Patent Publication Number: US-6991040-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for locking out a subsurface safety valve

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This new application for letters patent claims priority from an earlier-filed provisional patent application entitled “Method and Apparatus for Locking Out a Subsurface Safety Valve.” That application was filed on Jul. 12, 2002 and was assigned Application No. 60/395,521. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention is related generally to safety valves. More particularly, this invention pertains to subsurface safety valves deployed in a wellbore for controlling fluid flow through a production tubing string. More particularly still, the present invention relates to a lockout tool for locking out a safety valve into its open position. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Subsurface Safety Valves (SSVs) are often deployed in hydrocarbon producing wells to shut off production of well fluids in emergency situations. Such SSVs are typically fitted into production tubing in the wellbore, and operate to block the flow of formation fluids upwardly through the production tubing should a failure or hazardous condition occur at the well surface. 
   SSVs are designed either to be slickline retrievable, or tubing retrievable. If a safety valve is configured to be slickline/wireline retrievable (WRSSV), it can be easily removed and repaired. If the SSV forms a portion of the well tubing, it is commonly known as “tubing retrievable” (TRSSV). In this instance, the production tubing string must be removed from the well to perform any safety valve repairs. 
   The subsurface safety valve has a flapper member or “plate,” that is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In this respect, the flapper member is typically pivotally mounted to mate with a hard seat. When the flapper is in its open position, it is held in a position where it pivots away from the hard seat, thereby opening the bore of the production tubing. However, the flapper is biased to its closed position against the seat. 
   The flapper of the safety valve is held open during normal production operations. This is done by the application of hydraulic fluid pressure transmitted to an actuating mechanism. A common actuating mechanism is a cylindrical flow tube, which is maintained in a position adjacent the flapper by hydraulic pressure supplied through a control line. The control line resides within the annulus between the production tubing and the well casing. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is delivered from the surface through the control line, and bears against a piston. The piston, in turn, acts against the cylindrical flow tube, which in turn moves across the flapper valve to hold the valve open. When a catastrophic event occurs at the surface, hydraulic pressure is interrupted, causing the cylindrical flow tube to retract, and allowing the safety valve to quickly close. When the safety valve closes, it blocks the flow of production fluids up the tubing. Thus, the SSV provides automatic shutoff of production flow in response to well safety, conditions that can be sensed and/or indicated at the surface. Examples of such conditions include a fire on an offshore platform, sabotage to the well at the earth surface, a high/low flow line pressure condition, a high/low flow line temperature condition, and operator override. 
   Removal and repair of the tubing retrievable safety valve is costly and time consuming. It is usually advantageous to delay the repair of the TRSSV yet still provide the essential task of providing well safety for operations personnel while producing from the well. To accomplish these objectives; the safety valve is disabled in the open position, or “locked out”. This means that the flapper member is pivoted and permanently held in the fully opened position. In normal circumstances, if the well is to be left in production, a WRSSV may be inserted in the well, often in lockable engagement inside a bore within the locked out tubing retrievable safety valve. Because of the insertion relationship, the WRSSV necessarily has a smaller inside diameter than the TRSSV, thereby reducing the potential hydrocarbon production rate from the well. Locking out the safety valve will not eliminate a need for remediation later, but the lockout and use of the WRSSV will allow the well to stay on production (most often, with a reduced production rate) or perform other work functions in the tubing until the TRSSV can be repaired or replaced. 
   Various types of mechanical lockouts have been proposed. Examples are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,696,868; 3,786,865; and 3,786,866. In these applications, various additional parts are necessary to enable the valve to be locked out. Such parts are integral to each and every valve. It is interesting to note that modern SSVs are extraordinarily reliable, and such lockout mechanisms are not used except in a small fraction of the total valve population; yet, integral lockout mechanisms are present in, and add unnecessary cost to, most prior art SSV assemblies. Further, integral lockout mechanisms are not normally operated for extended periods of time, often for years, and are not normally or even periodically actuated. For these reasons, the integral lockout mechanisms may themselves fail to work for various reasons such as sand, corrosion, scale and asphaltine buildup. 
   Other inventors have realized the disadvantages of integral lockout mechanisms, and inventions have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,889 (Pringle &#39;889), U.S. Pat. No. 4, 577,694 (Brakage, Jr. &#39;694) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,041 (Scott &#39;041). These inventions recognize a need to remove integral lockout mechanisms and requisite structure from the SSV. 
   Pringle &#39;889 teaches a method and apparatus of locking out a subsurface safety valve. The apparatus provides a housing having a bore and one downwardly directed shoulder adjacent the bore. The shoulder makes an outward indentation in the flow tube at a predetermined location whereby the indentation will engage a downwardly directed shoulder in the housing, preventing the flow tube from moving to the closed position. The mechanism has the limitation of making only a single indentation during any stroke of the lockout tool. This results in very high localized stresses at the point of impact, causing embrittlement of the material, and possibly undesirably punching through the flow tube. Further, there is no mechanism disclosed to index the punching mechanism to another radial position. Because the SSV assembly is often placed thousands of feet below the earth&#39;s surface, using the device taught by Pringle &#39;889 to make second or subsequent indentations in the flow tube in any other radial position is unreliable. Therefore, the operator can only be assured of making a single indentation or, worse, a single penetration of the flow tube. When penetration occurs a metal flap is formed, usually connected by a very small area of metal resembling the infamous “hanging chad” of Florida election lore. A SSV that is locked out in such a manner may not stay locked out when slickline, coiled tubing or other remediation procedures are performed on the well below the SSV. In this respect, when such service tools are pulled up through the locked out SSV, shearing the indentation or flap can occur, resulting in an undesirable unlocking of the valve. Such unlocking can lead to the well again being prematurely shut in, and a resultant loss of production. 
   Brakage, Jr. &#39;694 teaches a method and apparatus for permanently locking a shiftable valve member in a well conduit in an open position. The invention provides a spring metal band that is adapted to expand from a contracted, run-in position to a radially enlarged locking position. The band thereby holds the valve member in an open position. The band is deposited in the SSV by a specially adapted slickline tool. While this invention satisfies the need to remove the integral lockout from the safety valve, an additional part, (the spring metal band) is introduced into the SSV assembly downhole. Further, after deposition, the metal band is not positively attached to anything inside the SSV, but is held in place only by the frictional force exerted by the spring metal band. Certain flow regimes in the wellbore can collapse the spring metal band and allow it to flow out of the SSV, thereby causing the well to inadvertently shut in. This phenomenon has been observed. 
   Scott&#39;041 is similar to Brakage Jr. &#39;694 wherein deposition of a radially deflectable blocking member relative to the SSV is provided to enable lockout. In a described embodiment of the apparatus, a lockout tool has mechanisms which effect latching of the tool to an internal profile of a safety valve, displacement of a flow tube of the safety valve to open the safety valve, and deposition of an expandable ring to prevent closure of the safety valve. This invention only partially satisfies the need to remove the integral lockout from the safety valve, because it requires expensive special profiles and again introduces an additional part to enable the lockout. While this is an arguable design improvement over Brakage Jr. &#39;694, certain flow regimes still may flow the radially deflectable blocking member out of the SSV, thereby causing the well to inadvertently shut in. 
