US3747682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well tools
Assignee: Otis Engineering Corp
•
Filing: 1971-05-10
•
Granted: 1973-07-24
•
Expires: 1991-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A well safety valve system controllable from the surface and adapted for installation in a well to replace a malfunctioning existing system or for conversion of a well not having a safety system. The safety valve system includes a first outer tubing string extending from a well head to the desired production zone in the well and a second inner tubing string concentrically disposed within the outer tubing string and releasably locked at the lower end thereof with the outer tubing string whereby the inner tubing string is inserted and withdrawn by manipulation from the surface. A safety valve is supported at the lower end of the inner tubing string for shutting off fluid flow into the tubing string responsive to predetermined flow conditions. The safety valve is held in an open position by fluid pressure transmitted from the surface to the valve through the annulus between the outer and inner tubing strings. In one form of the invention the outer tubing string has a landing nipple incorporated in the string at the safety valve depth and the inner tubing string includes a locking collet engageable with the landing nipple recess for locking the lower end of the inner tubing string at the landing nipple within the outer string. The inner string also has a landing nipple for the releasable locking of a safety valve which holds the inner tubing string locking collet engaged with the outer tubing string. Another form of the invention includes a landing nipple assembly releasably lockable in the smooth bore of the outer tubing string with the removable landing nipple being engaged by the inner tubing string which also has landing nipple means for supporting the safety valve. The safety valve holds the locking collet of the inner tubing string locked with the releasable landing nipple. In a still further form of the invention a removable landing nipple for releasably locking the inner tubing string within the outer tubing string is releasably locked in a landing nipple provided in the outer tubing string at the desired depth. In each installation and the well procedure therefor a plug is used for shutting the well in at the safety valve depth while running and retrieving the inner tubing string.
Inventors
- 👤 F Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:51
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B23/00; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/10; E21B34/105; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A well safety valve system comprising: a first outer tubing string supported in a well; first locking means associated with said first tubing string at a predetermined depth along said string; a second inner tubing string supported in spaced concentric relationship within said first tubing string defining an annular control fluid flow passage between said tubing strings from a surface end thereof along said strings; said second tubing string including second locking means for releasably locking said string with said first locking mean, said second locking means being held in locked relationship with said first locking means by a safety valve positioned within said tubing string communicating with said annular flow passage between said strings, said safety valve being insertable and removable through said second tubing from the surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A well safety valve system comprising: a first outer tubing string supported in a well; first locking means associated with said first tubing string at a predetermined depth along said string; a second inner tubing string supported in spaced concentric relationship within said first tubing string defining an annular control fluid flow passage between said tubing strings from a surface end thereof along said strings; said second tubing string including second locking means for releasably locking said string with said first locking mean, said second locking means being held in locked relationship with said first locking means by a safety valve positioned within said tubing string communicating with said annular flow passage between said strings, said safety valve being insertable and removable through said second tubing from the surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means coupled with said first tubing includes an internal annular locking recess and said second tubing string is provided with locking collet fingers receivable in said locking recess of first tubing string and held in said recess by said safety valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 2 including a safety valve releasably locked in said tubing strings holding said inner tubing string in locked relationship with said outer tubing string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said locking means coupled with said first tubing string comprises a conduit section connected in said first tubing string and having an annular locking recess therein for releasable connection of said second tubing string with said first tubing string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 4 including a safety valve releasably locked in said tubing strin holding said inner tubing string locked with said outer tubing string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second tubing string is provided with external seal means spaced from said locking fingers and adapted to seal around said second tubing string within said first tubing string on opposite sides of a side port in said first tubing string leading to a control fluid line connected with said first tubing string and communcating with said side port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said locking means coupled with said first tubing string comprises a bottom stop releasably locked along a smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string and a landing nipple supported on said bottom stop and releasably locked with said smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string; and said internal locking recess for said locking fingers of said second tubing string is provided in said landing nipple for releasably locking said second tubing string with said landing nipple; said safety valve being supportable at the lower end of said second tubing string and aligned with said locking fingers for holding said fingers in locked relationship with said landing nipple when said safety valve is locked with said second tubing string.