Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general, to the operation of a subsurface safety valve installed in the tubing of a subterranean wellbore and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for locking out a subsurface safety valve and communicating hydraulic fluid through the subsurface safety valve. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One or more subsurface safety valves are commonly installed as part of the tubing string within oil and gas wells to protect against unwanted communication of high pressure and high temperature formation fluids to the surface. These subsurface safety valves are designed to shut in production from the formation in response to a variety of abnormal and potentially dangerous conditions. 
     As these subsurface safety valves are built into the tubing string, these valves are typically referred to as tubing retrievable safety valves (“TRSV”). TRSVs are normally operated by hydraulic fluid pressure which is typically controlled at the surface and transmitted to the TRSV via a hydraulic fluid line. Hydraulic fluid pressure must be applied to the TRSV to place the TRSV in the open position. When hydraulic fluid pressure is lost, the TRSV will operate to the closed position to prevent formation fluids from traveling therethrough. As such, TRSVs are fail safe valves. 
     As TRSVs are often subjected to years of service in severe operating conditions, failure of TRSVs may occur. For example, a TRSV in the closed position may leak. Alternatively, a TRSV in the closed position may not properly open. Because of the potential for disaster in the absence of a properly functioning TRSV, it is vital that the malfunctioning TRSV be promptly replaced or repaired. 
     As TRSVs are typically incorporated into the tubing string, removal of the tubing string to replace or repair the malfunctioning TRSV is required. As such, the costs associated with replacing or repairing the malfunctioning TRSV is quite high. It has been found, however, that a wireline retrievable safety valve (“WRSV”) may be inserted inside the original TRSV and operated to provide the same safety function as the original TRSV. These insert valves are designed to be lowered into place from the surface via wireline and locked inside the original TRSV. This approach can be a much more efficient and cost-effective alternative to pulling the tubing string to replace or repair the malfunctioning TRSV. 
     One type of WRSV that can take over the full functionality of the original TRSV requires that the hydraulic fluid from the control system be communicated through the original TRSV to the inserted WRSV. In traditional TRSVs, this communication path for the hydraulic fluid is established through a pre-machined radial bore extending from the hydraulic chamber to the interior of the TRSV. Once a failure in the TRSV has been detected, this communication path is established by first shifting a built-in lock out sleeve within the TRSV to its locked out position and shearing a shear plug that is installed within the radial bore. 
     It has been found, however, that operating conventional TRSVs to the locked out position and establishing this communication path has several inherent drawbacks. To begin with, the inclusion of such built-in lock out sleeves in each TRSV increases the cost of the TRSV, particularly in light of the fact that the built-in lock out sleeves are not used in the vast majority of installations. In addition, since these built-in lock out sleeves are not operated for extended periods of time, in most cases years, they may become inoperable before their use is required. Also, it has been found, that the communication path of the pre-machined radial bore creates a potential leak path for formation fluids up through the hydraulic control system. As noted above, TRSVs are intended to operate under abnormal well conditions and serve a vital and potentially lifesaving function. Hence, if such an abnormal condition occurred when one TRSV has been locked out, even if other safety valves have closed the tubing string, high pressure formation fluids may travel to the surface through the hydraulic line. 
     In addition, manufacturing a TRSV with this radial bore requires several high-precision drilling and thread tapping operations in a difficult-to-machine material. Any mistake in the cutting of these features necessitates that the entire upper subassembly of the TRSV be scrapped. The manufacturing of the radial bore also adds considerable expense to the TRSV, while at the same time reducing the overall reliability of the finished product. Additionally, these added expenses add complexity that must be built into every installed TRSV, while it will only be put to use in some small fraction thereof. 
