Subsurface safety valve lock out and communication tool and method for use of the same

This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/838,604, entitled Subsurface Safety Valve Lock Out and Communication Tool and Method for Use of the Same, filed on Apr. 19, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general, to the operation of a subsurface safety valve installed in the tubing of a subterranean wellbore and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for locking out a subsurface safety valve and communicating hydraulic fluid through the subsurface safety valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One or more subsurface safety valves are commonly installed as part of the tubing string within oil and gas wells to protect against unwanted communication of high pressure and high temperature formation fluids to the surface. These subsurface safety valves are designed to shut in production from the formation in response to a variety of abnormal and potentially dangerous conditions.

As these subsurface safety valves are built into the tubing string, these valves are typically referred to as tubing retrievable safety valves (“TRSV”). TRSVs are normally operated by hydraulic fluid pressure which is typically controlled at the surface and transmitted to the TRSV via a hydraulic fluid line. Hydraulic fluid pressure must be applied to the TRSV to place the TRSV in the open position. When hydraulic fluid pressure is lost, the TRSV will operate to the closed position to prevent formation fluids from traveling therethrough. As such, TRSVs are fail safe valves.

As TRSVs are often subjected to years of service in severe operating conditions, failure of TRSVs may occur. For example, a TRSV in the closed position may leak. Alternatively, a TRSV in the closed position may not properly open. Because of the potential for disaster in the absence of a properly functioning TRSV, it is vital that the malfunctioning TRSV be promptly replaced or repaired.

As TRSVs are typically incorporated into the tubing string, removal of the tubing string to replace or repair the malfunctioning TRSV is required. As such, the costs associated with replacing or repairing the malfunctioning TRSV is quite high. It has been found, however, that a wireline retrievable safety valve (“WRSV”) may be inserted inside the original TRSV and operated to provide the same safety function as the original TRSV. These insert valves are designed to be lowered into place from the surface via wireline and locked inside the original TRSV. This approach can be a much more efficient and cost-effective alternative to pulling the tubing string to replace or repair the malfunctioning TRSV.

One type of WRSV that can take over the full functionality of the original TRSV requires that the hydraulic fluid from the control system be communicated through the original TRSV to the inserted WRSV. In traditional TRSVs, this communication path for the hydraulic fluid is established through a pre-machined radial bore extending from the hydraulic chamber to the interior of the TRSV. Once a failure in the TRSV has been detected, this communication path is established by first shifting a built-in lock out sleeve within the TRSV to its locked out position and shearing a shear plug that is installed within the radial bore.

It has been found, however, that operating conventional TRSVs to the locked out position and establishing this communication path has several inherent drawbacks. To begin with, the inclusion of such built-in lock out sleeves in each TRSV increases the cost of the TRSV, particularly in light of the fact that the built-in lock out sleeves are not used in the vast majority of installations. In addition, since these built-in lock out sleeves are not operated for extended periods of time, in most cases years, they may become inoperable before their use is required. Also, it has been found, that the communication path of the pre-machined radial bore creates a potential leak path for formation fluids up through the hydraulic control system. As noted above, TRSVs are intended to operate under abnormal well conditions and serve a vital and potentially lifesaving function. Hence, if such an abnormal condition occurred when one TRSV has been locked out, even if other safety valves have closed the tubing string, high pressure formation fluids may travel to the surface through the hydraulic line.

In addition, manufacturing a TRSV with this radial bore requires several high-precision drilling and thread tapping operations in a difficult-to-machine material. Any mistake in the cutting of these features necessitates that the entire upper subassembly of the TRSV be scrapped. The manufacturing of the radial bore also adds considerable expense to the TRSV, while at the same time reducing the overall reliability of the finished product. Additionally, these added expenses add complexity that must be built into every installed TRSV, while it will only be put to use in some small fraction thereof.

