Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Samuel C Kucera

Brett Cullen Jones

Jason Edwards

Clifford H Beall

John Burris

Michael Hair

Anthony S Coghill

Brett C Jones

Michael L Hair

A downhole component includes a unitary body having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The intermediate portion defines an outer surface and an inner surface forming a flow path. An annular chamber has a first end section spaced from a second end section by a gap. The annular chamber is formed in the unitary body spaced from the first end portion, the second end portion, the outer surface, and the inner surface.

Downhole component including a unitary body having an internal annular chamber and fluid passages

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

An equalizer valve is configured to stay shut when pressure on one side or the other goes up. A dynamic seal and a metal to metal seal are located within the housing. Pressure from above is directed uphole of the metal to metal seal and downhole of the larger dynamic seal for a net closing force. Pressure from downhole is directed between the metal to metal and dynamic seals for a net force uphole to keep the metal seal closed. Normal operation is from a control line moving a rod piston to move a valve member to open the metal to metal seal for flow through the valve body.

Equalizer valve with opposed seals biased toward closed from rising pressure on either of opposed sides

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

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 safety valve including at least one tubular housing having an interior surface. A flow path provided within an interior of the at least one tubular housing. A movable flow path blocking member arranged to block the flow path in a closed condition of the blocking member and open the flow path in an open condition of the blocking member. A first seal bore on the interior surface of the at least one tubular housing. A hydraulic control chamber within a wall of the at least one tubular housing; and, a second seal bore on the interior surface of the at least one tubular housing; wherein the hydraulic control chamber is disposed longitudinally between the first and second seal bores. The second seal bore is disposed longitudinally between the hydraulic control chamber and the movable flow path blocking member. Also included is a method of accommodating a high control pressure wireline insert safety valve within a tubing retrievable safety valve.

Safety valve, downhole system having safety valve, and method

A valve for enabling communication between a first pressure and a second pressure including a piston member arranged in a housing. The piston member is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration for selectively enabling communication between the first and second pressures. A control assembly is included for moving the valve to the open configuration. A first net pressure area is exposed to the first pressure and operatively arranged to urge the valve in a closing direction in response to the first pressure when the valve is in a closed configuration. A second net pressure area is exposed to the second pressure and operatively arranged to urge the valve in the closing direction in response to the second pressure when the valve is in a closed configuration. A method of operating a valve system is also included.

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Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Samuel C Kucera