U.S. patent number 3,763,933 [Application Number 05/131,661] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-09 for retrievable safety valve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hydrill Company. Invention is credited to James D. Mott.
United States Patent |
3,763,933 |
Mott |
October 9, 1973 |
RETRIEVABLE SAFETY VALVE
Abstract
A new and improved subsurface safety valve which is inserted
into well tubing without requiring removal of the tubing, and which
replaces worn, deteriorated and fully or partially inoperative
safety valves in the well tubing to prevent blow-outs in wells. The
replacement subsurface safety valve may be subsequently removed
after insertion without requiring removal of the well tubing.
Inventors: |
Mott; James D. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Hydrill Company (Los Angeles,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22450459 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/131,661 |
Filed: |
April 6, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/322;
137/614.11; 137/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
34/106 (20130101); E21B 2200/04 (20200501); Y10T
137/87981 (20150401); Y10T 137/7781 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
34/00 (20060101); E21B 34/10 (20060101); E21b
043/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/315,314,125,126,224,72,135 ;251/58,62,95
;137/458,494,614.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Claims
I claim:
1. A flow control valve for positioning with a first housing having
a first controlled valve mounted with the first housing for
controlling flow of fluid through a flow passage formed in the
first housing, comprising:
a. a second valve housing adapted for movement relative to the
first housing;
b. second valve means mounted with said second valve housing and
adapted to be positioned with the first housing for movement to and
from open and closed positions for controlling flow through the
flow passage; and
c. actuating means for operating said second valve means to and
from open and closed positions for controlling flow through the
flow passage in association with the operation of the first
controlled valve.
2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said actuating means
comprises:
means for operating said second valve means in response to the
controls of the first controlled valve.
3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said means for operating
comprises:
a. first control means moving said second valve means;
b. second control means mounted with the first housing for
controlling said first control means; and
c. each of said control means acting in response to the controls of
the first controlled valve to control the position of said second
valve means.
4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said second valve means
comprises:
a valve member rotating to and from the open and closed
position.
5. The structure of claim 1 further including:
spring means mounted with said second housing for responding to
said actuating means for urging operation of said second valve
means.
6. The structure of claim 1, further including:
means for spacing said second valve means with respect to the first
controlled valve for seating adjacent their first controlled valve
to control said actuating means.
7. The structure of claim 6, wherein said means for spacing
comprises:
spacing member means for engaging the first controlled valve when
the second valve is moved into position adjacent the first
valve.
8. The structure of claim 1, including:
means for mounting said second valve means with the first housing
adjacent the first controlled valve.
9. The structure of claim 8, wherein said means for mounting
comprises:
resilient mounting collar means for engaging the first housing.
10. The structure of claim 8, wherein said means for mounting
comprises:
resilient mounting collar means for engaging an annular groove
formed in the interior of the first housing.
11. The structure of claim 1, further including:
a. means for moving the second valve means in the flow passage;
and
b. means for attaching the second valve with said means for
moving.
12. The structure of claim 11, wherein said means for attaching
comprises:
a plurality of attaching member means for releasably mounting said
second valve means with said means for moving.
13. The structure of claim 12 further including:
releasable shear pins for releasably mounting the attaching members
with said second valve means.
14. The structure of claim 11, further including:
a. means for spacing said flow control valve with respect to the
first controlled valve for seating adjacent the first controlled
valve to control said flow control valve; and
b. means for removing said means for spacing from the flow passage
wherein flow may be continued.
15. An apparatus for preventing well blowouts, comprising:
a. a controlled valve mounted with the flow tubing in the well;
and
b. a second valve movable into said controlled valve when said
controlled valve becomes defective, or when desired,
comprising:
1. second valve means adapted to be positioned adjacent the
controlled valve for movement to and from open and closed positions
for controlling flow;
2. actuating means for operating said second valve means to and
from the open and closed positions; and
3. means for seating said second valve means and said actuating
means adjacent the controlled valve for operating said actuating
means to prevent blowouts in the well with said second valve
means.
