Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Brett Cullen Jones

Samuel C Kucera

Michael Hair

Clifford H Beall

Wade Miller

John Burris

Thomas S Myerley

Jason Edwards

Ronald Garr

John D Lindemann

Ronald J Garr

Michael L Hair

A redundant balance line operating system including first and second control lines, first and second balance lines, a first and second compensators and first and second actuators, the components being hydraulically connected to operate redundantly and to fail safe.

Redundant balance line operating system

An operating control line is in communication with an operating piston for the safety valve as well as an equalizing piston such that pressure in the operating control line opens the safety valve and holds the equalizer valve closed. A balance chamber receives fluid from an operating piston in the safety valve when the valve opens to displace a floating piston to the open position. Operating control line pressure reduction allows valve closure and opposite floating piston movement to the closed position. If the floating piston is forced by a tubing seal leak against the open position travel stop, pressure in a balance control line against the equalizing valve member moves it from a seat to then equalize pressure on opposed ends of the floating piston allowing a bias force to move the floating piston off the open position stop so the safety valve can open despite the tubing leak.

Balance line control system with reset feature for floating piston

An equalizer valve is hydraulically operated by a pair of control lines running from a remote location such as a well surface. The use of control lines to make a mandrel or piston move in opposed directions removes the need for a spring or compressed gas to act as a spring against the anticipated hydrostatic force in a single control line system that is dependent on setting depth. The equalizer valve with its pair of control lines is insensitive to setting depth. Three seals on the mandrel are used to move the mandrel with the two control lines in opposed directions and to apply a net force to the mandrel. The seal applying the net closure force is exposed to a low or atmospheric chamber to make the second seal operate reliably using a large differential.

Pressure equalizing valve insensitive to setting depth and tubing pressure differentials

A control line operating system includes a first piston having a first pressure face and a second pressure face, a first control line in operable communication with the first pressure face of the first piston, a second piston having a third pressure face and a fourth pressure face and a second control line in operable communication with the third pressure face of the second piston. Both the first piston and the second piston are in operable communication with a tool such that pressure increases in either the first control line or the second control line can cause actuation of the tool, the first control line is in operable communication with the fourth pressure face of the second piston and the second control line is in operable communication with the second pressure face of the first piston.

Control line operating system and method of operating a tool

A penetrator for a Puncture Communication Tool includes a base; a body extending from the base and terminating at a tip; and a fluid bypass disposed in the body. Communicating a hydraulic chamber.

Penetrator for a puncture communication tool and method

Two control systems are provided to run in parallel between a surface location and the final controlled element, in this case a subsurface safety valve. The primary control circuit is controlling until a predetermined signal is given to the secondary control line which has the effect of actuating the valve a single time against the force of a bias or a shear pin that breaks. The movement of a shuttle in the housing due to the predetermined signal being provided in the secondary line puts the secondary control system in the position of running the tool. The primary system is valved off and cannot return into service. There are just two lines into and out of the housing to make the valve operate at the desired location. A test port is provided for surface testing.

Switch between redundant control systems for a subsurface safety valve

A control system for a Subsurface Safety Valve (SSSV), includes an actuating piston mounted in a housing with at least one seal and connected to the SSSV. The actuating piston having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with a control line; a primary pressure reservoir in fluid communication with the second end of the actuating piston, the reservoir configured to contain a fluid under an amount of pressure selected to act against a prospective hydrostatic pressure expected in the control line based upon the selected position of the control system in a downhole environment. An equalizing piston in fluid communication with both the control line and with the second end of the actuating piston, the equalizing piston remaining in a closed position during shifting of the actuating piston with pressure applied or removed from the control line, the equalizing piston movable to an open position upon a control system failure that reduces pressure in the primary reservoir to below a threshold value; and a condition sensing and chemical injection assembly in fluid communication with the primary reservoir. A method for operating a control system for a Subsurface Safety Valve (SSSV).

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Broken Arrow, OK, United States of America

Brett Cullen Jones