Abstract: A disconnect tool includes a housing that has a first segment and a second segment. A first collet is coupled to the first segment and has a first plurality of fingers, each of the first plurality of fingers is bendable between a first position in which the fingers engage the first segment and prevent relative sliding movement between the first and second segments and a second position in which the fingers do not engage the first segment and do not prevent relative sliding movement between the first and second segments. A first piston is positioned in the housing and has a third position wherein the piston engages and prevents the fingers from bending from the first position, and a fourth position wherein the piston does not engage and prevent the fingers from bending from the first position. The disconnect tool includes means for selectively retaining the first piston in the third position and means for moving the first piston from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled packer for an oil or gas well is disclosed that is capable of being hydraulically unset. One embodiment of the invention is capable of being hydraulically unset prior to locking thus allowing fine tuning of packer location in relation to oil-bearing strata. Other embodiments of the invention are capable of being hydraulically unlocked and unset for further use within the oil or gas well without being withdrawn to the surface for reassembly. The invention may be used in downhole well tools other than packers.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination wireline retrievable, side pocket locatable, fluid measurement and control assembly, which permits measurement and control of fluid from a first downhole production zone while maintaining fluid flow through the tubing from other downhole production zones. The various components of the fluid measurement and control assembly may be separately installed in or retrieved from by either wireline or coiled tubing intervention methods and can remain installed in the production tubing while installing or retrieving other downhole tools through wireline or coiled tubing intervention methods.

Abstract: A well pump assembly has a pressure relief valve in the tubing string for avoiding excessive discharge pressure on a progressing cavity pump. The pressure relief valve is mounted in the string of tubing downstream of the pump. The valve assembly has a main flow passage through it for fluid being pumped by the pump through the tubing. The valve assembly has a valve seat and a spring-biased valve element which is urged by the spring against the downstream end of the valve seat to maintain the valve seat closed. The upstream end of the valve seat is in communication with the pressure in the tubing. If the tubing pressure exceeds a selected level, the valve element moves to an open position, discharging well fluid into the casing.

Abstract: In an offshore oil installation, the closure device (40) of a subsurface test tree placed in the blowout preventer stack on the seabed is made in a modular manner. More precisely, the closure device comprises a plurality of lengths (54,56') suitable for being placed in arbitrary order between a top element (50) and a bottom element (52). This arrangement makes it possible to place the connector (46) between the total shutoff valves (26) and the partial shutoff valves (28) of the blowout preventer stack, and to place the valves (42,44) of the closure device (40) in a closure length (54) that is situated beneath the partial shutoff valves (28). The two total shutoff valves (26) can thus be actuated regardless of the type of blowout preventer stack that is used.

Abstract: A safety system including a surface controlled subsurface safety valves for use in a well having annulus fluid flow. One of the safety valves has a valve closure member, and a small diameter offset piston actuator to move the valve closure member in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface to its open position which allows annulus fluid flow. A spring biases the valve closure member to block annulus fluid flow. The annulus safety valve has an enlarged flow area for use in high volume gas injection wells. The annulus safety valve has metal-to-metal sealing systems to improve valve life under harsh downhole well environments.

Abstract: A safety valve landing nipple selectively provides a pin for closing communication in the bore between the first control line and the safety valve control line so that communication between the first control line and an insert safety valve in the landing nipple housing is achieved by use of a rotary member. A rotary shifting tool is used to rotate the rotary member so that a cam sleeve pushes a poppet pin to form a metal to metal seal with a fitting adaptor connecting the first control line and the safety valve control line so as to provide communication between the surface control line and the internal bore of the landing nipple.

Abstract: A ring seal packer is used for sealing the inside of a specified diameter of API tube. The cylindrical body of the ring seal packer has a pair of circumferential grooves and a pair of rigid seal rings are provided in each such groove. The two rings collectively occupy substantially the entire length of the groove, with no more than a small clearance at the ends for forming a small area orifice through which fluid may flow. Each of the rings has an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of a specified size of API tube. A longitudinal slot in the ring permits it to collapse to a diameter that fits into the tube as it is pushed into the well. A tang and notch arrangement keeps the rings from rotating relative to each other so that the slots are kept out of alignment. The ring seal packer does not use any elastomeric sealing materials.