Attempts have been made to overcome these problems. For example, attempts have been made to communicate hydraulic control to a WRSV through a TRSV using a radial cutting tool to create a fluid passageway from an annular hydraulic chamber in the TRSV to the interior of the TRSV such that hydraulic control may be communicated to the insert WRSV. It has been found, however, that such radial cutting tools are not suitable for creating a fluid passageway from the non annular hydraulic chamber of a rod piston operated TRSVs.

Therefore, a need has arisen for an apparatus and method for establishing a communication path for hydraulic fluid to a WRSV from a failed rod piston operated TRSV. A need has also arisen for such an apparatus and method that do not require a built-in lock out sleeve in the rod piston operated TRSV. Further, a need has arisen for such an apparatus and method that do not require the rod piston operated TRSV to have a pre-machined radial bore that creates the potential for formation fluids to travel up through the hydraulic control line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein comprises an apparatus and method for establishing a communication path for hydraulic fluid to a wireline retrievable safety valve from a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve. The apparatus and method of the present invention do not require a built-in lock out sleeve in the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve. Likewise, the apparatus and method of the present invention avoid the potential for formation fluids to travel up through the hydraulic control line associated with a pre-drilled radial bore in the tubing retrievable safety valve.

In broad terms, the apparatus of the present invention allows hydraulic control to be communicated from a non annular hydraulic chamber of a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve to the interior thereof so that the hydraulic fluid may, for example, be used to operate a wireline retrievable safety valve. This may become necessary when a malfunction of the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve is detected and a need exists to otherwise achieve the functionality of the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve.

The rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention has a housing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough. The safety valve also has a non annular hydraulic chamber in a sidewall portion thereof. A valve closure member is mounted in the housing to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore by operating between closed and opened positions. A flow tube is disposed within the housing and is used to shift the valve closure member between the closed and opened positions. A rod piston, which is slidably disposed in the non annular hydraulic chamber of the housing, is operably coupled to the flow tube. The safety valve of the present invention also has a pocket in the longitudinal bore.

In one embodiment of the present invention a communication tool is used to establish a communication path between the non annular hydraulic chamber in a sidewall portion of the safety valve and the interior of the safety valve. In this embodiment, the communication tool has a first section and a second section that are initially coupled together using a shear pin or other suitable coupling device. A set of axial locating keys is operably attached to the first section of the tool and is engagably positionable within a profile of the safety valve. The tool includes a radial cutting device that is radially extendable through a window of the second section. For example, the radial cutting device may include a carrier having an insert removably attached thereto and a punch rod slidably operable relative to the carrier to radially outwardly extend the insert exteriorly of the second section.

The tool also includes a circumferential locating key that is operably attached to the second section of the tool. The circumferential locating key is engagably positionable within the pocket of the safety valve. Specifically, when the first and second sections of the tool are decoupled, the second section rotations relative to the first section until the circumferential locating key engages the pocket, thereby circumferentially aligning the radial cutting device with the non annular hydraulic chamber. A torsional biasing device such as a spiral wound torsion spring places a torsional load between the first and second sections such that when the first and second sections are decoupled, the second section rotates relative to the first section. A collet spring may be used to radially outwardly bias the circumferential locating key such that the circumferential locating key will engage the pocket, thereby stopping the rotation of the second section relative to the first section. Once the circumferential locating key has engaged the pocket, the radial cutting device will be axially and circumferentially aligned with the non annular hydraulic chamber. Through operation of the radial cutting device, a communication path is created from the non annular hydraulic fluid chamber to the interior of the safety valve.

