Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting the temporary lock-open mechanism incorporated in a safety valve employed in the subterranean well, the apparatus including an annular mandrel having an external, axially movable, radially expandable collet operated by an axially movable prong concentrically arranged within the mandrel housing.The temporary lock-open mechanism of the valve includes latch fingers which are adapted to engage the end of a plunger which opens the valve, a spring biased lock-open sleeve and release keys for holding the sleeve in a passive position.The valve is temporarily locked in an open position by introducing control line pressure into the valve for opening it and moving its lock-open mechanism to a position where the expandable collet of the apparatus can release keys that restrain the lock-open sleeve.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for use in wells, preferably adapted for placement in a tubing string, having a lock open mechanism for temporarily maintaining the safety valve in the open to flow position. The safety valve includes a closure device, such as a rotatable ball, located in the flow passage of the valve and is opened and closed by a biased operator tube. The operator tube is movable in response to hydraulic fluid conducted to the safety valve operating on a piston carried on the operator tube. A shiftable sleeve and collet is positioned above the operator tube and has a profile for receiving a shifting tool. When shifted, the collet and sleeve act on the operator tube to hold the valve in the open to flow position. The collet engages a recess on the bore wall of the safety valve upon shifting, and the sleeve moves behind the engaged collet head to prevent unlocking. The safety valve can be returned to operation by shifting the sleeve and collet to their original, normal position.

Abstract: A differential pressure operated subsurface safety valve (20). A latch mechanism, having ball detents (63), holds the safety valve (20) open until the difference in pressure between fluid in chamber (40) within the safety valve (20) and fluid flowing through the safety valve (20) exceeds a preselected value. The difference in pressure acts upon a piston (37) which is attached to an actuator sleeve (31) causing the actuator sleeve (31) to shift the safety valve (20) from its open to its closed position. The chamber (40) is charged by and equalized with fluid pressure around the exterior of the safety valve (20).

Abstract: A pressure actuated vent assembly for completing a slanted wellbore. The assembly is connected in series relationship within a tubing string at a location below a packer, and the packer elements are located between the casing and the tubing string, thereby dividing the casing annulus into an upper and lower annular area. The vent assembly includes a ported sliding sleeve which is slidably received about a ported main body member. The sleeve is held into position by a shear pin. Guide pins maintain the ports of the sleeve and main body member aligned with one another. When pressure is applied to the inside of the tubing, the sliding sleeve is forced to slide from an upper closed position, in a downward direction, where the sleeve locks into the opened position.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided having particular utility in a test assembly securable in a blowout preventer stack above a subterranean well. The valve assembly is carriable between upper and lower portions of a tubular conduit extendible to at least one production zone in the well. The valve assembly comprises first and second ball valve elements interior of the assembly and is shiftable between fully open and fully closed positions, with one of the valve elements being manipulated from the fully closed position to the fully open position prior to the other of the valve elements being manipulated from the fully closed position. The ball valve elements are circumferentially off-set from one another, and may be provided in a cartridge-type assembly.

Abstract: A drill pipe tester valve includes a housing having a first end adapted to be connected to a well test string, which housing has a flow passage therethrough. A spherical valve member having a valve bore therethrough is disposed in the flow passage of the housing. Lugs are attached to the housing for engaging the spherical valve member and rotating the spherical valve member between open and closed positions as the spherical valve member is moved axially relative to the housing. A resilient coil compression spring is located above the spherical valve member, between the housing and the spherical valve member for automatically closing the spherical valve member when the well test string is statically positioned within a well, and for automatically opening the spherical valve member and allowing well fluid within the well to fill the well test string above the spherical valve member as the well test string is lowered into the well.

Abstract: A drill string safety and kill valve for a string of drill pipe used for drilling wells including a tubular valve body connectible in the drill pipe, a ball valve in the body mounted to rotate between open and closed positions for controlling flow through the body, a longitudinally movable tubular ball valve operator in the body connected with the ball valve, a spring biased flapper valve in the ball valve operator mounted to permit downward flow and to close responsive to upward flow for raising the ball valve operator to close the ball valve, a side port provided in the side of the ball valve positioned upwardly when the ball valve is closed for pumping drilling fluids downwardly into the bore of the closed ball valve, and a spring biased lower ball valve seat moved downwardly by downward flow of drilling fluid when the ball valve is closed to allow pumping into a well for killing the well after valve closure.

Abstract: A bypass valve for use with an oil well testing string is disclosed which includes a spring loaded check valve which is normally in the closed position. If pressure in the interior of the test string is higher than the pressure in the well annulus, the check valve means opens until the interior pressure is equalized with the well annulus pressure. When the interior string pressure is reduced to that pressure present in the well annulus, the check valve means returns to the closed condition. The check valve means contains frangible shear means which shear when the well annulus pressure exceeds the interior string pressure by a predetermined amount. The check valve means then moves to the locked closed condition. The bypass valve disclosed is intended for use in a testing string for an oil well, and is to be placed in the testing string below a normally closed tester valve and above a seal assembly for insertion into sealing engagement with a preset production type packer.

