United States Patent [191
`Bullen
`:
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`4,241,786
`Dec. 30, 1980
`
`[54] WELL TREE SAVER
`[76] Inventor: Ronald S. Bullen, 98 Willow Park
`Green, SE., Calgary, Alberta,
`Canada
`[21] Appl. No.: 35,195
`[22] Filed:
`May 2, 1979
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 2, 1978 [CA] Canada ................................. .. 302475
`
`[51] Int. Cl.2 .................... E21B 19/00; E21B 33/03;
`E21B 43/26
`[52] US. Cl. .................................................... .. 166/77
`[58] Field of Search ..................... .. 166/77, 77.5, 75 R
`[56]
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,586,923
`
`6/1926 Townsend ........................... .. 166/77
`
`1,895,132
`
`l/1933 Minor . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 166/77
`
`2,126,933
`2,555,145
`
`....... .. 166/77
`Stone et a1.
`8/1938
`5/1951 McKinney .................... .. 166/77 UX
`
`3,096,075
`7/ 1963 Brown ............................. .. 166/77 X
`4,076,079
`2/1978
`Herricks et a].
`166/75 R X
`4,162,704
`7/ 1979 Gunther ........................... .. 166/77 X
`Primary Examiner-Stephen .1. Novosad
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—-Beveridge, De Grandi, Kline
`& Lunsford
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A bypass attachment is provided to prevent damage to
`the valves of a well tree when ?uid at high pressure is
`passed into a well, such as during a fracturing process.
`The bypass attachment is formed of a piston rod remov
`ably mounted to the well tree and offset from it, a piston
`mounted on the piston rod, a ‘cylinder movable on the
`piston, the cylinder bearing a piece of high-pressure
`tubing aligned with the passage through the well-head
`tree, a high-pressure valve to close off the high-pressure
`tubing and sealing means to seal the space between the
`exterior of the high-pressure tubing and the interior of
`the vertical passage through the well-head tree.
`
`11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`Greene’s Energy Group, LLC v. Oil States Energy Services, LLC, IPR2014-00216, Ex. 2020
`
`

`

`US. Patent Dec. 30, 1980
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 30, 1980
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`Sheet 1 of3
`Sheet 1 of3
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`4,241,786
`4,241,786
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`Ill/Ill 22
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`3II IO
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`FIG. I
`FIG.
`I
`(PRIOR ART)
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`Dec. 30, 1980
`U.S. Patent Dec. 30, 1980
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`Sheet 2 of 3
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`4,241,786
`4,241,786
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`

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`U.S. Patent De9,30,1980
`U.S. Patent Deg._30,1980
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`Sheet3of3
`Sheet3of3
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`4,241,786
`4,241,786
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`29
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`4s
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`23'
`22
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`1
`1
`WELL TREE SAVER
`WELL TREE SAVER
`
`4,241,786
`4,241,786
`
`This invention relates to well-head equipment for oil
`This invention relates to well-head equipment for oil
`and gas wells and the like. More particularly, the inven
`and gas wells and the like. More particularly, the inven-
`tion relates to a high-pressure bypass for well-head
`tion relates to a high-pressure bypass for well-head
`valves.
`‘
`valves.
`'
`
`5
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`10
`10
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`15
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`20
`20
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`2
`2
`well tree through some sort of cradle. Additionally,
`well tree through some sort of cradle. Additionally,
`hydraulic means are usually necessary to force the high
`hydraulic means are usually necessary to force the high-
`pressure tube down through the open valves of the well
`pressure tube down through the open valves of the well
`tree. The hydraulic means and the cradle together form
`tree. The hydraulic means and the cradle together form
`a very heavy, cumbersome piece of equipment, and
`a very heavy, cumbersome piece of equipment, and
`frequently take up so much space that the high-pressure
`frequently take up so much space that the high-pressure
`valve at the end of the tubing must be very far away
`valve at the end of the tubing must be very far away
`from the ground, where it cannot be reached easily in
`from the ground, where it cannot be reached easily in
`case of an emergency.
`case of an emergency.
`OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
`OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the invention to provide an appara
`It is an object of the invention to provide an appara-
`tus for inserting a high-pressure tube through a well tree
`tus for inserting a high-pressure tube through a well tree
`to meet with the well tubing, so that fluid under high
`to meet with the well tubing, so that fluid under high
`pressure can be inserted into the well tubing without
`pressure can be inserted into the well tubing without
`damaging the valves of the well tree.
