US3100452A - Well tools - Google Patents

Description

All@ 13, 1963 G. G. GRIMMER ETAL 3,100,452

WELL TOOLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1958 ffl Aug. 13, 1963 G. G. GRIMMER ETAL wELL'TOoLs 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1958 INVENTOR S Harry B Schram m Gegnge G. Grmmer ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent O 3,199,452 WELL TOGLS George G. Grimmer, Dalias, Tex., and Harry B. Schramm, deceased, late of Dallas, Tex., by Josephine Schramm, executrix, Dallas, Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Otis Engineering Corporation', Dallas,

Tex., a corporation ot Delaware f Filed June 23, 1958, Ser. No. 743,66 g Claims. `(Cl. 10S-232) This invention relates towell tools and more particu-V larly to gas lift valves and to` nipples connectable in a Well tubing string `for use with such gas lift valves. An Vobject of the invention to provide` a gas lift valve which is removably disposed and locked in position in a well pipe and which may be shiited from one position to another in the well pipe without being released from locked position in the pipe for selectively directing the flow of lifting gas into the well pipe to the `gas lift valve directly into the well pipe bypassing the valve. t

An object .of the invention is to provide a gas lift valve and a ported landing nipple in which the valve is removably positionable, and wherein the gas lift valve is shiftable without removal lfrom the nipple between ya lirst position in which the gas lift valve is disposed adjacent the port of the nipple to direct any fluid ilow through the port and through the valve and a second position in which the gas lift valve permits unobstructed fluid tlow through the port into the ilow passage of the nipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a landing nipple of the character described wherein the landing nipple is provided with a valve-reivi-ng pocket laterally displaced from bore or flow passage of the nipple and ofthe bore of the well pipe in which the nipple is installed to provide a continuous unobstructed bore through the well lpipe.

A lfurther object of .the invention is to provide a landing nipple of the character described in which a gas lift valve installed therein may be moved by means of customary ilexible line methods Iand means longitudinally in the nipple between the positions previously described.

A still further object is to provide a landing nipple of the character described wherein a sleeve is slidable longitudinally in the nipple to move the gas lift valve between the iirst and lthe second positions in the nipple, the sleeve being slidable by means of a customary ilexible line op-4 erated mechanism.

IStill another object is to provide a landing nipple of the character described wherein a sleeve slidable therein is releasably restrained in its two extreme positions.

A still lfurther object of the invention is to provide a landing nipple and a gas lift valve removably position-` able therein of the character described wherein the valve is movable longitudinally in the nipple by the application of a direct upward or downward force thereto.

Another object is to provide a shifting or moving tool having means engageable with a *sleeve rfor shifting the sleeve longitudinally in a landing nipple, the shifting tool being releasable from engagement with the sleeve after the sleeve has been shifted. t

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent `from the reading of the following description of devices constructed in accordance with the invention, rand reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is Ia View, partly in elevation and partly in 3,lilll,452 Patented Aug. 13, 1963 ice' FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view, similar to FIGURE l, showing details of the shifting tool and the lower end of the landing nipple;

FIGURE 3 is :a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the sleeve and gas lift valve moved to ya. position wherein the valve does not obstruct the tree iiow of iluids through `the ports of the nipple;

through the ports `of the nipple into the nipple is un? obstructed by the valve;

`FIGURE 8 is a Asectional View taken on the line 8-8 ofvFiGURE 7 FIGURE 9 is a `sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE l0 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a gas lift valve installed in a still further modiiied nipple wherein the valve fis movable by a direct upward or downward Vforce thereon between a position directing flow through-the ports of the 'nipple into the gas lift valve and a position permitting the ilow through the ports directly .into the nipple, bypassing the valve, the valve being shown in flow-direction position; `and FIGURE l1 is a View, similar to FIGURE 10, showing the gastlift Valve in the position permitting flow directly into the nipple. A

Referring now to FIGURES l through 5 of the drawings, the numeral itl refers to a landing nipple which is threadedly connected in a string of well pipe` or tubing 11. The landing nipple is enlarged intermediate its ends and is provided with a tubular pocket 12 laterally dis placed from thebore through the well pipe. An upper eccentric iitting 13 and 'a lower eccentric fitting 14a provide for the proper displacement of the pocket from the bore of the well pipe and for the alignment of the sections of ,well pipe aboveand below the landing nipple to establish an unobstructed passage through bore or flow passage 14 of the nipple unrestricted below the diameter of the well pipe. t

A plurality of lateral `ports 15 through the outer wall of the pocket provide fluid communication between the exterior of the nipple and the interior of the pocket. A gas lift valve 16 is removably positioned in the pocket and is provided with upper rand lower packing means 17 and 13 which are spaced apart to seal on. either side .of the lateral por-ts of the pocket. When the packing means seal `on either side of the lateral ports, any flow through the ports iscont-rolled by the gas lift valve 15.

' The gas lift valve is provided with a fishing neck or head 19 at its upper end by which it is lowered into and installed in the pocket by means of the usual flexible line apparatus. An yannular latching flange 20 adjacent the lower end lof the valve is provided for engagement byV a section, showing a ported landing nipple in accordance latch means \21 in a manner to be more fully hereinafter described.

The flower par-t ofthe bore of the lower eccentric fitting is enlarged, and a sleeve 22 is positioned therein for longitudinal sliding movement. A lower sub 2.3` is welded in the lower end of the bore of the lower eccentric tting to provide the connection with the tubing 11 land to limit Y downward movement of the sleeve in the fitting. Upward movement of the sleeve is limited by its engagement with a downwardly `facing shoulder 24 in the bore of the lower eccentric tting.

arcanes A resilient latch arm 25, welded or otherwise atlXed to the sleeve, extends upwardly from the sleeve toward the lower end of the pocket aand is aligned with the inner wall thereof. The latch arm extends upwardly between he'legs'; of a el-shaped guide channel 2,7, vthe ends of the legs being welded to the inner wall of the nipple bearm away from lthe pocket;V A lateral pin Zlyvex'ten'ds between the vlatch arm to restain the latch arm from move-l ment toward V.the pocketV and cooperates Vwith an upper protrusi'onktl on the outer surface v ofthe latch arm to form a detent means to holdthe sleeve and latch arm in its lower position, the lateral 'pin'fdeileotingresiliently to allow theprotirusion .3-tfto pass the pin onthe applicationV of a suicient longitudinal force to the sleeve. The sleeve and latch arm, on movement ,to the lowermost position l .in the nipple, are thus releasably held in the lowermost position against inadvertent movement therefrom. A similar lower protrusion 36a on the latch arm coacts'wi-th the lateral'pin to releasably hold the sleeve and the latch t arm in the uppermost position against inadvertentmovement therefrom when :the sleeve is moved to theV uppermost position,

The vupper face `of the latch means is provided with a la-tching notch or groove 3l in its outer `face which engages the latching ilange 2d of the gas lift valve to lock the gas lift valve tothe latch means. The rupper face of the latch means is downwardlyv and outwardly beveled at 32 for engagement by thelatching flange of the gas lift y valve as the valve is inserted into the pocket so that the v `flange cams the latch means away from the pocket to allow the latching ange to enter tie latching groove. The upper face 33 of thelatching lange is slightly beveled 'downwardly to provide a cam to deflect the latch means away fromthe pocket 'on the application of a` certain upward force to the gas lift valve, thereby allowing the valve Vto be disengagedL from the `'latch groove or recess of the latch means on upward movement of .the valve. Y With the latch means disengaged from the valve,` the valve can be removed upwardly romthe*pocket and from the well.