Abstract: A well completion system and method in which reeled tubing is connected in the completion string which includes a safety valve and a sliding sleeve valve. A straddle assembly is provided within the sliding sleeve valve for sealing against axial flow of fluid and isolating a lateral fluid flow path. A stinger assembly is provided which is insertable within the straddle assembly and connectable to the reeled tubing to lock the reeled tubing relative to the straddle assembly and the sleeve valve. The sliding sleeve valve functions to selectively control the lateral flow of production fluid into the production string for upward flow through the safety valve and the reeled tubing to the ground surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in controlling flow through a tubing string suspended and packed off within a well bore and within the annulus between the string and well bore above and below the packer by tools adapted to be lowered into and raised from landed positions within a pocket to one side of a bore through a mandrel connected as part of the tubing string for releasing the packer to be set and opening a bypass therein and for opening and closing a flapper in the bore, as well as the bypass responsive to the supply of control fluid from a remote source to the pocket.

Abstract: An injection valve for use in a well having a valve closure element positioned below a valve seat moving between an open position to a closed position on the valve seat for blocking off upward flow through the bore, but allowing downward flow. A flow tube is telescopically movable in the housing for controlling the movement of the valve closure member and a piston is movable in the housing and connected to the flow tube and exposed to fluid in the bore. An upwardly facing shoulder on the flow tube receives a retrievable orifice member for providing a force for fully opening the valve when fluid is injected downwardly through the bore. A retrievable lockout sleeve is provided to lock the valve open when the retrievable orifice is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new and novel poppet type safety valve useful in flow conduits in fluid storage well systems. The safety valve is programmable to automatically close at various predetermined ratios of production mass flow rate-ambient pressure to prevent undesirable high flow rates or uncontrolled out-flow of fluid stored in a reservoir if the flow conduit or wellhead is damaged. This safety valve is lowered into and locked and sealed in a landing nipple in the well conduit. The safety valve has a variable bias which biases the valve member toward open position and a variable flow restrictor which is automatically actuated by a sensing actuator continually sensing reservoir pressure to vary the restricted annular flow area between the valve housing and inside of the well conduit for closure at the desired flow rate. The valve element has a through flow passage with locking recesses in the flow passage into which the sensing actuator may be releasably locked.

Abstract: Pumpdown toolstring for performing operations requiring application of power downhole in horizontal or high-deviation oil or gas wells, comprising an elongate toolstring element (30), locomotive devices (31, 32A) on said toolstring element, with at least one locomotive device (32) provided at a trailing or top end of the toolstring element (30). The toolstring element (30) is tubular and has a closed leading or bottom end, whereas it is open at the opposite, top end. The leading locomotive device, (31) adapted to pull the toolstring element during pumping down, has a seal for co-operation with a seat at a no-go or nipple assembly at the bottom end of a tubing from which an extension tubing extend into the horizontal or high-deviation well. The leading locomotive device (31) sealingly surrounds the toolstring element (30) and allows sliding of the toolstring element there-through when engaging the seat.

Abstract: Injection valve for injecting chemicals into subsurface formations penetrated by an oil or gas well, comprising a cylindrical housing (10) with seals (24A, 24B) for cooperation with well tubing (100), said housing enclosing a cylindrical chamber (1) in which a piston-like sleeve (2) is movable axially so as to cover or uncover one or more radial ports (10A) through a cylindrical wall of said housing (10). A spring (3) normally urge the sleeve (2) to a position in which the ports (10A) are covered. A collet (4) is mounted for axial displacement in a chamber extension (1A) beyond an inner end of the sleeve (2), a compression spring (5) urging the collet against said inner end of the sleeve (2).

Abstract: An improved lockout housing (48) and lockout sleeve (46) for a tubing retrievable safety valve (36) having cooperating lugs and lug recesses that are adapted to reduce the likelihood of premature shearing or leaking. Sets of circumferentially spaced, shearable retaining lugs (64) are alternated with sets of circumferentially spaced, shearable communicating lugs (54) that extend radially inward around the upper portion of lockout housing (48) and are preferably unitarily formed as an integral part of the lockout housing (48). First and second sets of longitudinally extending slots (62, 66) are likewise circumferentially spaced around the lower end of outside wall (68) of lockout sleeve (46), and are adapted to slidably engage the longitudinally aligned lugs (54, 64) of the lockout housing. Slots (62) aligned longitudinally with communicating lugs (54) are preferably longer than slots (66) aligned with the retaining lugs (64), and extend a greater distance up outside wall (68) of lockout sleeve (46).

