BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A subsurface safety valve is a failsafe device deployed downhole to prevent catastrophic failure by shutting-in a well when other means of control are compromised or lost. During initial completion operations, while the drilling rig is still on the well site, a tubing-retrievable type of subsurface safety valve is run into the well as part of the production tubing. The term tubing-retrievable means the subsurface safety valve is deployed as an integrated part of, and is only retrievable by pulling, the production tubing.

[0002] During production operations, after the drilling rig has left the well site, the tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve may be put into the producing state by applying hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic control line that fluidly connects a surface-based pump to the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. When sufficient hydraulic pressure is provided in the hydraulic control line, the safety valve hydraulically actuates, or opens, permitting production flow towards the surface. When the operator wants to stop production flow, the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control line may be reduced thereby allowing the biasing mechanism of the safety valve to automatically close the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, preventing further production flow. In the event of a failure or other contingency, the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve is designed to fail in the closed position and prevent further production flow.

[0003] In this way, the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve is a failsafe device that requires the affirmative application of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control line that is sufficient to overcome the biasing mechanism to open a flapper or valve and contrail ably permit the flow of production fluids toward the surface. When the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control line is sufficiently reduced, intentionally or otherwise, the biasing mechanism causes the flapper or valve to automatically close, thereby safely preventing further production flow.

[0004] Notwithstanding the above, tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves are mechanical devices that are prone to fail over time. When this happens in a tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve deployed at conventional depths, a wireline- retrievable subsurface safety valve may be run in on a wireline and landed within the central production lumen of the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve to serve as the producing orifice and failsafe device in lieu of the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. Prior to running the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve in, the tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve must be communicated such that hydraulic fluid from the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve is redirected to the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed therein, to control the opening or closing of the wireline- retrievable subsurface safety valve. Communicating the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve enables fluid communication from the surface-based pump to the wireline- retrievable subsurface safety valve by way of the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0005] Conventional depth-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves include internal communication features that facilitate communication in anticipation of the need to use a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve at some future point. When the tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve fails, the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve is run in and positioned such that packing elements, typically deployed in an annulus between the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve and the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, pack off and facilitate communication of hydraulic fluid from the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve to the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0006] Similar to the failed valve, the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve may be put into the producing state by applying hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control line that fluidly connects the surface-based pump to the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve by way of the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. When sufficient hydraulic pressure is provided in the hydraulic control line, which is influenced by pressure at the setting depth, the safety valve hydraulically actuates or opens, permitting production flow towards the surface. When the operator wants to stop production flow, the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control line may be sufficiently reduced and the biasing mechanism automatically closes the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve, thereby preventing further production flow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple includes an upper housing having a hydraulic inlet port fluidly connected to a hydraulic inlet passageway formed in a first sidewall portion of the upper housing, a hydraulic outlet port fluidly connected to a hydraulic outlet passageway formed in a second sidewall portion of the upper housing, and a hydraulic chamber formed in a third sidewall portion of the upper housing fluidly connected to the hydraulic inlet passageway and the hydraulic outlet passageway. The hydraulic communication nipple further includes a lower housing removably attached to the upper housing, an isolation sleeve having an outlet lumen disposed in the hydraulic chamber in between the hydraulic inlet passageway and the hydraulic outlet passageway, and a frangible sleeve having a frangible portion and a sleeve portion disposed in the hydraulic chamber. The frangible sleeve forms a frangible seal in the hydraulic chamber below the fluid connection of the hydraulic inlet passageway to the hydraulic chamber. The nipple further includes a retention collet attached to the upper housing, a shifting sleeve removably attached to the lower housing, and a drive rod having a first end disposed within the hydraulic chamber that extends into the frangible sleeve and a second end that is flush or near flush with a portion of the shifting sleeve. The hydraulic inlet port is fluidly connected to the hydraulic outlet port by default. A jarring-up operation causes the shifting sleeve to move up and drive the drive rod up such that the frangible portion breaks away from the sleeve portion, breaking the frangible seal, and the retention collet holds the shifting sleeve in place such that the drive rod holds the frangible portion on the isolation sleeve and closes the outlet lumen, thereby isolating the hydraulic outlet port and establishing fluid connectivity between the hydraulic inlet port and a lower portion of the hydraulic chamber via the broken frangible seal.

