve piston and shaft may be extended into the central passage of the BOP in an open position through the use of a hydraulic operator assembly. When the valve piston and shaft have been extended into the open position, the wellbore gases enter into the annular space between the shaft and the aperture through the lower housing of the BOP. The wellbore gases are then vented from the aperture through an open vent conduit to the outside of the BOP.The hydraulic operator assembly is spring biased to keep the valve piston and shaft in closed position whenever the hydraulic operator assembly is not activated. The valve piston will therefore automatically close whenever there is a loss of hydraulic control. In normal operation, the hydraulic operator assembly will keep the valve piston and shaft in open position until the wellbore gases have been vented.

Abstract: An improved surface controlled chemical injection valve and method for injecting chemical fluid into the bore of a tubing string of a well are provided, the chemical injection valve having at least one piston movable in response to the pressure of the chemical fluid, an actuator connected to the piston, and a flow restrictor wherein the pressure of the chemical fluid supplied to the valve from the chemical fluid source acts on the piston to cause the actuator to open the valve and inject the chemical fluid into the tubing string bore. The flow restrictor is mounted downstream of the piston to create sufficient available pressure in the chemical fluid upstream of the flow restrictor to act on the piston and hold the valve in the open position.

Abstract: A subsurface well tool having a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly actuator which is adapted to be connected to and controlled by a hydraulic control line extending to the well surface. The assembly has a cross-sectional area exposed to the hydraulic control fluid which increases in one direction of movement of the assembly and decreases in the opposite direction for reducing surface operating pressure problems. Preferably, one of the piston and cylinder includes a tapered surface, and includes a flexible seal between the piston and cylinder.

Abstract: A one-piece flapper mount for a wireline retrievable hydraulic piston actuated wrap-around flapper safety valve. The flapper mount has opposing openings between the valve seat and the nose seal and the openings are sized for insertion of the flapper valve and nose seal with support ribs between the openings. The single piece construction allows setting and retrieving the safety valve in a single trip. The one-piece mount also has the advantage of ease of orientation of coacting parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ball valve in a test tool string for a subterranean well, including a tubular actuator for the ball valve which is movable from a closing position of the ball valve to an opening position and beyond the opening position to a lock setting position, preventing the return of the tubular actuator to the ball valve closing position until the cycle of additional movements of the tubular actuator is accomplished. A metal-to-metal seal is provided for the ball valve and a larger than normal biasing force derived from a spring and a trapped pressurized gas is applied to the tubular actuator in its valve position to insure the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having a housing with a valve seat positioned in the housing and a valve closure member movable between open and closed positions. A flow tube is telescopically movable in the housing for controlling the movement of the valve closure member, a biasing member in the housing acts on the flow tube moving the valve to a closed position, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly actuates the flow tube. The flow tube and/or the valve closure member are made of a light weight material, and allow the use of smaller and less expensive springs. The low weight flow tube reduces the required output of the biasing member and/or allows the valve to be set deeper.

Abstract: A release mechanism for use in a well tool that requires a hydraulic piston area to be equalized with a minimum force. A valve seat and valve element are positioned in a fluid passageway for actuating the assembly. A rod having a first and second section is connected to the assembly and movable for moving the second section into the valve seat. The second section has a smaller cross-sectional area and smaller length than the first section. The area of the valve seat is less than the cross-sectional area of first section but larger than the second section. The release mechanism allows the sealing area to be reduced without reducing the strength of the rod.

Abstract: Existing inflatable packers employ a three valve system for controlling the application of tubing pressure to the interior of an inflatable packing element surrounding the tubing. The three valves of such system are disposed in chordal relationship in the tubular wall of a valve collar which is secured to one end of the inflatable packing element. The valves employed are respectively an inflation initiating valve, a check valve and an inflate limit valve which are serially connected insofar as fluid flow is concerned. Because of the configuration of the flow passages, damage caused by fluid flow is much more severe on the check valve and inflate limit valve. Since no increase in diameter of the check and inflate limit valve can be tolerated, a duplicate set of such valves are provided in the tubular wall of the valve collar with the two sets of check valves and inflate limit valves connected in parallel to essentially double the effective flow area through such valves.