   There is a need, therefore, for a lockout tool that requires no additional integral SSV parts or expensive special profiles to enable lockout of an SSV. Further, there is a need for a lockout tool that can be deployed by slickline or coiled tubing, and does not attempt to permanently deposit any parts in the safety valve to enable lockout. Still further, there is a need for a lockout tool that does not require special profiles or shoulders in the valve, and can be used to lock out virtually any type of safety valve made by any manufacturer. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of locking out a subsurface well safety valve (SSV) in the open position. The SSV itself includes a housing having a bore, a valve closure member in the bore that is movable between an open position and a closed position, a flow tube axially movable in the housing for selectively moving the valve closure member from its closed position to its open position, and an actuator for translating the flow tube longitudinally, e.g., a spring-biased piston. 
   The present invention first provides an apparatus that enables a well operator to lock the downhole safety valve into its open position. A lockout tool is provided that is dimensioned to be received within the housing of the safety valve. The lockout tool first comprises a stem. The stem connects the lockout tool to a run-in tool, such as a slickline. The lockout tool also comprises an elongated housing. The housing includes a ball housing portion that houses a plurality of radially disposed balls. Next, the lockout tool comprises an expander mandrel. The expander mandrel is connected to the lower end of the stem by means of a stem extension member. The expander mandrel is received within the housing of the lockout tool. 
   A method for “locking out” the safety valve is also provided. In operation, the lockout tool is landed into the housing of an SSV such that the balls are adjacent a non-movable member in the SSV, e.g., the hard seat. The lockout apparatus includes, in one aspect, a set of flow tube dogs and a set of locking dogs. These dogs are disposed intermediate the stem and the housing of the lockout tool. When the stem (and attached expander mandrel) are run into the SSV, the flow tube dogs are landed on top of the flow tube, while the locking dogs are positioned adjacent an internal recess in the SSV housing. As the expander mandrel is urged downward, the locking dogs move radially outward, fixing the lockout tool in the SSV housing. Further movement still of the mandrel extends the flow tube dogs into contact with the flow tube. Still further movement of the mandrel moves the flow tube downward, thereby opening the flapper member. 
   The balls in the ball housing are at a depth adjacent the safety valve&#39;s hard seat. The expander mandrel is urged further downwardly relative to both the lockout tool housing and the safety valve housing. The expander mandrel includes an enlarged diameter portion. As the expander mandrel is moved downward within the SSV, the enlarged outer diameter portion of the mandrel system engages the balls, forcing them radially outward. The balls, in turn, contact the flow tube and expand the flow tube into permanent, radial and frictional engagement with the hard seat. The flapper member of the SSV is thereby locked in its open position, preventing the flow tube from returning to the closed position. 
   In summary, the method of the present invention in one aspect includes the steps of lowering the lockout tool in a well, locating in the SSV to be locked out, locking the tool in position, moving the flow tube downward thereby opening the flapper member, and from the inside of the bore, outwardly expanding a portion of the flow tube&#39;s circumference at a predetermined location whereby the expanded portion firmly engages a non-moveable portion in the housing of the SSV, thereby preventing the flow tube from returning to the closed position. After locking out the safety valve, the lockout tool of the present invention is removed from the well. A result of the expansion operation is engagement between the expanded portion of the flow tube and the non-moveable parts in the safety valve, thereby causing a very high friction force therebetween. The expansion force may also slightly expand the non-moveable metallic parts behind the flow tube, thereby forming an in-situ locking profile. This locking profile engages the expanded portion of the flow tube, further inhibiting the flow tube and the valve from moving to the closed position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings. In some instances, moving parts are shown in solid black for ease of reference. It is to be noted that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  presents a side elevational view of a permanent lockout tool of the present invention, in one embodiment. The lockout tool is shown in its run-in position. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 1 , in cross-section. More visible in this view are two expander balls at the lower end of the tool. The lockout tool is designed to be mechanically activated. 
       FIG. 3A  presents a cross-sectional view of the permanent lockout tool of  FIG. 2 . In this view, the lockout tool has been landed within a subsurface safety valve. It can be seen that a lower end prong of the tool has contacted the flapper within the valve assembly, forcing the flapper to open. 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 3A , taken across line B—B of  FIG. 3A . More visible in this view are three carrier sleeve locking dogs pushing outward against an upper housing of the lockout tool. The three carrier sleeve locking dogs are supported by slots machined into the stem extension member. 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool of  FIG. 3A . Here, the view is taken across line C—C of  FIG. 3A . Seen more readily in this view are flow tube dogs and locking dogs radially disbursed around the stem extension, and carried by a carrier sleeve. 
       FIG. 3D  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 3A , taken across line D—D of  FIG. 3A . Visible in this view are carrier sleeve no-go dogs disposed within the housing, and around an expander mandrel. The carrier sleeve no-go dogs are carried by a carrier sleeve. 
     Next,  FIG. 3E  provides a cross-sectional view through line E—E of  FIG. 3A . Visible in this view are a plurality of radially disposed expander balls within a ball housing. The balls are arranged around the expander mandrel. A surrounding string of production tubing is seen. 
       FIG. 4A  presents a side elevational view, in cross-section, of the permanent lockout tool of the present invention. In this view, the stem and stem extension members are beginning to be pushed downward into the lockout tool. A shear pin supporting the upper stem has been sheared. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4A , taken across line B—B of  FIG. 4A . Visible again in this view are three carrier sleeve locking dogs pushing outward against the upper housing. The three carrier sleeve locking dogs remain supported by the slots machined into the stem extension member. 
       FIG. 4C  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4A . The cut is taken across line C—C. The flow tube dogs and locking dogs are again shown disposed around the stem extension. The locking dogs have not yet backed outwardly, but remain adjacent the stem extension. 
       FIG. 4D  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4A , taken across line D—D. In the view, both the stem extension member and the expander mandrel are seen within the carrier sleeve no-go dogs. 
       FIG. 4E  gives a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4A , cut through line E—E. There is no change in the relative position of the expander balls as compared to  FIG. 3E . In this regard, the expander balls remain fully retracted. 
       FIG. 5A  presents the lockout tool, again in cross-section. In this view, the stem continues to be driven downward into the lock out tool. The locking dogs have now popped outwardly from the stem extension, and have engaged a profile in the safety valve housing. 
       FIG. 5B  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 5A , taken across line B—B. There is no relative change in position of the carrier sleeve locking dogs from the view of  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 5C  shows the lockout tool of  FIG. 5A , in cross-section. The view is taken across line C—C. In this view, it can be seen that the locking dogs have popped outwardly into the profile of the valve housing. 
       FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool of  FIG. 5A . Here, the view is taken across line D—D of  FIG. 5A . There has been no relative movement of the carrier sleeve no-go dogs in this view as compared to  FIG. 4D . Both the stem extension and the expander mandrel are seen within the carrier sleeve no-go dogs. 
       FIG. 5E  creates a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 5A , taken across line E—E, and showing again the plurality of expander balls. There is again no change in the relative position of the expander balls as compared to  FIG. 3E . 
       FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 5A , and shows the next step in the tool actuation process. The stem continues to be driven downward into the lockout tool. In this view, the flow tube dogs have also popped outwardly into the recess in the valve housing. This enables the flow tube dogs to also clear a shoulder in an upper housing. 
       FIG. 6B  presents a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 6A . The view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 6A . There is no relative change in position of the carrier sleeve locking dogs from  FIG. 5B . 
       FIG. 6C  demonstrates another cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 6A , taken across line C—C. In this view, it can be seen that both the flow tube dogs and the locking dogs have expanded outwardly relative to the stem extension. 
       FIG. 6D  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 6A . The cut is through line D—D of  FIG. 6A . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs are again seen disposed within the flapper valve housing, and around the stem extension member. However, the expander mandrel is no longer seen, as it has been urged below line D—D. 
       FIG. 6E  creates a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 6A , taken across line E—E. There is still no change in the relative position of the expander balls as compared to  FIG. 3E , meaning that the expander balls remain retracted. 
