Encapsulated control line

Claim 2

A control line apparatus for operating a valve mounted with a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well from a location exteriorly of the well bore, including: a. a control tube for carrying control fluid under pressure to the valve from the location exteriorly of the well bore; and b. a sheath of elastomeric material substantially encapsulating said control tube in the well bore and having an arcuate shape forming an inner surface mounted against the well tubing and a generally convex outer surface for providing a sealing element about the control tube when an annular seal is substantially effected with the well tubing by a blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control tube.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said sheath having an inner surface shaped to center the control line on the adjacent well tubing.

Claim 4

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said sheath having an inner surface shaped to prevent movement of the control line from adjacent the well tubing.

Claim 5

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including: a second control tube encapsulated by said sheath for carrying control fluid to the valve from the location exteriorly of the well valve.

Claim 6

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said inner surface having a notch to maintain the control line adjacent the well tubing.

Claim 7

Apparatus for controlling flow through a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well, including: a. a controllable valve located at the subsurface location in the well for controlling flow through the well tubing; b. a control line extending from the surface to the valve for controlling the valve, comprising: c. a plurality of contrOl passages for controlling the valve; and d. a cresent sheath of elastomeric material substantially encapsulating said plurality of control passages in the well and having a shape forming a sealing inner surface mounted against the well tubing and an outer surface for sealing engagement with a blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control line when an annular seal is effected by the blowout preventer.

Claim 8

Apparatus for controlling flow through a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well, including: a. a controllable valve located at the subsurface location in the well for controlling flow through the well tubing; b. a control line extending from the surface to the valve for controlling the valve, comprising: c. a plurality of contrOl passages for controlling the valve; and d. a cresent sheath of elastomeric material substantially encapsulating said plurality of control passages in the well and having a shape forming a sealing inner surface mounted against the well tubing and an outer surface for sealing engagement with a blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control line when an annular seal is effected by the blowout preventer.

Claim 9

The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said plurality of control passages include two control passages for controlling the valve.

Claim 10

The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said sheath having an inner surface shaped for maintaining said control line adjacent the well tubing.

Claim 11

Apparatus for controlling flow through a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well, including: a. a controllable valve located at the subsurface location in the well for controlling flow through the well tubing; b. a control line, comprising: c. a control passage for controlling the valve extending from the surface to the valve for controlling the valve; and d. a cresent sheath substantially encapsulating said control passage for forming an inner surface for sealing with the well tubing and an outer surface for sealing with a blowout preventer for providing a sealing element about the control passage when an annular seal is effected with the well tubing by the blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control line.

Claim 12

Apparatus for controlling flow through a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well, including: a. a controllable valve located at the subsurface location in the well for controlling flow through the well tubing; b. a control line, comprising: c. a control passage for controlling the valve extending from the surface to the valve for controlling the valve; and d. a cresent sheath substantially encapsulating said control passage for forming an inner surface for sealing with the well tubing and an outer surface for sealing with a blowout preventer for providing a sealing element about the control passage when an annular seal is effected with the well tubing by the blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control line.

Claim 13

A control line apparatus for operating a valve mounted with a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well from a location exteriorly of the well bore including: a. a control tube for carrying control fluid under pressure to the valve from the location exteriorly of the well bore; and b. a sheath of elastomeric material substantially encapsulating said control tube in the well bore and having a cresent shape forming an inner concave surface positioned adjacent the well tubing and a generally convex outer surface for providing a sealing element about the control tube when an annular seal is effected with the well tubing by a blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control tube.

Claim 14

A control line apparatus for operating a valve mounted with a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well from a location exteriorly of the well bore including: a. a control tube for carrying control fluid under pressure to the valve from the location exteriorly of the well bore; and b. a sheath of elastomeric material substantially encapsulating said control tube in the well bore and having a cresent shape forming an inner concave surface positioned adjacent the well tubing and a generally convex outer surface for providing a sealing element about the control tube when an annular seal is effected with the well tubing by a blowout preventer to prevent escape of well fluids adjacent the control tube.