Abstract: In a safety valve having an axially shiftable actuating sleeve operable to move a valve head from a closed to an open position, the actuating movement of the actuating sleeve is normally produced by a small diameter piston mounted on an axially extending spindle secured to the valve housing and cooperating with a primary cylinder which is secured to the actuating sleeve by a shiftable latch. A secondary spindle and cooperating cylinder are provided which are supplied with fluid pressure by an entirely separate line. The secondary cylinder, when moved downwardly by fluid pressure, engages the latch to effect a disconnection of the primary cylinder from the actuating sleeve and concurrently effects the connection of the secondary cylinder to the actuating sleeve. The second cylinder may thus release the primary cylinder from the actuating sleeve in any position of the primary cylinder, including the position corresponding to the fully open position of the valve head.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member, a small diameter offset piston to move the operator tube in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, and a spring biasing the operator tube to a position closing the valve. A bearing assembly mounted on the operator tube minimizes eccentric and torsional loading of the operator tube by the piston and spring. The operator tube also has multiple flow paths and barriers to prevent accumulation of debris from well fluids within the safety valve. The safety valve has metal-to-metal sealing systems to improve valve life under harsh downhole well environments.

Abstract: A process and device for hydraulically and selectively controlling, in two circulation directions, at least two tools or instruments connected to a casing located inside a well. A first hydraulic line is provided which includes branches to a first and a second of the two tools or instruments, with a distribution arrangement being adapted to modify a circulation of fluid in each of the branches and to enable an independent control, and with a hydraulic power generator being connected to the first hydraulic line.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting chemical treatment of a subterranean well bore comprises vertically spaced, inflatable packing elements which are run into the well on a fluid conduit, such as continuous coiled tubing, or the like. The apparatus permits circulation while being run into the well and, when positioned, effects the expansion of the two inflatable elements by pressured fluid introduced through the supporting fluid conduit. The applied pressure is trapped within the inflatable elements by axial movement of an inner body relative to an outer body, which effects the opening of fluid communication between the central fluid conduit and the well bore portion between the inflated packing elements, permitting testing of the sealing effectiveness of the packing elements, and the application of a treatment fluid. The same movement, accompanied by an increase in fluid pressure effects the opening of a fluid path to the well bore above the uppermost packing element.

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: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved well bore apparatus disclosed herein, a test valve is arranged to be coupled in a pipe string for positioning in a well bore. When the test valve is arranged to be selectively operated by changes in the well annulus pressure, the apparatus of the present invention includes a first normally-open pressure reference valve that may be operated to trap well annulus pressure in a chamber on the tool body to provide a reference pressure that permits the operation of the pressure-controlled test valve. The apparatus of the invention may include a second normally-open valve which is coupled to the first valve and is operated for controlling communication through a bypass passage between the interior and exterior of the tool body. An annulus pressure responsive actuator piston coupled to the first and second valves is operated by opening a rupture disc to communicate the well annulus pressure to the actuator piston.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved well bore apparatus disclosed herein, a test valve is arranged to be coupled in a pipe string for positioning in a well bore. When the test valve is arranged to be selectively operated by changes in the well annulus pressure, the apparatus of the present invention includes a first normally-open pressure reference valve that may be operated to trap well annulus pressure in a chamber on the tool body to provide a reference pressure that permits the operation of the pressure-controlled test valve. The apparatus of the invention may include a second normally-open valve which is coupled to the first valve and is operated for controlling communication through a bypass passage between the interior and exterior of the tool body. An annulus pressure-responsive actuator piston coupled to the first and second valves is operated by opening a rupture disc to communicate the well annulus pressure to the actuator piston.