As such, hydraulic fluid may now be communicated down the existing hydraulic lines to the interior of the tubing. Once this communication path exists, for example, a wireline retrievable safety valve may be positioned within the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve such that the hydraulic fluid pressure from the hydraulic system may be communicated to a wireline retrievable safety valve.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a lock out and communication tool is used to lock out the safety valve and then establish a communication path between the non annular hydraulic chamber in a sidewall portion of the safety valve and the interior of the safety valve. In this embodiment, the lock out and communication tool is lowered into the safety valve until the lock out and communication tool engages the flow tube. The lock out and communication tool may then downwardly shift the flow tube, either alone or in conjunction with an increase in the hydraulic pressure acting on the rod piston, to operate the valve closure member from the closed position to the fully open position. Alternatively, if the safety valve is already in the open position, the lock out and communication tool simply prevents movement of the flow tube to maintain the safety valve in the open position. Thereafter, the lock out and communication tool interacts with the safety valve as described above with reference to the communication tool to communicate hydraulic fluid from the non annular hydraulic fluid chamber to the interior of the safety valve.

One method of the present invention that utilizes the communication tool involves inserting the communication tool into the safety valve, locking the communication tool within the safety valve with the safety valve in a valve open position, axially aligning the radially cutting device with the non annular hydraulic chamber, circumferentially aligning the radially cutting device with the non annular hydraulic chamber and penetrating the radially cutting device through the sidewall portion and into the non annular hydraulic chamber to create a communication path between the non annular hydraulic chamber and the interior of the safety valve.

In addition, a method of the present invention that utilizes the lock out and communication tool involves engaging the flow tube of the safety valve with the lock out and communication tool, retrieving the lock out and communication tool from the safety valve and maintaining the safety valve in the valve open position by preventing movement of the rod piston with an insert that is left in place within the sidewall portion when the remainder of the radial cutting tool is retracted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals identify like parts and in which:

FIG. 1

is a schematic illustration of an offshore production platform wherein a wireline retrievable safety valve is being lowered into a tubing retrievable safety valve to take over the functionality thereof;

FIGS. 2A-2B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention in its valve closed position;

FIGS. 3A-3B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention in its valve open position;

FIGS. 4A-4B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its running position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its locked position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-7B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its orienting position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its perforating position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9B

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its retrieving position and still substantially disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A-10C

are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a lock out and communication tool of the present invention disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

Referring to

FIG. 1

, an offshore oil and gas production platform having a wireline retrievable safety valve lowered into a tubing retrievable safety valve is schematically illustrated and generally designated

10

. A semi-submersible platform

12

is centered over a submerged oil and gas formation

14

located below sea floor

16

. Wellhead

18

is located on deck

20

of platform

12

. Well

22

extends through the sea

24

and penetrates the various earth strata including formation

14

to form wellbore

26

. Disposed within wellbore

26

is casing

28

. Disposed within casing

28

and extending from wellhead

18

is production tubing

30

. A pair of seal assemblies

32

,

34

provide a seal between tubing

30

and casing

28

to prevent the flow of production fluids therebetween. During production, formation fluids enter wellbore

26

through perforations

36

in casing

28

and travel into tubing

30

to wellhead

18

.

Coupled within tubing

30

is a tubing retrievable safety valve

38

. As is well known in the art, multiple tubing retrievable safety valves are commonly installed as part of tubing string

30

to shut in production from formation

14

in response to a variety of abnormal and potentially dangerous conditions. For convenience of illustration, however, only tubing retrievable safety valve

38

is shown.

Tubing retrievable safety valve

38

is operated by hydraulic fluid pressure communicated thereto from surface installation

40

and hydraulic fluid control conduit

42

. Hydraulic fluid pressure must be applied to tubing retrievable safety valve

38

to place tubing retrievable safety valve

38

in the open position. When hydraulic fluid pressure is lost, tubing retrievable safety valve

38

will operate to the closed position to prevent formation fluids from traveling therethrough.

If, for example, tubing retrievable safety valve

38

is unable to properly seal in the closed position or does not properly open after being in the closed position, tubing retrievable safety valve

38

must typically be repaired or replaced. In the present invention, however, the functionality of tubing retrievable safety valve

38

may be replaced by wireline retrievable safety valve

44

, which may be installed within tubing retrievable safety valve

38

via wireline assembly

46

including wireline

48

. Once in place within tubing retrievable safety valve

38

, wireline retrievable safety valve

44

will be operated by hydraulic fluid pressure communicated thereto from surface installation

40

and hydraulic fluid line

42

through tubing retrievable safety valve

38

. As with the original configuration of tubing retrievable safety valve

38

, the hydraulic fluid pressure must be applied to wireline retrievable safety valve

44

to place wireline retrievable safety valve

44

in the open position. If hydraulic fluid pressure is lost, wireline retrievable safety valve

44

will operate to the closed position to prevent formation fluids from traveling therethrough.