       FIG. 7A  is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of the permanent lockout tool of the present invention, presenting the next step in the tool actuation process. In this view, the stem continues to be driven still further into the lockout tool. This has enabled the carrier sleeve locking dogs to clear an enlarged outer diameter portion of the stem extension member. A lower shoulder in the stem extension member has now engaged the no-go dogs. 
       FIG. 7B  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 7A , taken across line B—B of  FIG. 7A . It can be seen that the carrier sleeve locking dogs have been able to move inwardly due to the reduced outer diameters of the slots in the stem extension. 
       FIG. 7C  shows a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 7A . Here, the view is taken across line C—C. Visible again in this view are flow tube dogs and locking dogs radially disposed around the stem extension member. It can be seen that the outer diameter of the stem extension is enlarged relative to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6C . 
       FIG. 7D  creates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 7A , with the view cut across line D—D. A lower shoulder below the enlarged outer diameter portion of the stem extension member has engaged the carrier sleeve no-go dogs. This allows the stem extension member to push downwardly on the carrier sleeve no-go dogs and attached carrier sleeve. 
     Next,  FIG. 7E  provides a cross-sectional view through line E—E. There is yet no change in the relative position of the expander balls as compared to  FIG. 3E . 
       FIG. 8A  presents yet another cross-sectional view of the tool of the present invention, in one embodiment. The next step in the tool actuation step is presented. In this view, the stem continues to be driven downward into the lockout tool. The flow tube dogs have extended further outwardly in order to shoulder against the top of the flow tube in the safety valve. As the stem is driven downward, it will drive the flow tube downwardly. 
       FIG. 8B  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 8A , with the view taken across line B—B. Three carrier sleeve locking dogs are again visible adjacent the carrier sleeve. The diameters of the slots in the stem extension is now reduced. 
       FIG. 8C  shows a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool of  FIG. 8A , cut across line C—C. The flow tube dogs and locking dogs are seen radially disbursed about the carrier sleeve. The flow tube dogs are fully expanded outwardly against the inner diameter of the safety valve housing, and are in position to exert downward force against the flow tube. 
       FIG. 8D  gives a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool of  FIG. 8A , shown through line D—D of  FIG. 8A . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs are seen riding with the carrier sleeve. 
       FIG. 8E  shows a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 8A , taken across line E—E. There remains no visible change in the relative position of the expander balls as compared to  FIG. 3E . 
       FIG. 9A  presents a cross-sectional view of the permanent lockout tool of  FIG. 8A . In this view, the stem continues to be driven downward into the housing of the tool. The carrier sleeve and connected flow tube dogs are seen driving the flow tube downward. Also, the stem extension member is driving the carrier sleeve no-go dogs and connected carrier sleeve downward. 
       FIG. 9B  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 9A . The view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 9A . The locking dogs are now seen adjacent the carrier sleeve locking dogs around the carrier sleeve. 
       FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool of  FIG. 9A , taken across line C—C of  FIG. 9A . The flow tube dogs are fully expanded outwardly against the inner diameter of the safety valve housing, and are in position to exert downward force against the flow tube. 
       FIG. 9D  is a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool of  FIG. 9A , taken across line D—D of  FIG. 9A . Visible in this view are carrier sleeve no-go dogs disposed within the flapper valve housing, and around the expander mandrel. The carrier sleeve no-go dogs continue to be driven downward by the stem extension member. 
       FIG. 9E  creates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 9A , taken across line E—E. There remains no change in the relative position of the expander balls as compared to  FIG. 3E  such that the expander balls remain retracted. However, the flow tube is now visible adjacent the balls. 
       FIG. 10A  presents the next step in the actuation process for the lockout tool after the step of  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 10A  is another cross-sectional view of the lockout tool. In this view, the stem and connected stem extension member have been driven further downward into the housing for the safety valve. The flow tube dogs have now moved the flow tube to the end of its downward stroke. The flapper valve is fully opened by the flow tube. 
       FIG. 10B  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 10A , taken across line B—B. The carrier sleeve locking dogs continue to move downward through the safety valve housing with the stem and the carrier sleeve. 
       FIG. 10C  shows a cross-sectional view of the tool, with the view being taken through line C—C. The flow tube dogs are again visible, and remain fully expanded outwardly against the inner diameter of the safety valve housing. 
       FIG. 10D  demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool, cut through line D—D of  FIG. 10A . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs continue to be driven downward by the lower shoulder in the stem extension member. 
       FIG. 10E  shows the lockout tool of  FIG. 10A , in cross-section. The view is taken across line E—E. There is again no change in the position of the expander balls relative to the flow tube of the safety valve as compared to  FIG. 3E . The flow tube remains visible circumferentially around the ball housing keeping the flapper in its fully open position. 
       FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool, in its next step of tool actuation. In this view, the stem is moving still further downward into the safety valve. The connected stem extension member is now moving downwardly inside the flow tube. In addition, the carrier sleeve no-go dogs have popped outwardly into a recess in the upper housing, allowing the stem extension to also move downwardly relative to the carrier sleeve and connected no-go dogs. Most importantly, an enlarged diameter portion of the expander mandrel is now contacting the expander balls. 
       FIG. 11B  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 11A , taken across line B—B. The position of the carrier sleeve locking dogs relative to the upper housing has not changed from the view of  FIG. 10B . 
       FIG. 11C  shows the lockout tool of  FIG. 11A , in cross-section. The view is taken across line C—C. There is also no change in the position of the flow tube dogs relative to the tool housing. 
       FIG. 11D  gives another cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 11A . Here, the view is taken across line D—D. The carrier sleeve no-go dogs, which have been urged outwardly into a recess in the housing, are adjacent the enlarged diameter portion of the stem extension member. 
     Next,  FIG. 11E  provides a cross-sectional view through line E—E. The plurality of expander balls is again seen. It can be seen that the diameter of the expander mandrel has been enlarged relative to the diameter shown in previous “E—E” cross-section views. This causes the expander balls to be urged outwardly against the flow tube. 
       FIG. 12A  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 11A .  FIG. 12A  provides the final step in the lockout process. In this view, it can be seen that the expander mandrel has been driven through the flapper of the safety valve. The expander balls and flow tube dogs have retracted, allowing the tool to be later removed from the wellbore with tension placed in the slickline (or other working string). 
       FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 12A , taken across line B—B. The stem extension member has been moved through the tool housing to the extent that the upper end of the stem extension member is adjacent the locking dogs. 
       FIG. 12C  provides a cross-sectional view taken across line C—C of  FIG. 12A . It can be seen that the flow tube dogs have cleared the enlarged diameter portion of the stem extension. The flow tube dogs are recessing inward to a reduced diameter cut in the stem extension. 
       FIG. 12D  shows the tool of  FIG. 12A  in cross-section, with the view being taken across line D—D. The carrier sleeve no-go dogs slideably receive the stem extension member. 
       FIG. 12E  shows the lockout tool, in cross-section. The view is taken across line E—E of  FIG. 12A . The expander balls have retracted and are no longer acting against the radial dimension of the flow tube. 
       FIG. 13  presents a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the lockout tool of the present invention. In this arrangement, a grooved and spiraled spline is placed around the expander mandrel at the level of the enlarged diameter portion. 
       FIG. 14  presents a perspective view of an expander point that might be used in lieu of an expander ball. The expander point of this figure is a dog. A plurality of radially disbursed dogs would be deployed around the ball housing where the dogs are used. 