Abstract: An annulus shut-off mechanism with fail-as-is logic suitable for use for example, in a concentric tubing hanger of an oil well, particularly a sub-sea well, has an enclosure across the annulus with inlet and exit ports, a sleeve with an aperture that slides within the enclosure, primary means for sliding the sleeve in the enclosure to bring the aperture into alignment with the inlet and exit ports and secondary means for sliding the sleeve in the event of failure of the primary means. The primary enclosure and sleeve are sealed from access to annulus fluids and may be vertically orientated in the tubing hanger. The secondary means may be a secondary enclosure with a secondary sleeve which can pull or push on the primary sleeve. Both primary and secondary means can be operated by hydraulic pressure, but the two means are independent and the secondary means may be located in a well part other than the tubing hanger.

Abstract: An improved subsurface safety valve has a flapper plate which is held open by an operator tube, and which can be closed rapidly during high flow operating conditions without damage to the flapper plate or to the operator tube. The operator tube is telescopically coupled within a tubular piston. Retraction of the operator tube relative to the piston is yieldably opposed by a compression wave spring which is interposed between the operator tube and the piston. Telescoping retraction of the operator tube within the piston is limited by engagement of the operator tube against an internal shoulder of the piston. Damage to the flapper closure plate, pivot pin and operator tube is avoided by effectively decoupling the operator tube from the inertia load presented by the hydraulic piston and column of hydraulic control fluid.

Abstract: A pressure limiter for use with a positive displacement pump and an inflatable packer. The pressure limiter includes an outer housing with an inner mandrel disposed therein. Slidably disposed between the mandrel and housing is a generally annular piston. A spring biases the piston toward a closed position. Packer pressure acts upwardly on the piston tending to move it to an open position in which pump discharge pressure is relieved to a well annulus. A check valve prevents premature relief of pressure of the packer. Once the piston is in an open position, packer pressure will maintain it in the open position until pressure is relieved from the packer.

Abstract: An improved valve for controlling flow through a tubing hanger in a unit having a concentric tubing system and includes upwardly facing recesses or blind pockets in the hanger with a valve member in each of said pockets and having circumferential seals around its upper end and around its lower enlarged end, the valve members are biased upwardly in their pockets by springs and by annulus pressure which is transmitted to the lower end of the valve members through valve passages, the valve members each includes an upper projection or rod which is engaged by an annular actuator controlled responsive to a downwardly exerted spring force and by a pressure area differential which is exposed to annulus pressure and control pressure to urge the annular actuator downwardly which movement moves the valve member to its downward or open position.

Abstract: Cementing apparatus to be used for well cementing operations comprisingan intermediate casing (10) which features one or several cementing ports (12),a main tool (21) with one or several cementing channels (22) located with their outlets aligned with the cementing ports (12),a main sealing sleeve (13) and an auxiliary sleeve (17) that features one or several port openings (15, 19),the main sealing and pilot sleeves (13, 17) as a unit in an initial lower position closing the connection between the cementing channels (22) and the cementing ports (12), and forming the said connection in a second vertically shifted position through the port openings (15, 19). A procedure for execution of a cementing operation.

Abstract: An annulus cementing and washout technique and equipment, particularly for use in an offshore oil or gas well. An annulus is formed between an outer casing and a second-outer casing, this annulus being filled with cement up to a predetermined level and washed free of cement above said level. The second-outer casing is fitted with a washout casing section having washports at the predetermined level. The washports are selectively opened and closed by axially moving a hollow sleeve mounted in the washout casing section, preferably by turning the sleeve on a screw thread using a remotely operated tool. Details of a suitable tool include spring-loaded radial dogs which engage axial slots within the sleeve. Use of the sleeve and the tool to move the sleeve enables the washports to be opened and closed as required without troublesome rotation or support of the casing.

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: The drilling tool proposed serves for making perforations and is equipped with an exchangeable feed helix. To prevent the feed helix from being damaged if the drilling tool becomes tilted or if the feed helix is jammed, the feed helix can execute a specific stroke by means of a supporting spring, in such a way that the drill shank can rotate freely relative to the feed helix.

Abstract: A downhole flow testing valve having a tubular housing with a valve and flow tube movable within the housing between an open position where valve ports therein are positioned in registry and a closed position where the valve ports are out of fluid communicating registry. The valve and flow tube is closed by a resultant force developed by compressed gas and opened by pressure introduced into the valve from the annulus between the valve and well casing. The normally closed flow testing shuttle valve is secured in its closed and safe condition during installation by a hydraulically locked sleeve valve. Upon fracture of a break plug by an implement dropped through the straight through flow passage of the flow tube hydraulic fluid captured within a locking chamber is released from the locking chamber by the force of a compression spring.