`damaging the valves of the well tree.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide such
`It is a further object of the invention to provide such
`an apparatus which can be disassembled for carrying
`an apparatus which can be disassembled for carrying
`from place to place, and which can be assembled rela-
`from place to place, and which can be assembled rela
`tively easily on site. It is a further object to provide such
`tively easily on site. It is a further object to provide such
`apparatus having a high-pressure valve which is rela-
`apparatus having a high-pressure valve which is rela
`tively accessible when the high-pressure tubing has
`tively accessible when the high-pressure tubing has
`been inserted into the well.
`been inserted into the well.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`The invention comprises an apparatus for inserting
`The invention comprises an apparatus for inserting
`high-pressure ?uid through a well tree having a vertical
`high-pressure fluid through a well tree having a vertical
`passage therethrough including; at least one valve and
`passage therethrough including; at least one valve and
`into a well having well tubing aligned with said vertical
`into a well having well tubing aligned with said vertical
`passage, which apparatus comprises:
`passage, which apparatus comprises:
`a piston rod removably mounted in a position secured
`a piston rod removably mounted in a position secured
`to the well tree and offset from the vertical passage, and
`to the well tree and offset from the vertical passage, and
`having a piston ?xed to the end of the piston rod,
`having a piston fixed to the end of the piston rod,
`a cylinder moveable on the piston,
`a cylinder moveable on the piston,
`a piece of high-pressure tubing mounted for move
`a piece of high-pressure tubing mounted for move-
`ment with the cylinder and aligned axially with said
`ment with the cylinder and aligned axially with said
`vertical passage when said piston rod is mounted in said
`vertical passage when said piston rod is mounted in said
`position,
`position,
`a high-pressure valve to selectively stop ?uid flow
`a high-pressure valve to selectively stop fluid flow
`through said high-pressure tubing, and,
`through said high—pressure tubing, and,
`sealing means to prevent passage of fluid between the
`sealing means to prevent passage of fluid between the
`exterior of the high-pressure tubing and the interior of
`exterior of the high-pressure tubing and the interior of
`the vertical passage, when said high pressure tubing is
`the vertical passage, when said high pressure tubing is
`inserted through said vertical passage into said well
`inserted through said vertical passage into said well
`tubing.
`tubing.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`In the drawings:
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 shows a partially cutaway view of a conven-
`FIG. 1 shows a partially cutaway view of a conven
`tional prior art well-head and well tree.
`tional prior art well-head and well tree.
`FIG. 2 shows a partially cutaway side view of the
`FIG. 2 shows a partially cutaway side view of the
`apparatus according to one embodiment of the inven-
`apparatus according to one embodiment of the inven
`tion, when such embodiment has been mounted on the
`tion, when such embodiment has been mounted on the
`well tree of FIG. 1, but when the high-pressure tube has
`well tree of FIG. 1, but when the high-pressure tube has
`not as yet been inserted into the well tree.
`not as yet been inserted into the well tree.
`FIG. 3 shows a partially cut-away side View of the
`FIG. 3 shows a partially cut-away side view of the
`same embodiment as shown in FIG. 2,
`in which the
`same embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, in which the
`high-pressure tibe has been placed in its final position
`high-pressure tibe has been placed in its final position
`and the well-head is ready for the carrying out of a
`and the well-head is ready for the carrying out of a
`fracture process.
`fracture process.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring to FIG. 1, the well-head of a producing oil
`Referring to FIG. 1, the well-head of a producing oil
`or gas well is indicated generally at 1. The ground sur
`or gas well is indicated generally at 1. The ground sur—
`face is shown schematically at 2. The well itself (only a
`face is shown schematically at 2. The well itself (only a
`small portion of which is shown) comprises a hole 3
`small portion of which is shown) comprises a hole 3
`aligned with an outer, or surface, casing 10 and a pro
`aligned with an outer, or surface, casing 10 and a pro-
`
`25
`25
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The well~head of a production oil or gas well com
`The well-head of a production oil or gas well com-
`monly is provided with a number of valves. Some of
`monly is provided with a number of valves. Some of
`these valves are present for safety purposes, to block off
`these valves are present for safety purposes, to block off
`the flow of oil or gas from the well as and when re-
`the flow of oil or gas from the well as and when re
`quired. Others are present to permit selection of one or
`quired. Others are present to permit selection of one or
`more different passages through which oil or gas can
`more different passages through which oil or gas can
`leave the well, or through which various additives can
`leave the well, or through which various additives can
`be passed down the well. Commonly, from two to six or
`be passed down the well. Commonly, from two to six or
`more such valves are present at the well-head. The
`more such valves are present at the well-head. The
`group of valves at the well-head is known colloquially
`group of valves at the well-head is known colloquially
`as the “well tree” or “Christmas tree".