16. The structure of claim 15, wherein said second valve means
further includes:
means for opening and closing said second valve means in response
to the controls of the controlled safety valve.
17. The structure of claim 15, further including:
a. control fluid means for controlling the opening and closing of
said controlled safety valve.
18. An apparatus for preventing well blowouts, comprising:
a. a controlled safety valve mounted with the tubing in the well,
comprising:
1. stopper valve means for opening and closing the well tubing;
2. means for moving said stopper valve means to and from positions
opening and closing the well tubing; and
3. control means for controlling said means for moving; and
b. a second valve means movable through the well tubing to a
location adjacent said controlled safety valve when desired, said
second valve means responding to said control means of said
controlled safety valve to open and close the well tubing.
19. The structure of claim 18, wherein said control means
comprises:
a. first control means for controlling said means for moving;
and
b. second control means for controlling said means for moving.
20. The structure of claim 19, wherein said first control means
comprises:
a. means for controlling said means for moving to open said stopper
valve means; and
b. means for controlling said second valve means to open said
second valve means.
21. The structure of claim 19, wherein said second control means
comprises:
a. means for controlling said means for moving to close said
stopper valve means; and
b. means for controlling said second valve means to close said
second valve means.
22. The structure of claim 18, further including;
means for utilizing said control means for controlling the
operation of said second valve means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention is related to my pending application, Ser.
No. 72,034 for subsurface safety valves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to subsurface safety valves for well
tubing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, safety valves have been mounted with well tubing
to control subsurface well pressure and prevent blowouts which
cause pollution of the environment, particularly on offshore wells,
as well as damage to expensive equipment by explosion, fire and the
like. Sand and other abrasive materials in the oil passing through
the tubing caused wear and deterioration of the valves rendering
them defective and ineffective, and necessitating replacement of
the defective valves.
Certain of the prior art safety valves were mounted in well tubing,
requiring the well to be shut-in and the tubing removed to replace
the defective valve. Removal of the well tubing was expensive and
time-consuming and caused reduced production capacity due to the
well being shut-in. Further, there was always a risk that the
shut-in well might "sand up" or become blocked, requiring reworking
of the well before production could be resumed.
Other prior art safety valves such as those known by the name
"storm" chokes, and those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,236,255; 3,411,584;
3,398,762; 3,279,545; and, 3,310,114 were removably mounted with
the well tubing and placed in the tubing by wireline and fishing
tool or other equipment. Certain of these removable prior art
safety valves closed when a pressure surge in the well tubing
caused a predetermined pressure drop across a bean or other
structure in the tubing, while others closed in response to the
pressure surge overcoming a counter-pressure from a predetermined
quantity of liquid or gas housed in a portion of the valve housing.
Other prior art replacement safety valves had hydraulic operators
mounted therewith to control the operation thereof. The hydraulic
operator occupied needed space in the well bore and reduced the
size of the throughbore which was formed in the replacement valve,
restricting the flow of fluid through the well tubing.
With these types of prior art valves, it was difficult to determine
whether the valve was defective without removing the valve from the
well tubing and inspecting it. Removal and inspection of the valves
was expensive and time-consuming, and a risk of blowout was present
while the valve was removed for inspection. Also, the prior art
safety valves were often ineffective when the wells were producing
at or near capacity, being unable to experience any pressure surge
due to the high flow rate in the tubing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention provides a new and improved safety
valve for well tubing which is inserted into the well tubing to
replace a defective safety valve and form an apparatus for
preventing blow-outs.
The replacement safety valve is mounted in the well tubing adjacent
the defective valve and is operated to open and close in response
to the controls of the defective valve permitting production in the
well to continue without requiring that the well tubing string be
removed. Once mounted in the tubing string, the replacement safety
valve may be tested and operated in place in the well tubing, and
retrieved and replaced by a new replacement valve should it become
defective.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved subsurface safety valve.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved method of replacing safety valves in well tubing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved apparatus for preventing blow-outs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are elevations, partly in section, of the top,
center and bottom portions, respectively, of the subsurface safety
valve of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of the valve of FIGS.
