U.S. patent application number 14/467823 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for oil well safety valve apparatus and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Raymond C. Davis. Invention is credited to Raymond C. Davis.
Application Number | 20150041147 14/467823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51358408 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150041147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Raymond C. |
February 12, 2015 |
OIL WELL SAFETY VALVE APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
An oil well control device automatically shuts in a well
responsive to the removal of a work string (or other removable
structure--ball retarding structure) from the device. The device is
placed in the well as a section of the well casing. The device
provides a pair of bores, one that aligns with the well bore or
well casing, the other being a branch flow line containing a ball
structure that will close the well if the drill pipe or drill
string is removed. While conducting normal well activity (e.g.
drilling, work over or the like) the ball retarder (e.g. work
string) prevents entry of the ball structure into the main flow
channel.
Inventors: |
Davis; Raymond C.; (Lake
Charles, LA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Davis; Raymond C. |
Lake Charles |
LA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51358408 |
Appl. No.: |
14/467823 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13162249 |
Jun 16, 2011 |
8813849 |
|
|
14467823 |
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61361204 |
Jul 2, 2010 |
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61356905 |
Jun 21, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 12/00 20130101;
E21B 34/08 20130101; E21B 34/12 20130101; E21B 2200/04
20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/373 |
International
Class: |
E21B 12/00 20060101
E21B012/00; E21B 34/12 20060101 E21B034/12 |
Claims
1. An oil well safety shut off method, comprising the steps of: a)
providing in a section of well casing having a well bore, a device
having a first flow bore of a first diameter aligned generally with
the well bore of the casing so that flow through the casing also
flows through the first flow bore; b) providing a second flow bore
that communicates with the first bore at two spaced apart positions
to provide a lower flow entry from the first flow bore and an upper
flow discharge into the first flow bore, the second flow bore
having a diameter that is at least in part larger in transverse
cross section than the first diameter; c) providing an upper ball
seat above the upper flow discharge; d) providing a lower ball seat
in the second flow bore in between the lower flow entry and the
upper flow discharge; e) placing a ball valving member in the
second flow bore above the lower seat; f) disallowing entry of the
ball valving member into the first flow bore by placing a ball
retarding member in the first flow bore, the ball retarding member
occupying a position within the first flow bore next to the upper
flow discharge; and g) a removal of the ball retarding member
enabling the ball valving member to form a seal with the upper ball
seat, slowing the flow of fluids upwardly in the first flow
bore.
2. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is manipulated from a wellhead area.
3. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member extends above and below the upper flow
discharge.
4. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the
second flow bore has at least one inclined section and in step "f"
the ball retarding member does not enter the inclined section.
5. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 4 wherein in step
"g" the ball retarding member does not enter the inclined
section.
6. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a work string that extends from a wellhead area
to the device.
7. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a string of tubular material that extends from
a wellhead area to the device.
8. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a string of pipe and further comprising
manipulating the string of pipe from a wellhead area.
9. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a string of pipe and further comprising lifting
and lowering the string of pipe.
10. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a work string and further comprising the step
of lifting and lowering the work string.
11. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a string of pipe and further comprising lifting
and lowering the string of pipe.
12. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 wherein the ball
retarding member is a string of tubular material and further
comprising the step of lifting and lowering the string of tubular
material.
13. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 1 further
comprising the step of circulating drilling fluid in at least one
of the flow bores.
14. An oil well safety shut off method, comprising the steps of: a)
providing in a section of well casing having a well bore, the
casing including a device having a first flow bore of a first
minimum diameter aligned generally with the bore of the casing so
that flow through the casing also flows through the first flow
bore; b) providing a second flow bore that communicates with the
first bore at two spaced apart positions to provide a lower flow
entry from the first flow bore and an upper flow discharge into the
first flow bore, the second flow bore having a portion with a
diameter that is larger than the first diameter; c) providing an
upper ball seat above the upper flow discharge; d) providing a
lower ball seat in the second flow bore in between the lower flow
entry and the upper flow discharge; e) placing a valving member in
the second flow bore above the lower seat; f) disallowing entry of
the valving member into the first flow bore by placing a work
string in the first flow bore, the work string extending above and
below the upper flow discharge; and g) a removal of the work string
enabling the valving member to form a seal with the upper seat,
slowing the flow of fluids upwardly in the first flow bore.
15. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 14 wherein the
valving member is a ball valving member.
16. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 14 wherein the
second flow bore has an inclined section.
17. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 16 wherein the
valving member travels from a position in communication with the
inclined section to a position removed from the inclined section in
step "g".
18. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 16 wherein the
inclined section is above the lower seat.
19. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 14 further
comprising the step of lifting and lowering the work string.
20. The oil well safety shut off method of claim 14 wherein the
upper seat has a diameter that is about equal to the diameter of
the lower seat.
21-26. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a non provisional patent application of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/356,905, filed Jun. 21,
2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/361,204,
filed Jul. 2, 2010.
[0002] Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/356,905, filed Jun. 21, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/361,204, filed Jul. 2, 2010, each of which
is incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"
[0004] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to an oil well safety device
that automatically shuts in or closes an oil well if the drill
string is removed or responsive to removal of the drill string to a
position above the safety device.
[0007] 2. General Background of the Invention
[0008] In the exploration of oil, wells are drilled many thousands
of feet into the earth.
[0009] Tremendous pressures can exist in formations where oil is
located. Drillers use heavy fluids such as drilling mud to control
well pressures and prevent a catastrophic blow out wherein oil and
gas escape from the well bore.