`as the “well tree” or “Christmas tree”.
`During the course of production in the well, it is
`During the course of production in the well, it is
`sometimes necessary to stimulate the well by means of a
`sometimes necessary to stimulate the well by means of a
`fracturing technique to yield increased productivity.
`fracturing technique to yield increased productivity.
`Fracturing involves the injection into the well of a
`Fracturing involves the injection into the well of a
`pressurized fluid, such as water ,brine, foam or the like,
`pressurized fluid, such as water ,brine, foam or the like,
`which ?uid breaks or fractures the oil or gas producing
`which fluid breaks or fractures the oil or gas producing
`strata down the well.
`strata down the well.
`During the fracturing process, pressures must be
`During the fracturing process, pressures must be
`elevated in order to cause the rock formations down the
`elevated in order to cause the rock formations down the
`30
`well to fracture. Pressures in excess of 7,500 psi are not
`well to fracture. Pressures in excess of 7,500 psi are not
`uncommon during fracturing processes. Pressures of
`uncommon during fracturing processes. Pressures of
`the magnitude found in fracturing processes can usually
`the magnitude found in fracturing processes can usually
`be tolerated by the well tubing or casing, which extends
`be tolerated by the well tubing or casing, which extends
`downwardly from ground level into the well. However,
`downwardly from ground level into the well. However,
`in many cases, the valves which are placed at the well
`in many cases, the valves which are placed at the well
`head to form the well tree are not capable of tolerating
`head to form the well tree are not capable of tolerating
`such pressures and there is a severe risk of rupture if
`such pressures and there is a severe risk of rupture if
`they are subjected to such pressures. Of course, valves
`they are subjected to such pressures. Of course, valves
`which can tolerate such pressures are available, but they
`which can tolerate such pressures are available, but they
`40
`are relatively costly, and are not widely used on wells.
`are relatively costly, and are not widely used on wells.
`40
`High pressures are not normally encountered during
`High pressures are not normally encountered during
`operations of wells except during fracturing processes,
`operations of wells except during fracturing processes,
`so the provision of valves which would tolerate high
`so the provision of valves which would tolerate high
`pressure is generally considered as an unnecessary ex-
`pressure is generally considered as an unnecessary ex‘
`45
`pense, particularly since it is usually not known when
`pense, particularly since it is usually not known when
`45
`the valves are installed whether or not the well will
`the valves are installed whether or not the well will
`eventually be subjected to a fracturing process.
`eventually be subjected to a fracturing process.
`It has been suggested that the danger of a rupture of
`It has been suggested that the danger of a rupture of
`the well tree valves could be reduced during fracturing
`the well tree valves could be reduced during fracturing
`50
`processes, and other processes involving high pressure,
`processes, and other processes involving high pressure,
`by inserting a high-pressure tube through the bores of
`by inserting a high-pressure tube through the bores of
`the open valves of the well tree, with the high~pressure
`the open valves of the well tree, with the high~pressure
`tube engaging, at its bottom end, the well tubing in a
`tube engaging, at its bottom end, the well tubing in a
`pressure-tight relationship. At its upper end, the tube
`pressure-tight relationship. At its upper end, the tube
`would extend beyond the uppermost valve of the well
`would extend beyond the uppermost valve of the well
`tree, and would be topped by a high-pressure valve.
`tree, and would be topped by a high-pressure valve.
`Thus, the high pressure pumping equipment used in
`Thus, the high pressure pumping equipment used in
`fracturing could be connected to the high-pressure
`fracturing could be connected to the high-pressure
`valve on the tube, and the high-pressure fluid would
`valve on the tube, and the high-pressure fluid would
`60
`then pass through the tube directly into the tubing of
`then pass through the tube directly into the tubing of
`60
`the well. This would prevent the contact of the high
`the well. This would prevent the contact of the high-
`pressure fluid with the low-pressure valves of the well-
`pressure ?uid with the low-pressure valves of the well
`head, thus reducing the chances of rupture.