1A, 1B and 1C with parts thereof in a different position;
FIG. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, of the valve of FIGS.
1A, 1B and 1C with parts thereof in a different position;
FIG. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of the valve of FIGS.
1A, 1B and 1C with parts thereof in a different position;
FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the rotatable ball-type
valve and pivot means of the subsurface safety valve of the present
invention; and
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are elevations showing the ball-type valve of FIG.
5 in different operating positions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention includes a replacement safety or second valve
R which is inserted into a well tubing to replace a safety or first
valve C when it becomes defective due to wear or other reasons. The
replacement safety valve R is seated in the well tubing adjacent
the defective controlled safety valve C and responds to the
controls of the defective safety valve C and is controlled thereby,
as will be more evident hereinbelow, to close the well tubing in
order to prevent blow-outs of the well with consequent atmospheric
pollution from the escaping oil, and attendant hazards of fire. It
should be understood that the replacement safety valve R according
to the present invention can be inserted into well tubing to
replace other types of defective controlled safety valves and
respond to the controls of such defective valves to replace such
defective valves.
The safety valve C has a housing H which includes two sections 12
and 13 coupled together at threads 16, and provided with an O-ring
seal 16a. The upper housing section 12 terminates in an adapter 17
having a threaded box 18 for attachment in a tubing string
thereabove. At the lower end of lower housing section 13, female
threads 19 are provided for threaded engagement with male threads
20 on an adapter 21 having external threads at its lower extremity
for attachment to a section of the tubing string therebelow. One or
more set screws (not shown) are preferably provided to prevent an
inadvertent release of the threaded connection 19, 20.
The wall of the top housing section 12 of the controlled safety
valve C (FIG. 1B) has a pair of longitudinally formed passages 25
and 25a, each terminating in a threaded fitting 26 and 26a for
attachment of a hose or pipe 27 and 27a respectively, leading to
the ground level or surface. The passages 25 and 25a and the hoses
27 and 27a convey control fluid to the valve C to control such
valve, and further to control the retrievable replacement valve R
when the valve R is inserted, as will be explained.
The passage 25 connects through a port 28 with a chamber 29 between
the section 12 and an upper valve actuator sleeve 30 slidably
received in the housing H. Packings 31 and a packing nut or packing
keeper 32 are provided in chamber 29. An annular ring or mounting
collar 33 (FIG. 1B) is mounted with a groove 30a formed in the
exterior surface of the sleeve 30 and engages the packing nut 32 at
a reduced nose of the packing nut. The annular ring firmly engages
the nose on the packing nut 32 to maintain the packing nut 32 in
position, sealing the upper end of the chamber 29 when the chamber
29 receives fluid under pressure, as will be more evident
hereinbelow. A packing nut 35 (FIG. 1B) seals the lower end of the
chamber 29 and holds in place a packing 35a (FIG. 1C).
A second chamber 38 is formed between an upper section 30b of the
sleeve 30 and the housing section 12 and communicates with the
control passage 25a through a port 28a (FIG. 1B). The upper section
30b of the sleeve 30 is mounted with the sleeve 30 along a threaded
surface 30c to move with the sleeve 30. A sealing O-ring 30f is
provided between the upper section 30b and the sleeve 30.
An internal shoulder 40a of a locking nut 40 and a tapered surface
30e of the upper section 30d of the sleeve 30 forms walls of the
chamber 38. The locking nut 40 mounts a packing 42 to a threaded
surface 43 of the housing section 12. One or more securing set
srews (not shown) may be provided for the lock nut 41 to prevent
movement of the nut 41 and the packing 42 with respect to the
housing section 12.
The valve actuating sleeve 30 has a collar 62 disposed in an
annular chamber 63 between the housing section 13 and a rotatable
ball-type valve B of the controlled safety valve C (FIG. 1C). The
collar 62 has an inclined surface 65 for engagement with an
inclined sealing shoulder 67 on the housing section 13. An annular
seat ring 68 formed of rubber, metal, plastic or other suitable
material is internally threaded in the collar 62 for sealingly
engaging the upstream face of the ball valve B.