Even though

FIG. 1

depicts a cased vertical well, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for uncased wells, deviated wells or horizontal wells. Also, even though

FIG. 1

depicts an offshore operation, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for use in onshore operations.

Referring now to

FIGS. 2A and 2B

, therein is depicted cross sectional views of successive axial sections a tubing retrievable safety valve embodying principles of the present invention that is representatively illustrated and generally designated

50

. Safety valve

50

may be connected directly in series with production tubing

30

of FIG.

1

. Safety valve

50

has a substantially cylindrical outer housing

52

that includes top connector subassembly

54

, intermediate housing subassembly

56

and bottom connector subassembly

58

which are threadedly and sealing coupled together.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, etc. are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. As such, it is to be understood that the downhole components described herein may be operated in vertical, horizontal, inverted or inclined orientations without deviating from the principles of the present invention.

Top connector subassembly

54

includes a substantially cylindrical longitudinal bore

60

that serves as a hydraulic fluid chamber. Top connector subassembly

54

also includes a profile

62

and a radially reduced area

64

. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, top connector subassembly

54

has a pocket

66

. In the illustrated embodiment, the center of pocket

66

is circumferentially displaced 180 degrees from longitudinal bore

60

. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that pocket

60

could alternatively be displaced circumferentially from longitudinal bore

60

at many other angles. Likewise, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that more than one pocket

60

could be used. In that configuration, the multiple pockets

60

could be displaced axially from one another along the interior surface of top connector subassembly

54

.

Hydraulic control pressure is communicated to longitudinal bore

60

of safety valve

50

via control conduit

42

of

FIG. 1. A

rod piston

68

is received in slidable, sealed engagement against longitudinal bore

60

. Rod piston

68

is connected to a flow tube adapter

70

which is threadedly connected to a flow tube

72

. Flow tube

72

has profile

74

and a downwardly facing annular shoulder

76

.

A flapper plate

78

is pivotally mounted onto a hinge subassembly

80

which is disposed within intermediate housing subassembly

56

. A valve seat

82

is defined within hinge subassembly

80

. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that while the illustrated embodiment depicts flapper plate

78

as the valve closure mechanism of safety valve

50

, other types of safety valves including those having different types of valve closure mechanisms may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention, such valve closure mechanisms including, but not limited to, rotating balls, reciprocating poppets and the like.

In normal operation, flapper plate

78

pivots about pivot pin

84

and is biased to the valve closed position by a spring (not pictured). When safety valve

50

must be operated from the valve closed position, depicted in

FIGS. 2A-2B

, to the valve opened position, depicted in

FIGS. 3A-3B

, hydraulic fluid enters longitudinal bore

60

and acts on rod piston

68

. As the downward hydraulic force against rod piston

68

exceeds the upward bias force of spiral wound compression spring

86

, flow tube

72

moves downwardly with rod piston

68

. As flow tube

72

continues to move downwardly, flow tube

72

contacts flapper closure plate

78

and forces flapper closure plate

78

to the open position.

When safety valve

50

must be operated from the valve open position to the valve closed position, hydraulic pressure is released from conduit

42

such that spring

86

acts on shoulder

76

and upwardly bias flow tube

72

. As flow tube

72

is retracted, flapper closure plate

78

will rotate about pin

84

and seal on seat

82

.

If safety valve

50

becomes unable to properly seal in the closed position or does not properly open after being in the closed position, it is desirable to reestablish the functionality of safety valve

50

without removal of tubing

30

. In the present invention this is achieved by inserting a lock out and communication tool into the central bore of safety valve

50

.