`head, thus reducing the chances of rupture.
`Although the use of a high-pressure tube in this way
`Although the use of a high-pressure tube in this way
`65
`has been generally successful, and has resulted in less-
`has been generally successful, and has resulted in less
`65
`ened danger in the ?eld, it is still not completely satis
`ened danger in the field, it is still not completely satis-
`factory. For one thing, the tube and associated high
`factory. For one thing, the tube and associated high-
`pressure valve must be guided straight down into the
`pressure valve must be guided straight down into the
`
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`duction casing 11. The volume between the walls of the
`duction casing 11. The volume between the walls of the
`indicated generally as 43,
`pressure tubing,
`is rigidly
`pressure tubing, indicated generally as 43, is rigidly
`hole and the production casing is filled in known man-
`hole and the production casing is ?lled in known man
`mounted near its upper end. Suitably, the tubing is se—
`mounted near its upper end. Suitably, the tubing is se
`ner with well cement 12. Inside the production casing is
`cured in place by threaded connection shown schemati-
`ner with well cement 12. Inside the production casing is
`cured in place by threaded connection shown schemati
`located well tubing 13, through which hydrocarbon
`located well tubing 13, through which hydrocarbon
`cally as 44. The tubing 43 is just slightly smaller in its
`cally as 44. The tubing 43 is just slightly smaller in its
`product is brought to the surface.
`product is brought to the surface.
`outer diameter than is the inside diameter of the passage
`outer diameter than is the inside diameter of the passage
`The well-head is provided in known manner with a
`The well-head is provided in known manner with a
`19, such that the piece of high-pressure tubing 43 can
`19, such that the piece of high-pressure tubing 43 can
`series of valves, known as a valve tree. In the drawing,
`series of valves, known as a valve tree. In the drawing,
`pass down the passage 19. The lower end of the tubing
`pass down the passage 19. The lower end of the tubing
`two valves 15 and 16 are shown, but more could be
`43 is passed through the bore 23, and sealingly engages
`two valves 15 and 16 are shown, but more could be
`43 is passed through the bore 23, and sealingly engages
`present. Valve 16 is on a branch passage formed by
`present. Valve 16 is on a branch passage formed by
`the sealing rings 25.
`the sealing rings 25.
`T—connector 14. Valve 15 is attached by a flanged con-
`T-connector 14. Valve 15 is attached by a ?anged con
`The exterior of the end of high-pressure tubing 43 is
`The exterior of the end of high-pressure tubing 43 is
`nection 17 to the production casing 11 with its bore
`nection 17 to the production casing 11 with its bore
`provided with a rubber gasket 45. This gasket is of
`provided with a rubber gasket 45. This gasket is of
`forming a continuation of well tubing 13. The functions
`forming a continuation of well tubing 13. The functions
`slightly larger outside diameter than the passage 19,
`slightly larger outside diameter than the passage 19,
`of valves 15 and 16 are those conventional functions of
`of valves 15 and 16 are those conventional functions of
`such that it will engage tightly against the inner walls of
`such that it will engage tightly against the inner walls of
`valves found in the well tree of a producing oil or gas
`valves found in the well tree of a producing oil or gas
`the passage 19 as it passes down that passage.
`the passage 19 as it passes down that passage.
`well, and such functions will not be detailed here. Gen-
`well, and such functions will not be detailed here. Gen
`In the embodiment illustrated, gasket 45 is fixed on
`In the embodiment illustrated, gasket 45 is ?xed on
`erally, they relate to providing means for shutting off
`erally, they relate to providing means for shutting off
`the lower end of high-pressure tubing 43 and extends
`the lower end of high-pressure tubing 43 and extends
`the flow from the well in the case of an emergency, or
`the ?ow from the well in the case of an emergency, or
`below the bottom of the high-pressure tubing. It is also
`below the bottom of the high-pressure tubing. It is also
`to providing suitable control of ?ow of the hydrocar
`to providing suitable control of flow of the hydrocar-
`within the scope of the invention, however, to have one
`within the scope of the invention, however, to have one
`bon products from the well.
`bon products from the well.