Slidably received in an upper portion 74 of the adapter sub 21 is a
lower valve acutator sleeve 75 which, at its upper end, bears
against the ball valve B. The lower sleeve 75 has an intermediate
external collar 76 extending into a chamber 77a for engagement by a
heavy coiled compression spring 77 which also engages the adapter
21.
A valve pivot means 80 has a lower collar 81 and an upwardly
extending tongue portion 85 (FIG. 5). An outer surface 81a of the
collar 81 bears against the housing H (FIG. 1B). Two of the pivot
means 80 are mounted within the housing section 13 on diametrically
opposed sides thereof contacting each other at flat end surfaces
81b of the collars 81. A sleeve 78 mounted in the chamber 77 above
the adapter sub 21 maintains each of the pivot means in proper
position in the housing section 13. The pivot means 80 may be
integrally formed with or otherwise suitably mounted with the
housing 13 if desired. A set screw may be used to lock and retain
the pivot means 80 in position in the housing section 13, if
desired. The tongues 85 include inwardly projecting pivot pins 90
(FIGS. 1B and 5) which are received in slots or recesses 91 in a
flat side surface 92 formed on diametrically opposed faces of the
ball valve B. An end wall 91a on the face of the ball valve B
retains the pin 90 in the slot 91 and prevents the pin 90 from
becoming unseated during movement of the ball valve B. The pivot
pins 90 of the valve pivot means 80 slide within the grooves 91 in
the surfaces 92 of the valve B and permit rotational movement, as
will be set forth below, of the valve B with respect to the housing
H from a closed position (FIG. 8) blocking the well tubing to a
partially open position (FIG. 7) to an open position (FIG. 6),
permitting passage of well fluid through the well tubing. The
tongues 85 have complementary flat surfaces 95 abutting the valve
surfaces 92 upon which the valve surfaces 92 rotate.
The valve B is generally ball shaped with a cylindrical through
passage 96 which, in diameter, substantially equals the internal
diameter of the valve actuator sections 30 and 75 and also the
adapters 17 and 21, which in turn, have substantially the same
internal diameter as that of the conventional tubing string
connected thereto. In other words, the valve B has a full opening
when in the open position (FIGS. 2 and 6) for the passage of well
tools and for performing well operations therethrough.
The parts of the controlled safety valve C may also be made and
assembled in the sequence set forth in my co-pending patent
application, if desired.
The retrievable replacement safety valve R of the present invention
is moved into well tubing (not shown) by a wireline W or other
suitable means. An upper attaching member 110 (FIG. 1A) is mounted
with the wireline W by a releasable shear pin 111 and has a
plurality of sealing O-rings 112 therewith. An annular shoulder
110a of the attaching member 110 which engages an upper housing
section 120 at an upper end 120a thereof has one or more ports 110a
formed about the periphery thereof. The ports 110a permit the well
fluid to pass through the shoulder 110b of the attaching member 110
and permit upward movement of the attaching member 110 with respect
to the retrievable safety valve R after such valve has been seated
in the well tubing adjacent the defective safety valve C to replace
such valve C, as will be more evident hereinbelow.
A lower portion 101 of the wireline W has a first inlet port 101a
and a second inlet port 101b communicating with the exterior of the
wireline W and a hollow interior portion 102 of the wireline W to
permit passage of the well fluid through the wireline W at the
lower end thereof in order to facilitate removal of the wireline W
from the tubing after the retrievable safety valve R has been
mounted in the well tubing. An overshot tool O or other suitable
means for engaging a well tool to permit removal of such tool from
a well tubing by a wireline is mounted with the lower end 101 of
the wireline W. The overshot tool O is mounted within the
retrievable safety valve R when such valve is being moved in the
well tubing to be seated adjacent the valve to be replaced, but is
removed from the well tubing to permit continuation of operations
of the well after the defective valve has been replaced by the
retrievable safety valve R.