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A well safety valve system in accordacne with claim 7 wherein said removable landing nipple is provided with expandable and contractible locking dogs and an external annular seal for sealing around said nipple with the wall surface of the bore of said first tubing string.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 7 including a removable well plug for closing a bore through said landing nipple when said second tubing string is being run in and retrieved from said first tubing string and a well safety valve for support in said second tubing string when said second tubing string is releasably locked with said landing nipple within said first tubing string.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
181 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said locking means coupled with said first tubing string includes a first landing nipple comprising a section of said first tubing string and a releasably lockable second landing nipple having locking dogs for locking said second landing nipple with said first landing nipple in said first tubing string, said internal annular locking recess being provided in said second landing nipple for releasably locking said second tubing string with said second landing nipple, said locking dogs of said second landing nipple being held in locked relationship with said first landing nipple by a well plug when said well plug is releasably locked in said second landing nipple and by a safety valve when said safety valve is releasably locked in said second landing nipple, said safety valve having a locking surface aligned with said locking fingers of said second tubing string for holding said tubing string releasably locked with said second landing nipple when said safety valve is locked in place along said second tubing string and said second landing nipple.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 10 including a well plug releasably lockable in said second landing nipple below said locking recess in said nipple and having a locking member disposed along said locking dogs of said second landing nipple holding said dogs in locked relationship in said locking recess in sadi first landing nipple and a well safety valve lockable in said second tubing string and having a locking surface alignable with said locking fingers of said second tubing string for holding said fingers in locked relationship with said locking recess of said second landing nipple and having a locking member disposed through said locking dogs of said second landing nipple for holding said locking dogs in said locking recess of said first landing nipple when said safety valve is releasably locked along said first tubing string, second tubing string, and said second landing nipple.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of fitting a well with a well safety valve controlled by fluid pressure communicated from a surface end of said well comprising the steps of: positioning a well plug in a first production tubing string of said well substantially at a depth at which said safety valve is to be set in said well; bleeding the pressure down in said first tubing string above said well plug; inserting a second inner tubing string in said first tubing string and running said second tubing string to safety valve depth in said first tubing string; releasably locking said second tubing string with said first tubing string at said safety valve depth; increasing the pressure in said tubing strings above said well plug for equalizing the pressure across said well plug; removing said well plug from said tubing string through saId second tubing string; and installing a safety valve in said second tubing string at a predetermined depth therein and aligned to releasably hold said second tubing string in locked relationship with said first tubing string so long as said safety valve is locked in said tubing string.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of fitting a well with a well safety valve controlled by fluid pressure communicated from a surface end of said well comprising the steps of: positioning a well plug in a first production tubing string of said well substantially at a depth at which said safety valve is to be set in said well; bleeding the pressure down in said first tubing string above said well plug; inserting a second inner tubing string in said first tubing string and running said second tubing string to safety valve depth in said first tubing string; releasably locking said second tubing string with said first tubing string at said safety valve depth; increasing the pressure in said tubing strings above said well plug for equalizing the pressure across said well plug; removing said well plug from said tubing string through saId second tubing string; and installing a safety valve in said second tubing string at a predetermined depth therein and aligned to releasably hold said second tubing string in locked relationship with said first tubing string so long as said safety valve is locked in said tubing string.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said inner tubing string is releasably locked with a locking recess provided along said outer first tubing string.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of fitting a well in accordance with claim 12 wherein a removable landing nipple is releasably locked in said first tubing string and provided with a locking recess and said second tubing string is releasably locked with said removable landing nipple in said first tubing string.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of fitting and operating a well in accordance with claim 14 wherein said removable landing nipple is supported on a bottom stop adapted to releasably lock with a smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method of fitting and operating a well in accordance with claim 14 wherein said first tubing string includes a landing nipple having a locking recess therein and said removable landing nipple is locked in said first tubing string at said locking recess therein and held in locking relationship with said first tubing string by a member on a well plug when supported in said removable landing nipple and a member on a safety valve when supported in said removable landing nipple and said safety valve additionally is aligned to lock said second tubing string with said removable landing nipple.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