[0008] According to one aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method of controllably enabling communication of a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve includes disposing a hydraulic communication nipple between production tubing and the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, fluidly connecting a surface-based pump to a hydraulic inlet port of the hydraulic communication nipple, fluidly connecting a hydraulic outlet port of the hydraulic communication nipple to a hydraulic inlet connector the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. The hydraulic communication nipple fluidly communicates hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet port to the hydraulic outlet port during normal operation of the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. The hydraulic communication nipple is jarred-up to isolate the hydraulic outlet port and divert hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet port to a hydraulic chamber that bleeds out into an area that is fluidly connected to an inlet of a wireline-retrievable subsurface safely valve when the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve fails.

[0009] Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hydraulic communication nipple in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a hydraulic communication nipple in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a partial environmental view of a hydraulic communication nipple in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4A shows a partial environmental view a hydraulic communication nipple in a default state showing a flow path of hydraulic fluid to a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed there below in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4B shows a partial environmental view a hydraulic communication nipple in a bypass state showing a flow path of hydraulic fluid to a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed therein in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5A shows a B-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. SB shows an A-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a detail cross-sectional view of a flow path of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic communication nipple in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of a jarring-up tool run in to a hydraulic communication nipple in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of a jarring-up tool after jarring-up a hydraulic communication nipple now in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 8A shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple prior to jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 8B shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple after jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 8C shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple prior to jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. [0023] FIG. 8D shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple after jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 9A shows a B-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 9B shows an A-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 10 shows a detail cross-sectional view of a flow path of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic communication nipple in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 11 shows a hybrid cross-sectional environment view of a hydraulic communication nipple with a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed therein in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] One or more embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. For consistency, like elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals. In the following detailed description of the present invention, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. In other instances, well-known features to those of ordinary skill in the art are not shown or described to avoid obscuring the description of the present invention. For the purposes of this disclosure, upper or top refer to portions of downhole apparatus that are above, or closer to, the surface whereas lower or bottom refer to portions of downhole apparatus that are below, or closer to, the bottom of the wellbore.

[0029] A substantial portion of the remaining and recoverable hydrocarbons lie below the seafloor in deepwater or ultra-deepwater reserves where production is conducted in water depths between 5,000 and 12,000 feet or more. To gain access to the resources, the wellbore may have a further measured depth 10,000 feet or more below the seafloor. At depth, the downhole temperature may exceed 400°F and the formation pressure may exceed 25,000 pounds per square inch (“psi”). As such, the wellbore environment at deepwater and ultra-deepwater depths present a number of challenges for the operation of subsurface safety valves.

[0030] As noted above, conventional depth-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves typically have internal communication features that facilitate opening up and communicating the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve for anticipated future use of a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve. For example, they may include frangible components or shifting elements that facilitate communication. However, deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves, typically deployed 5,000 to 12,000 feet or more below the water’s surface, do not include such internal communication features for a number of reasons. First, the original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves do not have comparable wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valves that work at deepwater or ultra-deepwater depths. In part, this is due to the increased hydrostatic head pressure in the hydraulic control line at depth that prevents the conventional biasing mechanisms to overcome the hydrostatic head to fully close the valve. As such, conventional wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valves are not capable of functioning at deepwater and ultra-deepwater depths. In addition, the use of subsea trees and other infrastructure disposed on or near the seafloor at deepwater and ultra-deepwater depths present inherent access limitations to the wellbore that complicate the deployment of wireline equipment downhole.

