Deflate-equalizing valve apparatus for inflatable packer formation tester

Valve apparatus adapted for use in a well testing operation where inflatable packers that are expanded by a downhole pump are employed to isolate an interval of a well bore, comprising:

• a housing having a mandrel assembly movable therein between extended and retracted positions, said mandrel assembly and housing defining a packer inflation passage and a test passage;
• an equalizing port and a deflate port extending through the wall of said housing;
• first passage means for communicating said equalizing port with said test passage;
• first valve means for closing said first passage means when said mandrel assembly is retracted and for opening said first passage means when said mandrel assembly is extended;
• second passage means for communicating said deflate port with said inflation passage;
• second valve means for closing said second passage means when said mandrel assembly is retracted and for opening said second passage means when said mandrel assembly is extended;
• and third valve means operable in response to the output pressure of said pump for closing said second passage means when said mandrel assembly is extended.

Apparatus for use in testing a well interval, comprising:

• inflatable packer means for isolating the well interval;
• test valve means for controlling communication between the well interval and the bore of a pipe string upon which the apparatus is suspended;
• pump means responsive to rotation of the pipe string for inflating said packer means;
• and valve means for equalizing pressure in the isolated well interval with the pressure in the well annulus above said inflatable packer elements during initial inflation thereof as well as at the end of a test, and for causing deflation of said packer elements at the end of a test including telescopically arranged mandrel and housing assemblies movable between extended and retracted positions and defining a test passage and an inflation passage, equalizing port and passage means in said housing assembly, deflate port and passage means in said housing assembly, first valve means for communicating said equalizing port and passage means with said test passage when said assemblies are extended, second valve means for communicating said deflate port and passage means with said inflation passage when said assemblies are extended, and third valve means responsive to to movement of said assemblies to contracted positions for closing said inflation passage and to the outlet pressure of said pump means when said assemblies are extended to open said inflation passage while preventing communication between said deflate port and passage means and said inflation passage.