314 words
A well safety valve system comprising: a first tubing string supported in a well bore, said first tubing string including a landing nipple forming a portion thereof at a depth in said well for installation of a safety valve, said landing nipple having a side port for communication of control fluid pressure from a control line leading to said landing nipple; said landing nipple having an internal annular locking recess spaced from said side port for locking a well tool in said landing nipple; a second inner tubing string concentrically spaced within said first outer tubing string defining an annular control fluid flow passage from the surface along said tubing strings to said landing nipple in said first outer tubing string, said inner tubing string having locking collet fingers formed along said tubing string in the side wall thereof for releasably locking said second inner tubing string with said locking recess at said landing nipple of said first outer tubing string; seal means disposed around said second inner tubing string for sealing above and below said side port in said landing nipple of said first tubing string whereby said side port is isolated from the bore of said first tubing string when said second tubing string is disposed in and locked with said first tubing string; and said second tubing string having internal annular locking recess means spaced from said locking collet fingers for supporting a well safety valve in said second tubing string along said locking collet fingers holding said collet fingers in said locking recess of said landing nipple of said first tubing string when said safety valve is locked in said second tubing string whereby said safety valve communicates with said annular flow passage between said tubing strings for controlling fluid flow into said second tubing string and holding said second tubing string in locked relationship with said first tubing string.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
314 words
A well safety valve system comprising: a first tubing string supported in a well bore, said first tubing string including a landing nipple forming a portion thereof at a depth in said well for installation of a safety valve, said landing nipple having a side port for communication of control fluid pressure from a control line leading to said landing nipple; said landing nipple having an internal annular locking recess spaced from said side port for locking a well tool in said landing nipple; a second inner tubing string concentrically spaced within said first outer tubing string defining an annular control fluid flow passage from the surface along said tubing strings to said landing nipple in said first outer tubing string, said inner tubing string having locking collet fingers formed along said tubing string in the side wall thereof for releasably locking said second inner tubing string with said locking recess at said landing nipple of said first outer tubing string; seal means disposed around said second inner tubing string for sealing above and below said side port in said landing nipple of said first tubing string whereby said side port is isolated from the bore of said first tubing string when said second tubing string is disposed in and locked with said first tubing string; and said second tubing string having internal annular locking recess means spaced from said locking collet fingers for supporting a well safety valve in said second tubing string along said locking collet fingers holding said collet fingers in said locking recess of said landing nipple of said first tubing string when said safety valve is locked in said second tubing string whereby said safety valve communicates with said annular flow passage between said tubing strings for controlling fluid flow into said second tubing string and holding said second tubing string in locked relationship with said first tubing string.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 17 including a safety valve releasably locked i1 said second tubing string at said locking recess therein, said safety valve 0aving spaced seal means for sealing around said valve with the inner wall defining the bore of said second tubing string above and below said collet fingers in said second tubing string.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
221 words
A well safety valve system for controlling flow in a well through a safety valve communicating with the surface end of said well through a concentric control fluid flow passage comprising: a first outer tubing string supported in said well for producing well fluids therefrom, said first tubing string including a landing nipple having an internal annular locking recess therein for releasably locking well tools in said first tubing string at a depth adapted for use of a well safety valve in said tubing string; a second tubing string concentrically spaced within said first tubing string and extending to said landing nipple in said first tubing string, said second tubing string having a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking collet fingers receivable in said locking recess of said landing nipple of said first tubing string for releasably locking said second tubing string with said landing nipple of said first tubing string; and said second tubing string having internal locking recess means spaced from said locking collet fingers for supporting a safety valve in said second tubing string, said safety valve having a body surface portion aligned with said locking collet fingers of said second tubing string for holding said second tubing string in locked relationship with said first tubing string when said safety valve is releasably locked in said second tubing string.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
221 words