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: 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 mud saver valve for insertion within the drill string to retain mud in the drill pipe and prevent the mud column from flowing past the valve when pumping is interrupted. The valve body has a tubular body and a piston having an axial passage for the flow of drilling mud. This piston is biased within the body by a spring and axially movable in response to the mud flow. A check valve plug is disposed within the bore which may be removed to run wireline tools. The plug is seated within a reduced diameter portion of the body and includes a replaceable inner sleeve which engages the piston to prevent flow through the valve. The inner sleeve is replaced as it becomes worn due to the erosive forces of the drilling mud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to detect periodic well loading by produced accumulated secondary fluids, and accordingly to remove the undesired secondary fluid from the tubing of a hydrocarbon producing well. The method according to the present invention employs a surface control system that controls the operation of the fluid removal cycle, and the production cycle of the hydrocarbon producing well. Periodically, the well is "shut-in" and upper and lower flow control valves, connected at a predetermined depth to the well tubing, are actuated to a closed position to form an accumulation chamber within the tubing. The closed flow control valves block off the fluid in the accumulation chamber formed in the lower portion of the tubing string, which contains the undesired accumulated secondary fluids.

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: 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 method and apparatus are disclosed to detect periodic well loading by produced accumulated secondary fluids, and accordingly to remove the undesired secondary fluid from the tubing of a hydrocarbon producing well. The method according to the present invention employs a surface control system that controls the operation of the fluid removal cycle and the production cycle of the hydrocarbon producing well. Periodically, the well is "shut-in" and a flow control valve, connected to the well tubing, is actuated to block fluid flow from the lower portion of the tubing string, which contains the undesired accumulated secondary fluids.

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: An oil-well safety valve and installing and retrieving tools for the valve, the valve including a movable shutter (11), an internal tubular slide (9), a return spring (10) biasing the slide toward the high position, hydraulic means driving the slide down by pressurizing a control fluid, a system (14) for anchoring the valve in a receiving sleeve (1) and packings (15, 16) in contact with the receiving sleeve (1); the valve including an anchoring system comprising a hydraulically actuated mechanical system including a tubular shuttle piston (58) subjected to the pressure of the control fluid to be moved upward by this fluid, and by a locking bushing (55) located above the shuttle piston for forcing it upwardly, so that when the bushing moves, it actuates and locks anchoring dogs (54) floating in the lock body.

Abstract: A retrievable subsurface well safety valve for installation in and controlling fluid through a well conduit having a polished bore. Two upper seals are provided on the exterior of the valve for isolating the control fluid for actuating a piston and cylinder assembly. A lower seal is provided adjacent the valve closure member for blocking fluid flow through the valve housing. The seals initially have a smaller outside diameter than the internal diameter of the polished bore and the outside diameter of the valve housing for preventing damage to the seals while running in the well conduit. The seals are expanded into engagement with the polished bore either mechanically or hydraulically.

Abstract: A well safety valve having a housing and a valve closure member moving between opened and closed positions by a longitudinally tubular member movable in the housing. A piston and cylinder assembly includes a seal between the piston and cylinder, is connected to the tubular member, and is actuated by hydraulic fluid from the well surface for moving the valve to an open position. The valve is biased to a closed position by a U-shaped chamber. The chamber includes a pressurized gas and hydraulic fluid in the chamber between the gas and the assembly seal for lubricating and preventing the gas from escaping through the seal. The piston cylinder assembly is out of communication with and unaffected by pressure in the bore. At least one actuator rod is connected between the assembly and the tubular member and includes first and second spaced seals. The pressure in the bore is in communication with the rod between the first and second seals thereby balancing the housing pressure on the rod.