     Attempts have been made to overcome these problems. For example, attempts have been made to communicate hydraulic control to a WRSV through a TRSV using a radial cutting tool to create a fluid passageway from an annular hydraulic chamber in the TRSV to the interior of the TRSV such that hydraulic control may be communicated to the insert WRSV. It has been found, however, that such radial cutting tools are not suitable for creating a fluid passageway from the non annular hydraulic chamber of a rod piston operated TRSVs. 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for an apparatus and method for establishing a communication path for hydraulic fluid to a WRSV from a failed rod piston operated TRSV. A need has also arisen for such an apparatus and method that do not require a built-in lock out sleeve in the rod piston operated TRSV. Further, a need has arisen for such an apparatus and method that do not require the rod piston operated TRSV to have a pre-machined radial bore that creates the potential for formation fluids to travel up through the hydraulic control line. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention disclosed herein comprises an apparatus and method for establishing a communication path for hydraulic fluid to a wireline retrievable safety valve from a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve. The apparatus and method of the present invention do not require a built-in lock out sleeve in the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve. Likewise, the apparatus and method of the present invention avoid the potential for formation fluids to travel up through the hydraulic control line associated with a pre-drilled radial bore in the tubing retrievable safety valve. 
     In broad terms, the apparatus of the present invention allows hydraulic control to be communicated from a non annular hydraulic chamber of a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve to the interior thereof so that the hydraulic fluid may, for example, be used to operate a wireline retrievable safety valve. This may become necessary when a malfunction of the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve is detected and a need exists to otherwise achieve the functionality of the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve. 
     The rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention has a housing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough. The safety valve also has a non annular hydraulic chamber in a sidewall portion thereof. A valve closure member is mounted in the housing to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore by operating between closed and opened positions. A flow tube is disposed within the housing and is used to shift the valve closure member between the closed and opened positions. A rod piston, which is slidably disposed in the non annular hydraulic chamber of the housing, is operably coupled to the flow tube. The safety valve of the present invention also has a pocket in the longitudinal bore. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention a communication tool is used to establish a communication path between the non annular hydraulic chamber in a sidewall portion of the safety valve and the interior of the safety valve. In this embodiment, the communication tool has a first section and a second section that are initially coupled together using a shear pin or other suitable coupling device. A set of axial locating keys is operably attached to the first section of the tool and is engagably positionable within a profile of the safety valve. The tool includes a radial cutting device that is radially extendable through a window of the second section. For example, the radial cutting device may include a carrier having an insert removably attached thereto and a punch rod slidably operable relative to the carrier to radially outwardly extend the insert exteriorly of the second section. 
     The tool also includes a circumferential locating key that is operably attached to the second section of the tool. The circumferential locating key is engagably positionable within the pocket of the safety valve. Specifically, when the first and second sections of the tool are decoupled, the second section rotations relative to the first section until the circumferential locating key engages the pocket, thereby circumferentially aligning the radial cutting device with the non annular hydraulic chamber. A torsional biasing device such as a spiral wound torsion spring places a torsional load between the first and second sections such that when the first and second sections are decoupled, the second section rotates relative to the first section. A collet spring may be used to radially outwardly bias the circumferential locating key such that the circumferential locating key will engage the pocket, thereby stopping the rotation of the second section relative to the first section. Once the circumferential locating key has engaged the pocket, the radial cutting device will be axially and circumferentially aligned with the non annular hydraulic chamber. Through operation of the radial cutting device, a communication path is created from the non annular hydraulic fluid chamber to the interior of the safety valve. 
     As such, hydraulic fluid may now be communicated down the existing hydraulic lines to the interior of the tubing. Once this communication path exists, for example, a wireline retrievable safety valve may be positioned within the rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve such that the hydraulic fluid pressure from the hydraulic system may be communicated to a wireline retrievable safety valve. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a lock out and communication tool is used to lock out the safety valve and then establish a communication path between the non annular hydraulic chamber in a sidewall portion of the safety valve and the interior of the safety valve. In this embodiment, the lock out and communication tool is lowered into the safety valve until the lock out and communication tool engages the flow tube. The lock out and communication tool may then downwardly shift the flow tube, either alone or in conjunction with an increase in the hydraulic pressure acting on the rod piston, to operate the valve closure member from the closed position to the fully open position. Alternatively, if the safety valve is already in the open position, the lock out and communication tool simply prevents movement of the flow tube to maintain the safety valve in the open position. Thereafter, the lock out and communication tool interacts with the safety valve as described above with reference to the communication tool to communicate hydraulic fluid from the non annular hydraulic fluid chamber to the interior of the safety valve. 