[0031] In the absence of wireline solutions, the OEMs opted to forgo the inclusion of internal communication features and instead added redundancy to the hydraulic actuation system. In recognition of the fact that a common failure mode of deep-set tubing retrievable subsurface safety valves is seal failure in the hydraulic control line, OEMs added a redundant, but independent, hydraulic control line. By including an additional hydraulic control line, the deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve may continue to operate in the event of a failure. Consequently, OEMs do not include internal communication features within their deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve and do not offer a deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve for use in a failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. As such, deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valves cannot be communicated, thereby preventing the use of a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve capable of operating at depth. In the event a deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve fails, the well must be re-completed in a time-consuming and expensive process that requires floating a drilling rig back onto the well site, pulling the production tubing, replacing the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, and re-deploying the production tubing with the replaced tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve. In addition to the substantial costs associated with the above-noted re-completion activities, profits lost for the duration of these operations are substantial. The frequency of failure, the substantial time and expense required to recomplete the well in the event of a failure, and the inherent risk to the safety personnel and the environment, present a significant challenge that jeopardizes the feasibility and economic viability of deepwater and ultra-deepwater operations.

[0032] Accordingly, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple may be installed above a deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve prior to production tubing being run into the hole. The hydraulic communication nipple controllably enables hydraulic communication of a failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve for use with a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve. In a default state, the hydraulic communication nipple may convey hydraulic fluid from a surface-based pump to the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve in a transparent manner. Due to metal-to-metal connections and a reduced number of potential leakage paths, the hydraulic communication nipple maintains the hydraulic integrity of the hydraulic actuation system. In the event of the failure of the deep-set tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve, the hydraulic communication nipple may be actuated by jarring-up to isolate the hydraulic outlet port and divert hydraulic fluids to a hydraulic chamber that bleeds out of the nipple’s central lumen for use by a deep-set wireline- retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed therein. Polished bores above and below the location of the internal bleed facilitate trapping the hydraulic fluid to controllably actuate the deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve and continue production through a central production lumen of the deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Hydraulic communication nipple 100 may include an upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120. A top connection end 115 of upper housing 110 may removably attach to production tubing (not shown) disposed above hydraulic communication nipple 100. A bottom connection end 127 of lower housing 120 may removably attach, directly or indirectly, to a deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown). A hydraulic control line 705 may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) from a surface-based pump (not shown) to a hydraulic inlet port 135 of hydraulic communication nipple 100. In the default state, hydraulic communication nipple 100 may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) from a hydraulic outlet port 137 to a hydraulic inlet port (not shown) of the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) via a hydraulic control line 710.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The hydraulic communication nipple 100 may include an upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120. An isolation sleeve 205, an isolation ball 210, a frangible sleeve 215, a sealing ball 220, and a drive rod 225 may be disposed in a hydraulic chamber (not shown) of upper housing 110. A retention collet 300 may be attached to upper housing 110 by a plurality of retention bolts 305. Drive rod 225 may be disposed through a mounting hole of retention collet 300. A shifting sleeve 400, partially disposed through a central lumen of retention collet 300, may be attached to lower housing 120 by a plurality of shear bolts 405. When bottom connection end 117 of upper housing 110 is removably attached to a top connection end 125 of lower housing 120, retention collet 300 and shifting sleeve 400 are disposed within a central lumen formed therein.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a partial environmental view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Hydraulic communication nipple 100 may be disposed, directly or indirectly, below production tubing 715. A deep-set tubing retrievable subsurface safety valve (or intermediate joint) 720 may be disposed, directly or indirectly, below hydraulic communication nipple 100. A hydraulic control line 705 may fluidly connect a surface-based pump (not shown) to a hydraulic inlet port 135 of upper housing 110. The surface-based pump (not shown) provides hydraulic pressure via hydraulic fluid (not shown) that may be used to control the actuation of the safety valve. A hydraulic control line 710 may fluidly connect a hydraulic outlet port 137 of upper housing 110 to a hydraulic inlet (not shown) of a tubing-retrievable subsurface safely valve 720 disposed there below.