Referring now to

FIGS. 4A-4B

, therein is depicted cross sectional views of successive axial sections a lock out and communication tool embodying principles of the present invention that is representatively illustrated and generally designated

100

. Communication tool

100

has an outer housing

102

. Outer housing

102

has an upper subassembly

104

that has a radially reduced interior section

106

. Outer housing

102

also has a key retainer subassembly

108

including windows

110

and a set of axial locating keys

112

. In addition, outer housing

102

has a lower housing subassembly

114

.

Slidably disposed within outer housing

102

is upper mandrel

116

that is securably coupled to expander mandrel

118

by attachment members

120

. Upper mandrel

116

carries a plurality of dogs

122

. Partially disposed and slidably received within upper mandrel

116

is a fish neck

124

including a fish neck mandrel

126

and a fish neck mandrel extension

128

. Partially disposed and slidably received within fish neck mandrel

126

and fish neck mandrel extension

128

is a punch rod

130

. Punch rod

130

extends down through communication tool

100

and is partially disposed and selectively slidably received within main mandrel

132

.

Punch rod

130

and main mandrel

132

are initially fixed relative to one another by shear pin

134

. Main mandrel

132

is also initially fixed relative to lower housing subassembly

114

of outer housing

102

by shear pins

136

. Shear pins

136

not only prevent relative axial movement between main mandrel

132

and lower housing subassembly

114

but also prevent relative rotation between main mandrel

132

and lower housing subassembly

114

. A torsional load is initially carried between main mandrel

132

and lower housing subassembly

114

. This torsional load is created by spiral wound torsion spring

138

.

Attached to main mandrel

132

is a circumferential locating key

140

on the upper end of collet spring

142

. Circumferential locating key

140

includes a retaining pin

144

that limits the outward radial movement of circumferential locating key

140

from main mandrel

132

. Disposed within main mandrel

132

is a carrier

146

that has an insert

148

on the outer surface thereof. Insert

148

includes an internal fluid passageway

150

. Carrier

146

and insert

148

are radially extendable through window

152

of main mandrel

132

. Main mandrel

132

has a downwardly facing annual shoulder

154

.

The operation of communication tool

100

of the present invention will now be described relative to safety valve

50

of the present invention with reference to

FIGS. 5A-5B

,

6

A-

6

B,

7

A-

7

B,

8

A-

8

B and

9

A-

9

B. In

FIGS. 5A-5B

, communication tool

100

is in its running configuration. Communication tool

100

is positioned within the longitudinal central bore of safety valve

50

. As communication tool

100

is lowered into safety valve

50

, downwardly facing annular shoulder

154

of main mandrel

132

contacts profile

74

of flow tube

72

. Main mandrel

132

may downwardly shift flow tube

72

, either alone or in conjunction with an increase in the hydraulic pressure within longitudinal chamber

60

, operating flapper closure plate

78

from the closed position, see

FIGS. 2A-2B

, to the fully open position, see

FIGS. 3A-3B

. Alternatively, if safety valve

50

is already in the open position, main mandrel

132

simply holds flow tube

72

in the downward position to maintain safety valve

50

in the open position. Communication tool

100

moves downwardly relative to outer housing

52

of safety valve

50

until axial locating keys

112

of communication tool

100

engage profile

62

of safety valve

50

.

Once axial locating keys

112

of communication tool

100

engage profile

62

of safety valve

50

, downward jarring on communication tool

100

shifts fish neck

124

along with fish neck mandrel

126

, fish neck mandrel extension

128

, upper mandrel

116

and expander mandrel

118

downwardly relative to safety mandrel

50

and punch rod

130

. This downward movement shifts expander mandrel

118

behind axial locating keys

112

which locks axial locating keys

112

into profile

62

, as best seen in

FIGS. 6A-6B

.