     One method of the present invention that utilizes the communication tool involves inserting the communication tool into the safety valve, locking the communication tool within the safety valve with the safety valve in a valve open position, axially aligning the radially cutting device with the non annular hydraulic chamber, circumferentially aligning the radially cutting device with the non annular hydraulic chamber and penetrating the radially cutting device through the sidewall portion and into the non annular hydraulic chamber to create a communication path between the non annular hydraulic chamber and the interior of the safety valve. 
     In addition, a method of the present invention that utilizes the lock out and communication tool involves engaging the flow tube of the safety valve with the lock out and communication tool, retrieving the lock out and communication tool from the safety valve and maintaining the safety valve in the valve open position by preventing movement of the rod piston with an insert that is left in place within the sidewall portion when the remainder of the radial cutting tool is retracted. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals identify like parts and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an offshore production platform wherein a wireline retrievable safety valve is being lowered into a tubing retrievable safety valve to take over the functionality thereof; 
     FIGS. 2A-2B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention in its valve closed position; 
     FIGS. 3A-3B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention in its valve open position; 
     FIGS. 4A-4B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A-5B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its running position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A-6B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its locked position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7A-7B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its orienting position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8A-8B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its perforating position and disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 9A-9B are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a communication tool of the present invention in its retrieving position and still substantially disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 10A-10C are cross sectional views of successive axial sections of a lock out and communication tool of the present invention disposed in a rod piston operated tubing retrievable safety valve of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an offshore oil and gas production platform having a wireline retrievable safety valve lowered into a tubing retrievable safety valve is schematically illustrated and generally designated  10 . A semi-submersible platform  12  is centered over a submerged oil and gas formation  14  located below sea floor  16 . Wellhead  18  is located on deck  20  of platform  12 . Well  22  extends through the sea  24  and penetrates the various earth strata including formation  14  to form wellbore  26 . Disposed within wellbore  26  is casing  28 . Disposed within casing  28  and extending from wellhead  18  is production tubing  30 . A pair of seal assemblies  32 ,  34  provide a seal between tubing  30  and casing  28  to prevent the flow of production fluids therebetween. During production, formation fluids enter wellbore  26  through perforations  36  in casing  28  and travel into tubing  30  to wellhead  18 . 
     Coupled within tubing  30  is a tubing retrievable safety valve  38 . As is well known in the art, multiple tubing retrievable safety valves are commonly installed as part of tubing string  30  to shut in production from formation  14  in response to a variety of abnormal and potentially dangerous conditions. For convenience of illustration, however, only tubing retrievable safety valve  38  is shown. 
     Tubing retrievable safety valve  38  is operated by hydraulic fluid pressure communicated thereto from surface installation  40  and hydraulic fluid control conduit  42 . Hydraulic fluid pressure must be applied to tubing retrievable safety valve  38  to place tubing retrievable safety valve  38  in the open position. When hydraulic fluid pressure is lost, tubing retrievable safety valve  38  will operate to the closed position to prevent formation fluids from traveling therethrough. 