`or more gaskets 45 secured to the exterior of tubing 43,
`or more gaskets 45 secured to the exterior of tubing 43,
`As is common in well tree arrangements, a vertical
`As is common in well tree arrangements, a vertical
`for example by being inset in annular grooves, along its
`for example by being inset in annular grooves, along its
`passage 19 passes upwardly through the entire well tree,
`passage 19 passes upwardly through the entire well tree,
`length.
`length.
`and is closed at the top by a flanged cover 18 mounted
`and is closed at the top by a ?anged cover 18 mounted
`At its upper end, tubing 43 is provided with a valve
`At its upper end, tubing 43 is provided with a valve
`on a flanged connector 22. The passage can be closed if
`on a ?anged connector 22. The passage can be closed if
`shown schematically as 46. This valve is designed to
`shown schematically as 46. This valve is designed to
`desired by closing the valve 15. The passage 19 forms an
`desired by closing the valve 15. The passage 19 forms an
`resist high pressure.
`resist high pressure.
`upward continuation of the passage through the well
`upward continuation of the passage through the well
`If it is desired to strengthen the apparatus, strengthen
`If it is desired to strengthen the apparatus, strengthen-
`tubing 13.
`tubing 13.
`ing rods such as those shown as at 49 and 50 can be
`ing rods such as those shown as at 49 and 50 can be
`Valves 15 and 16 are not designed for high pressure.
`Valves 15 and 16 are not designed for high pressure.
`bolted as at 51,52 to members 26 and 27. These rods pass
`bolted as at 51,52 to members 26 and 27. These rods pass
`When it is desired to fracture the producing strata (not
`When it is desired to fracture the producing strata (not
`through suitably provided holes 53,54 in member 41,
`through suitably provided holes 53,54 in member 41,
`shown) down the well hole, it is desirable to protect
`shown) down the well hole, it is desirable to protect
`thereby preventing upward movement of member 41
`thereby preventing upward movement of member 41
`valves 15 and 16 from damage by the high-pressure
`valves 15 and 16 from damage by the highapressure
`relative to members 26 and 27. The strengthening rods
`relative to members 26 and 27. The strengthening rods
`fracturing ?uid, and also from the danger of rupture in
`fracturing fluid, and also from the danger of rupture in
`can be joined at their upper ends by a cross piece 55,
`can be joined at their upper ends by a cross piece 55,
`the presence of such fluid.
`the presence of such ?uid.
`which is bowed outwardly at 56 to prevent it from
`which is bowed outwardly at 56 to prevent it from
`FIG. 2 shows the novel equipment of the invention,
`FIG. 2 shows the novel equipment of the invention,
`bumping valve 45 or tubing 43. Other mechanical hold-
`bumping valve 45 or tubing 43. Other mechanical hold
`generally indicated as 20, assembled on top of the well-
`generally indicated as 20, assembled on top of the well
`35
`head. Cover 18 has been removed from the well tree. A
`down devices such as latches or screwed unions may be
`down devices such as latches or screwed unions may be
`head. Cover 18 has been removed from the well tree. A
`used to similarly strengthen the apparatus by reinforc
`used to similarly strengthen the apparatus by reinforc-
`member 21, pierced with a cylindrical bore 23 of the
`member 21, pierced with a cylindrical bore 23 of the
`ing the downward thrust on member 41.
`ing the downward thrust on member 41.
`same width as the passage 19, has been flanged by
`same width as the passage 19, has been ?anged by
`To facilitate assembly and disassembly, the cylinders
`To facilitate assembly and disassembly, the cylinders
`means of a connecting flange 24 to connector 22. Suit-
`means of a connecting ?ange 24 to connector 22. Suit
`are provided with suitable lugs 57 and 58 for attachment
`are provided with suitable lugs 57 and 58 for attachment
`ably, this is done while valve 15 is closed, to prevent
`ably, this is done while valve 15 is closed, to prevent
`of a hook for lifting by crane.
`of a hook for lifting by crane.
`escape of hydrocarbon from the well. Member 21 has
`escape of hydrocarbon from the well. Member 21 has
`In FIG. 2, the apparatus is shown assembled at the
`In FIG. 2, the apparatus is shown assembled at the
`oriented along its bore 23, for purposes to be described,
`oriented along its bore 23, for purposes to be described,
`top of a well tree, ready to be put into use. The appara-
`sealing rings 25.
`top of a well tree, ready to be put into use. The appara
`sealing rings 25.
