Angled oil field valve removal tool with flexible joint assembly

Abstract

The disclosure provides an angled oil field valve removal tool that can be actuated through a flexible joint assembly at an angle to a centerline of an isolation valve bore coupled to a wellhead while still allowing aligned movement with the isolation valve bore and wellhead bore for installation of a valve removal plug into and removal from the wellhead bore. The angled VR tool provides a housing having an actuator portion with a bore coupled with an angled transition elbow with a tapered and enlarged bore that is coupled with an aligned installation portion having a bore that can be coupled to the valve attached to the wellhead. The flexible joint assembly having a shaft and a set of articular segments is configured to slide flexibly through the changing angles of the bores of the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion in the housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 695,411, filed Sep. 17, 2024, entitled “Angled Oil Field Valve Removal Tool with Flexible Joint Assembly”, and is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicableREFERENCE TO APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0004] The disclosure generally relates to oil field operations for hydrocarbon wells. Specifically, the disclosure relates to high torque requirements in oil field operations for valve removal and insertion in confined spaces.Description of the Related Art

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a typical production wellhead for a hydrocarbon production well. FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal plug. FIG. 2B is a schematic top perspective view of the valve removal plug of FIG. 2A. A valve removal (VR) plug is typically a solid metallic machine component with a tapered sealing thread. Generally, in the Oil and Gas Industry, an operator creates a hydrocarbon well 2 when an oil rig drills subterranean wellbores of progressively smaller cross-sections as the depth progresses and correspondingly smaller cross-sections of tubulars, known as casings, such as isolation casing 4 for the wellbore and a production casing 6 for the hydrocarbons, are run into the wellbores. The operator then fills an annulus 8 between the different casing cross-sections in the wellbore with cement. The crew monitors the annulus to detect any pressure migration that would indicate a defective cementing job or cracked casings. With further efforts, the wellbore becomes a production well for hydrocarbons to be brought to the surface.

[0006] At or near the surface of the oil or gas well, an assortment of valves and related equipment form a production wellhead 10. The production wellhead is the foundation of oil and gas production that provides a structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. The production wellhead includes wellhead outlets 12 having wellhead outlet bores 14 having centerlines 70 in fluidic communication with a central flow path in the wellhead. The production wellhead 10 provides an interface with subterranean reservoir rock and a tubular conduit for the well fluids at the surface and includes one or more isolation valves 16, typically gate valves with handwheels, for controlling the flow of well fluids during production. An isolation valve 16 has a valve bore 22 with valve inlet 18 to couple with the wellhead outlet 12 and a valve outlet 20 longitudinally aligned with the valve inlet 18 and the wellhead outlet bore 14. The isolation valves are installed on the outside of the wellhead to ensure that any pressure migration is controlled, and no escape of production fluid is allowed into the environment.

[0007] Over time, these valves that are used to control flow become damaged and leak under pressure. The pressure leak can be detected through a gage installed in the system. When damaged and needing removal to repair or replace, the outlet of the wellhead for a particular valve needing removal needs to be temporarily plugged to avoid hydrocarbons escaping from the wellhead while the valve is removed.

[0008] Prior to removing a defective isolation valve, a valve removal (VR) plug 34 is installed into the wellhead outlet 12 through the valve inlet 18 of the isolation valve 16, as shown in FIG. 1, to stop flow into the isolation valve, so that the isolation valve can be safely removed from the wellhead structure while the remaining portion of the wellhead remains under pressure.

[0009] The challenge is that the VR plug must be installed on the upstream side of the isolation valve without interrupting flow to the remaining isolation valves being supplied from the same flow path. So, the VR plug must be inserted into and through an open isolation valve with full pressure of the wellhead that is often at 10,000 to 20,000 pounds per square inch of pressure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal tool for installing and uninstalling the valve removal plug. For decades, the only way to install a VR plug under pressure while the wellhead is operational has been to use a VR tool 24, sometimes referred to as a “VR running tool” that is used while the wellhead is “running”, such as shown. The VR tool 24 has a housing with a coupling flange 26 to couple with a corresponding flange for the valve outlet 20 of the valve 16 to be removed. The VR tool has an externally accessible movable stem 28 for extension and retraction through the valve bore 22 to reach the wellbore outlet 12 to set the VR plug.