Abstract: A full opening subsurface control valve for use in subsurface closure of a well annulus. The valve includes a body with a sleeve reciprocably disposed in the valve body. The body is releasably attached to an upper tool string portion, and the sleeve is attached to a lower tool string portion. An actuator arm, mounted on the body and stationary with respect thereto, engages a ball valve element. When the body and sleeve are in a relatively converged position, the ball valve element is in a closed position. When the body and sleeve are in a relatively extended position, the ball valve is in an open position, such that the ball valve element, body and sleeve define a substantially unobstructed flow passage through the valve. A spring is utilized for relatively biasing the body and sleeve toward the converged position. The weight of the lower tool string portion overcomes the spring force such that the valve is maintained in an open position as it is longitudinally positioned in the well bore.

Abstract: A dump and kill valve for use in a sidepocket having a main bore, a sidepocket in communication with the main bore with ports between the sidepocket and the outside of the mandrel and a shoulder above the pocket. The valve includes a body having a no-go shoulder with an upper first and a lower second seal spaced apart and positioned on the body sealing in the pocket on opposite sides of the port for initially blocking fluid flow. One of the seals is releasably connected to the body and is movable relative to the body upwardly in response to fluid pressure for opening communication between the ports and the main bore. Latch means may be provided between the movable seal and the body for latching the movable seal after opening and the setting tool may include a releasable seal holding shoulder for preventing premature movement of the movable seal.

Abstract: A first well tubing with a tubing retrievable safety valve having a bore of substantially the same size as the bore of the first well tubing. A second well tubing is connected to the first well tubing above the first well tubing and extends to the well surface and the second well tubing has a bore larger than the bore of the first well tubing. A landing nipple in the second well tubing has substantially the same size bore as the bore of the second well tubing. A wireline retrievable safety valve positioned in the interior of the landing nipple has a bore only slightly smaller than the bore of the first well tubing and thereby does not unduly restrict the flow of fluid through the well tubing.

Abstract: A safety valve for installation in a well to close the passage for effluent therefrom comprises a valve body of generally cylindrical shape, shut-off element in a lower part of this body, and a cylindrical slideblock which is slidable longitudinally in the body and adapted to cause, in its descending movement, the opening of the shut-off element. A locking system for locking the valve in the well is located in a radially outer portion of the body and comprises a radially expandable attachment component for engaging, when expanded, in a stop groove provided in the receiving connection of the well surrounding the body. Upper and lower sealing elements for sealing against the receiving connection are arranged on radially outer regions of the body for forming between them a space for receiving a control fluid for the valve, the two sealing elements being arranged longitudinally one on each side of the locking system.

Abstract: A retrievable well tool for use in a subterranean well conduit utilizes plural valving elements to establish a fluid bypass around at least one annular elastomeric sealing element in response to movement of a control mandrel. The annular elastomeric sealing element actuates slips carried on the tool to engage the conduit wall in response to a differential pressure across the sealing element. The fluid bypass established by movement of the control mandrel is accomplished prior to an effective disengaging movement being imparted to the actuated slip elements.

Abstract: An improved presettable, pressure-responsive retrievable fluid control valve contains a plurality of spring housing sections having individual springs disposed therein. Each of the springs is connected in mechanical parallel with each other spring. To select the preset pressure threshold at which the valve opens in response to a column of fluid in a tubing in which the valve is disposed, the number of springs and zero to two compression spacer members are chosen for each spring. The valve also includes a bypass section having an inner bypass mandrel connected by a frangible member to an outer bypass port member. Connected to the outer bypass port member is a sealing member for seating the valve in a seating nipple of a tubing. The bypass mandrel and the outer bypass port member are normally held by the frangible member in a fixed relationship so that ports through the bypass mandrel and the outer bypass port member are axially offset in a closed, or non-fluid conducting, position.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve having a rotatable ball-type flow closure element is disclosed. The ball element is rotationally operated and guided by a pair of guide members fixed in the valve by a stop ring. The guide members co-act with the ball to provide the desired rotational movement as well as providing a movement limit stop to prevent rotational overtravel of the ball. The tubular operator means imparts longitudinal movement to the ball greater than the predetermined movement required to effect the desired ball rotation prior to engaging the stop ring.A locking sleeve having a longitudinal locking movement greater than the predetermined movement to rotate the ball open is provided. Operating movement of the locking sleeve uncovers a control fluid port for operating a supplemental subsurface valve operably secured with the valve. Prior to activating the locking sleeve to install the supplemental valve, the valve may be controlled through either of two conduits.