[0036] FIG. 4A shows a partial environmental view a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a default state showing a flow path 805 of hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve 720 disposed there below in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the default state, the hydraulic communication nipple 100 is transparent to the operation of the deep-set tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve 720 disposed there below. Hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be fluidly communicated from a surface-based pump (not shown) to a hydraulic inlet port 135 of upper housing 110 via a hydraulic control line 705. Upper housing 110 of hydraulic communication nipple 100 may fluidly communicate the hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a hydraulic outlet port 137. A hydraulic control line 710 may fluidly communicate the hydraulic fluid (not shown) from a hydraulic outlet port 137 to a hydraulic inlet of a deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve 720. When the operator wishes to produce, hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be conveyed via flow path 805 to hydraulically actuate the safety valve 720, opening a central lumen, through which production fluids (not shown) flow towards the surface. When the operator wishes to halt production, the hydraulic pressure may be reduced to the extent necessary for the biasing mechanism of the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve 720 to automatically close, thereby halting further production flow.

[0037] Continuing, FIG. 4B shows a partial environmental view a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a bypass state showing a flow path 810 of hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) disposed therein in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. When the hydraulic communication nipple 100 is actuated, the flow path of the hydraulic communication nipple 100 transitions from the default state to the bypass state (e.g., 805 of FIG. 4A to 810). In the bypass state, the hydraulic communication nipple 100 isolates the hydraulic outlet port 137. Hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be fluidly communicated from a surface-based pump (not shown) to a hydraulic inlet port 135 of the upper housing 110 via a hydraulic control line 705. The hydraulic inlet port 135 may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) via a hydraulic inlet passageway (not shown) to a hydraulic chamber (not shown) in the upper housing 110. A lower portion of the hydraulic chamber (not shown) may bleed out the hydraulic fluid (not shown) to an interior of the hydraulic communication nipple 100 for use by a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown). When the operator wishes to produce, hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be conveyed via flow path 810 to hydraulically actuate the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown), opening a central lumen, through which production fluids (not shown) flow towards the surface. When the operator wishes to halt production, the hydraulic pressure may be reduced to the extent necessary for the biasing mechanism of the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) to automatically close, thereby halting further production flow.

[0038] FIG. 5A shows a B-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the B-cut cross-sectional view, the hydraulic configuration for the default state is shown. Shifting sleeve 400 is removably attached to lower housing 120, retention collet 300 is attached to upper housing 110, and drive rod 225 is disposed through retention collet 300 and into a hydraulic chamber 155 formed in a sidewall portion of upper housing 110. The internal hydraulic fluid flow path for the default state is described in more detail with reference to the detail view shown in FIG. 6. Continuing, FIG. 5B shows an A-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Hydraulic communication nipple 100 may include a lock profile 140 that may be used to land and secure a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown), an upper polished bore 145 formed within the upper housing 110, a tool profile 147 that may be used to land a jarring-up actuation tool (not shown), and a lower polished bore 150 formed within lower housing 120. A plurality of retention bolts 305 may attach retention collet 300 to upper housing 110. A plurality of shear bolts 405 may removably attach shifting sleeve 400 to lower housing 120. A central lumen 130 extends from end-to-end through the hydraulic communication nipple 100.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a detail cross-sectional view of a flow path 805 of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A surface-based pump (not shown) may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a hydraulic inlet port 135 of upper housing 110 of hydraulic communication nipple 100 via a hydraulic control line 705 and a connection fitting 134 fluidly connected to hydraulic inlet port 135. The hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be fluidly communicated from hydraulic inlet port 135 to a hydraulic chamber 155 via a hydraulic inlet passageway 160 formed in a sidewall portion of hydraulic communication nipple 100. An unbroken frangible sleeve 215 forms a hydraulic seal that prevents hydraulic fluid (not shown) from flowing past the sleeve portion (e.g., 215b) of frangible sleeve 215, isolating the lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155 below sealing ball 220. The hydraulic fluid (not shown) is conveyed through an outlet lumen 211 of isolation ball 210 to a hydraulic outlet passageway 165. Hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be fluidly communicated from a hydraulic outlet passageway 165 to a hydraulic outlet port 137. Hydraulic outlet port 137 may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a hydraulic control line 710 via a connection fitting 134. Hydraulic control line 710 may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) disposed there below, for use in actuating the safety valve for production use. As such, the flow path 805 shows the path of hydraulic fluid (not shown) through hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a default state prior to actuation. It is important to note that, in this configuration, hydraulic communication nipple 100 only introduces two additional potential leakage paths for hydraulic fluid (not shown) than would be present if the hydraulic control line 705 was directly connected to the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown). Namely, the seals formed by frangible sleeve 215 and the hydraulic outlet port 137. The minimization of leakage paths is important because, leakage may reduce or eliminate the ability to increase the hydraulic pressure to a sufficient extent to actuate the tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown). As such, in this default state, the hydraulic communication nipple 100 is transparent to the operation of the tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) and enhances the reliability of operations due to the minimization of additional potential leakage paths.