       FIG. 15  shows an alternate embodiment for the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the lockout tool is hydraulically activated. The lockout tool is seen in a side, cross-sectional view. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a lockout tool  100  of the present invention, in one embodiment. In this view, the lockout tool  100  is shown in its run-in position. The lockout tool  100  is designed to be landed within a tool  50  to be expanded within a hydrocarbon wellbore (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). An example of such a tool is a subsurface safety valve  50  (also not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
   The present invention will be described in connection with a tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface flapper type safety valve. It will be understood, however that the present invention may be used with other types of subsurface safety valves, including those having different type valve closure members such as balls, and those having different type actuation methods, such as subsurface controlled (i.e., velocity, dome charged, and injection) safety valves. In addition, and as will be described in further detail below, the lockout tool may be used to radially expand a selected portion of any tubular into engagement with a surrounding second tubular within a wellbore. 
   Regardless of the type, the subsurface safety valve  50  (“SSV”) will have certain standard features (seen in  FIG. 3A ). First, the valve  50  will have a pressure containing body  52 . This body  52  typically defines an elongated tubular housing having a bore  55  therethrough. The valve  50  will also have a moveable flow tube  54  disposed within the housing  52 . The flow tube  54  moves along the longitudinal axis of the housing  52  in order to selectively open and close a valve closure member  60 . The valve closure member  60  is commonly referred to as a “flapper plate,” or just “flapper.” 
   The flapper  60  is pivotally mounted onto a non-moveable element such as a hard seat  58 . The hard seat  58  is mounted within the housing  52 , typically below the flow tube  54 . The hard seat  58  defines a short tube or ring that is dimensioned to receive the flow tube  54  when the flapper  60  moves to its closed position. 
   The flow tube  54  is biased in a position that is retracted from the hard seat  58 . Likewise, the flapper  60  is biased in its closed position against the hard seat  58 . The biasing force is typically provided by a powerful spring (not shown). It is only when the biasing force acting against the flow tube  54  is overcome, that the flow tube  54  can move through the hard seat  58  and open the flapper  60 . However, where the SSV  50  malfunctions and the flow tube  54  cannot move through the hard seat  58  in order to urge the flapper  60  open, the lockout tool  100  is employed. Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus for moving the flow tube  54  downward through the hard seat  58 , and holding the flapper  60  in its open position. The present invention also provides a method for engaging and mechanically moving the flow tube  54  through the hard seat  58 , and then expanding the flow tube  54  into permanent frictional engagement with the surrounding hard seat  58 . In this way, the flow tube  54  is locked into a position holding the flapper member  60  permanently in the open position. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the lockout tool  100  generally comprises first an elongated stem  110 . In one arrangement, the stem  110  defines an upper stem portion  112 , and an upper stem extension portion  114 , or “stem extension portion.” The separate upper stem  112  and upper stem extension  114  portions are seen in  FIG. 2 . The stem  110  has a top end  102  designed to be connected to a run-in tool, such as a wire line apparatus (not shown). Alternatively, the stem  110  may be deployed at the end of a string of coiled tubing (also not shown). 
   The lockout tool  100  next comprises a housing  120 . In one arrangement, the housing  120  comprises several tubular portions, including a no-go housing  130 , an upper housing extension  152 , an upper housing  150  and a ball housing  160 . These separate housing portions are also shown in  FIG. 2 . The no go housing  130 , upper housing extension  152 , upper housing  150 , and ball housing  160  together form a single elongated housing  120  configured to receive the stem  110  when the lockout tool  100  is actuated. The use of separate housings  130 ,  150 ,  160  assist in assembly of the tool  100 . 
   In the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , a slot  153  can be seen in the upper housing  150 . Preferably, three elongated slots are radially disposed around the upper housing  150 . As will be described more fully below, each of the elongated slots  153  receives a flow tube dog  186 . The flow tube dogs  186  engage the flow tube  64  of the safety valve  50  in order to drive it downward, thereby placing the flapper  60  in its open position. 
   Disposed within the housing  120  are a plurality of expander points  105 . The expander points  105  in one arrangement are radially disposed within the ball housing  160  at a lower end of the lockout tool  100 . In the arrangement described below in connection with  FIGS. 4A through 12A , the expander points  105  define radially disbursed balls. The balls  105  are preferably fabricated from a hardened material, such as carbide. As will be shown, the expander balls  105  are urged radially outward against the flow tube  54  (or other tubular to be expanded) in order to “lock” the flapper  60  of the safety valve  50  into its open position. However, it is understood that the expander points  105  may define any outwardly movable protrusion, such as a plurality of hammers, e.g., shaped dogs, placed in an array.  FIG. 14  presents a perspective view of an individual hammer  105 ′. 
   The lockout tool  100  next comprises an expander mandrel  170 . The expander mandrel  170  is connected to a bottom end of the stem extension member  114  within the housing  120 . The expander mandrel  170  is urged downwardly relative to the lockout tool housing  120  as the stem  110  is received within the safety valve housing  52 . As more fully shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 , the expander mandrel  170  is dimensioned to have a varying diameter, including an enlarged diameter portion  176 . As the expander mandrel  170  is urged downwardly within the housing  120 , the expander balls  105  are forced to ride outwardly against the diameter  176  of the expander mandrel  170 . This causes the balls  105  to expand the flow tube  54  in order to lock the flapper member  60  into its open position. More specifically, the expander balls  105  expand the flow tube  54  of the safety valve  50  into frictional engagement with a surrounding non-movable member, such as the hard seat  58 . 
   Finally, the lockout tool  100  comprises a lower end prong  104 . The prong  104  extends through a lower opening in the housing  120 , and extends below the housing  120 . The lower end prong  104  is used to contact the flapper member  60  in the safety valve  50  as the lockout tool  100  is lowered within the wellbore. In one aspect, the outer diameter of the prong  104  is greater than the inner diameter of the lockout tool housing  120 , thereby preventing the expander mandrel  170  from retreating back within the housing  120  upon pullout. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 1 . Additional details of the lockout tool  100  are seen. First, the upper stem portion  112  is seen. In one arrangement, the upper stem portion  112  defines an elongated solid metal body. In one aspect, the upper stem  112  is a part of a wire line stem used in connection with oil field jars, such as spang jars. The jars are used to hammer downwardly upon a tool within the wellbore by alternately raising the slickline and a connected weighted wire line stem, and dropping the wire line and connected weighted wire line stem upon a steel bar. Thus, the upper stem  112  in the lockout tool  100  may be the steel bar within a set of oilfield jars. 
   Connected at the lower end of the stem  110  is the stem extension portion  114 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , the stem extension portion  114  also defines an elongated metal shaft. The stem extension  114  has a diameter dimensioned to be slideably received within the housing  120  of the lockout tool  100 . Downward force against the stem  110  causes the stem extension member  114  to move downward within (or relative to) the housing  120  of the lockout tool  100 . 
   As noted, the lockout tool  100  also comprises a housing  120 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the housing  120  defines an elongated tubular body. The housing  120  is divided, in one aspect, into several separate portions. First, the housing comprises a no-go housing  130  at an upper end. The no-go housing  130  has an inner diameter dimensioned to receive the upper stem  112  and the stem extension  114  portions of the stem  110 . The no-go housing  130  is connected to the stem  110  via a temporary mechanical connection  140 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , the temporary mechanical connection  140  defines one or more shear pins. Sufficient downward force on the upper stem  112  will cause the shear pin  140  to shear, thereby releasing the upper stem  112  from the no-go housing  130 . 