The upper housing section 120 of the retrievable valve R engages
the attaching member 110 at the upper end 120a thereof, and has an
annular resilient metal split ring 121 mounted below a lower end
120b as the safety valve R is being lowered through the well
tubing. An annular socket 120e is formed in the member 120 to
receive a fishing tool when the valve R is removed from the well
tubing. The lower end 120b has a reduced nose 120c for engaging an
outwardly tapered surface 121a of the annular split ring 121 and
forcing the ring 121 outwardly into an annular sleeve 17a formed in
the interior wall of the adapter sub 17. The longitudinal dimension
of the annular sleeve 17a is somewhat longer than that of the
resilient split ring 121 in order to permit longitudinal movement
of the housing section 120 and the retrievable safety valve R with
respect to the adapter sub 17 and housing section 12 and 13 of the
safety valve C to be replaced, for reasons to be more evident
hereinbelow. The annular sleeve 17a is formed at a position in the
adapter sub 17 chosen such that the retrievable safety valve R will
be positioned adjacent the defective controlled safety valve C when
the retrievable valve R is to be seated.
A plurality of radially inwardly extending fingers 120d are formed
on the inner surface of the upper housing section 120. The fingers
120d are mounted within a corresponding plurality of radial slots
140a formed between an upper portion 140b and a center portion 140c
of the housing section 140. The longitudinal dimension of the slots
140a is larger than the longitudinal thickness of the fingers 120d
to permit the lower end 120c of the upper housing section 120 to
move downwardly and force the split ring 121 outwardly into the
annular sleeve 17a to seat the retrievable valve R in the adapter
sub 17.
A second attaching member 130 is mounted with the center portion
140c of the intermediate housing section 140 by a releasable shear
pin 131. The attaching member 130 has a plurality of sealing
O-rings 130a and 130b mounted therewith and further has an
outwardly tapered shoulder portion 130c at an upper end thereof to
limit upward movement of the upper portion 140b of the housing
section 140. An upper surface 130d of the attaching member 130
engages a lower portion 110c of the attaching member 110, and a
lower surface 130e of the attaching member 130 engages the overshot
tool O when the releasable shear pins 111 and 131 have fractured,
and the wireline W is removing the overshot tool O and the
attaching members 130 and 110 from the well tubing to permit
production in the well to continue.
A spring housing section 150 of the retrievable valve R is mounted
with the intermediate housing section 140 along a threaded surface
151 to hold a packing 152 firmly in place with the interior of the
adapter sub 17 to seal the exterior of the retrievable safety valve
R with the interior of the valve C to be replaced. The spring
housing section 150 is mounted with a lower housing section 160 of
the retrievable valve R along a threaded surface 153, and a sealing
O-ring 150a is mounted therebetween for sealing purposes. A
downwardly extending collar 150b of the spring housing section 150
and the lower housing section 160 form a chamber 154 in which a
coiled compression spring 155 is mounted. The compression spring
155 exerts a downward force on an upper portion 170a of a first
control sleeve 170 and responds to a downward movement of the
control sleeve 170 to urge a rotatable replacement ball-type valve
V from a closed position to an open position in the well
tubing.
A lower engaging shoulder 170b of the sleeve 170 engages the valve
V to rotate such valve open as the sleeve 170 moves downwardly in
response to the compressive force in the spring 155. A sealing
O-ring 170c is mounted with the exterior of the sleeve 170 to
provide a seal between the sleeve 170 and the housing section
160.
A shoulder 161 of the housing section 160 is mounted in an annular
groove 170d formed in the sleeve 170 to limit downward movement of
the control sleeve 170 by engaging a tapered surface 170e of the
sleeve 170. A pair of sockets 162 are formed in the inner wall of
the housing section 160 and receive a corresponding pair of pins
191 extending outwardly from a surface 192 of the replacement valve
V. The replacement valve V rotates in response to downward movement
of the sleeve 170 from a closed to a partially open to an open
position in a like manner to the ball valve B (FIGS. 5 and 8), as
previously set forth, in order that a cylindrical through passage
196 may be aligned with the interior of the well tubing to permit
well fluids to continue passage through the well tubing. The ball
valve V rotatably moves as shown in FIGS. 8, 7 and 6, in response
to the downward movement of the sleeve 170 to align the passage 196
with the interior of the well tubing T. A plurality of radially
inwardly extending fingers 163 are formed on the inner surface of
the lower housing section 160 and are mounted within a
corresponding plurality of longitudinal slots 180a formed in a
first control sleeve 180 to permit downward movement of the control
sleeve 180 with respect to the housing section 160 during
rotational movement of the replacement valve V to an open position
(FIG. 2).
