Patent ID: 7267177
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: E21B,F16K

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for use in a well, the assembly comprising: a tubing comprising a valve seat to surround a fluid communication opening; a flapper hingedly mounted to the tubing and comprising a sealing surface, the flapper being biased to rotate to a closed position at which the sealing surface is received in the valve seat to prevent fluid uphole of the opening from being communicated through the opening and the flapper being adapted to be rotated away from the closed position to allow fluid downhole of the opening to be communicated through the opening as the valve assembly is lowered into the well; and an actuator comprising a member located inside the tubing, the member comprising a surface adapted to press against the flapper to rotate the flapper toward the surface to an open position to allow fluid communication through the opening and maintain the flapper in the open position.