A well safety valve system for controlling flow in a well through a safety valve communicating with the surface end of said well through a concentric control fluid flow passage comprising: a first outer tubing string supported in said well for producing well fluids therefrom, said first tubing string including a landing nipple having an internal annular locking recess therein for releasably locking well tools in said first tubing string at a depth adapted for use of a well safety valve in said tubing string; a second tubing string concentrically spaced within said first tubing string and extending to said landing nipple in said first tubing string, said second tubing string having a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking collet fingers receivable in said locking recess of said landing nipple of said first tubing string for releasably locking said second tubing string with said landing nipple of said first tubing string; and said second tubing string having internal locking recess means spaced from said locking collet fingers for supporting a safety valve in said second tubing string, said safety valve having a body surface portion aligned with said locking collet fingers of said second tubing string for holding said second tubing string in locked relationship with said first tubing string when said safety valve is releasably locked in said second tubing string.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
116 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 19 including a well safety valve releasably locked in said second tubing string at said locknng recess thereof, said safety valve having external seal means for sealing around said valve within said second tubing string above said locking collet fingers thereon and for sealing within said landing nipple of said first tubing string below said collet fingers on said second tubing string whereby control fluid pressure is directed from an annular space around said second tubing string within said first tubing string to fluid pressure responsive means within said safety valve for controlling said safety valve by control fluid pressure communicated to said valve from the surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
280 words
A well safety valve system for controlling a safety valve by control fluid pressure communicated to said valve through an annular fluid flow passage extending from a surface end of a well comprising: a first outer tubing string disposed in said well extending to a production depth therein; a bottom stop releasably locked with a smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string; a releasably locked landing nipple supported on said bottom stop in said first tubing string, said landing nipple having first and second spaced internal locking recesses therein for releasably locking a well plug in said landing nipple and releasably locking a second inner tubing string with said landing nipple, said landing nipple having locking means thereon for locking said landing nipple with said smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string against said bottom stop; a second inner tubing string supported in concentric spaced relationship within said first tubing string, said second tubing string having a plurality of spaced longitudinal locking collet fingers at the lower end thereof for releasably locking said tubing string with said second of said locking recesses in said removable landing nipple; and said second tubing string having locking recesses therein spaced from said locking collet fingers for releasably supporting a well safety valve at the lower end of said second tubing string at a position at which said safety valve is aligned within said locking collet fingers on said second tubing string holding said collet fingers in locked relationship with said second locking recess of said landing nipple when said safety valve is locked in said second tubing string and said second tubing string is interlocked with said landing nipple.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
280 words
A well safety valve system for controlling a safety valve by control fluid pressure communicated to said valve through an annular fluid flow passage extending from a surface end of a well comprising: a first outer tubing string disposed in said well extending to a production depth therein; a bottom stop releasably locked with a smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string; a releasably locked landing nipple supported on said bottom stop in said first tubing string, said landing nipple having first and second spaced internal locking recesses therein for releasably locking a well plug in said landing nipple and releasably locking a second inner tubing string with said landing nipple, said landing nipple having locking means thereon for locking said landing nipple with said smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string against said bottom stop; a second inner tubing string supported in concentric spaced relationship within said first tubing string, said second tubing string having a plurality of spaced longitudinal locking collet fingers at the lower end thereof for releasably locking said tubing string with said second of said locking recesses in said removable landing nipple; and said second tubing string having locking recesses therein spaced from said locking collet fingers for releasably supporting a well safety valve at the lower end of said second tubing string at a position at which said safety valve is aligned within said locking collet fingers on said second tubing string holding said collet fingers in locked relationship with said second locking recess of said landing nipple when said safety valve is locked in said second tubing string and said second tubing string is interlocked with said landing nipple.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
129 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 21 including a well safety valve releasably locked at said locking recess in said second tubing string and having an external wall portion of said valve extending along said locking collet fingers holding said collet fingers of said second tUbing string locked with said removable landing nipple, said safety valve having external seal means spaced along a body portion thereof sealing with said second tubing string above said locking collet fingers and with said landing npple below said collet fingers for directing control fluid pressure from said annular control fluid flow passage between said tubing strings into a side port in said safety valve for controlling said safety valve responsive to fluid pressure from the surface end of said well.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