[0011] For operation, a VR plug 34 is loaded into the VR tool 24. The stem 28 engages the VR plug and is rotationally coupled with an end to fit the structure on the VR plug. The valve is opened, and the VR tool is exposed to the wellhead pressure, but the pressure is restricted from exiting through the VR tool by a packing seal 32 around the stem circumference. The stem 28 is advanced toward the wellhead 10 until the VR plug engages the wellhead outlet 12 of the wellhead. The stem is rotated to rotate the VR plug 34 to thread the VR plug into corresponding threads on the wellhead outlet 12. The torque can be several hundred foot-pounds. To exert such a torque typically requires a straight line, robust assembly. Due to the lateral direction of the isolation valves and their bores aligning with the wellhead outlet bores, the VR tool is mounted laterally as shown, so the stem can move laterally to engage such bores.

[0012] After the VR plug is sufficiently secured, the stem can be retracted from the wellhead and isolation valve and the VR tool can be disconnected from the isolation valve. The isolation valve can be removed from the wellhead for repair or replacement while the VR plug remains coupled into the wellhead outlet to seal flow. The reverse procedure installs the isolation valve and the VR tool to the isolation valve to remove the VR plug to allow operation of the isolation valve. The stem is pushed toward the VR plug, rotated in the opposite rotation to disengage and remove the VR plug from the valve, the stem is retracted with the VR plug through the valve bore, the valve is closed, and the VR tool with the VR plug is decoupled from the valve.

[0013] Some installations of wellheads have size restrictions on lateral distances. For example, some wellhead installations are mounted below the ground surface, such as in a pit opening. Because the VR tool is mounted laterally and functions laterally, a larger pit is necessarily formed at added expense and time simply to be able to use the lateral VR tool. Other installations above ground have similar issues where surrounding structures and piping restrict access to the valves, causing special accommodations for being able to mount and use the lateral VR tool.

[0014] Therefore, there remains a need for an improved valve removal tool that can be used in confined spaces with sufficient torque without binding.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The disclosure provides an angled valve removal (VR) tool that can be actuated through a flexible joint assembly at an angle to a centerline of an isolation valve bore coupled to a wellhead while still allowing movement that is longitudinally aligned with the isolation valve bore and wellhead outlet bore for installation of a valve removal plug into and removal from the wellhead bore. The angled VR tool provides a housing having an actuator portion with a bore coupled with an angled transition elbow with a tapered and enlarged bore that is coupled with an aligned installation portion having a bore that can be coupled to the valve attached to the wellhead. The flexible joint assembly includes a shaft and a set of articular segments is configured to slide flexibly through the changing angles of the bores of the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion in the housing. The shaft can be coupled with a power source to rotate the shaft with sufficient torque. The angled transition elbow is sized larger than the diameter of the articular joints by a lower and upper limit to allow rotation of the articular segments in the elbow and yet avoid kinking at joints that couple adjacent segments. The combination of coordinating the size and shape of the articular segments with the transition elbow allows the angled VR tool to install and remove the VR plug from an angle with significant torque needed for the application that heretofore has not been done.

[0016] The disclosure provides an angled oil field valve removal tool, comprising: a housing and a flexible joint assembly configured to pass through the housing. The housing comprises: an actuator portion having an actuator portion bore; a transition elbow having a transition elbow bore with a transition elbow first bore section at a first end, a transition elbow second transition bore section larger than the transition elbow first bore section with a taper therebetween, and a transition elbow third bore section at a second end, the transition elbow third first bore section being smaller than the transition elbow second bore section with a taper therebetween and configured at an angle to the transition elbow first bore section, the transition elbow first bore section aligned with the actuator portion bore; and an installation portion having an installation portion bore aligned with the transition elbow third bore section. The flexible joint assembly comprises a shaft coupled to a set of articular segments, the articular segments being configured to at least partially pass through the transition elbow bore and change angles relative to adjacent articular segments during rotation of the articular segments inside the transition elbow bore.

[0017] The disclosure also provides a method of installing a valve removal plug with the angled oil field valve removal tool, comprising: coupling the valve removal tool having the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion to a valve having a bore coupled to a wellhead having a wellhead outlet with a bore aligned with the valve bore; placing the flexible joint assembly into the actuator portion bore of the valve removal tool; moving the flexible joint assembly through the actuator portion bore aligned with the transition elbow first bore section; moving the flexible joint assembly through the transition elbow first bore section and through the first taper into the larger transition elbow second bore section; changing a direction of the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow; moving the flexible joint assembly through the larger transition elbow second bore section and through the second taper into the smaller transition elbow third portion section; moving the flexible joint assembly into the installation portion bore aligned with the transition elbow third bore section; moving the flexible joint assembly through a bore of a valve aligned with the installation portion bore; and rotating the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow to install the valve removal plug into a wellhead outlet bore aligned with the bore of the valve.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a typical production wellhead for a hydrocarbon production well.

