Retrievable safety valve
AssigneeHydril Company
InventorJames D. Mott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims22
A method of operably replacing a first controlled subsurface safety valve connected in and forming a portion of a well tubing, comprising the steps of:
- mounting the first controlled subsurface safety valve in the well tubing at a subsurface location in a well;
- operating the first controlled subsurface safety valve in response to increased control fluid pressure communicated to the valve by a passageway separate from the well tubing for enabling flow through the well tubing;
- moving a second subsurface safety valve into the well tubing when the first controlled subsurface safety valve malfunctions;
- positioning the second safety valve within the first controlled subsurface safety valve;
- and
- operating the second safety valve in response to the operation of the first safety valve by the increased control fluid pressure communicated to the first controlled safety valve.
A method of operably replacing a malfunctioning first surface controlled subsurface safety valve connected in a well tubing, comprising the steps of:
- moving a second subsurface safety valve into the well tubing;
- positioning the second subsurface safety valve adjacent the first subsurface safety valve;
- operating the second valve to control flow through the well tubing and first safety valve in response to the controlled operation of the first safety valve by increased control fluid pressure from the surface;
- sealing the second valve with the first valve for blocking passage of fluid therebetween;
- retrieving the second valve from adjacent the first valve;
- and
- installing another second subsurface safety valve adjacent the first subsurface safety valve to replace the second subsurface safety valve previously removed.
A method of operably replacing a malfunctioning first surface controlled subsurface safety valve connected in a well tubing, comprising the steps of:
- moving a second subsurface safety valve into the well tubing;
- positioning the second subsurface safety valve adjacent the malfunctioning first valve;
- seating the second subsurface safety valve in the well tubing adjacent the first subsurface safety valve;
- sealing the second valve with the first valve for blocking passage of fluid therebetween;
- operating the second safety valve in response to the controlled operation of the first safety valve by an increased control fluid pressure communicated to the first safety valve independently of the well tubing pressure for enabling flow through the well tubing;
- and
- retrieving the second safety valve by moving from adjacent the first safety valve through the well tubing when desired.
A method of operating a controlled retrievable second valve in a well tubing having a first controlled valve connected in the well tubing, said first controlled valve having a valve actuating member mounted therewith for controlled movement by the controls of the first control valve, comprising the steps of:
- moving the retrievable second valve through the well tubing to a location adjacent the first valve;
- and
- controlling the operation of the second valve with the controls of the first controlled valve in response to the controlled movement of the valve actuating member by the controls of the first controlled valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.