`tus can be preassembled on the ground and hoisted into
`tus can be preassembled on the ground and hoisted into
`Extending outwardly from member 21 are two cross-
`Extending outwardly from member 21 are two cross
`place on the well tree, as by a crane, but it is usually
`place on the well tree, as by a crane, but it is usually
`arms 26 and 27. Cross-arms 26 and 27 may be made
`arms 26 and 27. Cross-arms 26 and 27 may be made
`45
`found more convenient to assemble the apparatus, bit by
`found more convenient to assemble the apparatus, bit by
`integral with member 21 (as shown) or may be so de-
`integral with member 21 (as shown) or may be so de
`45
`bit, in place. Thus, member 21 is first bolted to flanged
`bit, in place. Thus, member 21 is ?rst bolted to ?anged
`signed that they can be disassembled from it, as by un-
`signed that they can be disassembled from it, as by un
`bolting.
`connector 22, then members 26 and 27 (if they are sepa-
`connector 22, then members 26 and 27 (if they are sepa
`bolting.
`rate pieces) are bolted to it, and cylinders 34 and 37,
`Towards the outer ends of members 26 and 27, verti-
`rate pieces) are bolted to it, and cylinders 34 and 37,
`Towards the outer ends of members 26 and 27, verti
`with associated piston rods 28 and 29 are then put into
`with associated piston rods 28 and 29 are then put into
`cal piston rods 28 and 29 respectively are mounted, and
`cal piston rods 28 and 29 respectively are mounted, and
`place on members 26 and 27 respectively. Cross mem-
`place on members 26 and 27 respectively. Cross mem
`are secured in place by suitable members, as for exam-
`are secured in place by suitable members, as for exam
`bers 40 and 41 are then assembled and hydraulic fluid is
`bers 40 and 41 are then assembled and hydraulic ?uid is
`ple, by pins 30. The piston rods are oriented so they
`ple, by pins 30. The piston rods are oriented so they
`supplied as needed through inlets 36 and 39, to cause the
`extend upwardly parallel to the channel 19. Piston rod
`supplied as needed through inlets 36 and 39, to cause the
`extend upwardly parallel to the channel 19. Piston rod
`pistons 32 and 33 to take up the positions in cylinders 34
`pistons 32 and 33 to take up the positions in cylinders 34
`28 terminates in a piston 32, and piston rod 29 termi—
`28 terminates in a piston 32, and piston rod 29 termi
`and 37 which are shown in FIG. 2. Lastly, tubing 43 and
`nates in a piston 33.
`and 37 which are shown in FIG. 2. Lastly, tubing 43 and
`nates in a piston 33.
`its associated valve 46 are placed in position.
`its associated valve 46 are placed in position.
`Piston 32 is mounted for reciprocating movement in a
`Piston 32 is mounted for reciprocating movement in a
`Once the apparatus is fully assembled as shown in
`cylinder 34. Cylinder 34 is provided with two inlets/-
`Once the apparatus is fully assembled as shown in
`cylinder 34. Cylinder 34 is provided with two inlets/
`outlets for hydraulic fluid, which are shown as 35 and
`FIG. 2, all valves of the well tree which impede passage
`FIG. 2, all valves of the well tree which impede passage
`outlets for hydraulic ?uid, which are shown as 35 and
`19 are opened. Thus, in the well tree shown in the draw-
`36. Similarly, piston 33 is mounted for reciprocating
`36. Similarly, piston 33 is mounted for reciprocating
`19 are opened. Thus, in the well tree shown in the draw
`ing, valve 15 is opened, to leave unimpeded the passage
`ing, valve 15 is opened, to leave unimpeded the passage
`movement in a cylinder 37, which is provided with two
`movement in a cylinder 37, which is provided with two
`inlets/outlets for hydraulic fluid, which are shown as 38
`19 through the well tree to the well tubing. (If there
`19 through the well tree to the well tubing. (If there
`inlets/outlets for hydraulic ?uid, which are shown as 38
`and 39.
`were additional valves closing passage 19, they would
`were additional valves closing passage 19, they would
`and 39.
`be opened as well). Hydrocarbon from the well can of
`For strengthening of the apparatus, cylinders 35 and
`For strengthening of the apparatus, cylinders 35 and
`be opened as well). Hydrocarbon from the well can of
`course pass through the bore 19 once the valve 15 is
`37 are preferably joined by one or more cross-pieces 40.
`37 are preferably joined by one or more cross-pieces 40.
