Method and removable auxiliary apparatus for permanently locking open a well flow control device

The method of permanently locking open a safety valve assemblage disposed in a subterranean well conduit and having a valve element shiftable between a position closing the conduit to fluid flow and a position opening substantially the entire conduit bore to fluid flow comprising the steps of:

• 1. mounting a radially expandible locking element on a mandrel and retaining same in a radially retractable position freely insertable in the conduit bore;
• 2. running the mandrel into the conduit bore to position the locking element adjacent the safety valve assemblage;
• 3. radially expanding the locking element to engage the safety valve mechanism to lock the valve element in said open position;
• and
• 4. removing the mandrel from the conduit and leaving the locking element in said radially expanded position.

A method of permanently locking open a flow control device permanently mounted in a conduit in a subterranean well of the type having a valve head member which is reciprocatingly movable between open and closed positions and is normally biased in the closed position, drive means connected to said valve head member for causing said valve head member to open and close, comprising the successive steps of:

• lowering down the conduit into the flow control device a removable auxiliary locking apparatus having detachable locking means attached thereto for locking the drive means in its valve head member open position, and having support means for engaging the flow control device;
• positioning said detachable locking means adjacent the drive means with the drive means in the valve head member open position;
• bringing said locking means into permanent engagement with said drive means thereby preventing movement of said drive means out of its valve head member open position;
• detaching said locking means from said auxiliary locking apparatus;
• and removing said auxiliary locking apparatus from said conduit, whereby said detachable locking means is inserted into the well to lock the drive means in the valve head member open position and said locking means is left in the well after removal of said auxiliary locking apparatus.

A method of permanently locking open a flow control device permanently mounted in a conduit in a subterranean well of the type having a valve head member which is reciprocatingly movable between open and closed positions and is normally biased in the closed position, drive means connected to said valve head member for causing said valve head member to open and close, comprising the successive steps of:

• lowering down the conduit into the flow control device a support means having a moving means slidably mounted thereon for engaging and moving the drive means, and detachable locking means attached to said moving means for locking the drive means in its valve head member open position;
• moving said moving means relative to said support means while the latter is in fixed position relative to the flow control device, so as to engage said drive means and move said drive means to its valve head member open position;
• bringing said locking means into permanent engagement with said drive means thereby preventing movement of said drive means out of its valve head member open position;
• detaching said locking means from said moving means;
• and removing said support means and moving means from said flow control device and from said conduit.