[0019] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal plug.

[0020] FIG. 2B is a schematic top perspective view of the valve removal plug of FIG. 2A.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal tool for installing and uninstalling the valve removal plug.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of an exemplary angled oil field valve removal tool of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary set of articular segments.

[0024] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross sectional view of a transition elbow of the valve removal tool.

[0025] FIG. 6B is a schematic end view of the transition elbow of FIG. 6B.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The figures described above and incorporated from the Appendices, and the written description of specific aspects and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation or location, or with time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. The use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the system can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa. References to at least one item may include one or more items. Also, various aspects of any embodiments could be used in conjunction with each other to accomplish the understood goals of the disclosure. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations. The term “coupled,”“coupling”, “coupler”, and like terms are used broadly herein and may include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and may further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unitary fashion. The coupling may occur in any direction, including rotationally. The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and / or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. Some elements are nominated by a device name for simplicity and would be understood to include a system of related components that are known to those with ordinary skill in the art and may not be specifically described. Various examples are provided in the description and figures that perform various functions and are non-limiting in shape, size, description, but serve as illustrative structures that can be varied as would be known to one with ordinary skill in the art given the teachings contained herein. As such, the use of the term “exemplary” is the adjective form of the noun “example” and likewise refers to an illustrative structure, and not necessarily a preferred embodiment. Element numbers with suffix letters, such as “A”, “B”, and so forth, are to designate different elements within a group of like elements having a similar structure or function, and corresponding element numbers without the letters are to generally refer to one or more of the like elements. Any element numbers in the claims that correspond to elements disclosed in the application are illustrative and not exclusive, as several embodiments may be disclosed that use various element numbers for like elements. The terms “top”, “up”, “upward”, “bottom”, “down”, “downwardly”, and like directional terms are used to indicate the direction relative to the figures and their illustrated orientation and are not absolute relative to a fixed datum such as the earth in commercial use. The term “inner”, “inward”, “internal”, or like terms refers to a direction facing toward a center portion of an assembly or component, such as longitudinal centerline of the assembly or component, and the term “outer”, “outward”, “external”, or like terms refers to a direction facing away from the center portion of an assembly or component. The subsurface terms “downhole” and “uphole” refer to a relative position along the length of a pipe, conduit, wellbore, or other hole, where uphole is closer to a ground surface, regardless of the actual gravitational orientation of up or down.

[0027] The disclosure provides an angled oil field valve removal tool that can be actuated through a flexible joint assembly at an angle to a centerline of an isolation valve bore coupled to a wellhead while still allowing aligned movement with the isolation valve bore and wellhead bore for installation of a valve removal plug into and removal from the wellhead bore. The angled VR tool provides a housing having an actuator portion with a bore coupled with an angled transition elbow with a tapered and enlarged bore that is coupled with an aligned installation portion having a bore that can be coupled to the valve attached to the wellhead. The flexible joint assembly having a shaft and a set of articular segments is configured to slide flexibly through the changing angles of the bores of the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion in the housing.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of an exemplary angled oil field valve removal tool of the invention. The angled oil field valve removal tool 36 includes a housing 38 to hold and direct internal components, primarily a flexible joint assembly 50, as described below. The housing 38 can be a single component or an assembly of components. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 38 can include an actuator portion 40 coupled with a transition elbow 42 coupled with an installation portion 44.

[0029] The actuator portion 40 can have an actuator portion bore 60 appropriately sized to allow the flexible joint assembly 50 to slide therethrough. The actuator portion bore 60 is generally oriented at a nonzero actuator bore angle α relative to a wellhead outlet bore centerline 70′ and therefore is nonparallel to the centerline 70.

[0030] The transition elbow 42, coupled with the actuator portion 40 on one end and the transition portion 44 on the other end, is configured to change an angular direction of the flexible joint assembly 50 between the actuator bore angle α and the installation bore angle β, each relative to the wellhead outlet bore centerline. During installation of the VR plug 34 as the flexible joint assembly passes through the transition portion 44, the flexible joint assembly changes directions toward a different angle β that is more aligned with the transition portion 44, which is generally aligned with the wellhead outlet bore centerline 70. Advantageously, the transition elbow 42 can have a transition elbow bore 62 having a section that can be radially larger compared to the actuator portion bore 60 to reduce binding of the articulating flexible joint assembly for the change through the transition elbow, as described below. Tapers 46 and 48 on the transition elbow bore 62 can provide a smooth transition between the bores of the actuator portion 40 and transition elbow 42 on one (first) end of the transition elbow and between the bores of the transition elbow 42 and the installation portion 44 on the other (second) end of the transition elbow.