   A top cap  142  is optionally placed above the no-go housing  130  in order to provide further support for the temporary mechanical connection  140 . The top cap  142  has a stem channel  143  that assists in guiding the stem  110  as it slides within the no-go housing  130 . An optional lock ring  146  and lock ring spacer  147  are also provided below the top cap  142 . The lock ring  146  prevents the upper stem  112  from backing out of the no-go housing  130  due to compression of the power spring (not shown) in the SSV  50  during the tool actuation process. 
   Optional vents  139  are provided within the no-go housing  130 . The vents  139  provide fluid communication between the inner and outer diameter surfaces of the no-go housing  130  during the tool actuation process. This, in turn, further enables the upper stem  112  to move downwardly relative to the housing  120 , and to displace any fluid found within the inner diameter of the no-go housing  130 , and other housing portions, e.g., upper housing  150 . 
   The housing  120  next comprises an upper housing  150 . The upper housing  150  likewise defines an elongated tubular body. The upper housing  150  is disposed below the no-go housing  130 . The upper housing  150  includes an inwardly facing shoulder  151  having upper and lower shoulder surfaces. Optional vents  159  are provided within the upper housing  150 . 
   In the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , an upper housing extension  152  is disposed intermediate the no-go housing  130  and the upper housing  150 . An upper end of the upper housing extension  152  is threadedly connected to the no-go housing  130 . Similarly, a lower end of the upper housing extension  152  is threadedly connected to the upper housing  150 . A separate set of vents  157  is optionally placed within the upper housing extension  152 . 
   Finally, the housing  120  comprises a ball-housing portion  160 . The ball housing  160  also defines an elongated tubular member. An upper end of the ball housing  160  is, in one aspect, threadedly connected to a lower end of the upper housing  150 . Vents  169  are seen disposed in the ball housing  160 . In its lower end, the ball housing  160  includes a recess  166  for receiving a plurality of expander balls  105 . As noted, and as will be explained in greater detail below, the expander balls  105  are urged radially outward against the non-moveable element  58  of the safety valve  50  when the lockout tool  100  is actuated. 
   As noted, the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  next comprises an expander mandrel  170 . The expander mandrel  170  has an upper end  172  and a bottom end  174 . The upper end  172  of the expander mandrel  170  is connected to a lower end of the stem extension member  114 . The lower end  174  of the expander mandrel  170 , in turn, extends proximate to the lower end of the ball housing  160 . The lower end  174  of the expander mandrel  170  includes a lower end prong  104  that extends below the ball housing  160 . In one aspect, the lower end prong  104  is a separate piece threadedly connected to the lower end  174  of the expander mandrel  170 . In the particular arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , and as noted above, the lower end prong  104  has an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the ball housing  160 . This further helps to keep the stem  110  (including the stem extension  114 ) and inner mandrel  170  from retracting upward relative to the lockout tool housing  120 , especially during pullout. 
   In order to enable and assist the movement of the stem  110  and the inner mandrel  170  within the housing  120 , various dogs are employed. These preferably include (1) at least one carrier sleeve locking dog  182 ; (2) at least one locking dog  184 ; (3) at least one flow tube dog  186 ; and (4) at least one carrier sleeve no-go dog  188 . Those of ordinary skill in the general art of designing wellbore tools will understand that dogs are utilized to provide releasable connections between tubular members. Dogs may be biased inward or outward in order to selectively achieve relative movement between tubular members upon release. Alternatively, dogs may not be biased, but are urged to move in response to forces from adjacent tubular members. 
   The dogs  182 ,  184 ,  186 ,  188  of the present invention are carried along by a sleeve  180 . The carrier sleeve locking dog  182 , the flow tube dog  186  and the carrier sleeve no-go dog  188  are connected via a carrier sleeve  180 , while the locking dog  184  resides adjacent the carrier sleeve  180 . The relative functions of the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182 , the locking dogs  184 , the flow tube dogs  186  and the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  should be noted here. The carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  serve to prevent the carrier sleeve  180  from moving before a lower shoulder  119  of the upper stem extension  114  contacts the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 . The locking dogs  184  serve to maintain the position of the lockout tool  100  within the safety valve  50  during the lockout process. The flow tube dogs  186  land on top of the flow tube  54  and drive the flow tube  54  downward. Finally, the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  shift the carrier sleeve  180  downward when contacted by the lower shoulder  119  of the upper stem extension  114 . 
   The precise functions of the various dogs are more fully understood in light of the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 3A–12A , discussed below. More specifically,  FIGS. 3A–12A  provide a step-by-step presentation for actuation of the lockout tool  100 . It should again be noted that certain parts in the drawings are sometimes darkened. This indicates that the part is either moving, or is about to be moved. 
     FIG. 3A  presents a cross-sectional view of a lockout tool  100  of the present invention, in one arrangement. In this view, the lockout tool  100  has been landed in a subsurface safety valve  50 . The SSV  50  itself includes a housing  52 , a bore  55  within the housing, a non-moveable element  58  (such as a hard seat) and a valve closure member  60 , i.e. “flapper” pivotally mounted onto the hard seat  58 . The flapper  60  resides within the bore  55 , and is movable between an opened position and closed position. The safety valve  50  also includes a flow tube  54  axially moveable within the bore  55  of the housing  52  for controlling the movement of the flapper  60 , and an actuator, e.g., piston  57 , for translating the flow tube  54  longitudinally. Certain features of a typical SSV  50 , such as the hydraulic flow line and a spring biasing the flow tube  54  upwardly, are not shown. More details concerning features of the safety valve itself, in one arrangement, are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/998,800. Named inventors on that pending application are Deaton and Jancha. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3A , the lockout tool  100  has been lowered into the safety valve  50  to a depth such that the lower end prong  104  has contacted the flapper  60 . Further, the lower end prong  104  has forced the flapper  60  partially open. The injection of fluid at a rate sufficient to equalize the pressure above and below the flapper  60  within the wellbore may be provided to aid in opening the flapper  60 . In one arrangement, the lockout tool  100  may be lowered into the wellbore using coiled tubing in lieu of a wire line tool, with pressure being injected into the wellbore through the coiled tubing. 
   In order to properly land the lockout tool  100  into the flapper valve  50 , a locating shoulder  136  is fabricated into the outer diameter of the no-go housing  130 . The locater shoulder  136  matches a beveled shoulder provided in a typical subsurface safety valve  50 . In this manner, the lockout tool  100  may be dropped to the appropriate position within the safety valve  50  in order to conduct the expansion operation of the present invention. More specifically, the expander balls  105  are located at a depth that parallels the location of the non-moveable member, e.g., hard seat  58  of the safety valve  50 . In the view of  FIG. 3A , the expander balls  105  are located adjacent the hard seat  58  immediately above the flapper  60 . 
   In the position of the lockout tool  100  in  FIG. 3A , a downward force has not yet been applied against the stem  110 . It can be seen that the shear pin  140  has not yet been broken. Thus, the upper  112  and lower  114  stem members and inner mandrel  170  are held in place relative to the lockout tool housing  120 . It can also be seen that the carrier sleeve locking dog  182 , the locking dog  184 , the flow tube dog  186  and the carrier sleeve no-go dog  188  are each in their run-in position, in accordance with  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 3A . The tool  100  is landed within the valve housing  52 . The view of  FIG. 3B  is taken across line B—B. More visible in this view are three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  disposed within the upper housing  150 . The three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  are supported by slots  115  machined into the stem extension  114 . The stem extension  114  is seen within the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182 . 
