Claims
- 1. 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.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:
- retrieving the second valve from adjacent the first valve.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of controlling comprises the step of:
- closing the second valve to block passage of well fluids through the well tubing to prevent blowouts and the like.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of:
- opening the second valve to permit passage of well fluids through the well tubing.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of opening includes:
- rotating a closure element to permit passage of well fluids through the well tubing.
- 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of opening further includes:
- moving the closure element vertically while rotating to open.
- 7. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of controlling further comprises the step of:
- closing the second valve by rotating a closure element to block passage of well fluids through the well tubing.
- 8. The method of claim 1, including the step of:
- seating the second valve in the well tubing adjacent the first valve.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of seating includes the step of:
- mounting the second valve adjacent the first valve for controlling operation of the second valve with the controls of the first valve.
- 10. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said step of mounting includes the step of:
- engaging a groove with the second valve for mounting the second valve adjacent the first valve.
- 11. 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.
- 12. 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.
- 13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said step of retrieving includes the step of:
- moving the second valve from adjacent the first valve through the well tubing.
- 14. The method as set forth in claim 12, including the step of:
- installing another second valve adjacent the first valve to replace the second valve previously removed.
- 15. 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.
- 16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of:
- positioning the second valve adjacent the first valve prior to said step of operating the second valve with the controls of the first valve.
- 17. The method of claim 15, including the step of:
- mounting the second valve adjacent the first valve prior to said step of operating the second valve with the controls of the first valve.
- 18. The method of claim 15, further including the step of:
- retrieving the second valve by moving the second valve through the well tubing from adjacent the first valve when desired.
- 19. The method as set forth in claim 15, including the step of:
- controlling the operation of the first controlled valve with control fluid pressure communicated to the first controlled valve.
- 20. The method as set forth in claim 19, including the step of:
- increasing the control fluid pressure communicated to the first controlled valve for opening the second retrievable valve to enable flow of fluids through the well tubing.
- 21. The method as set forth in claim 20, including the step of:
- reducing the control fluid pressure communicated to the opened first controlled valve for closing the second retrievable valve to block flow of fluids through the well tubing.
- 22. The method as set forth in claim 21, including the step of:
- communicating a second control fluid pressure to the first controlled valve flow closing the second retrievable valve to block flow of fluids through the well tubing.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 542,603 filed Jan. 20, 1975, now abandoned, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 363,532 filed May 24, 1973 now abandoned which was a division of application Ser. No. 131,661, filed Apr. 6, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,933, issued Oct. 9, 1973.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
131661 |
Apr 1971 |
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Continuations (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
542603 |
Jan 1975 |
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Parent |
363532 |
May 1973 |
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