In this locked configuration of communication tool

100

, dogs

122

are aligned with radially reduced interior section

106

of upper housing subassembly

104

. As such, additional downward jarring on communication tool

100

outwardly shifts dogs

122

which allows fish neck mandrel extension

128

to move downwardly. This allows the lower surface of fish neck

124

to contact the upper surface of punch rod

130

. Continued downward jarring with a sufficient and predetermined force shears pins

136

, as best seen in FIGS.

7

A-

7

B. When pins

136

shear, this allows punch rod

130

and main mandrel

132

to move axially downwardly relative to housing

102

and expander mandrel

118

of communication tool

100

and safety valve

50

. This downward movement axially aligns carrier

146

and insert

148

with radially reduced area

64

and axially aligns circumferential locating key

140

with pocket

66

of safety valve

50

.

In addition, when pins

136

shear, this allows punch rod

130

and main mandrel

132

to rotate relative to housing

102

and expander mandrel

118

of communication tool

100

and safety valve

50

due to the torsional force stored in torsion spring

138

. This rotational movement circumferentially aligns carrier

146

and insert

148

with longitudinal bore

60

of safety valve

50

. This is achieved due to the interaction of circumferential locating key

140

and pocket

66

. Specifically, as punch rod

130

and main mandrel

132

rotate relative to safety valve

50

, collet spring

142

radially outwardly biases circumferential locating key

140

. Thus, when circumferential locating key

140

becomes circumferentially aligned with pocket

66

, circumferential locating key

140

moves radially outwardly into pocket

66

stopping the rotation of punch rod

130

and main mandrel

132

relative to safety valve

50

. By axially and circumferentially aligning circumferential locating key

140

with pocket

66

, carrier

146

and insert

148

become axially and circumferentially aligned with longitudinal bore

60

of safety valve

50

.

Once carrier

146

and insert

148

are axially and circumferentially aligned with longitudinal bore

60

of safety valve

50

, communication tool

100

is in its perforating position, as depicted in

FIGS. 8A-8B

. In this configuration, additional downward jarring on communication tool

100

, of a sufficient and predetermined force, shears pin

134

which allow punch rod

130

to move downwardly relative to main mandrel

132

. As punch rod

130

move downwardly, insert

148

penetrates radially reduced region

64

of safety valve

50

. The depth of entry of insert

148

into radially reduced region

64

is determined by the number of jars applied to punch rod

130

. The number of jars applied to punch rod

130

is predetermined based upon factors such as the thickness of radially reduced region

64

and the type of material selected for outer housing

52

.

With the use of communication tool

100

of the present invention, fluid passageway

150

of insert

148

provides a communication path for hydraulic fluid from longitudinal bore

60

to the interior of safety valve

50

. Once insert

148

is fixed within radially reduced region

64

, communication tool

100

may be retrieved to the surface, as depicted in

FIGS. 9A-9B

. In this configuration, punch rod

130

has retracted from behind carrier

146

, fish neck mandrel extension

128

has retracted from behind keys

106

and expander mandrel

118

has retracted from behind axial locating keys

112

which allows communication tool

100

to release from safety valve

50

. Insert

148

now prevents the upward movement of rod piston

68

and flow tube

72

which in turn prevents closure of flapper closure plate

78

, thereby locking out safety valve

50

. In addition, flow passageway

150

of insert

148

allow for the communication of hydraulic fluid from longitudinal bore

60

to the interior of safety valve

50

which can be used, for example, to operate a wireline retrievable subsurface safety valve that is inserted into locked out safety valve

50

.

Referring now to

FIGS. 10A-10C

, therein is depicted cross sectional views of successive axial sections a lock out and communication tool embodying principles of the present invention that is representatively illustrated and generally designated

200

. The communication tool portion of lock out and communication tool

200

has an outer housing

202

. Outer housing

202

has an upper subassembly

204

that has a radially reduced interior section

206

. Outer housing

202

also has a key retainer subassembly

208

including windows

210

and a set of axial locating keys

212

. In addition, outer housing

202

has a lower housing subassembly

214

.