[0040] FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of a jarring-up tool 600 run in to a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a default state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the event a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) fails, a jarring-up tool 600 may be run in to hydraulic communication nipple 100 on a wireline (not shown) in preparation for transitioning hydraulic communication nipple 100 from the default state to the bypass state for use with a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown). The jarring-up tool 600 may include an actuation shoulder 605 and a landing shoulder 610. When run in, actuation shoulder 605 of jarring- up tool 600 passes and makes mechanical contact with an actuation shoulder 415 of shifting sleeve 400 and landing shoulder 610 passes and makes mechanical contact with tool profile 147. Once jarring-up tool 600 is locked into place within hydraulic communication nipple 100, it may be jarred-up to actuate hydraulic communication nipple 100.

[0041] Continuing, FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of a jarring-up tool 600 after jarring-up a hydraulic communication nipple 100 now in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The jarring-up action causes the plurality of shear bolts 405 to break into pieces 405a and 405b, allowing shifting sleeve 400 to shift up until locked into place by retention collet 300. In certain embodiments, shear bolts 405 may be brass having an initial shearing force of approximately 5,670 pound-force (“lbf ’). One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other types or kinds of shearable bolts may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A bottom distal end (e.g. , 229) of drive rod 225 may be driven upward by shifting sleeve 400 causing a top distal end (e.g., 227) of drive rod 225 to break frangible sleeve 215 and seal the outlet lumen (e.g., 211) of the isolation ball (e.g., 210), thereby isolating the hydraulic outlet passageway (e.g., 165) as shown in more detail herein. Jarring-up is advantageous because it increases the force transmitted to the tool 600 by jarring up. In addition, it simplifies operations because the jarring up action may be used to actuate the hydraulic communication nipple 100 and the recover the tool 600 prior to deployment of a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0042] FIG. 8A shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100, in the default state, prior to jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the detail view, shifting sleeve 400 is removably attached to lower housing 120 by a plurality of shear bolts 405. Retention collet 300 includes a retention shoulder 310 that is not engaged with retention shoulder 410 of shifting sleeve 400 prior to the jarring-up operation.

[0043] Continuing, FIG. 8B shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100, in the bypass state, after jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The jarring-up operation of the jarring-up tool (e.g., 600) causes each shear bolt 405 to break into pieces 405a and 405b, thereby allowing shifting sleeve 400 to travel up. Shifting sleeve 400 travels up until retention shoulder 410 mates with retention shoulder 310 of retention collet 300. Retention shoulder 310 mechanically interfaces with retention shoulder 410, holding shifting sleeve 400 to retention collet 300. As shifting sleeve 400 travels up, sleeve shoulder 420 pushes the bottom distal end 229 of drive rod 225 up further into the hydraulic chamber (e.g., 155), as described in more detail herein.