Abstract: A well safety system with two surface controlled subsurface safety valves. The invention allows various alternatives for controlling injection into and production from a gas storage well. For maximum production, gas can flow from the underground storage reservoir to the well surface via a tubing string and the annulus between the tubing and well casing. The invention provides at least two alternative flow paths for injecting kill fluids into the well bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety valve for oil wells, able to permit artificial output operation by injection of a fluid under pressure. This valve comprises a movable closing flap (11), a tubular internal slide (9), a spring (10) for returning said slide to its upper position, a hydraulic system for displacing said slide downwardly due to pressure of a control fluid, an internal tube (300) for passage of injected fluid, fixed to the slide (9), a lower connecting sleeve of a series of lower tubes (Ti) for the passage of injected fluid, able to be connected with the internal tube (300) when the tube is in the lower position, an upper connecting sleeve (309) of a series of upper tubes for the passage of injected fluid, in which may slide in a sealed manner the internal tube, a system for anchoring the valve in a receiving sleeve (1) comprising a hydraulically actuated mechanical system controlled by the control fluid, and seals (15, 16) at the contact of the receiving sleeve (1).

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member, an annular piston on the operator tube responsive to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, and a spring biasing the operator tube to a position closing the valve. A lockout sleeve mounted in tandem with the operator tube for movement to a position in which the lockout sleeve holds the valve open. The operator tube having multiple flow paths and barriers to prevent accumulation of debris from well fluids within the safety valve. One flow path including a plurality of small ports extending through the upper portion of the operator tube. Another flow path defined in part by a reduced outside diameter portion of the operator tube near its lower end and multiple channels in the valve housing adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining axial mandrel movement relative to a cylindrical housing. A cylindrical housing has an open longitudinal passageway therethrough and a circulation port disposed through a wall thereof. A valve mandrel is slidably received in the housing and is moveable between a position in which fluid may be circulated only between the passageway and the exterior of the housing, a position in which fluid may be circulated only between the exterior of the housing and the passageway and a position in which fluid may not be circulated in either direction. An annular piston is operatively connected to the valve mandrel and has a first side exposed to the pressure exterior of the housing and a second side exposure to the pressure interior of the housing to permit movement of the valve mandrel to its various positions by application of pressure to the interior and exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A vent subassembly includes a vent body having an opening which is covered or uncovered dependent upon the location of a vent sleeve relative to the vent body. The vent subassembly can be connected below a packer, and the vent sleeve can be connected to a perforator so that movement of the vent sleeve is concurrently communicated to the perforator, such as for initiating the firing of the perforator. The vent sleeve is moved by an actuator subassembly, which is to be connected above the packer if the vent and actuator subassemblies are used with a packer. The actuator subassembly has a piston housing, a piston slidably disposed in the piston housing, and a connector string extending from the piston to the vent sleeve. The piston is responsive to a differential pressure existing between the annulus outside the actuator subassembly and an interior pressure within the actuator subassembly.

Abstract: In a safety valve having an axially shiftable actuating sleeve operable to move a valve head from a closed to an open position, the actuating movement of the actuating sleeve is normally produced by a small diameter piston mounted on an axially extending spindle secured to the valve housing and cooperating with a primary cylinder which is abuttingly secured to the actuating sleeve. A secondary spindle and cooperating cylinder are provided which are supplied with fluid pressure by an entirely separate line extending to the well surface. The second cylinder has only abutting contact with the actuating sleeve and may be utilized to effect the movement of the actuating sleeve in the event of the failure of the primary cylinder. In a modification, a fixed cylinder housing defines a pair of secondary cylinder bores in which secondary rod pistons are slidably mounted to effect the movement of the actuating sleeve.

