Patent ID: 7258508

Claim:
A safety and flow control system within a gas storage well having a subsurface gas storage cavern, a wellbore communicating the cavern with a surface-based wellhead, and a tubing string extending from the wellhead to the cavern to form an annulus between the tubing string and a wall of the wellbore, the system comprising: a first flapper-type safety valve disposed within a flowbore of the tubing string, the first valve being operable between an open position, wherein fluid flow is permitted through the flowbore from the gas storage cavern, and a closed position, wherein fluid flow is blocked through the flowbore; and a second flapper-type safety valve disposed within the annulus, the second valve being operable between an open position, wherein fluid flow is permitted through the annulus and into the gas storage cavern for storage of fluid within the gas storage cavern, and a closed position, wherein fluid flow is blocked through the annulus.