[0044] Continuing, FIG. 8C shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100, in the default state, prior to jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the detail view, frangible sleeve 215 is intact, such that frangible sleeve 215 and sealing ball 220 isolate the lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155 below the isolation ball 220 from the hydraulic inlet passageway (e.g., 160). While not shown in this view, the hydraulic inlet passageway (e.g., 160) is in fluid communication with the hydraulic outlet passageway 165 by way of the upper portion of hydraulic chamber 155 above frangible sleeve 215 and outlet lumen 211 of isolation ball 210 as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, fluid communication from the surface- based pump (not shown) to the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) may be established through the hydraulic communication nipple 100 for transparent operation of the safety valve (not shown).

[0045] Continuing, FIG. 8D shows a detail cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100, in the bypass state, after jarring-up in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the detail view, the jarring-up operation causes shifting sleeve 400 to move up until it is locked in place by retention collet (e.g., 300) as shown in FIG. 8B. The movement of shifting sleeve (e.g., 400) drives top distal end 111 of drive rod 225 up and breaks frangible sleeve 215 into frangible portion 215a and sleeve portion 215b. When the retention collet (e.g., 300) locks the shifting sleeve (e.g., 400) into place as shown in FIG. 8B, top distal end 111 of drive rod 225 holds frangible portion 215a on isolation sleeve 205, thereby isolating the hydraulic inlet passageway (e.g., 160) from the hydraulic outlet passageway (e.g., 165) and establishing fluid communication between hydraulic inlet passageway (e.g., 160) and the lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155 below the seal formed by frangible portion 215a and isolation sleeve 205.

[0046] FIG. 9A shows a B-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In the B-cut cross-sectional view, the hydraulic configuration for the bypass state is shown. Shifting sleeve 400 has moved up and is held in place by retention collet 300. Drive rod 225 has moved up hydraulic chamber 155, breaking frangible portion 215a from sleeve portion 215b. The internal hydraulic flow path for the bypass state is described in more detail with reference to the detail view shown in FIG. 10. Continuing, FIG. 9B shows an A-cut cross-sectional view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. While shifting sleeve 400 travels until it is held in place by retention collet 300, central lumen 130 that extends through the interior of hydraulic communication nipple 100, remains clear and ready for receiving a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown).

[0047] FIG. 10 shows a detail cross-sectional view of a flow path 810 of hydraulic fluid (not shown) through a hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a bypass state in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A surface-based pump (not shown) may fluidly communicate hydraulic fluid (not shown) to a hydraulic inlet port 160 of upper housing 110 of hydraulic communication nipple 100 via a hydraulic control line (e.g., 705) and a connection fitting (e.g., partially shown 134) fluidly connected to hydraulic inlet port 135. Hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be fluidly communicated from hydraulic inlet port 135 to hydraulic chamber 155 below the seal formed by frangible portion 215a on isolation sleeve 205. The hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be conveyed through an orifice 217 exposed when frangible portion 215a breaks from sleeve portion 215b that permits hydraulic fluid flow below sealing ball 220. The hydraulic fluid (not shown) may be communicated to the lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155 where it bleeds out and into a hydraulic inlet (not shown) of a wireline- retrievable subsurface safety valve (not shown) that may be disposed therein. Hydraulic outlet passageway 165 is completely isolated from hydraulic inlet passageway 160 by the seal formed by frangible portion 215a and isolation sleeve 205. As such, the flow path 810 shows the path of hydraulic fluid (not shown) through the hydraulic communication nipple 100 in a bypass state after actuation.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a hybrid cross-sectional environment view of a hydraulic communication nipple 100 with a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900 disposed therein in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. After hydraulic communication nipple 100 is transitioned from the default state to the bypass state, a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900 may be run into the central lumen (e.g., 130) of hydraulic communication nipple 100. A plurality of locking dogs 920 may secure the safety valve 900 in the lock profile 140 of the hydraulic communication nipple 100. Upper packing 905 may pack off the upper polished bore {e.g., 145) of the upper housing (e.g, 110). Similarly, lower packing 910 may pack off the lower polished bore (e.g, 150) of the lower housing (e.g, 120). With the upper polished bore (e.g, 145) and lower polished bore (e.g, 150) packed off, an annulus 925 is formed in between the bores (e.g, 145 and 150) in between the outer diameter of wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900 and the inner diameter of hydraulic communication nipple 100. When the flow path of hydraulic fluid (not shown) is diverted to hydraulic chamber 155 below frangible portion 215a and isolation sleeve 205, the hydraulic fluid (not shown) bleeds out into annulus 925 and into a hydraulic inlet 915 of wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900. In this way, safety valve 900 is now enabled for hydraulic actuation such that the operator may open or close safety valve 900 based on the application of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control line (e.g, 705).

[0049] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple 100 may comprise an upper housing 110 comprising a hydraulic inlet port 135 fluidly connected to a hydraulic inlet passageway 160 formed in a first sidewall portion of the upper housing 110, a hydraulic outlet port 137 fluidly connected to a hydraulic outlet passageway 165 formed in a second sidewall portion of the upper housing, and a hydraulic chamber 155 formed in a third sidewall portion of the upper housing 110 fluidly connected to the hydraulic inlet passageway 160 and the hydraulic outlet passageway 165. The hydraulic communication nipple 100 may further comprise a lower housing 120 removably attached to the upper housing 110, an isolation sleeve 205 comprising an outlet lumen 211 disposed in the hydraulic chamber 155 in between the hydraulic inlet passageway 160 and the hydraulic outlet passageway 165, and a frangible sleeve 215 comprising a frangible portion 215a and a sleeve portion 215b disposed in the hydraulic chamber 155. The frangible sleeve 215 forms a frangible seal in the hydraulic chamber 155 below the fluid connection of the hydraulic inlet passageway 160 to the hydraulic chamber 155. The hydraulic communication nipple 100 may further comprise a retention collet 300 attached to the upper housing 110, a shifting sleeve 400 removably attached to the lower housing 120, and a drive rod 225 having a first end 227 disposed within the hydraulic chamber 155 that extends into the frangible sleeve 215 and a second end 229 positioned near a sleeve shoulder 420 of the shifting sleeve 400. The hydraulic inlet port 135 may be fluidly connected to the hydraulic outlet port 137 by default. A jarring-up operation causes the shifting sleeve 400 to move up and drive the drive rod 225 up such that the frangible portion 215a breaks away from the sleeve portion 215b, breaking the frangible sleeve 215, and the retention collet 300 holds the shifting sleeve 400 in place such that the drive rod 225 holds the frangible portion 215a on the isolation sleeve 205 and closes the outlet lumen 211, thereby isolating the hydraulic outlet port 137 and establishing fluid connectivity between the hydraulic inlet port 135 and a lower portion of the hydraulic chamber 155 below the frangible portion 215a and through the broken frangible seal 215b.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the retention collet 300 may be attached to the upper housing 110 by a plurality of retention bolts 305. The shifting sleeve 400 may be removably attached to the lower housing 120 by a plurality of shearable bolts 405. The jarring-up operation may cause the shifting sleeve 400 to drive the drive rod 225 up until the retention collet 300 locks the shifting sleeve 400 in place. The hydraulic inlet port 135 may be disposed in an inlet recessed portion of the upper housing 110 that is protected by an outer diameter of the upper housing 110. A hydraulic control line 705 may fluidly connect a surface-based pump to the hydraulic inlet port 135. The hydraulic outlet port 137 may be disposed in an outlet recessed portion of the upper housing 110 that is protected by an outer diameter of the upper housing 110. A hydraulic control line 710 may fluidly connect the hydraulic outlet port 137 to a hydraulic inlet port of a tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve. A central lumen 130 may extend from end to end through the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120. A bottom connection end 117 of the upper housing 110 may be removably attached to a top connection end 125 of the lower housing 120. A bottom connection end 127 of the lower housing 120 may be removably attached to a top connection end of a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, or intermediate joint therebetween, 720. The drive rod 225 may be movably disposed through a hole in the retention collet 300. The upper housing 110 may further comprise an upper hosing polished bore 145. The lower housing 120 may further comprise a lower housing polished bore. The lower portion of the hydraulic chamber 155, below frangible portion 215a, may bleed out in between an upper polished bore 145 of the upper housing 110 and a lower polished bore 150 of the lower housing 120. In certain embodiments, a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900 may be disposed within a central lumen 130 of the hydraulic communication nipple 100 such that hydraulic fluid may be disposed in between the upper polished bore 145 and the lower polished bore 150, in an annulus 925 formed in between the wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900 and the interior of the hydraulic communication nipple 100.

[0051] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method of controllably enabling communication of a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve includes disposing a hydraulic communication nipple 100 between production tubing 715 and the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve 720, fluidly connecting a surface-based pump to a hydraulic inlet port 135 of the hydraulic communication nipple 100, fluidly connecting a hydraulic outlet port 137 of the hydraulic communication nipple to an hydraulic inlet connector the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve 720. The hydraulic communication nipple 100 fluidly communicates hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet port 135 to the hydraulic outlet port 137 during normal operation of the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve 720. The hydraulic communication nipple 100 is jarred-up to isolate the hydraulic outlet port 137 and divert hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic inlet port 135 to a hydraulic chamber 155 that bleeds out into an area that is fluidly connected to a hydraulic inlet of a wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve 900 when the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve 720 fails.

[0052] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a two-way hydraulic communication nipple 100 comprises a cylindrical body (e.g., upper housing 110, lower housing 120) connectable to a well tubing on both an upper (e.g., 115) and lower end (e.g., 127), two external (e.g., fittings 134) hydraulic communication ports, a first being an inlet port 135, a second being an outlet port 137, an internal outlet port (e.g., lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155), an internally shiftable sleeve 400, where in a default position allows hydraulic fluid to flow in the inlet port 135 and out of the outlet port 137 but prohibits flow to the internal port (e.g., lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155) and in an activated position prohibits hydraulic fluid to flow to the outlet port 137 and directs hydraulic fluid to the internal outlet port (e.g., lower portion of hydraulic chamber 155). A jarring-up operation urges the shiftable sleeve 400 to move up, permanently shifting the sleeve 400 from the default position (attached to lower housing 120) to the activated position (secured by retention collet 300).

[0053] Advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the following:

[0054] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple enables hydraulic communication of a failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, thereby permitting the use of a deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0055] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple may be disposed above a deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve as part of the production tubing run in during the completion of the well. During normal operation of the deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve, the hydraulic communication nipple is transparent and conveys hydraulic actuation fluid to the deep- set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. When the deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve fails, the hydraulic communication nipple may be actuated by a jarring-up operation to isolate the hydraulic outlet port and divert hydraulic actuation fluid to a hydraulic chamber that bleeds out into a cavity that conveys hydraulic actuation fluid to a deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0056] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple enables the isolation and hydraulic communication of a deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve in a manner that reduces the number of potential leakage paths within the hydraulic actuation system. During normal operation, where the hydraulic actuation fluids merely passes through the hydraulic communication nipple, there are two additional seals corresponding to additional potential leakage paths. Advantageously, while the deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve is nominally operating, the risk of introducing a problem by way of leakage paths through the hydraulic actuation system is minimized.

[0057] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple enables production to continue in the event of a failure of a deep-set tubing- retrievable subsurface safety valve without having to re-complete the well and pull the production tubing to repair or replace the failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.

[0058] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple provides an economical alternative to pulling the production tubing and failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve and recompleting the well.

[0059] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple increases the safety of operations by providing an efficient alternative to recompleting the well in a simpler, faster, and less expensive operation.

[0060] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple reduces operating costs and minimizes non-productive down time.

[0061] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic communication nipple enhances the ability to meet regulatory requirements in deepwater and ultra- deepwater wells.

[0062] While the present invention has been described with respect to the above-noted embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will recognize that other embodiments may be devised that are within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should only be limited by the appended claims.