     FIG. 3C  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 3A , taken across line C—C of  FIG. 3 . Line C—C is just below line B—B, and is cut across the flow tube dogs  186  and the locking dogs  184 . Visible in this view are both flow tube dogs  186  and locking dogs  184  radially disbursed around the stem extension  114 , and carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . A hydraulic chamber  56  is seen in the valve housing  52 . A piston  57  is seen within the hydraulic chamber  56 . 
     FIG. 3D  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 3A , with the view taken across line D—D of  FIG. 3A . Line D—D is just below line C—C, and is cut across the no-go dogs  188 . In this view, the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  are seen disposed within the upper housing  52  and the flow tube  54 , and around the expander mandrel  170 . The no-go dogs  188  are carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . 
   Finally,  FIG. 3E  shows another a cross-sectional view, taken across line E—E of  FIG. 3 . Line E—E is cut across the lower end  174  of the expander mandrel  170 . Visible in this view are the plurality of expander balls  105  radially disbursed around the expander mandrel  170 . In this arrangement, six balls  105  are provided, though more or less may be employed. The balls  105  reside within recesses  166  in the ball housing  160 . A surrounding string of production tubing  70  is seen. However, the flow tube  54  is not seen, as it has not yet been driven downwardly. 
   Moving now to  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4A  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 3A . In this view, the lower stem  114  is beginning to be pushed downward into the valve housing  52 . As noted, the stem  110  may be urged downward by mechanical forces applied through spang jars. Alternatively, hydraulic pressure provided through a working string such as coiled tubing (not shown) may act against the stem. The shear pin  140  supporting the upper stem  112  has been sheared. Downward movement of the upper stem  112 , in turn, exerts downward force against the lower stem  114 . It can also be seen that a lower shoulder  119  in the stem extension  114  is acting downwardly against the locking dogs  184 . Further downward movement will cause the locking dogs  184  to move out into a recess  53  within the valve housing  52 . 
     FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4A . The view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 4A . Visible again in this view are the three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  pushing outwardly against the upper housing  150 . The locking dogs  182  remain disposed around the stem  114 , carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . 
     FIG. 4C  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4 , taken across line C—C. Visible again are the flow tube dogs  186  and locking dogs  184  radially disbursed around the stem extension member  114 , and carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . The flow tube dogs  186  and locking dogs  184  are darkened to indicate downward movement. The locking dogs  184  have not yet backed outwardly, but remain adjacent the stem extension  114 . 
     FIG. 4D  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 4A , shown across line D—D of the figure. Visible again in this D—D view are carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  disposed within the valve&#39;s hard seat  58 , and around the expander mandrel  170 . In the view, both the stem extension member  114  and the expander mandrel  170  are seen within the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 . The no-go dogs  188  are retained in this step by the upper housing  150 . The flow tube  54  is seen around the upper housing  150 . 
   Finally,  FIG. 4E  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 4A , taken across line E—E. The plurality of expander balls  105  are again seen around the expander mandrel  170 . There is no change in the relative position of the expander balls  105  as compared to  FIG. 3E . In this regard, the expander balls  105  remain retracted against the smaller diameter of the expander mandrel  170  at its lower end  174 . 
   Moving to the next step in the tool actuation process,  FIG. 5A  presents the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 4A , again in cross-section. In this view, the stem  110  continues to be driven downward into the lockout tool  100 . This allows the locking dogs  182  to clear both the lower shoulder  119  in the stem extension member  114  and the shoulder  151  in the upper housing  150  as the stem  110  is driven further downward. The locking dogs  182  have now been urged outwardly along the stem extension member  114 , and have engaged the profile  53  in the safety valve housing  52 . 
     FIG. 5B  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 5A . The view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 5A . The three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  are again seen pushing outwardly towards the upper housing  150 . There is no relative change in the position of the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  as compared to  FIG. 4B . 
     FIG. 5C  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 5A , with the view taken across line C—C. Seen in this view again are the flow tube dogs  186  and the locking dogs  184  radially disposed around the stem extension member  114 , and carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . It can be seen that the locking dogs  184  have popped outwardly into the profile  53  of the valve housing  52 . 
     FIG. 5D  demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 5A , taken across line D—D of  FIG. 5A . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  are again shown disposed within the valve housing  52 . Both the stem extension member  114  and the upper end  172  of the expander mandrel  170  are again seen within the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 . 
   Finally,  FIG. 5E  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 5A , cut through line E—E of  FIG. 5A . The plurality of radially disbursed expander balls  105  are again shown. There is no change in the radial position of the expander balls  105  as compared to  FIGS. 3E and 4E . 
   The next step in the tool actuation process is presented in  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 6A  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 5A . The stem extension member  114  continues to be driven downward into the lockout tool  100 . In this view, the flow tube dogs  186  have also moved outwardly into the recess  53  in the valve housing  52 . This enables the flow tube dogs  186  to be positioned above the piston  54 . 
     FIG. 6B  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 6A . The view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 6A . Again visible are three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  pushing outward against the upper housing  150 . There is no relative change in position of the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  as compared to  FIG. 5B . 
     FIG. 6C  demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 6A , cut through line C—C. In this view, it can be seen that both the flow tube dogs  186  and the locking dogs  184  have expanded outwardly relative to the stem extension member  114 . The flow tube dogs  186  and locking dogs  184  extend into the recess  53  of the valve housing  52 . 
     FIG. 6D  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 6A , taken across line D—D. Visible now in the center of this view is the lower stem  114 , partially in cross-section, and partially looking at the bottom end. This further confirms downward movement of the stem  110  into the valve  50 . The expander mandrel  170  is no longer seen, as it has been urged below line D—D. 
   Finally,  FIG. 6E  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 6A , as shown through line E—E of  FIG. 6A . While the stem  110  and connected expander mandrel  170  have moved downward, the enlarged outer diameter portion  176  of the expander mandrel  170  has not yet contacted the plurality of expander balls  105 . Thus, there is no change in the relative position of the expander balls  105  as compared to  FIG. 3E . 
   Moving now to  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7A  presents a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 6A . In this view, the lower stem  114  continues to be driven still further into the lockout tool  100 . This has enabled the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  to clear an upper shoulder  116  of the stem extension member  114 . In addition, the locking dogs  184  remain in the recess  53  in the valve housing  52 . 
     FIG. 7B  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 7A . Here, the view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 7A . Again visible in this view are the three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . It can be seen that the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  have been able to move inwardly due to the reduced outer diameter  116  and the slots  115  of the stem extension member  114 . 
     FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 7A , taken across line C—C. Shown again in this view are the flow tube dogs  186  and locking dogs  184  radially disbursed around the stem extension member  114 . An enlarged outer diameter portion  117  of the stem extension  114  is adjacent both the flow tube dogs  186  and the locking dogs  184 , thereby urging these dogs  186 ,  184  outwardly towards the valve housing  52  and into the recess  53 . 
     FIG. 7D  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 7A , now taken across line D—D. Visible again in this view are carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  carried by the carrier sleeve  180 . The stem extension member  114  within the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  is now a solid body, shown in cross-section. It should also be noted from  FIG. 7A  that the lower shoulder  119  of the stem extension  114  has now engaged the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 . As will be shown, as the stem  110  is urged further downward, the shoulder  119  will push the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  and attached carrier sleeve  180  downward as well. This, in turn, pulls the flow tube dogs  186  downward, allowing the flow tube dogs  186  to drive the flow tube  54  downward. 
   Finally,  FIG. 7E  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 7A , taken across line E—E of  FIG. 7A . There is again no change in the relative position of the expander balls  105 , even as compared to  FIG. 3E . 
