A surface safety valve for a well system includes a main valve body with a central bore through it. The main valve body has a centerline axis and is configured to be connected at a surface location above a surface of the Earth to a surface assembly of the well system and to receive through the central bore a flow of wellbore fluid from a subterranean zone conveyed by a production tubing. A gate is positioned within the main valve body and is configured to move from an open position in which the gate does not block flow of wellbore fluid through the central bore to a closed position in which the gate blocks flow of wellbore fluid through the central bore. The gate travels from the open position to the closed position along a gate movement axis perpendicular to the centerline bore axis. The gate includes a gate front end positioned on a first side of the centerline bore axis and a gate back end positioned on a second side of the centerline bore axis opposite the first side. The surface safety valve also includes an actuator positioned on the first side of the centerline bore axis. The actuator is configured to selectively push the gate towards the open position. The safety valve also includes a spring enclosed within the main valve body and positioned on the second side of the centerline bore axis. The spring is connected to the gate back end and is configured to bias the gate towards the closed position.

A surface safety valve for a well system includes a main valve body with a central bore through it. The main valve body has a centerline axis and is configured to be connected at a surface location above a surface of the Earth to a surface assembly of the well system and to receive through the central bore a flow of wellbore fluid from a subterranean zone conveyed by a production tubing. A gate is positioned within the main valve body and is configured to move from an open position in which the gate does not block flow of wellbore fluid through the central bore to a closed position in which the gate blocks flow of wellbore fluid through the central bore. The gate travels from the open position to the closed position along a gate movement axis perpendicular to the centerline bore axis. The gate includes a gate front end positioned on a first side of the centerline bore axis and a gate back end positioned on a second side of the centerline bore axis opposite the first side. The surface safety valve also includes an actuator positioned on the first side of the centerline bore axis. The actuator is configured to selectively push the gate towards the open position. The safety valve also includes a spring enclosed within the main valve body and positioned on the second side of the centerline bore axis. The spring is connected to the gate back end and is configured to bias the gate towards the closed position.

An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body assembly having valving members (e.g., safety or kelly values) and valving members holding plugs, balls, or darts to be dropped. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. A transmitter (or transceiver) provides an ability to generate a wireless signal that is received by receivers (or transceivers) on the tool body assembly. Each receiver (or transceiver) controls an electrical actuator that engages a valving member or the indicator. Wireless signals can be used to open or close a valve or to reset a “tripped” indicator.

An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body assembly having valving members (e.g., safety or kelly values) and valving members holding plugs, balls, or darts to be dropped. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. A transmitter (or transceiver) provides an ability to generate a wireless signal that is received by receivers (or transceivers) on the tool body assembly. Each receiver (or transceiver) controls an electrical actuator that engages a valving member or the indicator. Wireless signals can be used to open or close a valve or to reset a “tripped” indicator.

A plug and pump system for routing pressurized fluid from a fluid source is disclosed. The system includes a platform and a docking station interface mounted on the platform and including multiple points of articulation. A wellhead interface is mounted on the platform and includes multiple points of articulation. The docking station interface and the wellhead interface are configured to route pressurized fluid from a fluid source.

A ball launcher for launching a plurality of balls into a well, including an endless conveyor belt, the conveyor belt forming a plurality of ball retainers, each operable to contain one of the plurality of balls, a drive motor for selectively driving the conveyor belt, and a brake for braking the conveyor belt.

A ball launcher for launching a plurality of balls into a well, including an endless conveyor belt, the conveyor belt forming a plurality of ball retainers, each operable to contain one of the plurality of balls, a drive motor for selectively driving the conveyor belt, and a brake for braking the conveyor belt.

A system includes a flow control assembly having a first portion configured to be positioned within and coupled to a first passageway formed in a wellhead component and a second portion configured to be coupled to a second passageway formed in a body that is configured to be coupled to the wellhead component. An actuator of the second portion is configured to drive a valve member of the first portion into an open position to enable fluid flow across the flow control assembly.

A system includes a flow control assembly having a first portion configured to be positioned within and coupled to a first passageway formed in a wellhead component and a second portion configured to be coupled to a second passageway formed in a body that is configured to be coupled to the wellhead component. An actuator of the second portion is configured to drive a valve member of the first portion into an open position to enable fluid flow across the flow control assembly.

A chemical stick launcher includes a stack of vertically mounted low voltage electrically operated valves providing spaces between the valves for chemical sticks. The valves are manipulated by a controller to drop sticks from the compartments between the valves after suitable time delays so the launcher can supply chemicals to a hydrocarbon well over a period of time. The stack is insulated to reduce the operating temperature of the launcher and thereby allow a wider variety of chemical compositions to be used. The low voltage electrically operated valves include a front panel providing a visual indicator of whether the valves are open or closed. The valves are mounted on the stack so the front panels face in the same direction so a standing person can see all the indicators from a single position.