Removable subsea test valve system for deep water

Claim 2

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shut off valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said tubing valve means open; means for closing said tubing valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and to said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said latch means; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means, and applying disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means.

Claim 3

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said tubing valve means including additional fluid pressure operated valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure into said riser pipe prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 4

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said control means comprising a subsea source of disconnect fluid pressure; pilot valve means between said source and said disconnect fluid pressure responsive means for said latch means; and means for operating said pilot valve means to relieve said control fluid pressure and apply said disconnect fluid pressure.

Claim 5

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure; said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed.

Claim 6

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure, said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched.

Claim 7

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure; said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including frangible means holding said latch means latched, and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means.

Claim 8

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure; said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, said tubing valve means including additional fluid pressure operated valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure into said riser pipe prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 9

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure, said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched, said tubing valve means including additional fluid pressure operated valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure into said riser pipe prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 10

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure; said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including frangible means holding said latch means latched, and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means, said tubing valve means including additional fluid pressure operated valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure into said riser pipe prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 11

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure, said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched, and frangible means holding said latch means latched, means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means and releasing said latch means, and means for supplying said disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means.

Claim 12

I subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure, said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched, said tubing valve means including additional fluid pressure operated valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure into said riser pipe prior to release of said latch means, and frangible means holding said latch means latched, means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means and releasing said latch means, and means for supplying said disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means.

Claim 13

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means, including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure, said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched, and frangible means holding said latch means latched, means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means and releasing said latch means, and means for supplying said disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means, said control means comprising a subsea source of disconnect fluid pressure; first pilot valve means for dumping control fluid pressure from said test valve means and said tubing valve means to close said test valve means; second pilot valve means controlling the application of disconnect fluid pressure to release said latch means; and means for operating said pilot valve means; said means for closing said tubing valve means being responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure to close said tubing valve means before release of said latch means.

Claim 14

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure, said latch means including means for preventing release of said latch means until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched, said tubing valve means including additional fluid pressure operated valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure into said riser pipe prior to release of said latch means, and frangible means holding said latch means latched, means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means and releasing said latch means, and means for supplying said disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means, said control means comprising a subsea source of disconnect fluid pressure; first pilot valve means for dumping control fluid pressure from said test valve means and said tubing valve means to close said test valve means; second pilot valve means controlling the application of disconnect fluid pressure to release said latch means; and means for operating said pilot valve means; said means for closing said tubing valve means being responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure to close said tubing valve means before release of said latch means.

Claim 15

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said control means comprising a subsea source of disconnect fluid pressure; first pilot valve means for dumping control fluid pressure from said test valve means and said tubing valve means to close said test valve means; second pilot valve means controlling the application of disconnect fluid pressure to release said latch means; and means for operating said pilot valve means; said means for closing said tubing valve means being responsive to said disconnect fluid pressure to close said tubing valve means before release of said latch means.

Claim 16

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 14; interlock means between said pilot valve means preventing operation of said second pilot valve means until said first pilot valve means is operated to dump said control fluid pressure from said test valve means.

Claim 17

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for closing said tubing valve means including means responsive to the pressure of said disconnect fluid and means for supplying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means.

Claim 18

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said tubing shutoff valve means including additional valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure between said test valve mans and said tubing shutoff valve means into said riser pipe; and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said additional valve means following closure of said tubing shutoff valve means but prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 19

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; subsea accumulator means providing a source of said disconnect fluid; said pilot valve means including dump valve means for bleeding control fluid pressure to the riser and disconnect valve means allowing communication between said latch means and said source.

Claim 20

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; subsea accumulator means providing a source of said disconnect fluid; said pilot valve means including dump valve means for bleeding control fluid pressure to the riser and disconnect valve means allowing communication between said latch means and said source, and including means responsive to said pilot valve control means for operating said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means.

Claim 21

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; subsea accumulator means providing a source of said disconnect fluid; said pilot valve means including dump valve means for bleeding control fluid pressure to the riser and disconnect valve means allowing communication between said latch means and said source, and including means responsive to said pilot valve control means for operating said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means; said pilot valve means including lock means preventing operation of said disconnect valve means before operation of said dump valve means.