   The next step in the tool actuation process is shown in  FIG. 8A .  FIG. 8A  presents the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 7A , in cross-section. In this view, the stem  110  continues to be driven downward into the housing  120  for the lockout tool  100 . The flow tube dogs  186  have extended further downwardly and are above the flow tube  54  of the safety valve  50 . This will allow the flow tube dogs  186  to exert downward force against the flow tube  54 . The flow tube dogs  186  move downwardly within respective slots (seen at  153  in  FIG. 1 ) in the upper housing  150 . 
     FIG. 8B  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool  100  of  FIG. 8A . Here, the view is taken across line B—B of  FIG. 8A . Three carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  are again visible along the carrier sleeve  180 . It is noted that the stem extension member  114  has been driven downward to the degree that the enlarged outer diameter portion  117  of the stem extension  114  has cleared the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182 . The diameter of the stem extension  114  is again reduced. 
     FIG. 8C  shows a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool  100  of  FIG. 8A , cut across line C—C. The flow tube dogs  186  and locking dogs  184  are again seen radially disposed about the carrier sleeve  180 . The flow tube dogs  186  are fully expanded outwardly against the inner diameter of the safety valve housing  52 , and are exerting downward force against the flow tube  54 . 
     FIG. 8D  gives a cross-sectional view of the lock out tool  100  of  FIG. 8A , shown through line D—D of  FIG. 8A . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  are seen riding with the carrier sleeve  180 . The diameter of the stem extension  114  within the tool  100  is the same, as the enlarged outer diameter portion  116  of the stem extension member  114  has not yet reached the level of the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 . 
     FIG. 8E  shows a cross-sectional view of the tool  100  of  FIG. 8A , taken across line E—E. There still remains no visible change in the relative position of the expander balls  105  as compared to  FIG. 3E . 
   The next step in the tool actuation process is seen in  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9A  presents yet another cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100 . In this view, the stem  110  continues to be driven downward into the safety valve  50 . The carrier sleeve  180  and connected flow tube dogs  186  are shown driving the flow tube  54  downward towards the flapper  60 . The flow tube  54  is now visible around the ball housing  160 . Also, the shoulder  119  of the stem extension member  114  is driving the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  and connected carrier sleeve  180  further downward. 
     FIG. 9B  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool of  FIG. 9A , with the view being taken across line B—B. The carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  continue to ride along the carrier sleeve  180 . The carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  have moved downward adjacent to the locking dogs  184 . Thus, the locking dogs  184  are seen disposed adjacent the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  around the carrier sleeve  180 . 
     FIG. 9C  shows a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 9A . Here, the view is shown across line C—C. The flow tube dogs  186  are fully expanded outwardly against the inner diameter of the safety valve housing  52 , and exert downward force against the flow tube  54  as described above. The flow tube  54  is now visible around the ball housing  160 . 
     FIG. 9D  demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 9A . The cut is taken across line D—D. Visible in this view are carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  disposed within the flapper valve housing  52 , and around the expander mandrel  170 . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  continue to be driven downward by the stem  110 , including the stem extension member  114 . 
     FIG. 9E  is a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 9A , taken across line E—E. There remains no change in the relative position of the expander balls  105  as compared to  FIG. 3E . However, the flow tube  54  is now visible around the ball housing  160 . 
     FIG. 10A  presents the next step in the actuation process for the lockout tool  100  after the step of  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 10A  provides a cross-sectional view of the tool  100 . In this view, the stem  110  has been driven further downward into the housing  52  for the safety valve  50 . The flow tube dogs  186  have now moved downward to the end of their stroke. In the arrangement of  FIG. 10A , the flow tube dogs  186  and connected carrier sleeve  180  stroke out when the flow tube  54  reaches the end of its stroke. At this point, of course, the safety valve flapper  60  is completely opened. The lower shoulder  119  of the enlarged outer diameter portion  117  of the stem extension member  114  remains in contact with the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  so as to drive them downward. However, the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  are now aligned with a recess  57  in the upper housing  150 . As will be seen in  FIG. 11A , this will allow the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  to move outwardly. 
     FIG. 10B  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool of  FIG. 10A , taken across line B—B. The carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  continue to move downward through the safety valve housing  52  with the stem  110  and the carrier sleeve  180 . 
     FIG. 10C  shows a cross-sectional view of the tool  100 , with the view being taken through line C—C of  FIG. 10A . The flow tube dogs  186  remain visible, and remain fully expanded outwardly against the inner diameter of the safety valve housing  52 . The flow tube dogs  186  also remain shouldered out against the top of the upper housing  150 . 
     FIG. 10D  demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100 , cut through line D—D of  FIG. 10A . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  continue to be driven downwardly by the shoulder  119  in the stem extension member  114 . 
     FIG. 10E  shows the lockout tool of  FIG. 10A , in cross-section. The view is taken across line E—E. There is again no change in the position of the expander balls  105  relative to the flow tube of the safety valve as compared to  FIG. 3E . The flow tube  54  remains visible circumferentially around the ball housing  160 , keeping the flapper member  60  in its fully open position. 
   The next step in the tool actuation process is seen in  FIG. 11A .  FIG. 11A  presents yet another cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100 . In this view, the stem  110  is still driving further downward into the safety valve  50 . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  have been urged outwardly into the recess  57  in the upper housing  150 . This allows the stem extension member  114  to move downwardly within both the carrier sleeve  180  and the flow tube  54 . This, in turn, drives the expander mandrel.  170  further downward. As noted, the expander mandrel  170  includes an enlarged diameter portion  176  that acts against the expander balls  105 . The enlarged diameter portion  176  can be seen now acting against the balls  105 , and driving them outwardly into the flow tube  54  of the safety valve  50 . 
     FIG. 11B  provides a cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 11A , taken across line B—B of  FIG. 11A . The position of the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  relative to the tool housing  120  has not changed from the view of  FIG. 10B . 
     FIG. 11C  shows the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 11A , in cross-section. The view is taken across line C—C. There is also no change in the position of the flow tube dogs  186  relative to the tool housing  120 . 
     FIG. 11D  gives another cross-sectional view of the tool  100  of  FIG. 11A . Here, the view is taken across line D—D. The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 , which have popped outwardly into the recess  57  of the upper housing  150 , are adjacent the enlarged diameter portion  117  of the stem extension member  114 . 
   Finally,  FIG. 11E  provides a cross-sectional view through line E—E. The plurality of expander balls  105  are again seen. It can be seen that the diameter of the expander mandrel  170  has been enlarged relative to the diameter shown in previous “E—E” cross-section views. This causes the expander balls  105  to be expanded outward against the flow tube  54  of the safety valve  50 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 11A , the expander balls  105  have also begun to pinch the flow tube  54  into the non-moveable hard seat  58  of the safety valve  50 . This creates a profile in the hard seat  58  where it receives the flow tube  54 , thereby strengthening the frictional “lock” between the flow tube  54  and the seat  58 . This, in turn, maintains the flow tube  54  in its lowered position adjacent the flapper  60 . In this manner, the flapper  60  is locked in its open position. 
     FIG. 12A  presents a final cross-sectional view of the lockout tool  100 , and provides the final step in the lockout process. In this view, the expander mandrel  170  has been driven through the flapper  60  of the safety valve. A reduced inner diameter portion of the mandrel  170  has reached the depth of the expander balls  105  within the ball housing  160 . This has allowed the expander balls  105  to recess back within the ball housing  160 , and the flow tube dogs  186  to retract. This, in turn, allows the entire tool  100  to later be removed from the wellbore with tension placed in the slickline. 
   The stem extension member  114  has passed below the locking dogs  184  such that the top end of the stem extension  114  forms a shoulder below the locking dogs  184 . This allows the operator to pull the housing  120  and stem  110  of the tool  100  after the lockout process is completed. 
     FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view of the tool  100  of  FIG. 12A , taken across line B—B. The stem  110  has been moved through the tool housing  120  to the extent that the top end of the stem extension member  114  is adjacent the locking dogs  184 . The three locking dogs  182  are shown in  FIG. 12B  disposed around the stem extension member  114 . The bottoms of the carrier sleeve locking dogs  182  are visible in this cut. 
     FIG. 12C  provides a cross-sectional view taken across line C—C of  FIG. 12A . It can be seen that the flow tube dogs  186  have cleared the enlarged diameter portion  117  of the stem extension member  114 , and are recessing inward. 
     FIG. 12D  shows the tool of  FIG. 12A  in cross-section, with the view being taken across line D—D. The enlarged outer diameter portion  176  of the expander mandrel  170  has moved below the carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188 . The carrier sleeve no-go dogs  188  are again seen around the stem extension member&#39;s  114  diameter. 
     FIG. 12E  shows the lockout tool  100 , in cross-section, with the view being taken across line E—E of  FIG. 12A . The expander balls  105  have retracted and are no longer expanding the radial dimension of the flow tube  54 . 
   It can be seen that the expansion of the flow tube  54  of the safety valve  50  takes place radially. However, as best shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11E , the expansion is not completely circular. In the particular arrangement shown in  FIG. 11E , six expander balls  105  are used in order to contact the surrounding flow tube  54  and expand it outwardly against the seat  58 . In order to provide a more complete expansion, it is desirable to be able to rotate the ball housing  160  at least 60° in order to effectuate a completely circular expansion. Accordingly, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is provided which allows partial rotation of the ball housing  160  during the lockout tool actuation process. 
     FIG. 13  presents a section view of an alternate embodiment of the lockout tool  100  of the present invention. In this view, a grooved and spiraled spline  175  is placed around the expander mandrel  170  at the level of the enlarged outer diameter portion  176 . A bearing connection  165  is provided between the ball housing  160  and the lower end  154  of the upper housing  150 . The allows the ball housing  160  to rotate. Downward force urged against the expander mandrel  170  causes the expander balls  105  to engage the grooved and spiraled spline  175 . This moves the balls outward into engagement with the inner diameter of the flow tube  54 . Further downward jarring causes not only initial deformation of the flow tube  54 , but also rotation of the ball housing  160  and expander balls  105 . Still further rotation and expansion results in a flow tube  54  diameter having an expanded circumferential band. This provides an even more secure frictional engagement of the flow tube  54  against the surrounding non-moveable hard seat  58  within the safety valve  50 . 
   As can be seen, an improved lockout tool for locking a subsurface safety valve in the open position has been provided. While certain embodiments of the lockout tool have been described and demonstrated herein, it is understood that this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but that the actual scope of the invention is determined by the claims, which follow. Accordingly, other and further embodiments of the lockout tool may be provided that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is also understood that the lockout tool has utility outside of the context of safety valves. For example, the lockout tool may be inserted into any tubular member for which expansion is desired. For example, it may be desirable to expand a short section of tubing into frictional engagement with a surrounding string of casing in order to form a casing patch. In such an operation, the lockout tool would provide an initial expansion of the tubing section into frictional engagement with the surrounding casing. The lockout tool would then be removed from the wellbore, and a rotary expander tool would be inserted in its place. For a further discussion of the use of a rotary expander tool for installing a coiled tubing patch in another context, the reader is referred to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/106,178 entitled “Method for Installing an Expandable Coiled Tubing Patch.” The named inventor therein is Hoffman. 
   The rotary expander tool (not shown) is lowered to a depth adjacent the tubing section (not shown). Thereafter, the expander tool is actuated in order to further expand the tubing section into frictional engagement with the surrounding casing. The expander tool is further rotated and translated along a desired length within the wellbore in order to accomplish a complete expansion. In this manner, a tubing patch may be installed. 
   Other expansion applications are also contemplated within the present invention. In this regard, the tubing patch application represents only one such application. Again, the lockout tool may be employed to initially expand a portion of one tubular member into frictional engagement with another surrounding tubular member of any type. 
   It should also be noted that the lockout tool  100  of the present invention is not limited to a mechanically activated tool. The lockout tool  100  shown in  FIG. 2  and the various step-drawings that follow is mechanically activated. In this respect, the stem  110  and connected expander mandrel  170  are urged downward through the SSV  50  using spang jars or other mechanical-force-delivering tool. However, the tool  100  can be quickly modified for hydraulic actuation. 
     FIG. 15  shows an alternate embodiment for the lockout tool  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the lockout tool  100 ′ is hydraulically activated. The lockout tool  100 ′ is seen in a side, cross-sectional view. In order to effectuate a hydraulic activation, various seals are placed along the lockout tool  100 ′. First, a seal  131  is placed along the outer diameter of the elongated housing  120 . This serves to seal the interface between the lockout tool  100 ′ and a run-in tool (not shown) connected with the working string (also not shown). In the arrangement of  FIG. 15 , the seal  131  is disposed at the lower end of the no-go housing  130 . 
   Next, seals  111  are placed along the channel  143  between the outer diameter of the stem  110  and the inner diameter of the housing  120 . When the tool  100 ′ is in the run-in position of  FIG. 15 , the seals  111  serve to prevent hydraulic fluid from passing into the interface between the stem  110  and the housing  120 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 15 , one seal  111  is disposed within the top cap  142  to seal around the slidable upper stem  112 , while another seal  111  is disposed around the upper stem  112  within the lock ring spacer  147 . 
   The lockout tool  100 ′ of  FIG. 15  also includes a pressure relief groove  118 . As will be described further below, the pressure relief groove  118  allows fluid to temporarily vent once the lockout tool  100 ′ has been hydraulically actuated. 
   The modified lockout tool configuration of  FIG. 15  is ideal for use in deviated wells where mechanical actuation of a lockout tool would be difficult. In operation, the upper stem  112  is connected to the lower end of a working string (not shown). For deviated wellbore operations, the working string is most likely a string of coiled tubing. A run-in tool is used that provides a seal between the inner diameter of the coiled tubing and the outer diameter of the housing  120 . The lockout tool  100 ′ is then run into the wellbore and landed into the housing of a safety valve (not shown in  FIG. 15 ). 
   Once the lockout tool  100 ′ is landed into position, hydraulic fluid is pumped into the coiled tubing. As pressure increases within the sealed coiled tubing, the top of the upper stem  112  begins to act as a piston surface. The stem  112  and connected expander mandrel  170  are then urged downwardly within the SSV  50 . As described above in connection with  FIGS. 3A and 4A , a temporary mechanical connection  140  is provided between the stem  110  and the no-go housing  130 . Hydraulic pressure acting on the upper stem  112  will increase, ultimately causing the temporary connection  140  to break. The pressure relief groove  118  along the upper stem  112  will reach the upper cap  142 , allowing hydraulic pressure to temporarily bleed. This informs the operator that the temporary mechanical connection  140  has been broken and the stem  110  and connected expander mandrel  170  are moving. The lockout tool  100 ′ then progresses through the safety valve  50  as described above in connection with  FIGS. 5A–12A  in order to permanently open the flapper valve  60 . 
   It is also noted that a combination of mechanical and hydraulic force may be used to activate the lockout tool  100 . In this method, jars are used to break the temporary connection  140 . The coiled tubing is then pressured up in order to finish lockout. The pressure option may also be used to release a lockout tool  100  that has become stuck in a deviated wellbore during run-in.