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 landing nipple and safety system for installation in wells having a submersible pump for pumping well fluids to the surface plus a subsurface safety valve for maintaining the well under control during installation and removal of the pump from the well. The subsurface safety valve is hydraulically actuated by the discharge pressure of the pump. The landing nipple on which the pump is mounted and in which the safety valve is installed can be retrieved from the flow conductor by conventional wireline techniques.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a subsurface safety valve having operating means which is responsive to the supply of control fluid from a remote source for holding a closure member in open position and which is retrievable separately from the closure member, so that with the bore of the mandrel above and below the closure member fluidly disconnected, the closure member automatically closes so as to close in the well when the operating means is so retrieved.

Abstract: A cooperating landing nipple and subsurface safety valve in which the closure springs for the subsurface safety valves are carried by the landing nipple and the actuator and the pressure responsive member for effecting opening and closing of the valve are carried by the subsurface safety valve.

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 subsurface test tree so compact in its vertical dimension that the entire tree can be positioned below the blind rams in a blowout preventer stack. When the stinger is removed the remaining valve section of the tree will be below the blind rams in any conventional blowout preventer stack.The valve operators are split, one carried by the stinger and one carried in the valve housing with the arrangement of operator and valve in the housing providing an extremely small vertical dimension. A dome charge is effective on a piston to drive a ball valve to closed position to cut a line extending through the ball valve and to provide sequential operation between the ball valve on bottom and the valve thereabove which may be a flapper valve so that the lower valve closes and the line is cut before the upper valve closes.In one form the invention includes a subsurface safety valve below the test tree operated by one of control or balance pressure fluid.

Abstract: A well system for injection into a selected formation in each tubing string in a multiple formation dual string well completed for through flow line/pumpdown operation, utilizing a string of tools which may be pumped down tubing to open selected tubing sleeve valves between packers. Each tool string includes a pressure openable injection valve which seals across the open sleeve valve and is opened for formation injection flow at preselected pressures by application of tubing pressure at the surface. One type of injection valve closes to flow through when pressure opened for injection flow. The other injection valve is closed to injection flow on insertion of a closing prong having a through flow passage. Both injection valves and their respective tool strings may be individually retrieved closing sleeve valves in each tubing and the formations to injection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for converting an oil well with natural effluent rise to one with gas-lift of the effluent column, wherein the oil well has a nipple in the production tube provided with a stop-groove and smooth bearing surfaces between which a hydraulic control line comes out. For conversion an inner tube is lowered inside the production tube, the inner tube being provided with a locking system for locking the inner tube to the nipple, and with a safety valve assembly capable of closing both the passage inside the inner tube and the annular passage between the latter and the production tube, under the action of a control fluid supplied by the control line which opens between two seals on the inner tube and which bear against the smooth bearing surfaces when locking is effected.

Abstract: An assembly including a tubing safety valve and annulus safety valve mounted within nipples incorporated within an inner conduit is disclosed for use in conjunction with the injection of material, such as gas, through the center of the inner conduit. The injected material can be used to stimulate production of fluids from the formation through the annulus between the inner conduit and an outer concentric conduit. This outer concentric conduit normally comprises an existing producting tubing string having existing safety valve nipple and external control fluid lines. Nipples incorporated within the inner conduit provide means for sealing the annulus between the inner and the outer conduit and for positioning the inner conduit relative to the outer conduit to provide communication between the tubing safety valve and the annulus safety valve and the external existing source of control fluid pressure.