     If, for example, tubing retrievable safety valve  38  is unable to properly seal in the closed position or does not properly open after being in the closed position, tubing retrievable safety valve  38  must typically be repaired or replaced. In the present invention, however, the functionality of tubing retrievable safety valve  38  may be replaced by wireline retrievable safety valve  44 , which may be installed within tubing retrievable safety valve  38  via wireline assembly  46  including wireline  48 . Once in place within tubing retrievable safety valve  38 , wireline retrievable safety valve  44  will be operated by hydraulic fluid pressure communicated thereto from surface installation  40  and hydraulic fluid line  42  through tubing retrievable safety valve  38 . As with the original configuration of tubing retrievable safety valve  38 , the hydraulic fluid pressure must be applied to wireline retrievable safety valve  44  to place wireline retrievable safety valve  44  in the open position. If hydraulic fluid pressure is lost, wireline retrievable safety valve  44  will operate to the closed position to prevent formation fluids from traveling therethrough. 
     Even though FIG. 1 depicts a cased vertical well, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for uncased wells, deviated wells or horizontal wells. Also, even though FIG. 1 depicts an offshore operation, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally well-suited for use in onshore operations. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, therein is depicted cross sectional views of successive axial sections a tubing retrievable safety valve embodying principles of the present invention that is representatively illustrated and generally designated  50 . Safety valve  50  may be connected directly in series with production tubing  30  of FIG.  1 . Safety valve  50  has a substantially cylindrical outer housing  52  that includes top connector subassembly  54 , intermediate housing subassembly  56  and bottom connector subassembly  58  which are threadedly and sealing coupled together. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, etc. are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. As such, it is to be understood that the downhole components described herein may be operated in vertical, horizontal, inverted or inclined orientations without deviating from the principles of the present invention. 
     Top connector subassembly  54  includes a substantially cylindrical longitudinal bore  60  that serves as a hydraulic fluid chamber. Top connector subassembly  54  also includes a profile  62  and a radially reduced area  64 . In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, top connector subassembly  54  has a pocket  66 . In the illustrated embodiment, the center of pocket  66  is circumferentially displaced 180 degrees from longitudinal bore  60 . It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that pocket  60  could alternatively be displaced circumferentially from longitudinal bore  60  at many other angles. Likewise, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that more than one pocket  60  could be used. In that configuration, the multiple pockets  60  could be displaced axially from one another along the interior surface of top connector subassembly  54 . 
     Hydraulic control pressure is communicated to longitudinal bore  60  of safety valve  50  via control conduit  42  of FIG. 1. A rod piston  68  is received in slidable, sealed engagement against longitudinal bore  60 . Rod piston  68  is connected to a flow tube adapter  70  which is threadedly connected to a flow tube  72 . Flow tube  72  has profile  74  and a downwardly facing annular shoulder  76 . 
     A flapper plate  78  is pivotally mounted onto a hinge subassembly  80  which is disposed within intermediate housing subassembly  56 . A valve seat  82  is defined within hinge subassembly  80 . It should be understood by those skilled in the art that while the illustrated embodiment depicts flapper plate  78  as the valve closure mechanism of safety valve  50 , other types of safety valves including those having different types of valve closure mechanisms may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention, such valve closure mechanisms including, but not limited to, rotating balls, reciprocating poppets and the like. 
     In normal operation, flapper plate  78  pivots about pivot pin  84  and is biased to the valve closed position by a spring (not pictured). When safety valve  50  must be operated from the valve closed position, depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B, to the valve opened position, depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B, hydraulic fluid enters longitudinal bore  60  and acts on rod piston  68 . As the downward hydraulic force against rod piston  68  exceeds the upward bias force of spiral wound compression spring  86 , flow tube  72  moves downwardly with rod piston  68 . As flow tube  72  continues to move downwardly, flow tube  72  contacts flapper closure plate  78  and forces flapper closure plate  78  to the open position. 
     When safety valve  50  must be operated from the valve open position to the valve closed position, hydraulic pressure is released from conduit  42  such that spring  86  acts on shoulder  76  and upwardly bias flow tube  72 . As flow tube  72  is retracted, flapper closure plate  78  will rotate about pin  84  and seal on seat  82 . 