Claim 22

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure, including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; subsea accumulator means providing a source of said disconnect fluid; said pilot valve means including dump valve means for bleeding control fluid pressure to the riser and disconnect valve means allowing communication between said latch means and said source; said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means being responsive to pilot fluid pressure to prevent bleeding of said control fluid pressure and to prevent communication between said latch means and said source; said pilot valve control means including means for conducting pilot fluid pressure to said pilot valve means.

Claim 23

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; said tubing valve means including additional valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure between said test valve means and said tubing shutoff valve means into said riser pipe; and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said additional valve means following closure of said test valve means and said tubing shutoff valve means prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 24

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means.

Claim 25

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 23, accumulator means providing a subsea source of said disconnect fluid controlled by said pilot valve means.

Claim 26

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 16; said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for relieving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; subsea accumulator means providing a source of said disconnect fluid; said pilot valve means including dump valve means for bleeding control fluid pressure to the riser and disconnect valve means allowing communication between said latch means and said source; said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means being responsive to a dump pilot fluid pressure to prevent bleeding of said control fluid pressure and to prevent communication between said latch means and said source and being responsive to a disconnect pilot fluid pressure to bleed said control fluid pressure and establish communication between said latch means and said source; said pilot valve control means including means for conducting said dump and disconnect pilot pressures to said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means.

Claim 27

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 25; means for holding said disconnect valve means to prevent communication between said source and said latch means responsive to disconnect pilot fluid pressure until after dump pilot fluid pressure response of said dump valve means.

Claim 28

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 25; means for holding said disconnect valve means to prevent communication between said source and said latch means responsive to disconnect pilot fluid pressure until after dump pilot fluid pressure response of said dump valve means; said holding means for said disconnect valve means including means responsive to the pressure of disconnect fluid supplied from said source.

Claim 29

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 25; means for holding said disconnect valve means to prevent communication between said source and said latch means responsive to disconnect pilot fluid pressure until after dump pilot fluid pressure response of said dump valve means; said holding means for said disconnect valve means including a lock responsive to the pressure of said dump pilot fluid pressure.

Claim 30

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 25; means for holding said disconnect valve means to prevent communication between said source and said latch means responsive to disconnect pilot fluid pressure until after dump pilot fluid pressure response of said dump valve means; said holding means for said disconnect valve means including means responsive to the pressure of disconnect fluid supplied from said source; said holding means also including a lock responsive to the pressure of said dump pilot fluid pressure.

Claim 31

In a subsurface test valve apparatus as defined in claim 25; said pilot valve control means including means for pressurizing said subsurface accumulator; and including a balance conduit between said pressurizing means and the means for conducting disconnect pilot pressure to said disconnect valve means; and valve means for selectively opening and closing said balance conduit.

Claim 32

In a subsurface test valve apparatus as defined in claim 25; said pilot valve control means including means for pressurizing said subsurface accumulator; and including a balance conduit between said pressurizing means and the means for conducting disconnect pilot pressure to said disconnect valve means; and valve means for selectively opening and closing said balance conduit; said means for conducting disconnect pilot pressure to said disconnect valve means including an accumulator providing a source of pressure for said disconnect pilot fluid; and valve means enabling pressurization of said accumulator for said disconnect pilot fluid.

Claim 33

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shutoff valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means; said tubing valve means including a tubular body in said tubular structure, shutoff valve means in said body, an actuator piston sleeve reciprocable in said body operable in a first position of said sleeve for permitting the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means and operable in a second position of said sleeve for preventing the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means, said sleeve and said body forming a control fluid chamber and a disconnect fluid chamber, said sleeve having means providing piston areas responsive to the pressure of fluid in the respective chambers for moving said sleeve to said first and second positions; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means and applying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means.

Claim 34

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shutoff valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means; said tubing valve means including a tubular body in said tubular structure, shutoff valve means in said body, an actuator piston sleeve reciprocable in said body operable in a first position of said sleeve for permitting the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means and operable in a second position of said sleeve for preventing the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means, said sleeve and said body forming a control fluid chamber and a disconnect fluid chamber, said sleeve having means providing piston areas responsive to the pressure of fluid in the respective chambers for moving said sleeve to said first and second positions; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means and applying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means.

Claim 35

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said shutoff valve means including a member movable by said sleeve to first and second positions permitting and preventing flow of fluid through said sleeve.