Abstract: An operably automatic valve assembly for being received in a cavity of a short drill string subassembly, preferably a kelly saver subassembly, for preventing mud spills when the kelly assembly is disconnected when adding additional sections of drill pipe. An eccentric butterfly disc across the valve opening is biased closed by suitable air spring action. Fluid pump pressure in excess of the bias pressure opens the disc and telescopes closed the air springs located on either side of the valve housing within suitable pockets. A stop on one air spring and not on the other causes a slight twist to the disc as the disc reaches its full open position and eliminates any operating flutter of the disc. Pressure within the stem in excess of the closing bias pressure provided by the air springs keeps the disc open even in the presence of back fluid pressure.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon production well in which the effluent is activated by an activation pump removably installed in a production pipe in the well, a safety valve is removably mounted in the production pipe below the activation pump. The safety valve comprises, in a lower part of the valve body, a foot valve and thereabove an obturator which is moved to its open position by an operating member which is provided with a piston slideably mounted in the valve body and separating first and second chambers. The first chamber is pressurized to open the valve, and the second chamber, which acts in opposition to the first chamber, is in communication with the bottom of the well below the foot valve, and is thus isolated from the interior of the safety valve when the foot valve is closed.

Abstract: A safety valve which prevents undesired fluid flow while conducting hydraulic workover or snubbing operations on a well. The safety valve includes three separate valve portions for blocking fluid flow. A poppet valve can be opened and closed from the well surface. Elastomeric sealing elements form a fluid barrier with the exterior of the work string. The work string itself opens and closes a flapper valve. The poppet valve allows fluid flow to bypass the elastomeric sealing elements.

Abstract: A well tool for running, cementing and washing a well housing or casing hanger including a tubular body, a cementing stinger on the lower end of the body, a well housing releasably supported on the body, a hollow skirt having inwardly facing ports and positioned in surrounding relationship to the upper end of the housing, a washing fluid supply to the skirt, a pressure responsive valve in the washing fluid supply, the support for the well housing including a pressure responsive release and the pressure responsive valve and the release are connected so that the supply of washing fluid under pressure to the connection opens the valve and actuates the release for the washing step and the step of retrieving the well tool.

Abstract: A retrievable well safety valve in a cased well system including a tubing string, a dual packer downhole around the tubing sealing with the casing and submersible pump in the tubing string below the packer.The safety valve controls flow of pumped fluids through the tubing to surface and directs gas flow into the casing annulus above the packer. When the safety valve is landed in cooperating tubing nipples above the packer, separated central annular flow passages are formed for pumped fluids and gas respectively.A ball valve in the central flow passage controls pumped fluid flow therethrough and an annular valve coupled to the ball valve controls gas flow from below the packer through the annular flow passage around and by the ball valve.When the ball valve is in the down and open position, the valve ball member engages a lower seat, which maintains the central and annular flow passages separate and prevents comingling flow of fluids and gas.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a surface controlled subsurface safety valve system includes a tubing retrievable safety valve having a valve element that is opened and held open in response to the pressure of a control fluid in a control line and automatically closed when control pressure is reduced, and means for equalizing the pressure of fluids above and below said valve element to aid in reopening the same after closure, including a wireline retrievable equalizing valve removably installed in the pocket of a side pocket mandrel that is connected in the tubing above said safety valve, said equalizing valve being arranged to be opened and closed in response to changes in the pressure of said control fluid. A uniquely constructed side pocket mandrel also is disclosed.

Abstract: A ball type safety valve mounted in a movable cage for automatically closing a subterranean well conduit is disclosed. The ball has a central flow passage which can be aligned with the tubing to permit production and can be automatically rotated to block the tubing. The ball is moved from its closed to its open position by an increase in control fluid pressure, preferably in an external control fluid line extending to the surface of the well. An increase in control fluid pressure causes the cage to move axially and rotation is imparted by the offset camming means attached to a stationary base member. The base member is adjustable relative to the valve housing and to the cage to insure that the valve is fully open and fully closed at opposite extremes of the travel of the cage and ball assembly.

Abstract: A retrievable well safety valve in a cased well system including a tubing string, a dual packer downhole around the tubing sealing with the casing and submersible pump in the tubing string below the packer.The safety valve controls flow of pumped fluids through the tubing to surface and directs gas flow into the casing annulus above the packer. When the safety valve is landed in cooperating tubing nipples above the packer, separated central annular flow passages are formed for pumped fluids and gas respectively.A ball valve in the central flow passage controls pumped fluid flow therethrough and an annular valve coupled to the ball valve controls gas flow from below the packer through the annular flow passage around and by the ball valve.When the ball valve is in the down and open position, the valve ball member engages a lower seat, which maintains the central and annular flow passages separate and prevents comingling flow of fluids and gas.