The gas liftV valve is thus looked in position inthe pocket by means ofthe latch means 2l attached to the sleeve 2;'.- When the sleeve .is in the upper position as t shown in VFlGURE 2 the packing means 17 and 1S are positioned Ito seal iabovewand below, respectively, the

lateral ports lS ofthe pocket, -there'oy idirecting any flow through the ports into ,the gas li-ftvalve, thence into the pocket 12 and upwardly into ythe flow passage 14 of the nipple.

The gaslift valveV is of any suitable design, for veXample the type shown in the patent to Bryan, 2,828,698, and

vis therefore not described in detail.

",'When the sleeve is-rnoved tothe'flower position as shown in FIGURES', the upper packing means 17 is moved'out of sealing engagement with the pocket above the lateral ports 'and into alignment with an internal annular, recess or groove ,3d in the pocket into which the Y ports open.

pocket', a ow course is provided from the lateral ports upwardly around the upper packing -means and around Y ith the valveithus positioned in the the upper end of the valfvewlthrough the upper end of the pocket into the flow passage 1d.

T he sleeveV Z2 has an internal annular groove 35' which is beveled at its upper and lower ends for engagement by a suitable shifting tool so that the sleeve and consequently Vthe gas lift valve may be moved longitudinally in :the

nipple between the upper and lower positions.

A shifting tool, designated generally by the numeral -A .dit is lowered by means of the customary ilexible line 41 and llexible line operated tool '4Z which tools include a set of Stroke jars/s3 fordelivering upward or downward vjarring b-lowstc the shifting tool.

. V lowthe pocket Ato maintain the latch 'arm in proper `alignt finent with'ftheA pocket.' The transverse member 28 connecting the Iends yof the legs of the guide channelserves Yas a stop member to limit lateral movemento'f the latch i0' d The shitfingtoolV includes `a central mandrel d4 which is attached to the lower end of a lfishing neck 45 which is in turn attached to the flexible line operated tools. The y intermediate sect-londo lof the mandrel is Vreduced in diameter from theV diameter of .the Venlarged or upper portion 45a and a tapered shoulder 47' is provided at the point of reduction of the intermediate section. The lower section 48 of the mandrel is`fu-rtl1er reduced inV diameter andfis threaded into a locking `washer 49' `and a lower.

A tubular body 5l is providedl above the locking washer' 49k and loosely surrounds the mandrel. A catch- VSi. The upper ends of the dogs protrude outwardly and upwardly through corresponding slots 57 in the body`V when the body is ina lower position abutting the locking washer 49.' A snap Wire 53 lis carried on the outer surface ofthe dog holder for engagement in an internal groove 59 lof the body to retain the body in the lower position.V Y

A compression spring 6d is disposed in the body and abuts the upper end of the dog holder and the Vlower face of a bearing Washer 61 which engages an inturned annular flange at the upper end of the body, the spring urging the body upwardly relative 'to lthe dog holder against the restraining action of the snapwire in the groove 59.

A tubular shifting key carrier 62 is slidably positioned on the mandrel 44- above the tubular body 5l vand carries Y a plurality of shifting vkeys 63 in correspondingrkey slots 63a provided in the carrier. The keys are movable laterally in the key slots between inner retracted positions and outer projecting positions, the outward movement of said keys being limited by retaining ears 64 on the ends of the Vkeys which engage the carrier.

Upward movement `of the tubular body 5l andthe key carrier 62 is'limited by the engagement of the carrier with lthelower face of an annular collar 65 which is secured by means of a pin 66 t-o the upper part of the mandrel. The upper face of thecollarabuts the'lo-wer end of the iishing neck to form a solid metal-to-metal contact therei between.

l The shiting tool is assembled with the catch dogs Si; moved inwardly yagainst the biasing force` ofthe dog springs 56 and the tubular body moved against the resiliency lof the compression spring to its lower position around catch dogs to abut the locking washer, the slots 57 in the bodybeing aligned with fthe catch dogs'so that the upper end of the dogs protrude through the slots.V The dog carrier is retained in its upper position engaging the shoulder 53 on the mandrel by the engagement of the snap wire 58 in the internal groove 59 in the body.

then positioned behind the shifting keys, the reduced sec- Y tion permitting the keys to move inwardly kto retracted position. As the shifting tool is lowered through the tub-l ing string and the landing nipple, the upper ends yof the catch dogs are biasedinto contact with the walls of said tubing and landing nipple yand are cammed inwardly on meeting obstructions. The. beveled shoulders 6d .of the keys cam them inwardly toward retracted positions as theV tool meets and passes obstructions.

When the shifting tool descends into the landing nipple 1) to a position wherein the dogs 54 are positioned below the lower'sub 23, the `shifting tool is raised, and the catch dogs engage the lower end of the Ilower sub since they then protrude into the recess `formed at the coupling 67; An upward pull on the mandrel then causes the snap wire The intermediate reduced section of the mandrel is 58 on the dog holder 52 to be disengaged from the groove 59 in the body, and the compression spring 6h moves the dog holder downwardly `against the locking washer 49 and simultaneously urges the tubular body 51 upwardly.

Upward movement of the tubular body causes the lower edges of the slots 57 to engage the catch dogs and cam the dogs inwardly against the bias of the dog springs, the dogs thus being retracted within the body. As the body is moved upwardly on the mandrel, the tapered shoulder 47 of the mandrel engages the inner surfaces of the shifting keys to cam the keys outwardly toward projecting position. As the upward movement' of the shifting tool is continued, :the keys 63 enter the recess 35 in the sleeve 22, whereupon the relative movement between the body and the mandrel is completed, the upper section 46a of the mandrel being positioned behind the shitting keys and abutting the inner surfaces of said-keys to retain them in projecting position.

Downward jarring blows are then delivered to the shifting tool by means Iof the llexible line land the stroke jars 43 to move the sleeve 22 downwardly in thehousing from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to that shown in FG- URE `3, the jarring blows being transmit-ted through the fishing neck 45, the collar 66 and the keys 63 to the sleeve. The protrusion 30 and Ithe lateral pin 29 engage one another to hold the sleeve in its lower position in the manner already noted. The gas lift valve is thus moved Vfrom the position directing flow from the ports of the nipple through the valve (FIGURE 2) to the position in which said ilow through said ports is directed upwardly around the gaslift valve through `the pocket 12 of the landing nipple (FIGURE 3) into the bore or flow passage 14 thereof.

The shifting tool may be removed by an upward pull thereon, the mandrel initially being moved upwardly relative to the Ibody and the shifting keys against the biasing `force of the compression spring. As the mandrel is moved upwardly relative to the keys, the reduced intermediate section 46 of the mandrel is positioned behind the keys, thus freeing the keys `for inward movement. The upper shoulders `69 of the keys are beveled so that they are cammed inwardly on contact with the beveled upper edge of the recess 35. The shifting tool is thus removed from the landing nipple and ,from the tubing 1 string leaving the gaslift valve in the lower position shown in FIGURE 3, upward movement of the sleeve 22 and of the valve being restrained by the :engagement of the protrusions or boss 30 with the pin 29.A

When it is desired to move lthe sleeve to the upper position (FIGURE 2) in which the lgas `liftvalve is located to direct the flow of uids from the ports 15 of the pocket through said valve, the shifting tool is altered as will now be described.

The mandrel 44 .of the shifting tool, together with the locking washer 49, the catch ldog holder 52, the body 51, the compression spring Gil, the bearing washer I61, thekey carrier 62, the keys 63, the collar 66 and the pin 67 are removed as a unit .from the lishing neck 45 and from the lower sub 59. The mandrel and the attendant members are turned end-for-end and reconnected to the itishing neck and to the lower sub so that the catch tdog holder is near the upper part of the shifting tool and the key carrier is near the lower end of said tool. The locking member 49 then engages the lower end .of the iishing neck 45V and the annular collar 65 is abutted by the upper end of the lower sub 50. The catch dogs and the dog springs are removed by driving out the dog pivot pins 7l) by which the dogs are attached to the dog holder, and the snap wire 5S is removed from the idog holder as it is not now desired t-o latch the body to the dog holder.

The compression spring urges the body downwardly on the mandrel and thus urges the key carrier and the keys downwardly around the enlarged portion 46a of the mandrel so that the enlarged portion abuts the inner surfaces of `the keys to hold the keys in projecting position. The key carrier abuts the collar which limits the downward movement of the carrier on the mandrel. The diameter of the upper portion '71 of the lower sub is the same as that of the enlarged portion 46a of the mandrel, that the intermediate section 72 of said lower sub is reduce-d, and that an enlarged lower head 73 of diameter greater than that of the upper portion is provided on the lower end of the lower sub. Thepurpose of lthis contiguration ofthe lower sub `will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Manifestly, the key carrier and the body may bernoved upwardly on the mandrel against the force of the compression spring so that the reduced intermediate section 46 `ott the mandrel is positioned behind the shifting keys so that the keys are freed kfor inward movement to retracted positions. When the tool is inserted in the tubing string for lowering therein, the compression spring urges the body and the key carrier downwardly on the mandrel, the keys being cammed outwardly into engagement with the wall of the tubing by their engagement with the tapered surface 47 on the mandrel. The dimensions of the keys and the Idiameter of the tubing are such, however, that the keys may not move to fully projecting positions, and the carrier -is thus prevented from moving downwardly over the enlarged portion 46a of the mandrel. As the tool moves through an enlarged section in the tubing string, such, for example, as the upper section of the landing nipple 1G, [the keys are freed for outward movement and the carrier and the body move downwardly on the mandrel to the position in which the keys are moved to their `fully projecting positions.

As the tool re-enters a smaller section of the tubing having a diameter corresponding to the main portion of the tubing string, as for example, the sleeve 22, the beveled shoulders `69 of the keys engage the upper end of said section to arrest the downward movement of the carrier and the housing. The mandrel is moved downwardly against the Iforce .of the compression spring until the intermediate section is positioned behind the keys whereupon the keys are freed for inward movement, the beveled shoulders 69 camming the keys inwardlly.

The keys are cammed outwardly into the recess 35 of the sleeve 22 by the action of lthe compression spring and the cani shoulder 47 in the manner previously descri-hed, and the enlarged `section of the mandrel is moved upwardly behind the-keys toV hold the keys in expanded positions.

p Upward jarring blows are then delivered to the shifting tool bymeans of the stroke jars and the flexible line to move the sleeve and the gas lift valve upwardly from the position shown in PGURE 3 to that shown in FIGURE 2. rIhe protrusion 30 and the lateral pin 29 releases the sleeve for upward movement on the application of a suicient upward torce, as previously noted until upward movement of the sleeve 22, and therefore of the valve, isV stoppedby the engagement of the protrusion .or boss 30a with the pin 29.

Upward jarring blows of greater magnitude then delivered to the mandrel shear the pin 66, and the mandrel moves upwardly relative to the key carrier and the collar until the head 73 or the lower sub engages the collar. The intermediate section of the lower sub is now positioned behind the keys to` rtree the keys for inward movement. The beveled shoulders 68 of the keys cam the keys inwardly, disengaging the shifting tool from the sleeve so that the ltool` may be removed upwardlyv from the nipple and -frorn the tubing string.

The .gas lift valve -is initially installed in the pocket of the landing nipple by means of a suitable -iiexible line operating mechanism including a `dellecting tool (not shown) Iand is locked 1in position in the pocket by the latch means 2.1 lin the manner `already described.

When it is desired to remove the gas lift valve from the nipple, a retrieving tool (not sho-wn) suitable for envalve Vis enga-geable.

v *means away lfrom holdin-g engagement with said llange. f Re gas lift valvev is thus lfreed for removal Afrom the nipple and from the tubing string. Y

lt-is obvious that :a durnrry valve o-r pb-lind7 valve (not ehownywhiehdoes not permit ow vtherethrough can Y be installed'instead Iof the gais lift valve le lin whiohevent,l

when the dummy valve is in the upper position shown in FIGURE 2, llow through the ports l is `completely closed off,V .and when Vsuch ldummyfvalve lis in the lower position of FIGURE 3 tue ports ll-are opened as pre- `viously described to permit llow therethrough.

llt is also obvious that any other suitable shifting tool could be used to move the sleeve longitudinally in the landing nipple.

it will be seen that a ported landing nipple and -a removable gas lift valve therefor have been :shown and described, the landing nipple including Inova-ble means by which the gas lift valve is shifta-ble between a position wherein the ilo-W =frorn`the exterior of the nipple through the ports of said landing nipple is directed through the valve to the flow passage of the nipple and a position wherein the llow is directed to the `low passage without passage through the valve. Y

It .willwbe seen that the valve is shifted longitudinally inthe nipple by means or a sliding sleeve and that a means is provided to releasa'oly hold the sleeve and valve'in the lower and upper posi-tions in the nipple.

lt will also be seen that the valve is installed in and removed lfrom posit-ion in the landing nipple by means of a direct downward or upward lforce thereon.

Referring now to FGURES 6 through 9, la mod-ilied tform of landing nipple-ii@ and gas lift valve 8l `are shown. A pocket 82 oilset laterally vfrom the bore or llow passage 'da of the nippleprovides [a sealing surface tor the 1 upper Iand lower pacldn'gmeans 17 and ,i8 of the gas lift valve forv sealing therewith above andbelow the lateral ports l5 of the ynipplewhen the valve is in `an upper position as shown in FIGUR-E 6. As shown in FGURE 7, when the valve vis movedy to a lower position, the upper packing means 17 moves into alignment with the recess 34 in .the nipple adjacent the ports to-permit unobstructed ow from the ports upwardly. around the valve and into the flow passage of the nipple. 'A ilow port 15a opens from the lower end of the pocket to the interior of the nipple to permit duidsilowing :through the gas lift valve to enter into-the `flow passage.

A movable sleeve 83 is positioned in the llanding nipple v and is slidable longitudinally therein :between a lower positionabuttingan upwardly Ifacing shoulder 8d Iin the nipple adjacent the upper end'of the pocket and an upper position abutting a downwardly facing shoulder d5 in said nipple. A longitudinal bore 86 extends through the sleeve and is `of la diameter corresponding to the string ottub-ing ll to which the nipple is connected. A pair of longitudi- [nal guides or ribs 87 `are axed to the inner surface of the nipple as bywelding and extend upwardly in correspond- Ving guide slots d8 in the sleeve to maintain the sleeve in angular alignment with/the nipple.

An elise-t longitudinal'bo-re 3% through the sleeve, laterally displaced `from the bore d6, is aligned with the upper end of the .pocket and is rprovided with a locking recess 9i) thereiny in which the locking means 91 of the `gas lift The locleing means 91 `of the gas lift valve, of the type shown in detail in the patent `to Herbert C. Otis, N-o. 2,'lli4,850, includes a central mandrel 92 connected to the upper end of the body `S3 of the valve. A locking dog carrier 94 is slidably disposed on a tubular fishing neck 95 which is threaded into the upper end of the mandrel The iis-hing neck is provided with an external fishing flange 96 Iadjacent its upper end which limits upward movement of the dog carrier and provides la means for connection to a suitable running tool for installing the valve in the pocket. A plurality of elonga e locking Idogs y97 are swingably retained at their upper ends in theV dog carrier, and the depending Shanks of the dogs extend downwardly through :suitable slots 93 in an external annular -ilange 99 on the mandrel. The lower end of :the ila-nge 99 on the mandrel engages lthe upper end Vof thevsleeve 83 to limitl downward movement of the valvein the pocket, and' a dog :retaining band lo@ is disposed around the flange to ylimit the outward movement of the `dogs in the slots of T 1e lower ends of the dogs are provided with outwardly extending locking lugs lill which lare, enga-geable in the locking recess of thesleeve ywhen the dogs are moved laterally outwardly. VThe mandrel has a downwardly and outwardly tapered dog expander surface dit@ which moves the lower ends of the dogs outwardly to move the lugs `into locking position when .said mandrel is movedA upwardly relative to the dogs.

Manifestly the gas lift valve may be installed in the oftset bore 89 of the sleeve and in the pocket, the engagement of the liange 99 onthe mandrel of the valve with the upper end of the sleeve S3 limiting downward movement of the valve therein. As the valve is lowered into the pocket, the dogs and dog carrier are moved upwardly relative to the mandrel so that the lower ends of the dolgs 'move upwardly on the tapered expander surface to auchl position that Vthe locking lugsare retracted sufficiently to permit entry of the dogs into the offset bore 39; When the downward movement of the valve in the sleeve is Vstopped by the engagement of the flan-ge 99 with the sleeve 83, the dog `carrier and the locking dogs move downwardly on the mandrel, the looking dogs their;0F moved laterally outwardly into the locking recess. The valve is thus looked in posit-ion in the sleeve and in the pocket, and the valve is then movable longitudinally in the pocket by movement of the sleeve between its upper and lower positions. Y

An annular shifting recess lli?,` is provided in the bore S6 of the sleevev for engagement .by a suitable 'shifting v are provided in the inner wall of the landing nipple and are so positioned in said nipple that, when thersleeve is in the upper position in said nipple (FlGURE 6i) the plungers lite enter the upper recess litt; and when said sleeve is in the lower .position (FIGURE 7 said plungers enter the lower recess ll. The upper and lower shoulders of therecesses 169 and lll@I are beveled as are the outer surfaces of the plunlgers` so that the plunlgers lare eammed inwardly from their engagementin either of the grooves as the sleeve is moved toward the other of the grooves.V

The plungers and the plunger grooves thus coaot as a detent mechanism to release-bly hold the sleevein either the upper position of FIGURE 6 or the lower position of FIGURE 7 so that the sleeve is movable longitudinally in the nipple only on the application of a force of a :certain magnitude thereto. fore the gas lint valve, is thus held against inadvertent movement in the landing nipple.

In operation the 'gas lift valve is lowered through the tubing string by means of the `customary llexibleline and is moved laterally in the landing nipple by means The sleeve, and thereof a deflecting tool (not shown) incorporated in the usual string of flexible line operated tools by which the valve is lowered. The Valve is installed in the pocket and is locked in position in the locking recess of the sleeve.

It is noteworthy that the `customary running tool (not shown) is releasably secured to the fishing flange 96 by means of shearable pins (not shown) and is released from the valve by exerting anl upward pull on the running tool relative to the valve. Thus, when the valve islocked in position in the sleeve by means of the locking dogs, an upward pull on the shing neck exerted by the running tool moves the valve and the sleeve to the upper position (FIGURE 6) wherein any flow through the ports 15 of the pocket is directed through the gas lift valve to the port a and thence to the nipple ilow passage 82a. A further upward pull on the running tool shears the pins attaching the running tool to the valve and allows the running tool to be removed from the well.

When it ris desired to move the valve to the lower position of FIGURE 7 (or subsequen-tly to return it to the upper position) a suitable shifting tool of the type shown in the patent to Middleton, No. 2,723,677, is lowered into the bore S6 of the nipple to move the sleeve longer seals above the ports, and `llow through said ports proceeds upwardly around the valve and emerges from the pocket into bore or flow passage 123:1 of the landing and consequently the valve to the desired position; As t previously noted, the tdetent mechanism of the plungers 1% and the grooves or recesses 109 and 11G holds the sleeve and consequently the valve in either of the upper or lower positions against inadvertent movement therefrom.

When it isdesired to remove the valve, a suitable retrieving tool is lowered into the landing nipple and is deected to deliver a downward blow to the upper end of the fishing neck at the same time grasping the external flange 111 at the upper end of the dog carrier. An upward pull on the dog carrier removes the dogs from locked position in the sleeve, the dogs moving inwardly as they move upwardly along the tapered expander surface of the mandrel. Further upward movement of the dog carrier moves the mandrel 'and the -gas litt valve itselupwardly from position in the landing nipple.

It will be seen that with this modified form of the invention, a ported landing nipple and a gas lift valve have been shown and described wherein the valve is removably installable in the nipple and in wherein the nip-ple is provided with a sliding sleeve means to move the valve between a first position in which tlow through the ports of the nipple is directed into and through the gas lift valve to the nipple llow passage and a second position in which llow through the ports is not restricted by the valve.

It -will be seen that the valve is releasably locked in the sliding sleeve means and that the sleeve means is movable longitudinally in the nipple by means of any suitable shifting tool to move the valve between the first and second positions in the nipple. It will also be seen that the sliding sleeve is releasably held in position Vable longitudinally therein between an upper position as shown in FIGURE 10 and a lower position as shown in FIGURE ll. When the valve is in the upper position, the packing means i17 and 18 seal on either side of the lateral ports 15 of the pocket to direct any flow from the ports through the valve. When the valve is lowered to the position of FIGURE 11, the upper packing 17 no in the pocket.

nipple through the internal ports or windows 124 in the inner wall of the pocket. i

A locking means 91 similar to the locking means of the form of valve shown in FIGURES 6 through 9 is engageable in the lockingrecess 122 of the pocket. The external annular ilange 99 on the mandrel isreduced in diameter in its lower part to enter the upper part ofthe pocket when the valve is in its lower position in the pocket, and an enlarged portion at the upper end `of the flange 99 engagesthe upper end of said pocket to limit downward movement of the valve as shown in FIGURE The locking recess 122 of the pocket is elongated so that the locking lugs 101 may remain in expanded locking, position on the expander surface 102 of the mandrel.

A pair of snap wires or rings 126 and 127 are disposed on the mandrel 92 below the expander surface for cooperation with a snap ring groove 128 in the inner surface of the pocket. The snap rings are of a free size such that `they resiliently enter the ring groove when they are positioned adjacent the groove. The snap ring groove is provided with beveled upper and lower shoulders or faces so that the snap rings are cammed inwardly from engagement with the groove on longitudinal movement of the valve in the pocket.

` The lower snap ring 1727 is so disposed on the mandrel that, when the valve is in the upper position of FIGURE 10, the Vsnap ring enters the groove 128. Similarly, when the valve is in the lower position of FIG-URE ll, the lower snap ring is moved below the groove 128 while the upper snap ring 126 enters said groove. The snap rings and the groove thus constitute a detent mechanism to releasably hold the gas lift valve in either its upper or its lower position, the valve being movable from one position to the other only on the application of a certain force to the valve.

In operation, the gas lift valve is installed in the pocket by means of a deilecting tool in a string or" ilexible line operated tools (not shown), the locking dogs moving upwardly on the expander surface 102 of the mandrel to permit their entry into the pocket and. subsequently moving downward on the expander surface to project into the locking recess and thus lock the valve in the pocket. An upward pull on the running tool (not shown) attached to the llange 96 of the iishing neck moves the valve upwardly to the position of FIGURE 10, the lower snap ring 127 entering the groove 1278 `to prevent accidental lowering of the valve in the pocket. At the same time the lugs of the locking dogs engage the upper face of the locking groove to positively prevent removal of 4the valve from the pocket. A further upward pull on the running tool causes the shearable pins (not shown) attaching the running tool to the valve to be fractured, whereupon the running tool is removed from the well.

The valve is moved downwardly to its lower position in the pocket by the delivery of blows by means of suitable tool (not shown) lowered into the landing nipple by means of a customary flexible line `and deected in the nipple by means of `a usual deflecting tool to alignment with the gas lift valve. As the valve moves downwardly, the lower snap wire is cammed inwardly from Vengagement with the groove 128, and the upper snap wire enters the groove at the same time that the enlarged portion 125 of the flange 99 stops downward movement of said valve The valve is thus releasably held in its lower position. p

The valve is moved upwardly to its upper position by means of a suitable gripping or grasping tool (not shown) which engages and gripsthe flange 96 of the lishing neck. An upward pull on the fishing neck moves the valve upwardly to the upper position, the upper snap ring being inwardly cammed for removal from the groove 123 and priate direction on the ishing neck of the vlalve.

much-as the 'application of a force to the valve is imposthe lower ring re-entering the groove. The gripping tool atomes is disengaged from the iiange 96 by `an upward pull of f valve to its upper position in the pocket.

When it is desired to remove the gas lift valve from` the pocket, a suitable iishing toolis lowered into the nipple and is deflected intoaiignment with the upper end of said valve. The iishing tool'engagesthe tlange lll von the f ment to retracted position. Anuprward pull on the ange ,lili` then removes the valvefroml the pocket and is thenV removed upwardlyfrorn the well; Y Y

it is vnoteworthy that, if the valve is mits-lower position in the pocket (FIGURE ll), the dogs'and dog carrier are already moved upwardly Ytoward unlocked position by virtue of the engagementof the Vlower faces of the locking lugs with the upwardly facing shoulder atthe lower end of the lockingg'roove. ln this event, it is unnecessary` for the pulling .tool to move the mandrel Adownwardly relative to the dogs (andfsuch movement would`v indeed by prevented by the engagement. of theV enlarged portion i225 of the-vilange 99 with the upper end,

ofthe mandrel), and the valve is removed by a direct upward pull on *the dogV carrier. Y

With this form of the invention it isro'ovious that a blind lor dummy valve (not shown) could be substituted tor the gas lift valve 123v in which case, when the dummy valve is-in the upper position yas shown in FIGURE l0, the liow through the .ports ofthe pocket is simply closed oil,

Y while when the dummy valve is in the lower position of FlGURE ll, iiow is permitted through the ports 15 in the same manner as when the gas lift valve 123` is in the lower position.

it will `be seen that, with this form of the invention, a landing nipple and a ygas lift valve therefor have been shown and describ-ed wherein the valve is removably installed in said landing nipple, the valve being movableV between a iirst position in which :any iiow through the ports of the nipple is directed through the valve and a seoond'position in which unrestricted llow isV permitted through the ports without being confined to tlow through the valve. It will be seen that the valve is releasably held in eitherof thetwo positions described; and it wil-1 further be seen that the valve, `when installed in the 'landing nipple, is locked against inadvertent removal therefrom.' v t lt will be -seen that Athe valve is Imovable between th iirst and'second positions by a direct force in the approlnassible without the use of a deileoting tool to move the forceapplying instrumentality to the proximity of the valve,V

it is apparent that the'passage of other well tools through Va magnitude greater than that necessary to move the nipple; and means on said housing and saidV gas lift valve cro-engageable to position said gas lift valve in said nipple lat a first position in which said seal means on said gas lift valve areposition-ed on opposite sides of said port in said nip-ple for directing iiow from said port into said nipple through said valve, and la second position in which said seal Ameansrare dis-posed on the same side of said port in said nipple opening said port to permit iiow with said bore to connect said nipple :to a string ofwell` pipe; a valve pocket in said nipple laterally oiset from the bore of said nipple, saidpocket having a port opening p to the exterior of said nipple; a valve removably-positioned in said pocket; said valve having la iiow passage therethrough with a-lateral opening intermediate the ends of said valve Vand external seal means on said valve on opposite sides of said lateral openingsaid seal means being disposed to engage said valve Ipocket on opposite sides of said port when in a first position for sealing between said valve and said pocket whereby said port and said lateralopening are disposed in sealed communication for llow of fluids therethrough; operating moms in said nipple slidiable longitudinally therein between -a first :and a second position; and latch means on said operating means and said valve cooperatingly engageable to releasably oonvneet said v-alve to said operating means; said operating means moving said valve between a iir'st position in which said seal means on said valve lare disposed on opposite sides of the pont of said pocket for directing flow from the port of said pocket through the ow passage of said valve when said operating means is moved to said iirst position;

pipe; a valve pocket in said nipple laterally oil-set from .Y

the Vbore of said nipple, said pocket having ya port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a valve removably positioned in said pocket; `said valve'rhaving a iiow passage therethrough with a lateral opening intermediate the ends of said valve; 1a pair of longitudinally spaced annular seal means on the exterior of said valve on opposite sides of said lateral opening and engageable with the bore wall of saidpocket for sealing between said valve and said pocket;

la sleeve in said bore of said nipple slidable longitudinally the landingnipple will not inadvertently move the gas lift valve from the selected position lto Kthe non-selected position.-A lt is also apparent that the gas litt valve can easily 'be removedfrom the landing nipple without regard to which ofthe two positions inthe pocket the vailve -happens tov occupy.

'Ilhe foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, with in the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spi-rit of the invention. Y

What is claimed and Vdesired to be secured -by Letters Patent is:

l. AV Well tool including: a landing nipple provided with a lateral port; a gas lift valve removably installed in said nipple,l` said gas litt valve having a ow passage therethrough with a lateral opening intermediate the ends of said valve,fand external seal means thereon spaced longitudinally on opposite sides of` said lateral opening, s-aidrseal means .bein-g disposed to engage said landing Vtherein between a irst rand a second position; latch means onVsa-id sleeve and said valve oooperatingly eng/agea'ble to r'eleasably,V connect `said valvefto-said sleeve means; said sleeve moving' said valve to la first position in Which-said seal means on said valve V,are disposed on opposite 'sides' of said port of said pocket for directing ilow through the port ot said pocket through said flow passage `of said valve when saidl sleeve is moved to said tirstposi-tion; said sleeve moving said valve to a second position in which said seal -means are disposed on the same side of said port of said pocket for opening said port for liow into said nipple without passage through said liow passage of said valve when said sleeve is moved 4to said second position; and means on said sleeve and said nipple restraining said sleeve from movement from either of said irst and second Y positions.

4. A well tool including: a landing nipple having la bore therethrough and having means at each end aligned with said bore to conneot said nipple to a string of well pipe; a

t valve pocket in said nipple laterally offset from the bore sage therethrough with a lateral opening inter-mediate the ends thereof removably positionable in said pocket; a pair of longitudinally spaced sealing means on said valve on opposite sides of said lateral opening land sealingly enfgageable with the walls of said pocket; land means on said valve and said pocket releasab-ly locking said valve in said pocket; said means on said valve and said pocket locking said valve in said pocket permitting said valve when locked in said pocket to be mioved longitudinally therein between a first and a second position; said sealing means sealing on either side of said por-t in said pocket when said valve -is in said first position to confine any flow from said port to said -bore to said lateral yopening `of said passage through said valve; said sealing means being moved to a position sealing `only on one side of said port when said valve is in said second position to permit flow through said port andsaid pocket 4to said bore without passage through the flow passage of said valve.

5. A well tool including: a landing nipple having a bore therethrough and having means at each end aligned with4 said bore to connect said nipple to a string of well pipe; a Valve pocket in said nippleV laterally offset from the bore through said nipple, said pocket having port opening to the exteriorr thereof; a iiow control valve having a flow passage therethrough with a llateral opening intermediate the `ends thereof and removably positionable in said pocket; -a pair of longitudinally spaced external sealing means yon said valve on opposite sides of said lateral opening and sealingly engageable with rthe walls of said pocket; means on said valve and said pocket releasably locking said valve in said pocket; said means on said valve and said pocket releas-ably locking said valve in said pocket permitting said valve when locked in said pocket to be moved longitudinally therein between -a first and a second position; said sealing means sealing on either side of the port in said pocket when said valve is in said firs-t position to confine any flow from said port to said bore through said lateral opening and said passage of said valve; said sealing means being moved to a posi-tion sealing only on one side .of said pont when said valve is in said secondV valve pocket in said nipple laterally offset from the bore through said nipple, said pocket having a port opening to the exterior thereof; a liow control valve having a iiow passage therethrough with a later-al opening intermediate 7. As a sub-combination in a well -tool of the character described, a landing nipple having a longitudinal through bore for use in a string of well pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket laterally offset lfrom said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a sleeve disposed in said nipple and slidable longitudinally therein between a iirst and a second position and having a bore therethrough aligned with lthe 4bore through said nipple;.,restraining means on said sleeve and said nipple cooperatively engageable to releasably hold said sleeve in each of said positions against undesired movement therefrom; and latch means `on said sleeve engageable by cooperating latch means on a gas lift valve installable in said pocket to link said valve to said sleeve for movement therewith.

8. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the character described, a landing nipple having a longitudinal through bore Ifor use in a string of Well pipe, said nipple including: a Valve-receiving pocket laterally offset from said bore; said .pocket having a port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a sleeve disposed in said nipple and slidable longitudinally therein between a first and a second position and having a bore therethrough aligned lwith the bore through said nipple; restraining means on said sleeve and said nipple cooperatively engageable to releasably hold said sleeve in each of said positions against undesired movement therefrom; latch means on said sleeve engageable by cooperating latch means on a gas lift valve installable in said pocket to link said valve to said sleeve lfor movement therewith; and means on said sleeve and said nipple maintaining said latch means on said sleeve in engaging alignment with said valve.

9. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the character describer, a landing nipple having a longitudinal through bore for use in a string of Well pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket laterally offset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a sleeve disposed in said nipple and slidable longitudinally therein between a first and a second position and having a bore therethrough aligned with the bore through said nipple; restraining means on said sleeve and said nip-ple -cooperatively engageable to the ends thereof and removably positionable in said pocket; a pair of longitudinally spaced extern-alisealing means 'on said Valve on opposite sides of said lateral opening 'and sealingly engagea-ble with the walls of said pocket; means on said valve and said pocket releasably `locking said valve in said pocket; said means on said valve and said pocket releasably locking said valve in said'pocket permitting said valve when locked in said pocket to be moved longitudinally therein between la first and la `second position; said sealing means sealing on either side of said port 'in said pocket when said valve is in said iirst posi-tion to confine any iiow from said port through said lateral opening and said passage of said valve `and into said bore,` said sealing means being -moved to a position sealing only on one side lof said port when said valve is in said second position to permit ow from said port into said bore without passage through said flow passage of said Valve; and holdin-g means on said valve and said pocket releasably holding said valve in said first and second positions; the `bore through said nipple providing an unobstructed opening therethrough of a minimum dimension approximating the diameter of the` string of wel-l pipe.

releasably hold said sleeve in each `of said positions against undesired movement therefrom; latch means on said sleeve engageable by cooperating latch means on a gas lift valve installable insaid pocket to link said valve to said sleeve -for movement therewith; means on said sleeve engageable by a shifting tool whereby said shifting tool may selectively move said sleeve between said first and second positions.

l0. A landing nipple of the character set forth in claim 7 wherein the restraining means comprises a detent mechamsm. Y v

i 11. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the characted described, a `landing nipple having a longitudinal bore therethrough for use in a string of well pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket laterally offsetfrom said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a sleeve member disposed in said nipple and slidable longitudinally therein between a iirst and a second position and having a first bore therethrough aligned with the bore through said nipple and a second .bore aligned with said pocket; means onsaid sleeve member and said nipple engaging one another to maintain said second bore aligned with said pocket; `a locking recess in said second bore engageable by a locking means on a gas lift valve on insertion. of said valve into said second bore and said pocket to hold said valve in said pocket; said valve being movable longitudinally in said pocket withsaid sleeve when said sleeve member `is moved in said nipple; and holding means on said sleeve member and said nipple releasably holding said sleeve in each of said first and second positions.

12. As a sub-combination in a well tool of the character described, a landing nipple having a longitudinal bore therethrough for use in a string of Well pipe, said nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket laterally olset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a sleeve member disposed in Ving means on a gas lift valve on insertion of said valve Vinto said second -bore and said pocket to hold said valve in said pocket; said valve being movable longitudinally in said pocket with said sleeve when said sleeve member is moved in said nipple; holding means on said sleeve member and said nipple releasably holding said sleeve in each of said first and second positions; and a groove in "said `lirs'ttbore means engageable by a shifting tool whereby 'said'sleeve ,may be moved selectively between said rst and said -second positions.

' 13. ln combination, a landing nipple having a longitudinal -bore therethrough for use in :a string offwell pipe, and la gas lift valve, said nipple including an openended valve-receiving pocket laterally odset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior or said nipple; `a sleeveV disposed in said nipple below the lower end of said pocket and .slidable longitudinally in said nipple between a iirst and .a second position .and having a bore therethrough aligned with the bore through said nipple; and :a resilient latch means on said sleeve engaging Vsaid .gas lift valve on insertion of said valve into said pocket tol releasably hold said valve in said pocket; said sleeve being selectively movable to said first or second position by a suitable Ishifting tool, said valvebeing moved Y valve being moved to a position permitting llow from` said portato said bore without passage thnough the low passage of said valve when said sleeve is moved to said second position.

14. In combination, a landing nipple having a'longitudinal bore therethrough for use ina string of well pipe, and ya gas lift valve, said nipple including: an open-ended valve-receiving pocket laterally odset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening to the exterior of said nipple; a sleeve'idisposed in said nipple below the lower end of said pocket land slidable longitudinally in said nipple lbetween a lirst and a second position and havingV a bore therethrough aligned with the bore through said nippleya resilient latch 'means on said sleeve for engaging said gaslift valve `onA insertion of said valve into said pocket to releasably hold said valve in said pocket; said sleeve being selectively movable to said iirst and second positions 4by a suitable shifting tool, said valve' being moved in said pocket. by movement of said sleeve; said valve 'having a llow passage thereon and external seal means surrounding said ilow passage and engaging the bore wall of said pocket for cominingtliow through said port to flow through the flow passage of said valve when Vsaid sleeve is moved to said first position; said external seal means on said valve being moved to a position permitting unrestricted flow through said port when said sleeve is' moved to said second position; land means on said sleeve and said nipple maintaining said latch means in engaging alignment with said valve.

l5. A landing nipple ofthe chanacter set forth in claim l4'including: .a resilient holding means on said sleeve and said nipple releasably holding said sleeve in each or" said first and second positions against inadvertent movement therefrom. Y

16. ln combination, a landing nipple having a bore therethrough for use in a string of. well pipe, 'and a gas lift vmve, said landing nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket having an open upper end and lateral offset from said bore; said pocket having a port opening tothe exterior or said nipple; an elongate locking recess in said pocket; saidrvalve including a central mandrel; a locking dog carrier mounted on said mandrel for 4limited longitudinal movement thereon; a plurality of elongate locking dogs swingably suspended from said carrier; a tapered expander section on mandrel moving the lower ends of said dogs laterally outward-ly to expanded position Von downwardmoven'ient ots-aid carrier relative to said mandrei; locking lugs on said dogs yprotruding outwardly therefrom; said locking lugs entering said locking recess to limit upward movement of said valve in said pocket when said dogs are moved to expanded position; stop means on said valve engageable with said pocket to limit downward movement of said valve in said pocket; said valve being movable through a limited distance between the upper position limited by said locking lugs and the lower position limited by said stop means on said valve; said valve being removable from said pocket by upward movement ot said carrier and said dogs relative to said mandrel to release said Vdogsgfor inward lateral movement;

sage of said valve whensaid valve is in one of said upperand lower positions in said nipple; said sealing means being moved to a position uncovering said port for allo'wing ilow from said port to said bore when said valve is in the other of said upper and lower positions.

17. ln combination, a landing nipple having la bore therethrough for use in a string of well pipe, and a gas liftvalve, said landing nipple including: avalve-receivng pocket having an "open upper end and laterally olset from said bore; salid pocket having a port opening tothe exterior of said nipple; an elongate lock-ing'recess in said pocket; said valve including a central mandrel; a vlocking therefrom; said locking lugs entering said locking'recessV` to limit upward movementV of said valve in said pocket Vwhen said'dogs are moved to expanded position; stop means on said valve engageable with said pocket to limit Y downward movement of said valve in said pocket;salid valve being movable in said pocket through a, limited distance between the upper'position limited by saidlocking lugs and the lower position limited by said stop means on said valve; said valve being removable from said pocket by upward movement of said carrier and said dogs relative to said mandrel to release said dogs for inward lateral movement; said valve having a flow passage therethrougli with a lateral opening; external sealing means onV opposite sides of said lateral opening ofisad valve engaging said pocket; said sealing means confining any tlow through the port of said pocket to l'low through the lateral opening Vand llow passage of said valve to said Y bore whenr said valve is in one of said upper and lower positions in-said nipple; said sealing means beingmoved to a position uncovering said port forow'therethrough to said bore unhampered by said valvewhensaid vallve is in the otherlof said upper and Ylower positions; said valve being movable between said upperand lower posi-- tions by the. application of a direct force to said'mandrel.

13. Vin combination a landing-nipplehaving arboreV therethrough for use in a string ofl well pipe, and a gas lift valve, said landing nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket having an open upper end `and laterally oiset from said bore; a port in said pocket opening to the exterior of said nipple; 'an elongate locking recess in said pocket; said valve including a central mandrel; a locking dog carrier mounted on said mandrel for limiting longitudinal movement thereon; a plurality of elongate looking dogs swingably suspended from said carrier; a tapered expander section yon said mandrel moving the lower ends of said dogs laterally outwardly to expanded position on downward movement of said carrier relative to said mandrel; locking lugs on said dogs protruding outwardly therefrom; said loclning lugs entering said locking recess to limit upward movement of said valve in said pocket when said dogs are moved to expanded position; stop means on said valve engageable with said pocket to limit downward movement of said valve in said pocket; said valve being movable in said pocket through a limited distance between the upper position limited by said locking lugs and the lower position limited by said stop means on said valve; said valve being removable from said pocket by upward movement of said carrier and said dogs relative to said mandrel to release said dogs for inward lateral movement; said valve having a flow passage therethrough with a lateral opening external sealing means on opposite sides of said lateral opening of said valve engaging said pocket; said sealing means confining any iiow through the lateral opening and ow passage of the port of said pocket to flow through said val-ve when said valve is in one of said upper and lower positions in said nipple; said seal-ing means being in a position uncovering said port for ilow therethrough unhampered by said valve when said valve is in the other of said upper and lower positions; and holding means on said valve and said pocket engageable to releasably hold said valve in said upper and lower positions in said pocket.

19. In combination, a landing nipple having a bore therethrough for use in a string of well pipe, and a gas lift valve, said landing nipple including: a valve-receiving pocket having an open upper end and laterally oiiset from said bore; a port in said pocket opening to the exterior of said nipple; an elongate locking recess in said pocket; said valve including a central mandrel; a locking dog toarrier mounted on said mandrel for limited longitudinal movement thereon; a plurality of elongate locking dogs swingably suspended from said canrier; a tapered expander section on said mandrel moving the lower ends tof said dogs laterally outwardly to expanded position on downward movement of said carrier relative to said mandrel; locking lugs on said dogs pnotnuding outwardly therefrom; said lock-ing lugs entering said locking recess to limit upward movement of said valve in said pocket when said dogs tare moved to expanded position; stop means ion said valve engageable with said pocket to limit downward movement of said valve in said pocket; said valve being movable in `said pocket through a limited distance between the upper position limited by said locking lugs and the lower position limited by said stop means [on said valve; said valve ibeing removable :Enom said pocket by upward movement of said carrier and said dogs relative to said mandrel to release said dogs for inward lateral movement; said valve having a flow said valve and said pocket engageable to releasalbly hold said valve in said upper and lower positions in said pocket; said holding means including a groove means in one tof said valve and pocket and a resilient means on the other of -said valve and pocket, said resilient means being urged into holding engagement in said groove means; said 'groove means and said resilient means including cam means [to disengage said resilient means :from said groove means on application of the longitudinal dorce to said valve of a certain magnitude.

20. A device oi the type described including: a landing nipple connecta'ble in a pipe string and having a ow passage aligned with the bore of said pipe string; said landing nipple having means providing a valve-receiving pocket having a Ilateral port providing communication between the exterior tot said nipple and said pocket, said pocket means Ibeing laterally toiset from said flow passage; a valve having a tlow passage .therethrough with a lateral opening intermediate the ends thereof and external sealing means surrounding said lateral opening, said valve meansbeing insertable in said pocket means, said valve means having locking and releasaible restraining means thereon; means on said pocket coopenable with said locking land restraining means [orf said valve receivable in said pocket for llocking said valve in said pocket while penmitting limited movement of said valve between said rst and second positions in said pocket; said external seal means on said valve bein-g disposed in engagement with the Ibore fwall or said pocket to oonneot the latenail lopening o-f the flow passage of said valve in flow :communication with the lateral port of said pocket when said valve is in one of said iirstand second positions, said external seal means on said valve being in :a position permitting iiow of iluid through said lateral port of said pocket means without flowing through the passage ott said valve means when said valve i-s in the other of said lirst and second positions.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. A WELL TOOL INCLUDING: A LANDING NIPPLE PROVIDED WITH A LATERAL PORT; A GAS LIFT VALVE REMOVABLY INSTALLED IN SAID NIPPLE, SAID GAS LIFT VALVE HAVING A FLOW PASSAGE THERETHROUGH WITH A LATERAL OPENING INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID VALVE, AND EXTERNAL SEAL MEANS THEREON SPACED LONGITUDINALLY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID LATERAL OPENING, SAID SEAL MEANS BEING DISPOSED TO ENGAGE SAID LANDING NIPPLE; AND MEANS ON SAID HOUSING AND SAID GAS LIFT VALVE CO-ENGAGEABLE TO POSITION SAID GAS LIFT VALVE IN SAID NIPPLE AT A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH SAID SEAL MEANS ON SAID GAS LIFT VALVE ARE POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PORT IN SAID NIPPLE FOR DIRECTING FLOW FROM SAID PORT INTO SAID NIPPLE THROUGH SAID VALVE, AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID SEAL MEANS ARE DISPOSED ON THE SAME SIDE OF SAID PORT IN SAID NIPPLE OPENING SAID PORT TO PERMIT FLOW OF FLUIDS DIRECTLY INTO SAID NIPPLE WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH SAID FLOW PASSAGE OF SAID VALVE.

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