[0031] The installation portion 44, coupled to the transition elbow 42, can have an installation portion bore 64 appropriately sized to allow the flexible joint assembly 50 to slide therethrough and can be the same or similar cross sectional bore dimension as the actuator portion bore 60. The installation portion 44 can be coupled to the isolation valve 16 at the isolation valve outlet 20 for access to the wellhead outlet 12 for installation and removal of the VR plug 34.

[0032] The flexible joint assembly 50 can include a shaft that slidably engages the combined bores of the housing 38 and is configured to adapt to the changes in direction through the bores. The flexible joint assembly 50 can include a shaft 52 coupled to a set of articular segments 54. The shaft can have a coupler (not shown) on an end that is distal from the articular segments for coupling with a power source (not shown) to rotate the shaft and therefore the articular segments coupled to the shaft to transmit torque along the length of the flexible joint assembly to install and remove the VR plug 34. The set of articular segments 54 are configured to angularly swivel around a coupling between adjacent segments to accommodate the changes in direction. The transition elbow bore 62 is shaped and sized to allow the flexible joint assembly 50 to swivel in the transition elbow, which is dependent on a diameter and length of the articular segments in the flexible joint assembly and a composite angle at which adjacent articular segments can swivel relative to each other. The transition elbow bore 62 is also configured to not be oversized that would allow the flexible joint assembly to rotate and detrimentally bind (known as “kinking”) the articular segments 54. If the articular elements are kinked, then they partially lock up adjacent segments and reduce the ability of the VR removal tool to exert the needed torque on the VR plug for insertion or removal.

[0033] In summary, the composite of the bores 60, 62, and 64 of the housing define a travel path for the flexible joint assembly 50 during use of different angles between an actuator bore angle in the actuator portion 40 that is different from an installation bore angle β in the installation portion 44, where the angles can be measured in two-dimensional axes or three-dimensional axes relative to a centerline 70 passing through the wellhead outlet bore. In the embodiment shown, the actuator bore angle α is at a right angle to the centerline 70. The installation bore angle β is aligned with the centerline 70, because generally the installation portion bore 64 will be aligned with the wellhead outlet bore 14. However, the angle can vary in other embodiments. The housing 38 can be coupled to a lubricator tool (not shown) distally from the wellhead to facilitate the VR tool operation.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary set of articular segments. The set of articular segments 54 includes a series of joints 72 coupled together with pins 74 that can articulate in two axes and can move in three axes when rotated. A variation would be gimbals that articulate in three-axes. In at least one embodiment, an end articular segment 54A of the set of articular segments 54 can be rotationally coupled to the shaft 52, and the other end articular segment 54C of the set of articular segments can be rotationally coupled to an adapter 56 that can be coupled with the socket 30 (shown in FIG. 3) that can engage the VR plug 34. The term “socket” is used broadly to include any tool that can rotationally engage the VR plug to insert and / or remove the VR plug.

[0035] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross sectional view of a transition elbow of the valve removal tool. FIG. 6B is a schematic end view of the transition elbow of FIG. 6B. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition elbow 42 has a transition elbow coupling 66, such as a flange as a first end, to couple with the actuator portion 40, and a transition elbow coupling 68 as a second end to couple with the installation portion 44, described above.

[0036] The transition elbow bore 62 of the transition elbow 42 can be formed in three portions. A first transition elbow bore portion 62A can be a bore sized to correspond to the actuator portion bore 60 and generally angularly aligned with the actuator portion bore 60, described above. A third transition elbow bore portion 62C can be a bore sized to correspond to the installation portion bore 64 and generally angularly aligned with the installation portion bore 64, described above. A second transition elbow bore portion 62B, formed between the transition elbow bore portions 62A and 62C, is generally an enlarged bore compared to the bore portions 62A and 62C to accommodate the directional changes of the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow. To make a transition between the bore section sizes, a conical actuator taper 46 can be formed between the actuator portion bore 60 (described above) and the second transition elbow bore portion 62B, and a conical installation taper 48 can formed between the second transition elbow bore portion 62B and the installation portion bore 64.

[0037] Thus, from a perspective of an installation step of the VR plug, the flexible joint assembly can be placed into the actuator portion 40, and moved through the actuator portion bore 60 through the first transition elbow bore portion 62A and through the actuator taper 46 into the enlarged transition bore portion 62B to start the directional changes of the articular segments 54. As the flexible joint assembly 50 is progressively moved through the second transition elbow bore portion 62B, the directional change can become complete and the flexible joint assembly moves through the installation taper 48 to align with the third transition elbow bore portion 62C for entry into the installation portion bore 64 and then to the wellbore outlet bore 14 to install the VR plug, described above. Upon completing the VR plug installation, the flexible joint assembly can be removed in the reverse direction to make the travel from the installation portion bore to the actuator portion bore.