     If safety valve  50  becomes unable to properly seal in the closed position or does not properly open after being in the closed position, it is desirable to reestablish the functionality of safety valve  50  without removal of tubing  30 . In the present invention this is achieved by inserting a lock out and communication tool into the central bore of safety valve  50 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, therein is depicted cross sectional views of successive axial sections a lock out and communication tool embodying principles of the present invention that is representatively illustrated and generally designated  100 . Communication tool  100  has an outer housing  102 . Outer housing  102  has an upper subassembly  104  that has a radially reduced interior section  106 . Outer housing  102  also has a key retainer subassembly  108  including windows  110  and a set of axial locating keys  112 . In addition, outer housing  102  has a lower housing subassembly  114 . 
     Slidably disposed within outer housing  102  is upper mandrel  116  that is securably coupled to expander mandrel  118  by attachment members  120 . Upper mandrel  116  carries a plurality of dogs  122 . Partially disposed and slidably received within upper mandrel  116  is a fish neck  124  including a fish neck mandrel  126  and a fish neck mandrel extension  128 . Partially disposed and slidably received within fish neck mandrel  126  and fish neck mandrel extension  128  is a punch rod  130 . Punch rod  130  extends down through communication tool  100  and is partially disposed and selectively slidably received within main mandrel  132 . 
     Punch rod  130  and main mandrel  132  are initially fixed relative to one another by shear pin  134 . Main mandrel  132  is also initially fixed relative to lower housing subassembly  114  of outer housing  102  by shear pins  136 . Shear pins  136  not only prevent relative axial movement between main mandrel  132  and lower housing subassembly  114  but also prevent relative rotation between main mandrel  132  and lower housing subassembly  114 . A torsional load is initially carried between main mandrel  132  and lower housing subassembly  114 . This torsional load is created by spiral wound torsion spring  138 . 
     Attached to main mandrel  132  is a circumferential locating key  140  on the upper end of collet spring  142 . Circumferential locating key  140  includes a retaining pin  144  that limits the outward radial movement of circumferential locating key  140  from main mandrel  132 . Disposed within main mandrel  132  is a carrier  146  that has an insert  148  on the outer surface thereof. Insert  148  includes an internal fluid passageway  150 . Carrier  146  and insert  148  are radially extendable through window  152  of main mandrel  132 . Main mandrel  132  has a downwardly facing annual shoulder  154 . 
     The operation of communication tool  100  of the present invention will now be described relative to safety valve  50  of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B,  6 A- 6 B,  7 A- 7 B,  8 A- 8 B and  9 A- 9 B. In FIGS. 5A-5B, communication tool  100  is in its running configuration. Communication tool  100  is positioned within the longitudinal central bore of safety valve  50 . As communication tool  100  is lowered into safety valve  50 , downwardly facing annular shoulder  154  of main mandrel  132  contacts profile  74  of flow tube  72 . Main mandrel  132  may downwardly shift flow tube  72 , either alone or in conjunction with an increase in the hydraulic pressure within longitudinal chamber  60 , operating flapper closure plate  78  from the closed position, see FIGS. 2A-2B, to the fully open position, see FIGS. 3A-3B. Alternatively, if safety valve  50  is already in the open position, main mandrel  132  simply holds flow tube  72  in the downward position to maintain safety valve  50  in the open position. Communication tool  100  moves downwardly relative to outer housing  52  of safety valve  50  until axial locating keys  112  of communication tool  100  engage profile  62  of safety valve  50 . 
     Once axial locating keys  112  of communication tool  100  engage profile  62  of safety valve  50 , downward jarring on communication tool  100  shifts fish neck  124  along with fish neck mandrel  126 , fish neck mandrel extension  128 , upper mandrel  116  and expander mandrel  118  downwardly relative to safety mandrel  50  and punch rod  130 . This downward movement shifts expander mandrel  118  behind axial locating keys  112  which locks axial locating keys  112  into profile  62 , as best seen in FIGS. 6A-6B. 