[0010] There are various control devices that hopefully close the
well bore before a blow out can occur. Examples include blow out
preventers, sub surface valves, sub surface safety valves and the
like. Most such safety control devices require activation by
personnel on a drilling structure. If these valve blow out
preventers or valve structures cannot be actuated, blow out still
occurs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides an improved oil control
device that automatically shuts in a well responsive to the removal
of a drill string from the device. The device is thus placed in the
well as a section of the well casing. The device provides a pair of
bores, one that aligns with the well bore or well casing, the other
being a branch flow line containing a ball structure that will
close the well if the drill pipe or drill string is removed. While
drilling, the drill string prevents entry of the ball structure
into the main flow channel.
[0012] The present invention thus provides an oil safety shut off
method. As part of the method, there is provided a section of well
casing having a well bore and the casing including a device having
a first flow bore of a first diameter aligned generally with the
well bore of the casing. In this fashion, flow through the casing
also flows through the first flow bore with a first diameter.
[0013] A second flow bore is provided that communicates with the
first bore at two spaced apart positions to provide a lower flow
entry from the first flow bore and an upper flow discharge into the
first flow bore, the second flow bore having a diameter that is
larger than the first diameter.
[0014] There is an upper ball seat above the upper flow
discharge.
[0015] A lower ball seat is provided in the second flow bore in
between the lower flow entry and the upper flow discharge.
[0016] A ball valving member is contained in the second flow bore
above the lower seat.
[0017] The method disallows entry of the ball valving member into
the first flow bore by placing a ball retarding member in the first
flow bore. The ball retarding member can occupy a position within
the first flow bore next to the upper flow discharge.
[0018] A removal of the ball retarding member enables the ball
valving member to form a seal with the upper ball seat, slowing the
flow of fluids upwardly in the first flow bore.
[0019] In one embodiment, the ball retarding member can be a work
string.
[0020] In one embodiment, the ball retarding member can be a drill
string.
[0021] In one embodiment, the ball retarding member can be a tube
or tubing.
[0022] In one embodiment, the ball retarding member can be a member
that extends to a work deck, drill deck, platform, work vessel, or
earth surface area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and
advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the
following detailed description, read in conjunction with the
following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like
elements and wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of a preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view of a preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of a preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 4-6 are sectional elevation views of a preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and
illustrating the method of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of a preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Oil well safety shut off apparatus is shown in FIGS. 1-7,
designated generally by the numeral 10. Oil well safety shut off
apparatus 10 can be used in a well casing 11 that surrounds a well
bore 12 and blow out preventer (BOP) 18. In FIG. 7, a marine use is
shown with drill ship 30, casing 11, blow out preventer 18 and
seabed 31. Oil producing formation 32 is below seabed 31.
[0030] A drill string, work string or other string 13 extends
downwardly into the well bore 12 and through the first bore 23 of
the device 10. Circulating mud 21 can be located in first bore 23.
First bore 23 has a diameter dl designated by the numeral 19.
Diameter 19 of first bore 23 and the diameter of the well bore
(i.e. casing 11 internal diameter) can be equal (see FIG. 7).
[0031] A branch flow line 14 has a bore 15 with a diameter (d2)
designated by the numeral 20 and larger than the diameter
designated by the numeral 19. The branch flow line 14 communicates
with the first bore 23 at two spaced apart positions, namely lower
opening 24 and upper opening 25. A ball structure 17 is carried in
branch flow line bore 15 in between openings 24, 25 as shown. There
is a lower seat 16 that prevents downward movement of ball valving
member 17. There is an upper seat 22 or seal ring that prevents
upward movement of valving member 17 should work string (or other
ball retarding member) be removed from bores 12, 23 to a position
above opening 25 and seat 22. First bore 23 can have a guide 27.
Guide 27 can be used to help track the ball structure 17 during its
travel.
[0032] During normal well activity, ball retarding structure or
work string 13 prevents entry of ball 17 into bore 12 or 23 (see
FIGS. 1 and 3). If a blow out condition seems likely, the operators
would pull work string 13 upwardly in the direction of arrow 26 in
FIG. 4 and past seat or seal ring 22. This action frees ball 17 to
seal with seat or seal ring 22. Because diameter 20 is larger than
diameter 19, fluid flow traveling into branch flow line bore 15
will push ball 17 upwardly and into contact with upper seat or seal
22 (see FIGS. 2-6). In FIGS. 4-6, an alternate arrangement provides
a section of tubing or drill string 13A held in position in FIG. 4
with pin 28. In FIG. 5, pin 28 is removed as indicated by arrow 29.
An ROV or remotely operated vehicle could be used to remove pin 28
and then remove drill string section 13A.
[0033] The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for
the various elements of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
TABLE-US-00001 PARTS LIST Part Number Description 10 oil well
safety shut off apparatus 11 casing 12 well bore 13 work
string/drill string 13A section of string/tubing 14 branch flow
line 15 branch flow line bore 16 lower seal seat 17 ball structure
18 blow out preventer/BOP 19 well bore diameter (d1) 20 branch flow
line diameter (d2) 21 circulating mud 22 upper seal seat/seal ring
23 first bore of device 24 lower opening 25 upper opening 26 arrow
27 guide 28 pin 29 arrow 30 drill ship/wellhead area 31 seabed 32
formation
[0034] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example
only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by
the following claims.
* * * * *