Claim 36

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; spring means between said body and said sleeve urging said sleeve toward said first position.

Claim 37

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said sleeve having a surface responsive to pressure of fluid in said tubular structure for urging said sleeve to said first position.

Claim 38

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said sleeve having a surface responsive to pressure of fluid in said tubular structure for urging said sleeve to said first position, and including spring means between said body and said sleeve urging said sleeve toward said first position.

Claim 39

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said shutoff valve means including a ball valve having a passage therethrough and supported on said sleeve for angular movement between a first position with said passage aligned with said sleeve and a second position with said ball valve closing said sleeve; and means for shifting said ball valve between said positions responsive to movement of said sleeve between said positions.

Claim 40

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said means providing a piston area responsive to the pressure of fluid in said disconnect chamber being an annular piston floating between said body and said sleeve, said body and said sleeve having shoulders at opposite sides of said floating piston, said floating piston being exposed to the pressure of fluid in both of said disconnect fluid pressure and control fluid pressure chambers.

Claim 41

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; conduit means leading from said disconnect fluid chamber to said latch means to release said latch means after movement of said sleeve to said second position.

Claim 42

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; conduit means leading from said disconnect fluid chamber to said latch means to release said latch means after movement of said sleeve to said second position, said latch means having means for preventing disconnect pressure release thereof until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed.

Claim 43

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; conduit means leading from said disconnect fluid chamber to said latch means to release said latch means after movement of said sleeve to said second position, said latch means having means for preventing disconnect pressure release thereof until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed, including means responsive to the pressure of control fluid holding said latch means latched.

Claim 44

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; conduit means leading from said disconnect fluid chamber to said latch means to release said latch means after movement of said sleeve to said second position, said latch means having means for preventing disconnect pressure release thereof until after said test valve means and said tubing valve means are closed including frangible means holding said latch means latched, and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for disrupting said frangible means.

Claim 45

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said control means comprising a subsea source of disconnect fluid pressure; first pilot valve means for dumping control fluid pressure from said test valve means to close the same; second pilot valve means controlling the application of disconnect fluid pressure to close said tubing valve means and release said latch means; and means for operating said pilot valve means.

Claim 46

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said means providing a piston area responsive to the pressure of fluid in said disconnect chamber being an annular piston floating between said body and said sleeve, said body and said sleeve having shoulders at opposite sides of said floating piston said floating piston being exposed to the pressure of fluid in both of said disconnect fluid pressure and said control fluid pressure chambers; said tubing shutoff valve means including additional valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure between said test valve means and said tubing shutoff valve means into said riser pipe; and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said additional valve means following closure of said tubing shutoff valve means but prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 47

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said shutoff valve means including a ball valve having a passage therethrough and supported on said sleeve for angular movement between a first position with said passage aligned with said sleeve and a second position with said ball valve closing said sleeve; and means for shifting said ball valve between said positions responsive to movement of said sleeve between said positions; said means for shifting said ball valve including support means carried by said sleeve for moving said ball valve longitudinally in said body upon movement of said sleeve in opposite directions, and means fixed in said body and cooperable with said ball valve for angularly moving said ball valve in response to said longitudinal movement of said ball valve.

Claim 48

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 38; said body and said sleeve providing a stop for limiting movement of said sleeve and said support means when said ball valve is in said second position transferring to said body the force applied to said ball by pressure thereacross.

Claim 49

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said body having a side port below said sleeve and above said latch means, additional equalizing valve means normally closing said side port and including means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said equalizing valve means.

Claim 50

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port.

Claim 51

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, and including pressure balancing means in pressure transfer relation with the exterior of said body and said annular space.

Claim 52

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, and including pressure balancing means in pressure transfer relation with the exterior of said body and said annular space, said pressure balancing means including another side port in said body, and bladder means covering said another side port.

Claim 53

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, and including means resisting opening of said second valve means until said first valve means has opened.

Claim 54

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, said second valve means including a cylindrical valve portion of said inner mandrel, means in said body forming a cylindrical groove receiving said valve portion, and an elastomeric seal at the base of said groove.

Claim 55

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, said first valve means including axially spaced sealing portions of said outer mandrel sealingly engaged in said body and spanning said side port.