Abstract: A well safety system for controlling the flow of fluid through well conduits. The system includes a surface controlled subsurface safety valve made up as part of a tubing string extending from the well surface to a subsurface formation within a casing string. A packer, installed below the safety valve, forms a fluid tight seal between the tubing and casing to direct fluid from below the packer into the tubing. The safety valve contains lateral passageways which allow communication of fluid from the bore of the safety valve to the annulus between the tubing and casing above the packer. A valve actuator is releasably secured within the upper portion of the safety valve and forms a fluid tight seal between control fluid pressure in the tubing string above the safety valve and formation fluid pressure in the tubing string below the safety valve. The safety valve can be locked open when control pressure is increased above a preselected value and then released.

Abstract: A tubular housing having an inner tubular member forms an inner passageway inside of the inner member and an outer passageway between the inner member and the housing. The housing has valve openings leading from the outer passageway to the exterior of the housing and a tubular valve closure member telescopically moves on the interior of the housing. First means move the valve closure member in an upper direction for closing the openings and at least one actuating piston is telescopically movable within and has its longitudinal axis in the wall of the housing and engages the valve closure member. The piston is in communication with a hydraulic passageway adapted to extend to the well surface for actuating the closure member in a direction to open the valve openings. The closure member is positioned whereby upward flow through the outer passageway acts on the closure member to close the valve opening.

Abstract: An improved bypass valve for use with an oil well testing string is disclosed which includes a check valve means for allowing fluid flow from the interior of the test string to the well annulus when the interior pressure exceeds the well annulus pressure. The bypass valve further includes a blocking means which blocks interior communication with the check valve means when the well annulus pressure exceeds the string interior pressure. A delay means is included which delays the action of the blocking means for a predetermined length of time. The improved bypass valve is intended for use in a testing string for an oil well, and is to be placed in the testing string below a normally closed tester valve and above a seal assembly for insertion into sealing engagement with a preset production type packer. The time delay allows the seal assembly to be removed from the packer after the packer location is determined without activating the blocking means to move to its locked closed position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a testing system employing a circulating tool, a cushion valve, a seal unit packer with a foot sleeve, and a landing nipple with a transducer fitting. This system permits running a packer with a foot sleeve and transducer fitting and landing it in the well, and subsequently running a tubing with a circulating tool and cushion valve to land in the seal unit. Thereafter a transducer may be run on a wireline.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety apparatus for controlling control fluid used to operate subsurface safety valves mounted in well production tubing. The apparatus is operated by a shifting tool between a first position enabling a pair of tandem subsurface safety valves to operate together and a second position to isolate one of the subsurface safety valves from the control fluid. The apparatus is shifted between positions by a tool movable through the production tubing to the subsurface location.

Abstract: A lockout for use with a fluid injection valve which injects fluids in a tubing string of a well. The lockout, when actuated, holds the injection valve open for allowing passage of well tools therethrough; but when deactuated, allows the injection valve to operate normally. In combination with a spring-loaded, normally closed injection valve, which is opened by pressure actuating a flow tube in response to injection flow, of a lockout having a second flow tube coaxially aligned with the first flow tube for engagement therewith, piston means connected to the second flow tube and adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure from the well surface for moving the second flow tube against the first flow tube for holding the injection valve open, and a biasing spring acting against the second flow tube for moving the second flow tube away from the first flow tube whereby the injection valve may operate normally and independently of the lockout.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve having provisions for blocking communication of control fluid to the valve's pressure responsive operator and for locking the valve open in the event of valve failure. This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is measured by the claims nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: Valve apparatus may comprise a first tubular member; a second tubular member telescopically engaging the first tubular member for axial movement between a retracted position and an extended position, the first and second tubular members forming flow passage through which fluid communication may be established between the opposite ends of the apparatus; ports through the walls of one of the tubular members by which fluid communication may be established between the flow passage and the exterior of the valve apparatus; and a closure assembly carried by one of the tubular members for selectively opening and closing the ports to permit or prevent fluid communication with the exterior of the apparatus. Methods of using the valve apparatus in remedial oil and/or gas well operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A well safety valve adapted to be positioned in a well tubing and close on either a predetermined high tubing pressure or a predetermined low tubing pressure. The valve closure member in the valve body moves between an open and closed position in response to longitudinal movement of a tubular member. The tubular member has an open bore for alignment with the bore of the well tubing to provide straight through flow through the safety valve. In addition, the tubular member has a plurality of telescoping sections and releasable and resettable locking means normally securing the plurality of sections together. A predetermined high tubing pressure or a predetermined low tubing pressure acting on the tubular member causes the valve to close.

Abstract: A well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well tubing in which the valve is biased closed. When fluid control pressure is supplied from the well surface, the valve is opened, but the valve closes when the control pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The tubular member controlling the actuation of the valve member includes a first upper and a second lower telescoping section with releasable locking means normally securing the telescoping sections together. A stop shoulder is positioned in the path of movement of the second section in the opening direction for actuating the release of the locking means when the control fluid force exceeds said predetermined value, and the second telescoping section is moved in a closing direction for closing the valve member when the locking means is released. The locking means may be either a shear pin or a resettable lock.

