Free pumping apparatus safety valve system and method

Abstract

A free pumping apparatus safety valve system for use in producing a formation fluid source that mounts to the bottom end of a tubing within the well bore fluid communication conduit of a producing well. The free pumping apparatus has two main parts, the pump housing and the pump body. A longitudinal passageway in the pump housing slidably and operatively receives the pump body. The size and construction of the pump body facilitates placement of the pump body into an upper end of an installed tubing and sliding conveyance of the pump body through the tubing and into the pump housing longitudinal passageway. Within the longitudinal passageway proximal the lower end of the passageway, a valve plate selectively mates with a valve seat to seal a valve opening. The valve plate is biased to a closed position by a torsional spring. When the pump body is in a fully-inserted position within the pump housing, a plunger attached to the lower end of the pump body actuates the valve plate to an opened position. A freely floating ball check valve permits the downstream flow of power fluid through a cavity in the pump body but prohibits reverse upstream flow through the cavity. Functionally applying the above mentioned valves provides an exceptionally responsive safety shut-off method to prevent the loss of formation fluids. A safety valve mounted below the pump housing prevents flow of fluids from the housing into the formation fluid source.