A lower surface 160a of the lower housing section 160 engages an
annular shoulder 181 of the control sleeve 180 to limit upward
movement of the control sleeve 180 with respect to the housing
section 160. An upper engaging shoulder 180b of the sleeve 180
engages the inwardly extending fingers 163 to limit downward
movement of the sleeve 180 with respect to the housing 160. The
upper portion 180b engages the replacement valve V and moves
downwardly in response to rotational movement of the valve V. A
spring 184 is mounted between a movable collar 183 and shoulder 181
of the sleeve 180. The collar 183 has a reduced nose portion 183a
formed at a lower end thereof. An annular resilient split ring 185
is mounted externally of and below the nose portion 183a as the
retrievable valve R is lowered in the well tubing. The split ring
185 is driven outwardly into an annular groove 30e by the downward
movement of the collar 183 urged by the spring 184 when the ring
185 is aligned with the groove 30e to thereby seat the retrievable
valve R with respect to the defective valve C. The annular groove
30e is formed in a position in the housing section 30 such that the
retrievable valve R is seated in the well tubing adjacent the
defective valve C so that the retrievable valve R may be operated
and controlled by the controls of the defective valve C, as will be
more evident hereinbelow.
An outwardly tapered camming surface 185a and an inwardly tapered
camming surface 185b are formed at the upper end of the split ring
185. The camming surface 185a engages the movable collar 183 and
transmits the force from the spring 184 to cause outward expansion
of the ring 185 into the annular groove 30e. The camming surface
185b engages the inner wall of the housing section 30 of the valve
C and causes contraction of the ring 185 during upward movement and
subsequent removal of the retrievable valve R and when the
retrievable valve R becomes defective due to wear and the like.
A plurality of slots 180c are formed in the sleeve 180 at the lower
end thereof and receive a corresponding plurality of inwardly
radially extending fingers 115a of a third attachment member 115.
The longitudinal dimensions of the slot 180c are greater than the
longitudinal thickness of the fingers 115a to permit relative
movement between the attaching member 115 and the sleeve 180 during
seating of the retrievable valve R in the well tubing adjacent the
defective valve C. A plurality of inwardly extending ridges 115c
are formed at a lower portion 115d of the attaching member 115 to
engage an annular shoulder 109a of a spacing rod S. A releasable
shear pin 115d mounts the attaching member 115 with the spacing rod
S. The spacing rod S engages the rotatable ball-type valve B of the
defective valve C at a lower end 190a. The length of the spacing
rod S is chosen to insure that the split ring 185 is adjacent the
annular groove 30e in the housing section 30 of the valve C when
the retrievable valve R is mounted with the defective valve C.
An annular collar or lip 109b is formed at the upper end of the
spacing rod S in order that the overshot tool O may grasp the
spacing rod S and remove such from the well tubing when the
retrievable valve R has been installed to replace the defective
valve C.
In the use or operation of the apparatus of the invention, it is
used in connection with the safety valve C of this invention which
has been previously mounted in a production tubing string in a well
where it is desired to provide for automatic closing of the well in
the event the well pressure should become excessive, indicating
possible imminence of a blowout. Therefore, the operation of the
safety valve C is first considered hereinafter. Normally, the
spring 77 urges the lower actuator sleeve 75 upwardly to maintain
the valve passage 96 transversely of the flow passage within the
sleeves 30 and 75 thereby positioning the valve B in the closed
position (FIG. 1C and 8). The full force of the well pressure then
is exerted against the lower face of the ball valve B urging it
into sealing contact with the ring 68, the upward movement of which
is limited by the engagement of the shoulder 65 with the shoulder
66, so that the flow passage is effectively sealed off. In order to
oepn the valve, control fluid under pressure is supplied
selectively from the surface through the pipe 27a, passage 25a and
port 28a and applied to the annular wall 30a on the upper actuator
sleeve 30. The fluid pressure moves the upper actuator sleeve 30
downwardly and causes rotation of the ball valve B about the pivot
pins 90 from the closed position (FIG. 1C and 8) to a partially
open position and finally to an open position (FIG. 2 and 6) with
the valve passage 96 aligned with the flow passages through the
valve actuator sleeves 30 and 75.