Abstract: An oil-well safety valve comprising a movable shutter flap, an inner tubular slide, a return spring for the slide, hydraulic means displacing the slide downward by pressuring a control fluid and a system for anchoring the valve in a receiving sleeve, the flap hinging on a shutter body (108) screwed on the lower end of the valve by means of a shaft (121) provided with a heel (123), the heel being locked by the low end of the valve when the shutter body is screwed on this valve, so that the shaft (121) is locked with respect to rotation and translation without resort to any other auxiliary component, and it is released when the shutter body (108) is unscrewed.

Abstract: An oil-well safety valve comprising a movable shutter (11), an inner tubular slide (9), a return-spring (10) for the slide, hydraulic means for moving the slide downward by pressurization of a control fluid, a system (14) for anchoring the valve in a receiving sleeve (1) and packings (15, 16) at the contact of the receiving sleeve (1), the packings (15, 16) being located on either side of the control fluid intake; the anchoring system (14) being located above the packings and the return spring (10) being located below in a part of the sealed volume receiving the control fluid. The spring being mounted around the slide between a bushing (20) and a ring nut (19) for eliminating any danger of relaxation of the spring during disassembly.

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: Standing valves which may be operated as injection valves without removal from a well conduit are disclosed. All disclosed valves permit upward production flow and prevent downward injection flow. One valve form utilizes a ball valve to control production and injection flow, and two valve forms utilize annular valves to control flow. In one annular valve form, production and injection flow is controlled by the annular valve. In the other annular valve form, production flow is controlled by check valve means and injection flow is controlled by the annular valve. These standing valves are opened for injection flow by increasing valve interior fluid pressure to a predetermined pressure to open control check valves permitting the pressured fluid to flow to pressure responsive operators in the valve housings. Opening pressure of the control check valves is variable.

Abstract: A method of well testing, including treating, whereby a testing string including a tool bore closure valve is run into the well bore with the valve in an open mode, the string may be automatically filled, a packer may be pressure tested without cycling the tool bore closure valve, and fluids may be spotted into the testing string, displacing wellbore fluids from the bottom of the testing string, prior to running the test.

Abstract: Subsurface safety valves of the tubing and wireline retrieveable types operated by a control fluid responsive annular piston in an annular cylinder sealed at opposite ends by a two-way static and dynamic metal-to-metal seal assembly which includes central Bellville loading washers, a spacer ring on each side of the loading washers, and a Bellville sealing washer at each end of the spacer rings. The metal-to-metal seals are useful in a number of applications requiring the sealing of pressurized spaces between spaced concentric parts.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a rapid cycle tester valve operable in response to annulus pressure. The tester valve includes a valve ball rotatable between open and closed positions through an operating mechanism which includes a ball and slot ratchet mechanism for selectively transmitting operating movement from a pressure responsive slidable valve housing through a mandrel assembly. The valve housing employs back to back check valves disposed in a longitudinal valve passage to create pressure differentials to move the valve housing in response to annulus pressure increases and decreases.

Abstract: A vent subassembly includes a vent body having an opening which is covered or uncovered dependent upon the location of a vent sleeve relative to the vent body. The vent subassembly can be connected below a packer, and the vent sleeve can be connected to a perforator so that movement of the vent sleeve is concurrently communicated to the perforator, such as for initiating the firing of the perforator. The vent sleeve is moved by an actuator subassembly, which is to be connected above the packer if the vent and actuator subassemblies are used with a packer. The actuator subassembly has a piston housing, a piston slidably disposed in the piston housing, and a connector string extending from the piston to the vent sleeve. The piston is responsive to a differential pressure existing between the annulus outside the actuator subassembly and an interior pressure within the actuator subassembly.

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 quick disconnect coupling for a subsea well flowline has valves that open and close when the coupling is made up and released. The coupling has tubular upper and lower connectors, each with a flow passage. The upper connector inserts over a mandrel of the lower connector. Ball valves are located in the passage of each connector. A latch member engages the mandrel when moved by a hydraulically actuated piston and a cam. A gear assembly connected with the piston simultaneously moves the upper ball valve to the closed position. A gear assembly connected with the lower ball valve simultaneously opens the lower ball valve when the upper connector latches to the lower connector.

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.