Abstract: The valve assembly disclosed herein is used primarily in oil or gas well servicing to prevent contamination of fluids used to treat the formation. The valve is coupled into a tubing string, and it includes a slidable hollow mandrel, with a hingable flapper disk positioned below the mandrel. The valve is generally used in cooperation with a packer tool and bridge plug. When treating fluid is pumped down the tubing string it pushes the flapper disk open and holds it open, so the fluid can reach the formation interval being treated. To treat the next higher interval the packer is unset to raise the tubing string. Releasing the packer allows residual fluids to backflow from the well casing annulus into the tubing string. In this tool the backflowing fluid closes the flapper, so that it acts as a check valve to prevent contamination of the treating fluid. Before the valve is pulled out of the casing the mandrel is slid downwardly, to push the flapper open and hold it in open position.

Abstract: A disaster valve for downhole use in a gas or oil well is built into a unitary housing having a wireline running tool connector at one end and a control package at the other end. In the center of the housing, a ball valve (in one embodiment) or a piston and cylinder valve (in another embodiment) is arranged to be operated by a new and improved mandrel driven by a motor for rotating a feed screw. The housing includes passages and parts configured so that the lower end of the housing lies along the axis of the tubing to enable a peripheral fluid flow, coaxially around the housing. Near the valve, the fluid is diverted from the peripheral flow into an axial flow. The valve controls the fluid flow at the point where the peripheral flow converts into the axial flow. During catastrophic conditions, a quick release feature enables the valve to be driven to a closed position under spring tension.

Abstract: Well test apparatus having, in a well, an annulus therearound. An annular housing has a valve for the control of fluid flow through the housing. A pressure chamber is provided within the housing. Lockable pressure trapping means is responsive to annulus pressure for locking in a condition wherein pressure is trapped in the pressure chamber. A piston is responsive to trapped pressure in the pressure chamber and to annulus pressure for control of the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is releasable plugging apparatus for selectively closing a tubular member to permit fluid pressure buildup therein. When the fluid pressure is then decreased, a sealing device of the apparatus may be released, and the tubular member subsequently opened. Holding apparatus secures the sealing device in place until a compressed spring is permitted to move a piston so as to permit the holding apparatus to release the sealing device. A locking device prevents such movement by the piston until the pressure buildup first moves the piston in the opposite direction to release the locking device and to further compress the spring. The tubular member is thus not unplugged until the fluid pressure is decreased, thereby avoiding a large pressure pulse which might result if the sealing device were released with the fluid pressure at a high value. The embodiments described are particularly applicable for use with hydraulically-operated well tools, such as well packers.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a surface controller system apparatus and their method for use with a surface controlled subsurface safety valve are disclosed. Both surface controller systems are responsive to an emergency shutdown signal for enabling closing of the subsurface safety valve when the well surface safety systems are shut-in. Once the subsurface Safety Valve has been shut-in up the system, the safety control system must be manually reset before the subsurface valve can be reopened.Both safety control system provides an enclosed reservoir or accumulator for receiving the hydraulic control fluid when the subsurface valve closes and for containing well blow-outs through either one or both control fluid conduits operably connecting the controller system with the subsurface valve. The enclosed systems are also arranged that any internal leakage of the surface control system will operate to shut-in the well with the subsurface valve.

Abstract: A well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well tubing in which the valve closure member is controlled by a longitudinal movable tubular member which opens and closes the valve, can lock the valve in an open position, can telescopically collapse to avoid damage to the valve, and can be reset either manually or automatically. The tubular member includes first and second telescoping sections which are releasably locked together in an intermediate extended position for normally opening and closing the valve on movement of the tubular member. The releasable locking means is constructed to release upon the application of a predetermined force less than a force sufficient to cause damage to the valve whereby on application of an excessive force the sections will telescope towards each other preventing damage to the valve.

Abstract: A valve and lubricator apparatus are provided for installation of tools on wire line and the like for use in an oil or gas well while controlling fluids therethrough. The apparatus has valve means having a passageway therethrough for control of fluids through the apparatus. First fluid activatable means are provided for first shifting of the valve means to closed position. Second fluid activatable means also are provided for second shifting of the valve means to the open position. Means for locking the valve in closed position are provided to prevent shifting of the valve to open position by operation of the first fluid means. The second fluid means are operational to unlock the valve means from the closed and locked positions and to shift the valve to open position. The first and second fluid means and the locking means are repeatably and sequentially operational.

Abstract: A releasably locked closed circulation valve is introduced into a well bore as part of a drill string. The annulus between the drill string and the well bore, or casing affixed to the well bore, is sealed. Pressure is applied to the annulus and the valve unlocks and opens once the annulus pressure reaches a certain level to allow circulation between the annulus and the interior of the drill string. An optional locking device preferably locks the opened valve in the open position. A second embodiment includes a tester valve simultaneously operable with the circulation valve.