US2104660A - Oil and gas well protective - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1938.

A. B. LONG ET AL 2,104,660

OIL AND GAS WELL PROTECTIVE DVICE Filed May 10, 1937 WITNESS ATTORNEYS 3 Shevets-Sheet 1 x Jan. 4, 193s. A, B. LONG |-.-r AL 2,104,660

OIL AND GAS WELL PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed May 10, 193'? 3 -Sheets-Sheet'Z @-mggm 4, @i Z NToRs Jan. 4, A. LONG l' L OIL AND GAS WELL PROTECTIVE DEVICE l Filed May l0, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 79 WIND VELOCITY SWITCH @KLOAT CONTROLLED U SWITCH m @Wa/22 WITNESS l ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 4, E93

@Hi GAS WELL PROTECTIVE Alfred E. Mug and Louis E. Stagg, 31'.,

mont, 'Een rI'his invention relates to an oil and gas well protective device. f

An object of this invention is to provide a protective device for high pressure oil and gas wells located in areas that are subject to severe storms or ood conditions or both.

Deep wells have a potential of from 10,000 to 20,000 barrels per day and a gas pressure of from 500 to 3,000 pounds. To bring a well under control after it once has gotten loose is a very diiilcult and dangerous undertaking and also requires time. It is therefore evident that much loss and damage can take place in even the short period oi a few hours. Also in such event the oil well reservoir gas pressure would be greatly reduced and cause other wells in the immediate vicinity to stop flowing. The ultimate recoverable potential of the iield wouldA therefore be greatly reduced. The present invention is designed to prevent the oil well Christmas-tree from being damaged and also to automatically cut oi the ow of gas and oil as a further precaution under dangerous wind and water conditions.

To achieve the above ends theinvention comprises means for closing the master valve and stopping the flow of oil or gas from the well before there is a possibility of loss due to wind or Water damage. After the master valve has been closed it must be re-adjusted manually therefore making it possible to locate and repair such damage as may occur to connecting lines or other equipment before the well is allowed to iiow again. f

A further object is to provide a covering or shelter as a unitary assembly with the valve closing mechanism. With the use of a shelter alone damage could occur to connecting pipe lines and other equipment located out in the eld, resulting in loss of oil and gas. In the event of high water conditions it might be impossible to reach and enter the protective covering to close the master valve manually. Were the valve closing mechanism installed alone and unsheltered it might be possible for damage to occur to the Christmas-tree and connecting pipe lines and equipment located near to and in connection with the well due to the washing action of high water which tends to destroy supports and footings, and due to high winds and waves which carry loose timbers and other debris along at dangerous velocity.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed. it being understood that various modications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming pa of this specification,

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view, with parts in elevation, of an oil and gas well protective device, constructed in accordance with the invention and showing a pressure operated piston and lever for closing the master valve of the oil well Christmas-tree, the closing oi the valve being timed by a wind turbine and/or float valve.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a pressure operated motor in lieu of the piston and lever for closing the master valve.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of one type of protective covering for the well Christmas-tree.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation showing an electric motor for closing the master valve and showing the wiring, controlling switches and timing wind turbine and float diagrammatically.

Referring now to the drawings in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, and more especially to Figure 3, I designates in general a protective covering of such shape and size as to-oifer the least resistance ,to wind and wave action. A conical covering is preferable although other shapes may be utilized if desired.

The protective covering may be formed of sheet metal or other material and may be constructed to set upon the surface of the ground with the cover extending= into the ground or may be provided with a .cellar wall Il sunk below the surface of the ground, as shown at I2. In either case it is anchored by piling I3 or other means depending upon the nature of the soil. The protective covering is built over the Christmastree connections of the well, designated in general by the numeral ld, so as to amply protect all well outlet connections from damage due to wind and water, and is provided with a door l5 through which access may be had to the Christmas-tree. The Christmas-tree is equipped with the usual manually operated master shut oif valve i6.

In carrying out the invention the Christmastree is also provided with an automatic u@ ster shut oi valve l'l which may be of the plug type as illustrated in Figure 1 and closed by straight line movement, or may be of the feed'screw type closed by turning movement as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The automatic master valve may be closed by pressure from the Well and for this purpose, as shown in Figure 1, the pipe I8 maybe connected at one end to the Christmas-tree above the manually operated shut o valve I6 and at the other end may be connected to one end of a cylinder I9 in which the well pressure may be directed against a piston 20 to move the piston toward the opposite end of the cylinder. A valved pipe 2l is connected to the pipe I8 and connected to an outside source of pressure to admit pressure through a pipe equipped with a reversing valve 22 into the opposite end of the cylinder to reverse movement of the piston for resetting the piston after each operation. The cylinder may be mounted on the Christmastree by a clamp 23 having ears 24 which are bolted to a lug 25 on the cylinder head.