`course pass through the bore 19 once the valve 15 is
`Such cross-pieces are preferably removeable, when it is
`opened. However, sealing rings 25 fit tightly around the
`opened. However, sealing rings 25 ?t tightly around the
`Such cross-pieces are preferably removeable, when it is
`circumference of tubing 43, and prevent hydrocarbon
`circumference of tubing 43, and prevent hydrocarbon
`desired to disassemble the apparatus.
`desired to disassemble the apparatus.
`At their lower ends, cylinders 34 and 37 are joined by
`from escaping between the sides of bore 23 and the
`At their lower ends, cylinders 34 and 37 are joined by
`from escaping between the sides of bore 23 and the
`outside of tubing 43. At its upper end, tubing 43 is sealed
`another cross-piece, shown as 41. This cross-piece pro-
`outside of tubing 43. At its upper end, tubing 43 is sealed
`another cross-piece, shown as 41. This cross-piece pro
`by valve 46 which is left in its closed position, thus
`vides a cylindrical mount 42, in which a piece of high-
`by valve 46 which is left in its closed position, thus
`vides a cylindrical mount 42, in which a piece of high
`
`40
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`60
`
`65
`65
`
`

`

`15
`5
`
`2O
`
`25
`25
`
`35
`35
`
`4,241,786
`4,241,786
`5
`5
`preventing the escape of hydrocarbon from the top of
`preventing the escape of hydrocarbon from the top of
`the tubing.
`the tubing.
`With valve 15 in its open position, the operator of the
`With valve 15 in its open position, the operator of the
`apparatus feeds a suitable hydraulic fluid through inlets
`apparatus feeds a suitable hydraulic fluid through inlets
`35 and 38 into cylinders 3.4 and 37. At the same time,
`35 and 38 into cylinders 34 and 37. At the same time,
`hydraulic ?uid is exhausted through outlets 36 and 39. '
`hydraulic fluid is exhausted through outlets 36 and 39.
`'
`This causes’cylinders 34 and 37 to move downward
`This causescylinders 34 and 37 to move downward
`with_ respect to the pistons 32 and 33, which remain
`with~ respect to the pistons 32 and 33, which remain
`stationary, as the pistons are rigidly connected to mem
`stationary, as the pistons are rigidly connected to mem-
`10
`ber 21, which is rigidly connected to the well tree. Care 0
`ber 21, which is rigidly connected to the well tree. Care
`is taken to control feed of hydraulic ?uid through inlets ‘
`is taken to control feed of hydraulic fluid through inlets
`35 and 38, so that cylinders 34 and 37 move downward ‘
`35 and 38, so that cylinders 34 and 37 move downward
`at the same rate.
`,
`at the same rate.
`.
`Cylinders 34 and 37 are rigidly connected, through
`Cylinders 34 and 37 are rigidly connected, through
`member 41, to the piece of high-pressure tubing 43.
`member 41, to the piece of high-pressure tubing 43.
`Thus, when the cylinders move down with respect to
`Thus, when the cylinders move down with respect to
`the pistons, they also force the tubing to move down
`the pistons, they also force the tubing to move down-
`ward. The tubing passes through bore 23 and into the
`ward. The tubing passes through bore 23 and into the
`passage 19. Sealing gasket 45, being of slightly larger
`passage 19. Sealing gasket 45, being of slightly larger
`diameter than the internal diameter. of passage 19, de
`diameter than the internal diameter of passage 19, de-
`forms slightly, and provides a tight seal to prevent hy
`forms slightly, and provides a tight seal to prevent hy-
`drocarbons from escaping around the outside of ‘tubing
`drocarbons from escaping around the outside of tubing
`43. As the cylinders move downward on their pistons,
`43. As the cylinders move downward on their pistons,
`the tubing 43 is forced downward through valve 15
`the tubing 43 is forced downward through valve 15
`until it engages well tubing 13. The cylinders and tubing
`until it engages well tubing 13. The cylinders and tubing
`43 are made long enough so that the tubing 43 will
`43 are made long enough so that the tubing 43 will
`reach at least the top of the tubing 13 in the particular
`reach at least the top of the tubing 13 in the particular
`well tree with which they are to be used.
`well tree with which they are to be used.
`FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of parts when the
`FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of parts when the
`cylinders 34 and 37 have reached the limit of their
`cylinders 34 and 37 have reached the limit of their
`dow