Internal Subsurface Safety Valve For Rotating Downhole Pumps

A method of sealing an annulus within a tubular of an artificial lift well installation, the method comprising the step of installing a subsurface safety valve, the subsurface safety valve positioned between the first end and the second end of the pump shaft and forming a section thereof, the subsurface safety valve comprising (i) a valve housing having a first section and a second section, the first section having a hollow cylinder for receiving a piston, the hollow cylinder having a first portion, a second portion and a first circumferential ledge;

• (ii) a piston positioned within the hollow cylinder, the piston having a first end, a second end, a first radially extending circumferential land positioned therebetween, and a first reservoir for receiving a first fluid;
• (iii) a biasing element to assist in placing the valve in a sealed condition, the biasing element positioned between the first circumferential ledge of the hollow cylinder and the first radially extending circumferential land;
• and (iv) a flexible sealing member for selectively sealing the annular space when a hydraulic force is exerted thereupon.

A method of sealing an annulus within a tubular of an artificial lift well, the artificial lift well comprising a pump motor positioned adjacent the wellhead, the pump motor having a rotatable pump shaft connected thereto and extending into the artificial lift well, the method comprising the steps of:

• terminating the rotation of the rotatable pump shaft;
• and
• expanding a flexible sealing member of a subsurface safety valve to seal the annulus about the rotatable pump shaft.