The stem 26 of the automatic master valve I1 is elongated and is terminally pivoted as shown at 21 to one end of a rock lever 28, the opposite end of which is terminally pivoted as shown at 29 to the rod' of the piston. A bracket arm 36 is clamped to the Christmas-tree by means of a split ring clamp 3|, or other connection, and is terminally pivoted to the rock lever 28 as shown at 32 to mount the rock lever.

When pressure is admitted to the cylinder through the pipe I8 the rock lever will move the valve stem 26 in a rectilinear direction and close the valve. For maintaining the valve closed a spring finger 33 extendsforwardly from the automatic valve along the valve stem and is equipped with a hook 34 which rides over and engags a stop collar 35 on the valve stem so thatl the stem cannot be moved outward toopen the valve until pressure from an outside source is admitted to the piston cylinder by opening the reversing valve 22 thus giving plenty of time to repair such damage as may occur to connecting lines or other equipment 4due to Wind or Weather before the well is allowed to ow again.

A shut off valve 36 is located in the pipe I8 at a point preferably adjacent the master valve stem 26. A cable 31 connects the master valve stem with an operating lever 38 which is pivoted on a bracket arm 39 carried by the shut off valve. The valve stem 40 is connected -to the lever. When the master valve is being closed the cable 31 will be pulled and move the lever 38 to close the shut ofi' valve just as the master valve "becomes completely closed so that well pressure will be shut oif from the cylinder I9.

Well pressure is let into the cylinder through the pipe I8 upon either dangerousl wind pressure or high water. The timing apparatus operated by the wind comprises a wind driven turbine 4I, or other wind actuated device, mounted on top of or in connection with the protective covering I0. The shaft 42 of the wind turbine is equipped with a fly ball governor 43, the sliding sleeve 44 of which engages a pin 45 on the shaft. The sleeve is formed integral with a clutch shaft 46 that terminates in a clutch disc 41 which, at dangerous wind velocity when the balls 43 fly outwardly, move up and engages a clutch casing 48 to rotate the casing.

The casing 48 is pinned to a shaft 49 which is connected to the stem 50 of a starting valve 5I by means of a shear pin 52. When the clutch parts 41 and 48 are engaged the valve stem 59 will be rotated by the wind turbine to turn the valve stem 50 and open the valve. When the v valve is completely opened the shear pin 52 will break so that the valve will not be damaged when the turbine is turning at high speed.

A suitable casing 53 houses the fly ball governor and the clutch and this casing may be secured to the pipe I8 `by a bracket arm 54 or may be otherwise attached to the protective covering I0.

In operation when the wind reaches dangerous velocity the fly ball governor will engage the clutch parts 41 and 48 to open the starting valve 5I and admit pressure from the Christmastree through the pipe I8 into the end of the cylinder I9 and against the piston '20. Movement of the piston under inuence of well pressure will rock the rock lever 28 and move the automatic master shut off valve stem 26 to close the valve. The hook 33 hooks over the stop 35 when the valve is completely closed and prevents the valve being opened until the reversing valve 22 is manually opened to admit pressure from an outside source against the piston in the cylinder to move the piston to its initial starting position.

Well pressure may be admitted to the pipe I8 to close the master automatic shut off valve upon a dangerous rise in water level. For this purpose i a by-pass pipe 55 is connected to the pipe I8 to by-pass well pressure from the Christmas-tree" I4 to the piston cylinder I9 around the starting valve 5I. A starting valve 56 is located in the by-pass pipe 55 and the stem 51 of the valve is actuated by a float 58 and lever 59 which latter is pivoted to a bracket arm 60 that is mounted on the pipe 55. Dangerous high water level will lift the float and open the float controlled starting valve 56 to admit well pressure through the pipe I8 to the piston cylinder I9.

In Figure 2 the parts described in connection with the description of Figure 1 are duplicated and hence have been given similar reference numerals, with the exception that in lieu of the pressure operated piston and lever mechanism for closing the master shut off valve I1, a conventional pressure operated motor 6I is employed. The shaft v62 of the motor is connected by a toothed slip clutch 63 to a stub shaft 64 which is connected to the stem 65 of the master shut oi valve I1 by a chain drive 66. When pressure is let into the pipe I8 by operation either of the wind turbine controlled starting-valve 5I, or the float controlled starting valve 56, the motor will be started and through the chain drive will rotate the valve stem 65 to close the master shut off valve. When the valve is completely closed the clutch 63 slips after the pressure has been shut off from the motor, as will be presently described, to keep the momentum of the motor from damaging the master shut oil. valve by the sudden tightening of the valve when the same closes completely.