Claim 56

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, said first valve means including axially spaced sealing portions of said outer mandrel sealingly engaged in said body and spanning said side port, said second valve means including a cylindrical valve portion of said inner mandrel, means in said body forming a cylindrical groove receiving said valve portion, and an elastomeric seal at the base of said groove.

Claim 57

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 47; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, said inner mandrel having an annular piston thereon slideable in said body and defining therewith a first pressure chamber, said body having passage means conducting disconnect fluid to said first pressure chamber, said outer mandrel having another annular piston slidable in said body and defining therewith a second pressure chamber, said body having a passage means conducting disconnect fluid to said second pressure chamber, and including means for preventing disconnect fluid pressure responsive movement of said inner mandrel until after movement of said outer mandrel.

Claim 58

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 55, means responsive to control fluid pressure for preventing movement of said outer mandrel before closure of said tubing valve means.

Claim 59

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; said tubing shutoff valve means including additional valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure between said test valve means and said tubing shutoff valve means into said riser pipe; and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said additional valve means following closure of said tubing shutoff valve means but prior to release of said latch means.

Claim 60

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 57; accumulator means providing a subsea source of said disconnect fluid controlled by said pilot valve means.

Claim 61

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 32; accumulator means providing a subsea source of said disconnect fluid controlled by said pilot valve means, said tubing shutoff valve means including additional valve means for dumping fluid from said tubular structure between said test valve means and said tubing shutoff valve means into said riser pipe; and means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said additional valve means following closure of said tubing shutoff valve means but prior to release of said latch means, said control means comprising subsea pilot valve means for reliving said control fluid pressure and applying said disconnect fluid pressure; each of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid pressure including fluid conduit means extending from the surface of the water to said pilot valve means; and pilot valve control means at the surface of the water for operating said pilot valve means; said pilot valve means including dump valve means for bleeding control fluid pressure to the riser and disconnect valve means allowing communication between said latch means and said source.

Claim 62

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 59; means responsive to said pilot valve control means for operating said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means.

Claim 63

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 59; means responsive to said pilot valve control means for operating said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means; said pilot valve means including lock means preventing operation of said disconnect valve means before operation of said dump valve means.

Claim 64

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 59; said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means being responsive to pilot fluid pressure to prevent bleeding of said control fluid pressure and to prevent communication between said latch means and said source; said pilot valve control means including means for conducting pilot fluid pressure to said pilot valve means.

Claim 65

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 59; said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means being responsive to a dump pilot fluid pressure to prevent bleeding of said control fluid pressure and to prevent communication between said latch means and said source and being responsive to a disconnect pilot fluid pressure to bleed said control fluid pressure and establish communication between said latch means and said source; said pilot valve control means including means for conducting said dump and disconnect pilot pressures to said dump valve means and said disconnect valve means.

Claim 66

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 59; said body having a side port below said sleeve and above said latch means, said additional valve means normally closing said side port and including means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said additional valve means.

Claim 67

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 64; said additional valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including inner and outer tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port.

Claim 68

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 64; said additional valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including inner and outer tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, and including pressure balancing means in pressure transfer relation with the exterior of said body and said annular space.

Claim 69

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 64; said additional valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including inner and outer tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalized with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, said inner mandrel having an annular piston thereon slidable in said body and defining therewith a first pressure chamber, said body having passage means conducting disconnect fluid to said first pressure chamber, said outer mandrel having another annular piston slidable in said body and defining therewith a second pressure chamber, said body having passage means conducting disconnect fluid to said second pressure chamber, and including means for preventing disconnect fluid pressure responsive movement of said inner mandrel until after movement of said outer mandrel.

Claim 70

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said latch means including a subsea source for said disconnect fluid; control means including subsea pilot pressure responsive normally closed pilot valve means connected with both of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid for dumping said control fluid and communicating said source of disconnect fluid with said latch means; and means for conducting pilot fluid pressure to said pilot valve means from te surface of the water to control the opening thereof.

Claim 71

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said latch means including a subsea source for said disconnect fluid; control means including subsea pilot pressure responsive normally closed pilot valve means connected with both of said means for supplying control fluid and disconnect fluid for dumping said control fluid and communicating said source of disconnect fluid with said latch means; and means for conducting pilot fluid pressure to said pilot valve means from te surface of the water to control the opening thereof.

Claim 72

In subsea valve apparatus as defined in claim 68; interlock means in said pilot valve means preventing communication between said source and said latch means until after dumping of said control fluid.