     In this locked configuration of communication tool  100 , dogs  122  are aligned with radially reduced interior section  106  of upper housing subassembly  104 . As such, additional downward jarring on communication tool  100  outwardly shifts dogs  122  which allows fish neck mandrel extension  128  to move downwardly. This allows the lower surface of fish neck  124  to contact the upper surface of punch rod  130 . Continued downward jarring with a sufficient and predetermined force shears pins  136 , as best seen in FIGS.  7 A- 7 B. When pins  136  shear, this allows punch rod  130  and main mandrel  132  to move axially downwardly relative to housing  102  and expander mandrel  118  of communication tool  100  and safety valve  50 . This downward movement axially aligns carrier  146  and insert  148  with radially reduced area  64  and axially aligns circumferential locating key  140  with pocket  66  of safety valve  50 . 
     In addition, when pins  136  shear, this allows punch rod  130  and main mandrel  132  to rotate relative to housing  102  and expander mandrel  118  of communication tool  100  and safety valve  50  due to the torsional force stored in torsion spring  138 . This rotational movement circumferentially aligns carrier  146  and insert  148  with longitudinal bore  60  of safety valve  50 . This is achieved due to the interaction of circumferential locating key  140  and pocket  66 . Specifically, as punch rod  130  and main mandrel  132  rotate relative to safety valve  50 , collet spring  142  radially outwardly biases circumferential locating key  140 . Thus, when circumferential locating key  140  becomes circumferentially aligned with pocket  66 , circumferential locating key  140  moves radially outwardly into pocket  66  stopping the rotation of punch rod  130  and main mandrel  132  relative to safety valve  50 . By axially and circumferentially aligning circumferential locating key  140  with pocket  66 , carrier  146  and insert  148  become axially and circumferentially aligned with longitudinal bore  60  of safety valve  50 . 
     Once carrier  146  and insert  148  are axially and circumferentially aligned with longitudinal bore  60  of safety valve  50 , communication tool  100  is in its perforating position, as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8B. In this configuration, additional downward jarring on communication tool  100 , of a sufficient and predetermined force, shears pin  134  which allow punch rod  130  to move downwardly relative to main mandrel  132 . As punch rod  130  move downwardly, insert  148  penetrates radially reduced region  64  of safety valve  50 . The depth of entry of insert  148  into radially reduced region  64  is determined by the number of jars applied to punch rod  130 . The number of jars applied to punch rod  130  is predetermined based upon factors such as the thickness of radially reduced region  64  and the type of material selected for outer housing  52 . 
     With the use of communication tool  100  of the present invention, fluid passageway  150  of insert  148  provides a communication path for hydraulic fluid from longitudinal bore  60  to the interior of safety valve  50 . Once insert  148  is fixed within radially reduced region  64 , communication tool  100  may be retrieved to the surface, as depicted in FIGS. 9A-9B. In this configuration, punch rod  130  has retracted from behind carrier  146 , fish neck mandrel extension  128  has retracted from behind keys  106  and expander mandrel  118  has retracted from behind axial locating keys  112  which allows communication tool  100  to release from safety valve  50 . Insert  148  now prevents the upward movement of rod piston  68  and flow tube  72  which in turn prevents closure of flapper closure plate  78 , thereby locking out safety valve  50 . In addition, flow passageway  150  of insert  148  allow for the communication of hydraulic fluid from longitudinal bore  60  to the interior of safety valve  50  which can be used, for example, to operate a wireline retrievable subsurface safety valve that is inserted into locked out safety valve  50 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10C, therein is depicted cross sectional views of successive axial sections a lock out and communication tool embodying principles of the present invention that is representatively illustrated and generally designated  200 . The communication tool portion of lock out and communication tool  200  has an outer housing  202 . Outer housing  202  has an upper subassembly  204  that has a radially reduced interior section  206 . Outer housing  202  also has a key retainer subassembly  208  including windows  210  and a set of axial locating keys  212 . In addition, outer housing  202  has a lower housing subassembly  214 . 