Of course, the chain drive 66 will move toward the master shut off valve I1, by virtue of the lower chain drive pulley being splined on the stub shaft v 64 when the valve is closing and this movement is utilized to close the shut oi valve 36 hitherto described and shut off the well pressure from the motor. For this purpose a cable 61 is connected to the pivoted operating lever 68 of the shut off valve 36 andis connected to the stem 65 of the master shut off valveby a universal joint 69. Endwise shifting movement of the master valve stem 65 during closing of the valve pulls the cable 61 to close the shut off valve 36 at the mioment the master shut off valve is completely closed and shut olf the well pressure from the motor 6I.

In Figure 4 the automatic shut off valve of the aioaeeo Christmas-tree is illustrated as being closed by an electric motor 'lil rather than through Well pressure. The shaft ll of the motor is connected by a slip clutch 'l2 to a stub shaft 'i3 which latter is connected to the stem lli of the master shut oi valve by a chain drive l similar to the chain drive hitherto described.

The energizing current from the motor may be furnished by a generator 'iS of any preferred type and driven from any preferred source of power. A wind actuated device ll, preferably of a type similar to the Wind turbine hitherto described, is illustrated diagrammatically as having a pull rod i8 connected with a swinging c ontact- 'i9 of a wind pressure operated switch which controls the motor circuit comprising wires 88, 8i, 82, 83 and 88. When the wind reaches dangerous velocity the motor circuit will be automatically closed by the operation of the fly ball governor on the wind turbine il to start the motor which actuates the chain drive 'l5 to turn the valve stem 'M and close the master shut oii valve il. A cable 853 is connected to the movable switch contact 85 of a cut o switch 86 in the motor circuit and is connected to the valve stem 113. When the valve stem is moved inward to close lthe valve the cable will pull open the movable switch contact 85 and open the circuit to stop the motor. Slipping of the clutch 'l2 prevents breakage. of the parts of the master valve due to momentum. of the motor after the motor energizing circuit is opened.

A oat controlled switch 8'! is located in shunt circuit with the motor circuit heretofore 'described, the shunt circuit wires being designatedl by the numerals 88 and 89. Upon dangerous increase in water level the float controlled switch will be closed by raising of the float 90 to close the shunt circuit from the generator to the motor and start the motor to close the master shut oi valve as described.

\ From the above description it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be fully understood without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

1. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut off valve, of means for housing the Christmas-tree, and means for automatically shutting 01T the valve upon a predetermined wind velocity or rise in wat-er level.

2. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the Well Christmastree having a shut oi Valve, of means for automatically shutting oi the valve upon predetermined wind velocity, means for automatically shutting oi the valve upon a predetermined rise in water level, means for holding the valve closed, and a covering for protecting the Christmastree and all of said means from injury. l

l3. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree" havinga shut on valve, of a protective covering to house the Christmas-tree, a pressure cylindex', a piston in the cylinder connected to the shut oi valve, xa pipe for conducting Well pressure to one end of the cylinder against the piston to shut oir the valve and means for admitting pressure through the pipe into the cylinder upon a dangerous rise of wind and water conditions.

4. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut oi valve, of a protective covering for the Christmas-tree, means for utilizing Well pressure to close the valve, a wind actuated device connected to said means for actuating said means upon a dangerous rise in wind velocity, and a oat controlled means connected to the rst named means for actuating the first named means upon a dangerous rise in water level.

5. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut oi valve, of a protective covering for the Christmas-tree, a pressure operated motor connected to the shut off valve for shutting oiT the valve, a pipe connected to the Christmastree and to the motor for utilizing well pressure to actuate the motor, Wind actuated means for admitting pressure to the pipe upon a dangerous rise in-wind velocity, and float operated means for admitting pressure tothe .pipe upon a dangerous rise in water level.

6. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut 01T valve, of a protective covering for the Christmas-tree, an electric motor connected to the valve for closing the valve, a circuit for the motor, a source of electricity for supplying current to the motor, a wind operated switch for closing the motor circuit upon a dangerous rise in wind velocity and a float operated switch in the circuit for closing the circuit upon a dangerous rise in water level.

'7. An oil and gas well protective device com.`

prising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut 01T Valve, of means for housing the Christmas-tree, and wind operated.

means connected with the valve for automatically shutting oi the Valve upon a dangerous rise in wind velocity.

8. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut off valve, of means for housing the Christmas-tree, and oat operated means cnnected with the valve for shutting oil the valve upon a dangerous rise in Water level.

9. An oil and gas Well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut off valve, of means for housing the Christmas-tree, electrically operated means connected to the valve for automatically shutting oi the valve, and means for timing the actuation of the rst named means to occur upon a dangerous rise'in water level. 1

l0. An oil and gas well protective device comprising the combination with the well Christmastree having a shut 01T valve, of means for housing the Christmas-tree, electrically operated means connected to the valve for automatically shutting oi the valve, and means for timing the actuation of the first named means to occur upon a dangerous rise in wind velocity.

5 ALFRED B. LONG.

LOUIS E. STAGG, Jn.

Images