Claim 73

In subsea valve apparatus as defined in claim 68; said pilot valve means including means responsive to a reduced pilot pressure to dump said control fluid and means responsive to positive pilot pressure to communicate said source with said latch means.

Claim 74

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shut off valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said tubing valve means open; means for closing said tubing valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and to said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said latch means; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means, and applying disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means; said releasable latch means including means for disconnecting said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means responsive to manipulation of said tubing string.

Claim 75

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a well bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shut off valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said tubing valve means open; means for closing said tubing valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and to said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said latch means; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means, and applying disconnect fluid pressure to said latch means; said releasable latch means including means for disconnecting said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means responsive to manipulation of said tubing string.

Claim 76

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a wall bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shutoff valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means; said tubing valve means including a tubular body in said tubular structure, shutoff valve means in said body, an actuator piston sleeve reciprocable in said body operable in a first position of said sleeve for permitting the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means and operable in a second position of said sleeve for preventing the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means, said sleeve and said body forming a control fluid chamber and a disconnect fluid chamber, said sleeve having means providing piston areas responsive to the pressure of fluid in the respective chambers for moving said sleeve to said first and second positions; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means and applying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means, said body having a side port below said sleeve and above said latch means, additional equalizing valve means normally closing said side port and including means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said equalizing valve means; said equalizing valve means also including means responsive to control fluid pressure to prevent disconnect pressure opening thereof until relief of said control fluid pressure.

Claim 77

In subsea apparatus adapted to be lowered on a tubular string from the surface of the water through a riser pipe to a position within a blowout preventer stack at the top of a wall bore beneath a body of water, said apparatus comprising: a tubular structure connectible in said tubular string, including test valve means engageable in said blowout preventer and having means responsive to control fluid pressure to hold said test valve means open; means for closing said test valve means upon relief of control fluid pressure; releasable latch means connecting an upper portion of said tubular structure to said test valve means and having means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure to disconnect said upper portion of said tubular structure from said test valve means; tubing shutoff valve means in said upper portion of said tubular structure; means for supplying control fluid to said test valve means and said tubing valve means; means for supplying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means; said tubing valve means including a tubular body in said tubular structure, shutoff valve means in said body, an actuator piston sleeve reciprocable in said body operable in a first position of said sleeve for permitting the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means and operable in a second position of said sleeve for preventing the flow of fluid through said shutoff valve means, said sleeve and said body forming a control fluid chamber and a disconnect fluid chamber, said sleeve having means providing piston areas responsive to the pressure of fluid in the respective chambers for moving said sleeve to said first and second positions; and control means for relieving control fluid pressure from said test valve means, relieving control fluid pressure from said tubing valve means and applying disconnect fluid to said tubing valve means and said latch means, said body having a side port below said sleeve and above said latch means, additional equalizing valve means normally closing said side port and including means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure for opening said equalizing valve means; said equalizing valve means also including means responsive to control fluid pressure to prevent disconnect pressure opening thereof until relief of said control fluid pressure.

Claim 78

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 72; said means of said equalizing valve means responsive to disconnect fluid pressure and to control fluid pressure comprising means defining disconnect fluid pressure chamber means and control fluid pressure chamber means including piston means on said equalizing valve means having areas exposed to the pressure of control fluid and exposed to the pressure of disconnect fluid.

Claim 79

In subsea test valve apparatus as defined in claim 72; said equalizing valve means including first and second valve means sequentially openable by disconnect fluid pressure and including outer and inner tubular mandrels defining an annular space therebetween, and means for maintaining a clean fluid in said annular space equalizing with the pressure exterior of said body at said side port, said inner mandrel having an annular piston thereon slideable in said body and defining therewith a first pressure chamber, said body having passage means conducting disconnect fluid to said first pressure chamber, said outer mandrel having another annular piston slidable in said body and defining therewith a second pressure chamber, said body having a passage means conducting disconnect fluid to said second pressure chamber, and including means for preventing disconnect fluid pressure responsive movement of said inner mandrel until after movement of said outer mandrel, said mandrels, said pistons, and said body having means forming additional fluid chambers therebetween, and passage means for conducting control fluid pressure to said additional fluid chambers to act on said pistons to prevent disconnect fluid movement of said mandrels.