     Slidably disposed within outer housing  202  is upper mandrel  216  that is securably coupled to expander mandrel  218  by attachment members  220 . Upper mandrel  216  carries a plurality of dogs  222 . Partially disposed and slidably received within upper mandrel  216  is a fish neck  224  including a fish neck mandrel  226  and a fish neck mandrel extension  228 . Partially disposed and slidably received within fish neck mandrel  226  and fish neck mandrel extension  228  is a punch rod  230 . Punch rod  230  extends down through lock out and communication tool  200  and is partially disposed and selectively slidably received within main mandrel  232  and main mandrel extension  260  of the lock out portion of lock out and communication tool  200 . 
     Punch rod  230  and main mandrel  232  are initially fixed relative to one another by shear pin  234 . Main mandrel  232  is also initially fixed relative to lower housing subassembly  214  of outer housing  202  by shear pins  236 . Shear pins  236  not only prevent relative axial movement between main mandrel  232  and lower housing subassembly  214  but also prevent relative rotation between main mandrel  232  and lower housing subassembly  214 . A torsional load is initially carried between main mandrel  232  and lower housing subassembly  214 . This torsional load is created by spiral wound torsion spring  238 . 
     Attached to main mandrel  232  is a circumferential locating key  240  on the upper end of collet spring  242 . Circumferential locating key  240  includes a retaining pin  244  that limits the outward radial movement of circumferential locating key  240  from main mandrel  232 . Disposed within main mandrel  232  is a carrier  246  that has an insert  248  on the outer surface thereof. Insert  248  includes an internal fluid passageway  250 . Carrier  246  and insert  248  are radially extendable through window  222  of main mandrel  232 . Main mandrel  232  is threadedly attached to main mandrel extension  260 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lock out portion of lock out and communication tool  200  also includes a lug  262  with contacts upper shoulder  74 , a telescoping section  264  and a ratchet section  266 . In addition, a piston the lock out portion of lock out and communication tool  200  includes a dimpling member  268  that is radially extendable through a window  270 . 
     In operation, as lock out and communication tool  200  is positioned within the longitudinal central bore of safety valve  50  as described above with reference to tool  100 , flapper closure plate  78  is operated from the closed position, see FIGS. 2A-2B, to the fully open position, see FIGS. 3A-3B. Lock out and communication tool  200  moves downwardly relative to outer housing  52  of safety valve  50  until axial locating keys  212  of lock out and communication tool  200  engage profile  62  of safety valve  50  and are locked therein. 
     In this locked configuration of lock out and communication tool  200 , shears pins  236  may be sheared in response to downward jarring which allows punch rod  230  and main mandrel  232  to move axially downwardly relative to housing  202  and expander mandrel  218  of lock out and communication tool  200  and safety valve  50 . As explained above, this downward movement axially aligns carrier  246  and insert  248  with radially reduced area  64 . In addition, circumferential locating key  240  is both axially and circumferentially aligned with pocket  66  of safety valve  50 . 
     By axially and circumferentially aligning circumferential locating key  240  with pocket  66 , carrier  246  and insert  248  become axially and circumferentially aligned with longitudinal bore  60  of safety valve  50  such that additional downward jarring on lock out and communication tool  200  of a sufficient and predetermined force shears pin  234  which allow punch rod  230  to move downwardly relative to main mandrel  232  and main mandrel extension  260 . As punch rod  230  move downwardly, insert  248  penetrates radially reduced region  64  of safety valve  50 . Further travel of punch rod  230  downwardly relative to main mandrel  232  and main mandrel extension  260  causes dimpling member  268  to contact and form a dimple in the inner wall of safety valve  50  which prevents upward travel of piston  68  after lock out and communication tool  200  is retrieved from safety valve  50 . 
     The unique interaction of lock out and communication tool  200  of the present invention with safety valve  50  of the present invention thus allow for the locking out of a rod piston operated safety valve and for the communication of its hydraulic fluid to operate, for example, an insert valve. 
     While this invention has been described with a reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.

Technology Category: e