In the fully open position of the ball valve B, the spring 77 is
substantially fully or partially compressed. Thus, in normal
operation of the safety valve C, the ball valve B is held in the
open position by control fluid which is at least sufficient to
overcome the returning force of the spring 77.
In order to close the safety valve C, the fluid pressure through
the pipe 27a, the passage 25a and the port 28a may be relieved,
permitting the compressive force in the spring 77 to move the
actuator sleeve 75 and 30 upwardly to rotate the ball valve B from
the open position (FIG. 6) to the closed position (FIG. 8).
Alternatively, control fluid under pressure may be selectively
supplied from the surface through the pipe 27, the passage 25 and
the port 28 and applied to the packing keeper 32 and packing keeper
mounting collar 33 by the fluid in the chamber 29, moving the upper
actuator sleeve 30 upwardly and causing rotation of the ball valve
B about the pivot pins 90 from the open position (FIGS. 2 and 6) to
a partially closed position (FIG. 7) and finally to a closed
position (FIG. 1C and 8) with the valve passage 96 transverse of
the flow passage within the sleeves 30 and 75 and the well
tubing.
In the event the safety valve C becomes worn or deteriorated as a
result of the abrasive ingredients in the well fluid after a period
of extended use or if for any other reason it becomes desirable to
replace the valve C, the retrievable safety valve R of the present
invention may be inserted into the well tubing and moved into place
adjacent the defective safety valve C and operated by the controls
of the defective safety valve C to provide for automatic closing of
the well in the event the well pressure should become excessive,
indicating a possible blowout. Fluid is applied under pressure from
the surface through the pipe 27, passage 25 and port 28 into the
chamber 29, causing upward movement of the actuator sleeve 30 and
75, as has been set forth. The application of the fluid pressure in
the chamber 29 rotates the ball valve B of the defective safety
valve C to a closed position in order to provide a surface for
engagement with the lower end 109a of the spacing rod S, in order
to assure proper seating of the replacement retrievable valve R in
the well tubing, and further to reduce the likelihood of a blowout
while the retrievable safety valve R is being inserted in the well
tubing. The retrievable safety valve R is inserted in the well
tubing and lowered in the well tubing until the spacing rod S
engages the closed ball valve B, insuring proper positioning of the
retrievable safety valve R in the well tubing.
Control fluid under pressure is inserted in the well tubing T
forcing the retrievable safety valve R downwardly, forcing the
annular ring 185 downwardly until aligned with the recess 30e so
that the spring 184 then pushes the movable collar 183 to force the
ring 185 outwardly into engagement with the annular groove 30e in
the housing section 30 of the defective valve C, seating the
retrievable safety valve R in the well tubing adjacent the
defective safety valve C.
Increased pressure is then introduced into the well tubing, causing
further downward movement of the attaching member 110 and the upper
housing section 120, whereby the lower end 120b of the housing
section 120 forces the split ring 121 into the groove 17a in the
adapter sub 17, seating the retrievable safety valve R at an upper
end thereof in the well tubing adjacent the defective safety valve
C.
The wireline W is pulled slightly upwardly, causing relative
movement between the attaching members and the retrievable safety
valve R, shearing the releasable shear pin 131 mounted between the
wireline W and the valve R.