64 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said removable landing nipple is provided with expandable and contractible locking fingers for locking said landing nipple with said smooth wall bore section of said first tubing string and said landing nipple is provided with an external annular seal for sealing around said nipple with said bore wall of said first tubing string.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
339 words
A well safety valve system for controlling a well safety valve by control fluid pressure communicated to said valve through an annular control fluid flow passage extending from the surface end of a well to said valve, comprising: a first outer tubing string supported in said well, said tubing string including a landing nipple disposed at safety valve depth in said well along said first tubing string, said first landing nipple having an internal locking recess therein; a removable second landing nipple having locking dogs engageable in said locking recess of said first landing nipple of said first tubing string, said second landing nipple having a first locking recess therein for releasably locking a second inner tubing string therewith and a second locking recess for releasably locking a well plug in said landing nipple, said locking dogs on said second landing nipple being lockable with said locking recess of said first landing nipple in said first tubing string by means on a well plug supported in said removable landing nipple when said well plug is in operating position in said landing nipple and by means on a well safety valve when said safety valve is supported in operating position through said second landing nipple; and a second inner tubing string supported concentrically spaced within said first tubing string defining a fluid flow passage between said first and second tubing strings to the lower end of said second tubing string, said second tubing string having locking collet fingers extending from the lower end thereof circumferentially spaced around said second tubing string and receivable in said first locking recess of said removable landing nipple, and said second tubing string having locking recess means therein near the lower end thereof spaced from said locking collet fingers for supporting a well safety valve within said second tubing string at a position at which a body portion of said safety valve extends through said locking collet fingers of said second tubing string holding said collet fingers in locked relationship with said removable landing nipple.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
339 words
A well safety valve system for controlling a well safety valve by control fluid pressure communicated to said valve through an annular control fluid flow passage extending from the surface end of a well to said valve, comprising: a first outer tubing string supported in said well, said tubing string including a landing nipple disposed at safety valve depth in said well along said first tubing string, said first landing nipple having an internal locking recess therein; a removable second landing nipple having locking dogs engageable in said locking recess of said first landing nipple of said first tubing string, said second landing nipple having a first locking recess therein for releasably locking a second inner tubing string therewith and a second locking recess for releasably locking a well plug in said landing nipple, said locking dogs on said second landing nipple being lockable with said locking recess of said first landing nipple in said first tubing string by means on a well plug supported in said removable landing nipple when said well plug is in operating position in said landing nipple and by means on a well safety valve when said safety valve is supported in operating position through said second landing nipple; and a second inner tubing string supported concentrically spaced within said first tubing string defining a fluid flow passage between said first and second tubing strings to the lower end of said second tubing string, said second tubing string having locking collet fingers extending from the lower end thereof circumferentially spaced around said second tubing string and receivable in said first locking recess of said removable landing nipple, and said second tubing string having locking recess means therein near the lower end thereof spaced from said locking collet fingers for supporting a well safety valve within said second tubing string at a position at which a body portion of said safety valve extends through said locking collet fingers of said second tubing string holding said collet fingers in locked relationship with said removable landing nipple.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
239 words
A well safety valve system in accordance with claim 24 including a well plug releasably lockable with said second locking recess of said second landing nipple and having a locking rod thereon for holding said locking dogs of said removable landing nipple in locked relationship in said locking recess of said first landing nipple of said outer first tubing string when said plug is releasably locked in said removable landing nipple and a safety valve releasably lockable with said locking recess means of said second tubing string, said safety valve being aligned along a body portion thereof within said locking collet fingers on said second tubing string for holding said fingers in locked relationship with said second landing nipple and said safety valve having a locking member along a lower end thereof disposed within said locking dogs of said second landing nipple for holding said dogs in locked relationship with said locking recess of said first landing nipple of said first tubing string when said sAfety valve is locked in position in said second tubing string, and said safety valve having spaced seals thereon for sealing with said second tubing string above said locking collet fingers thereon and with said second landing nipple below said locking collet fingers for directing control fluid from said annular flow passage between said tubing strings to a side port in said safety valve for controlling said safety valve responsive to said control fluid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |