Valve and lubricator apparatus

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first fluid activatable means comprises a longitudinally extending control mandrel operatively engaged to said valve means, means at the upper end of said mandrel defining a piston element, a receiving chamber for said piston element and communicable with a control fluid line extending from said apparatus to a control point thereabove, said control mandrel being operatively engageable at its lower end with said valve means to shift said valve means to open and closed positions.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising first and second control sleeves, piston means for longitudinal manipulation of one of said first and second control sleeves, said piston means having a piston head element slidable along at least a portion of one of said sleeves and connected to the other of said sleeves, means operatively associated with said first and second control sleeves for normally urging said longitudinally manipulated of said first and second control sleeves in a longitudinal direction to shift said valve means to at least one of the open and closed positions, said first and second control sleeves being manipulatively engageable to said valve means.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position comprises companion engagement means on said first and second fluid activable means, a latch element longitudinally extendable within said engagement means, and means for shifting one of said engagement means over said latch means to prevent downward movement of said first fluid activatable means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means immediate the valve means for communicating pressure within and below the valve means during manipulation of said valve means to open position.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a differential sleeve longitudinally movable above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engaged against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position, said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising reference pressure operated means for rendering said apparatus insensitive to hydrostatic pressure at the depth of the operation of said apparatus, said reference pressure operated means further enabling control pressure to shift said valve means operatively independent of well pressure.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the reference pressure operated means comprises a reference pressure chamber immediate said first fluid activatable means and operatively responsive to longitudinal movement of said first fluid activatable means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said reference pressure chamber is communicable with the top surface of said well by vent line means extending from said chamber to said well top surface.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for reciprocating said valve means comprises: a longitudinally extending control mandrel operatively engaged with said valve means, means at the upper end of said mandrel defining a piston element, a receiving chamber for said piston element and communicable with a control fluid line extending from said apparatus to a control point thereabove, said control mandrel being operatively engageable at its lower end with said valve means to shift said valve means to open and closed positions.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising means for continuous urging of said manipulating means away from said valve means and means for continuously urging said locking sleeve longitudinally to locking position.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising piston means responsive to increase in tubing pressure within the tubing string and the apparatus for longitudinal manipulation of said locking sleeve to shift said sleeve and release said locking mechanism from engaged position when said valve means is in closed position, said piston means being longitudinally responsive to differential pressure across said valve means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a differential sleeve longitudinally movable above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engageable against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position, said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising reference pressure operated means for rendering said apparatus insensitive to hydrostatic pressure at the depth of the operation of said apparatus, said reference pressure operated means further enabling control pressure to shift said valve means operatively independent of well pressure.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the reference pressure operated means comprises a reference pressure chamber immediate said manipulating means and operatively responsive to longitudinal movement of said manipulating means.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said reference pressure chamber is communicable with the top surface of said well by vent line means extending from said chamber to said well top surface.

Claim 20

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said lubricator assembly extendable within a well riser pipe, said assembly connectable to a tubing string extendable through the riser pipe for control of well pressure within said tubing string while drilling, completion, or workover tools and parts thereof are inserted within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control to fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said assembly and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said assembly and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said assembly and to said well therebelow.

Claim 21

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said lubricator assembly extendable within a well riser pipe, said assembly connectable to a tubing string extendable through the riser pipe for control of well pressure within said tubing string while drilling, completion, or workover tools and parts thereof are inserted within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control to fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said assembly and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said assembly and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said assembly and to said well therebelow.

Claim 22

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said assembly being communicable with a tubing string extendable within said well, tools for use during drilling, completion, or workover operations of said well being insertable within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control of fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said apparatus and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said apparatus and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said apparatus and to said well therebelow.

Claim 23

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said assembly being communicable with a tubing string extendable within said well, tools for use during drilling, completion, or workover operations of said well being insertable within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control of fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said apparatus and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said apparatus and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said apparatus and to said well therebelow.

Claim 24

A valve apparatus comprising: a housing; valve means comprising a valve seat and a valve head within said housing, said valve head being shiftable with relation to said seat, said valve means having a passageway therethrough for control of fluid transmission through said apparatus; first fluid activatable means for first shifting of said valve means to closed position; second fluid activatable means for second shifting of said valve means to open position; and means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position to prevent shifting of said valve means to said open position by operation of said first fluid means; said second fluid means being operational to unlock said valve means from said closed and locked position and to shift said valve means to said open position; said first and second fluid means and said means for locking said valve means being repeatably and sequentially operational.

Claim 25

A valve apparatus comprising: a housing; valve means comprising a valve seat and a valve head within said housing, said valve head being shiftable with relation to said seat, said valve means having a passageway therethrough for control of fluid transmission through said apparatus; first fluid activatable means for first shifting of said valve means to closed position; second fluid activatable means for second shifting of said valve means to open position; and means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position to prevent shifting of said valve means to said open position by operation of said first fluid means; said second fluid means being operational to unlock said valve means from said closed and locked position and to shift said valve means to said open position; said first and second fluid means and said means for locking said valve means being repeatably and sequentially operational.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said first fluid activatable means comprises a longitudinally extending control mandrel operatively engaged to said valve means, means at the upper end of said mandrel defining a piston element, a receiving chamber for said piston element and communicable with a control fluid line extending from said apparatus to a control point thereabove, said control mandrel being operatively engageable at its lower end with said valve means to shift said valve means to open and closed positions.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 20 additionally comprising first and second control sleeves, piston means for longitudinal manipulation of one of said first and second control sleeves, said piston means having a piston head element slidable along at least a portion of one of said sleeves and connected to the other of said sleeves, means operationally associated with said first and second control sleeves for normally urging said longitudinally manipulated of said first and second control sleeves in a longitudinal direction to shift said valve means to at least one of open and closed positions, one of said first and second control sleeves being manipulatively engageable to said valve means.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position comprises companion engagement means on said first and second fluid activatable means, a latch element longitudinally extendable within said engagement means, and means for shifting one of said engagement means over said latch element to prevent downward movement of said first fluid activatable means.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means immediate the valve means for communicating pressure within and below the valve means during the manipulation of said valve means to said open position.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a differential sleeve longitudinally movable within said housing and above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engaged against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in said closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position, said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 20 additionally comprising reference pressure operated means for rendering said apparatus insensitive to hydrostatic pressure at the depth of operation of said apparatus, said reference pressure operated means further enabling control pressure to shift said valve means operatively independent of well pressure.

Claim 32

A valve assembly comprising: a housing defining a fluid passageway therethrough, valve means within said apparatus for control of fluid flowable through said housing within said passageway, means for manipulating the said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for manipulating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for manipulating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being placed in open position upon longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means.

Claim 33

A valve assembly comprising: a housing defining a fluid passageway therethrough, valve means within said apparatus for control of fluid flowable through said housing within said passageway, means for manipulating the said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for manipulating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for manipulating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being placed in open position upon longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a differential sleeve for reduction of metallic friction, said sleeve being longitudinally movable above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engageable against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said first fluid activatable means comprises a longitudinally extending control mandrel operatively engaged to said valve means, means at the upper end of said mandrel defining a piston element, a receiving chamber for said piston element and communicable with a control fluid line extending from said apparatus to a control point thereabove, said control mandrel being operatively engageable at its lower end with said valve means to shift said valve means to open and closed positions.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 29 additionally comprising first and second control sleeves, piston means for longitudinal manipulation of one of said first and second control sleeves, said piston means having a piston head element slidable along at least a portion of one of said sleeves and connected to the other of said sleeves, means operatively associated with said first and second control sleeves for normally urging said longitudinally manipulated of said first and second control sleeves in a longitudinal direction to shift said valve means to at least one of the open and closed positions, said first and second control sleeves being manipulatively engageable to said valve means.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position comprises companion engagement means on said first and second fluid activable means, a latch element longitudinally extendable within said engagement means, and means for shifting one of said engagement means over said latch means to prevent downward movement of said first fluid activatable means.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a differential sleeve longitudinally movable above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engaged against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position, said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 29 additionally comprising reference pressure operated means for rendering said apparatus insensitive to hydrostatic pressure at the depth of the operation of said apparatus, said reference pressure operated means further enabling control pressure to shift said valve means operatively independent of well pressure.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the reference pressure operated means comprises a reference pressure chamber immediate said first fluid activatable means and operatively responsive to longitudinal movement of said first fluid activatable means.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said reference pressure chamber is communicable with the top surface of said well by vent line means extending from said chamber to said well top surface.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the means for reciprocating said valve means comprises: a longitudinally extending control mandrel operatively engaged with said valve means, means at the upper end of said mandrel defining a piston element, a receiving chamber for said piston element and communicable with a control fluid line extending from said apparatus to a control point thereabove, said control mandrel being operatively engageable at its lower end with said valve means to shift said valve means to open and closed positions.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 37 additionally comprising means for continuous urging of said manipulating means away from said valve means and means for continuously urging said locking sleeve longitudinally to locking position.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 37 additionally comprising piston means responsive to increase in tubing pressure within the tubing string and the apparatus for longitudinal manipulation of said locking sleeve to shift said sleeve and release said locking mechanism from engaged position when said valve means is in closed position, said piston means being longitudinally responsive to differential pressure across said valve means.

Claim 49

The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a differential sleeve longitudinally movable above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engageable against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position, said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 37 additionally comprising reference pressure operated means for rendering said apparatus insensitive to hydrostatic pressure at the depth of the operation of said apparatus, said reference pressure operated means further enabling control pressure to shift said valve means operatively independent of well pressure.

Claim 51

The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the reference pressure operated means comprises a reference pressure chamber immediate said manipulating means and operatively responsive to longitudinal movement of said manipulating means.

Claim 52

The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said reference pressure chamber is communicable with the top surface of said well by vent line means extending from said chamber to said well top surface.

Claim 53

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said lubricator assembly extendable within a well riser pipe, said assembly connectable to a pressurizable tubing string extendable through the riser pipe for control of well pressure within said tubing string while drilling, completion, or workover tools and parts thereof are inserted within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control of fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said value means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said assembly and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said assembly and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said assembly and to said well therebelow, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being operable by pressurizing said tubing string.

Claim 54

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said lubricator assembly extendable within a well riser pipe, said assembly connectable to a pressurizable tubing string extendable through the riser pipe for control of well pressure within said tubing string while drilling, completion, or workover tools and parts thereof are inserted within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control of fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said value means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said assembly and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said assembly and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said assembly and to said well therebelow, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being operable by pressurizing said tubing string.

Claim 55

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said assembly being communicable with a pressurizable tubing string extendable within said well, tools for use during drilling, completion, or workover operations of said well being insertable within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control of fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said apparatus and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said apparatus and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said apparatus and to said well therebelow, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being operable by pressurizing said tubing string.

Claim 56

A lubricator assembly for use in conjunction with the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean well, said assembly being communicable with a pressurizable tubing string extendable within said well, tools for use during drilling, completion, or workover operations of said well being insertable within said tubing string and said lubricator assembly for subsequent insertion into said well, said lubricator assembly comprising: a housing connectable to said tubing string and defining a fluid passageway through said assembly, said passageway communicating with a complementary fluid passageway within said tubing string, valve means within said assembly for selective control of fluid through said assembly within said passageway of said assembly, means for reciprocating said valve means to one of open and closed positions, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, mechanical locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for reciprocating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for reciprocating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being in open position upon a first longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengaged position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, said valve means being movable to sealingly closed position to prevent well pressure therebelow from being transmitted through said passageway in said apparatus and said tubing string above said valve means while said tools and parts thereof are being inserted within said apparatus and said tubing string, said valve means being shiftable to open position to permit insertion of said tools and parts thereof through said apparatus and to said well therebelow, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being operable by pressurizing said tubing string.

Claim 57

A valve apparatus selectively responsive to tubing pressure increase, said valve assembly comprising: a housing; valve means comprising a valve seat and a valve head within said housing, said valve head being shiftable with relation to said seat, said valve means having a passageway therethrough for control of fluid transmission through said apparatus; first fluid activatable means for first shifting of said valve means to closed position; second fluid activatable means for second shifting of said valve means to open position; and means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position to prevent shifting of said valve means to said open position by operation of said first fluid means; said second fluid means being operational to unlock said valve means from said closed and locked position and to shift said valve means to said open position; said first and second fluid means and said means for locking said valve means being repeatably and sequentially operational, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being selectively responsive to increase in tubing pressure.

Claim 58

A valve apparatus selectively responsive to tubing pressure increase, said valve assembly comprising: a housing; valve means comprising a valve seat and a valve head within said housing, said valve head being shiftable with relation to said seat, said valve means having a passageway therethrough for control of fluid transmission through said apparatus; first fluid activatable means for first shifting of said valve means to closed position; second fluid activatable means for second shifting of said valve means to open position; and means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position to prevent shifting of said valve means to said open position by operation of said first fluid means; said second fluid means being operational to unlock said valve means from said closed and locked position and to shift said valve means to said open position; said first and second fluid means and said means for locking said valve means being repeatably and sequentially operational, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being selectively responsive to increase in tubing pressure.

Claim 59

The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said first fluid activatable means comprises a longitudinally extending control mandrel operatively engaged to said valve means, means at the upper end of said mandrel defining a piston element, a receiving chamber for said piston element and communicable with a control fluid line extending from said apparatus to a control point thereabove, said control mandrel being operatively engageable at its lower end with said valve means to shift said valve means to open and closed positions.

Claim 60

The apparatus of claim 47 additionally comprising first and second control sleeves, piston means for longitudinal manipulation of one of said first and second control sleeves, said piston means having a piston head element slidable along at least a portion of one of said sleeves and connected to the other of said sleeves, means operationally associated with said first and second control sleeves for normally urging said longitudinally manipulated of said first and second control sleeves in a longitudinal direction to shift said valve means to at least one of open and closed positions, one of said first and second control sleeves being manipulatively engageable to said valve means.

Claim 61

The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said means for mechanically locking said valve means in said closed position comprises companion engagement means on said first and second fluid activatable means, a latch element longitudinally extendable within said engagement means, and means for shifting one of said engagement means over said latch element to prevent downward movement of said first fluid activatable means.

Claim 62

The apparatus of claim 47 further comprising a differential sleeve longitudinally movable within said housing and above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engaged against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in said closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position, said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.

Claim 63

The apparatus of claim 47 additionally comprising reference pressure operated means for rendering said apparatus insensitive to hydrostatic pressure at the depth of operation of said apparatus, said reference pressure operated means further enabling control pressure to shift said valve means operatively independent of well pressure.

Claim 64

A valve assembly selectively responsive to tubing pressure increase, said valve assembly comprising: a housing defining a fluid passageway therethrough, valve means within said apparatus for control of fluid flowable through said housing within said passageway, means for manipulating the said valve means to one of open and closed position, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for manipulating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for manipulating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being placed in open position upon longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengage position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being operable by said tubing pressure.

Claim 65

A valve assembly selectively responsive to tubing pressure increase, said valve assembly comprising: a housing defining a fluid passageway therethrough, valve means within said apparatus for control of fluid flowable through said housing within said passageway, means for manipulating the said valve means to one of open and closed position, first fluid activatable means for activating said means for manipulating said valve means, locking means carried by said housing and engageable with said means for manipulating said valve means, and sleeve means within said housing and immediate said means for manipulating said valve means for coengagement with said locking means, said valve means being placed in open position upon longitudinal activation of said manipulating means, said valve means being placed in closed position by a second longitudinal movement of said manipulating means, said locking means, said sleeve and said manipulating means being thereafter in engaged position to prevent reopening of said valve means by said first fluid activatable means, said valve means thereafter being placed in open position by second fluid activatable means for shifting said sleeve to disengage position and longitudinally moving said manipulating means to open said valve means, one of said first and second fluid activatable means being operable by said tubing pressure.

Claim 66

The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising a differential sleeve for reduction of metallic friction, said sleeve being longitudinally movable above said valve element, said sleeve being sealingly engageable against the exterior of said valve element when said valve element is in closed position, said sleeve being sealingly disengageable from said valve element when said valve element is in open position said sleeve being urged to sealing engagement position with said valve element in response to pressure differential across the valve element, said sleeve being in frictionless relationship with said valve means in absence of pressure differential across said valve means.