Slidably disposed within outer housing

202

is upper mandrel

216

that is securably coupled to expander mandrel

218

by attachment members

220

. Upper mandrel

216

carries a plurality of dogs

222

. Partially disposed and slidably received within upper mandrel

216

is a fish neck

224

including a fish neck mandrel

226

and a fish neck mandrel extension

228

. Partially disposed and slidably received within fish neck mandrel

226

and fish neck mandrel extension

228

is a punch rod

230

. Punch rod

230

extends down through lock out and communication tool

200

and is partially disposed and selectively slidably received within main mandrel

232

and main mandrel extension

260

of the lock out portion of lock out and communication tool

200

.

Punch rod

230

and main mandrel

232

are initially fixed relative to one another by shear pin

234

. Main mandrel

232

is also initially fixed relative to lower housing subassembly

214

of outer housing

202

by shear pins

236

. Shear pins

236

not only prevent relative axial movement between main mandrel

232

and lower housing subassembly

214

but also prevent relative rotation between main mandrel

232

and lower housing subassembly

214

. A torsional load is initially carried between main mandrel

232

and lower housing subassembly

214

. This torsional load is created by spiral wound torsion spring

238

.

Attached to main mandrel

232

is a circumferential locating key

240

on the upper end of collet spring

242

. Circumferential locating key

240

includes a retaining pin

244

that limits the outward radial movement of circumferential locating key

240

from main mandrel

232

. Disposed within main mandrel

232

is a carrier

246

that has an insert

248

on the outer surface thereof. Insert

248

includes an internal fluid passageway

250

. Carrier

246

and insert

248

are radially extendable through window

222

of main mandrel

232

. Main mandrel

232

is threadedly attached to main mandrel extension

260

. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock out portion of lock out and communication tool

200

also includes a lug

262

with contacts upper shoulder

74

, a telescoping section

264

and a ratchet section

266

. In addition, a piston the lock out portion of lock out and communication tool

200

includes a dimpling member

268

that is radially extendable through a window

270

.

In operation, as lock out and communication tool

200

is positioned within the longitudinal central bore of safety valve

50

as described above with reference to tool

100

, flapper closure plate

78

is operated from the closed position, see

FIGS. 2A-2B

, to the fully open position, see

FIGS. 3A-3B

. Lock out and communication tool

200

moves downwardly relative to outer housing

52

of safety valve

50

until axial locating keys

212

of lock out and communication tool

200

engage profile

62

of safety valve

50

and are locked therein.

In this locked configuration of lock out and communication tool

200

, shears pins

236

may be sheared in response to downward jarring which allows punch rod

230

and main mandrel

232

to move axially downwardly relative to housing

202

and expander mandrel

218

of lock out and communication tool

200

and safety valve

50

. As explained above, this downward movement axially aligns carrier

246

and insert

248

with radially reduced area

64

. In addition, circumferential locating key

240

is both axially and circumferentially aligned with pocket

66

of safety valve

50

.

By axially and circumferentially aligning circumferential locating key

240

with pocket

66

, carrier

246

and insert

248

become axially and circumferentially aligned with longitudinal bore

60

of safety valve

50

such that additional downward jarring on lock out and communication tool

200

of a sufficient and predetermined force shears pin

234

which allow punch rod

230

to move downwardly relative to main mandrel

232

and main mandrel extension

260

. As punch rod

230

move downwardly, insert

248

penetrates radially reduced region

64

of safety valve

50

. Further travel of punch rod

230

downwardly relative to main mandrel

232

and main mandrel extension

260

causes dimpling member

268

to contact and form a dimple in the inner wall of safety valve

50

which prevents upward travel of piston

68

after lock out and communication tool

200

is retrieved from safety valve

50

.

The unique interaction of lock out and communication tool

200

of the present invention with safety valve

50

of the present invention thus allow for the locking out of a rod piston operated safety valve and for the communication of its hydraulic fluid to operate, for example, an insert valve.

While this invention has been described with a reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.