Control fluid under pressure is then supplied selectively from the
surface through the pipe 27a, the passage 25a and the port 28a and
applied to the chamber 38, causing downward movement of the
actuator sleeves 30 and 75 of the defective safety valve C,
overcoming the compression in the spring 77, and rotating the ball
valve B of the defective valve C to an open position. The fluid
pressure in the chamber 38 forcing the actuator sleeve 30
downwardly further moves the first control sleeve 180 of the
retrievable safety valve R downwardly, moving the engaging shoulder
180b out of contact with the rotatable replacement valve V, and
allowing the compressive force in the spring 155 to force the
second control sleeve 170 of the retrievable valve R downwardly,
rotating the rotatable valve B to an open position through the
engagement at an engaging shoulder 170b. The valve passage 196 of
the replacement valve V is then aligned with the flow passages
through the well tubing, the actuator sleeves 30 and 75 of the
valve C, the control sleeves and housing sections of the
retrievable valve R.
The wireline W is subsequently lowered further in the well tubing,
and the attaching member 110 engages the upper housing section 120
and resists further movement, shearing the releasable shear pin 111
and allowing the overshot tool O to be lowered to a position where
contact may be made with the outer collar 109a at the upper end of
the spacer rod S in order that the spacer rod S may be grasped by
the overshot tool O (FIG. 3). Subsequently, the wireline W is moved
upwardly, with the overshot tool O grasping the spacer rod S and
pulling the spacer rod S upwardly, while shearing the releasable
shear pin 115d between the spacer rod S and the attaching member
115. Upon further upward movement of the overshot tool O, its
shoulder 99 (FIG. 1A) engages the attaching member 130 at the lower
surface 130e thereof and lifts such member 130 upwardly, shearing
the pins 131. Subsequently, the surface 130d engages the lower end
110c of the attaching member 110 and lifts same upwardly, in order
that the well tubing may be cleared and production by the well may
continue (FIG. 4).
In the event it is desired to close the retrievable valve R mounted
in the well tubing to replace the valve C, control fluid under
pressure is supplied to the controls of the control valve C,
expanding the chamber 29, and causing upward movement of the
actuator sleeve 30 of the valve C. Upward movement of the actuator
sleeve 30 of the valve C causes upward movement of the ring 185 and
the first control sleeve 180 of the retrievable valve R. The
engaging shoulder 180b of the valve of the control sleeve 180
contacts the replacement valve V, rotating the valve V to a
position wherein the passage 196 is transverse the well tubing, and
overcoming the compressive force of the spring 155 exerted
downwardly on the second control sleeve 170. The replacement valve
V thereby blocks the well tubing and prevents a blowout in response
to the controls of the defective valve C.
In the event it is subsequently desired to open the retrievable
safety valve R and the replacement valve V thereof, control fluid
under pressure is supplied selectively from the surface to the pipe
27, passage 25a and port 28 and applied in the chamber 38 to the
upper actuator sleeve 30, moving the upper actuator sleeve 30
downwardly and consequently causing downward movement of the
control sleeve 180 of the retrievable valve R, permitting the
spring 155 to urge the second control sleeve 170 of the valve R
downwardly to rotate the valve V to the open position (FIG. 4).
In the event that the retrievable safety valve R becomes worn or
deteriorated after further subseqent use, a conventional fishing
tool is inserted by wireline into the well tubing until outwardly
extending fingers of such fishing tool engage the socket 120e in
the upper housing section 120 of the retrievable valve R. The
wireline W and fishing tool and retrievable safety valve R are
extracted from the well tubing by the wireline W, and the
retrievable safety valve R is removed from the well tubing.
Subsequently, a new retrievable safety valve R to replace the worn
retrievable safety valve R is inserted and seated in the well
tubing adjacent the safety valve C in the same manner as heretofore
described.
It should be understood that in place of the wireline W, the
retrievable valve R could be provided with a conventional fishing
neck and dropped into the well tubing so that the spacing rod S
engages the closed ball valve B. The retrievable valve V would be
seated and controlled in the manner heretofore described, and would
be retrieved by a conventional fishing tool when it became
desirable to replace the retrievable valve, as has been previously
set forth.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are
illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the
size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the
illustrated construction may be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *