A downhole circulation tool includes: a housing having an axially extending delivery bore for conveying a drilling mud flow therethrough, the housing having a circulation port for discharging drilling mud; and a valve member rotatably disposed within the housing, the valve member comprising a through-flow channel and a circulation channel. The valve member is rotatable between a through-flow position in which the through-flow channel is arranged to convey drilling mud flow from an upstream portion of the delivery bore to the downstream portion of the delivery bore, and a circulation position in which the circulation channel is arranged to convey drilling mud from the upstream portion of the delivery bore to the circulation port to discharge drilling mud from the housing. There is also disclosed a downhole tool comprising a unidirectional drive mechanism, an actuation element for a downhole tool, and a method of operating a downhole tool.

A circulation sub including a tubular and a diverter valve are configured to continuously circulate fluid into a drill string. The tubular has a first end connectable to the drill string, a second end connectable to a pipe segment, and a port. The tubular has a fluid path for allowing the fluid to flow from the pipe segment to the drill string and a circulation path for allowing the fluid to flow from the port to the drill string. The diverter valve has a channel in selective fluid communication with the fluid path. The diverter valve is positionable between a flow through position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the fluid path and a diversion position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the circulation path whereby the fluid may continuously flow through the drill string.

A valve including a flexible tube having two ends, a first structure disposed at one of the two ends and rotationally anchored thereto, and a second structure at the other of the two ends and rotationally anchored thereto, at least one of the first and second structures being rotatable relative to the other of the first and second structures. A method for controlling a flow of fluid including rotating one of the first structure and second structure relative to the other of the first structure and second structure of the valve reducing a dimension of a flow path within a flexible tube. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and a valve disposed in the borehole.

Downhole tools and methods and systems related thereto, wherein the downhole tool comprises a body having a body inner flow bore, a port in the body, a valve member axially rotatable relative to the body between an open position and a closed position, and an actuable drive shaft of a gearbox and a motor connected to the valve member to axially rotate the valve member. The open position allows fluid communication between the port and the body inner flow bore and the closed position prevents fluid communication between the port and the body inner flow bore, and the gearbox and the motor are in the body and axially offset from the body inner flow bore.

A ball-type selector valve is rotatably supported in a housing, for rotation therein between an open position, aligning a flow passage in the ball valve with a bore of the housing, to direct the flow of fluid therethrough and a closed position, wherein the flow passage is misaligned with the housing bore, for blocking the flow of fluid therethrough. The ball is rotated by a rack and pinion system. The ball is rotated about the pinion to align and misalign the flow passage with the bore when the rack is moved axially with an upper portion of the housing to which it is connected.

Downhole tools and methods and systems related thereto, wherein the downhole tool comprises a body having a body inner flow bore, a port in the body, a valve member axially rotatable relative to the body between an open position and a closed position, and an actuable drive shaft of a gearbox and a motor connected to the valve member to axially rotate the valve member. The open position allows fluid communication between the port and the body inner flow bore and the closed position prevents fluid communication between the port and the body inner flow bore, and the gearbox and the motor are in the body and axially offset from the body inner flow bore.

A linear electromechanical actuator with a failsafe design may be used with a downhole flow control system. In one example, a subsurface safety valve for controlling flow of production fluids includes a valve closure element moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to a linear movement of an actuating member. A biasing member biases the valve closure element to the closed position. A power section with an electrically-powered motor drives a rotation. A drive section coupled to the power section converts the rotation of the motor to the linear movement of the actuating member to at least open the subsurface safety valve. A clutch selectively decouples the power section from the drive section in response to a power loss.

A downhole circulation tool includes: a housing having an axially extending delivery bore for conveying a drilling mud flow therethrough, the housing having a circulation port for discharging drilling mud; and a valve member rotatably disposed within the housing, the valve member comprising a through-flow channel and a circulation channel. The valve member is rotatable between a through-flow position in which the through-flow channel is arranged to convey drilling mud flow from an upstream portion of the delivery bore to the downstream portion of the delivery bore, and a circulation position in which the circulation channel is arranged to convey drilling mud from the upstream portion of the delivery bore to the circulation port to discharge drilling mud from the housing. There is also disclosed a downhole tool comprising a unidirectional drive mechanism, an actuation element for a downhole tool, and a method of operating a downhole tool.

The present invention applies to flowing wells. Within a flowing well, production tubing moves fluid upward under immense pressures and is greatly exposed to damage, either accidental, or intentional. Recently, there is increased concern in protecting our production wells from damage, either natural or man-made. The present invention is designed to address the problems of controlling hydrocarbon, and fluid flow, through production tubing after the production tubing is compromised by penetration or severance.

Disclosed embodiments relate to electric safety valves for a well, which may be configured to close in the event of a power loss for example. In embodiments, the electric safety valve may include an electro-magnetic tooth brake system. For example, a plurality of teeth may be coupled to a translating sleeve disposed within an outer housing, a pinion may be mounted within the outer housing and configured to mesh with the plurality of teeth, and an electric tooth brake may have brake teeth configured to engage the pinion upon activation of an electro-magnet. Thus, when the electro-magnet is powered and the teeth are engaged/meshing, the translating sleeve may be held in position to hold open the valve. A loss of power may disengage the teeth, releasing the translating sleeve and allowing the valve to close. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.