[0038] An important aspect of the enlarged bore 62B is that the bore size be sufficiently large to accommodate the increased effective diameter occupied by the articular segments when pivoting relative to adjacent articular segments but not too large to allow such angular movement between the articular segments to cause kinking. The increased effective diameter of the flexible joint assembly when pivoting relative to each other can be dependent on the lengths and cross sections of individual articular segments, the radius of the centerline of the transition elbow, and the amount of angular change between the centerlines of the bore 62A and bore 62C. These factors affect how much the articular segments have to pivot relative to adjacent articular segments and therefore a minimum diameter of the larger bore 62B. However, too large of a diameter than needed for the enlarged bore 62B can result in “kinking” the articular segments during rotation, when the articular segments have been allowed to pivot at too much of an angle relative to an adjacent articular segment and the angle no longer allows rotation without substantially more force than normally used and perhaps cause damage to the flexible joint assembly. It is understood by the inventor that in at least one embodiment, the relationships to help establish a properly sized bore 62B may be expressed as ratios of at least one of: (a) a ratio of the articular segments compared to a radius of curvature of the transition elbow, (b) a diametric ratio between an outside diameter (or major axis of a cross section) of the articular segments compared to an inside diameter of the transition elbow, (c) the ratio between the articular height and the height of the transition elbow, and (d) an angular difference between the angle of the transition elbow bore 62A (aligned with the actuator portion bore 60) compared to the angle of the transition elbow bore 62C (aligned with the installation portion bore 64).

[0039] Thus, when rotating the flexible joint assembly to install or remove the VR plug, the shaft will be primarily in the actuator portion and the articular segments will primarily be in the transition elbow, installation portion, and bore of the valve. The shaft can be rotated manually or by a rotational power source, so that the flexible joint assembly can rotate the VR plug from an angle with articular segments. The rotation of the flexible joint assembly can be substantially without kinking such as might otherwise occur by the bore 62B being too large in diameter or jamming by the bore 62B being of insufficient diameter to allow the segments to articulate. If kinking or jamming were present, those conditions would degrade the torque input by the flexible joint assembly and possibly damage the flexible joint assembly.

[0040] Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the disclosed invention as defined in the claims. For example, various shapes of the articular segments and various types of couplings between the articular segments are possible and other variations than those specifically disclosed herein within the scope of the claims.

[0041] The invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to protect fully all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope of the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]The figures described above and incorporated from the Appendices, and the written description of specific aspects and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-relate...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 695,411, filed Sep. 17, 2024, entitled “Angled Oil Field Valve Removal Tool with Flexible Joint Assembly”, and is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicableREFERENCE TO APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0004] The disclosure generally relates to oil field operations for hydrocarbon wells. Specifically, the disclosure relates to high torque requirements in oil field operations for valve removal and insertion in confined spaces.Description of the Related Art

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a typical production wellhead for a hydrocarbon production well. FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal plug. FIG. 2B is a schematic top perspective view of the valve removal plug of FIG. 2A. A valve removal (VR) plug is typically a solid metallic machine component with a tapered sealing thread. Generally, in the Oil and Gas Industry, an operator creates a hydrocarbon well 2 when an oil rig drills subterranean wellbores of progressively smaller cross-sections as the depth progresses and correspondingly smaller cross-sections of tubulars, known as casings, such as isolation casing 4 for the wellbore and a production casing 6 for the hydrocarbons, are run into the wellbores. The operator then fills an annulus 8 between the different casing cross-sections in the wellbore with cement. The crew monitors the annulus to detect any pressure migration that would indicate a defective cementing job or cracked casings. With further efforts, the wellbore becomes a production well for hydrocarbons to be brought to the surface.

[0006] At or near the surface of the oil or gas well, an assortment of valves and related equipment form a production wellhead 10. The production wellhead is the foundation of oil and gas production that provides a structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. The production wellhead includes wellhead outlets 12 having wellhead outlet bores 14 having centerlines 70 in fluidic communication with a central flow path in the wellhead. The production wellhead 10 provides an interface with subterranean reservoir rock and a tubular conduit for the well fluids at the surface and includes one or more isolation valves 16, typically gate valves with handwheels, for controlling the flow of well fluids during production. An isolation valve 16 has a valve bore 22 with valve inlet 18 to couple with the wellhead outlet 12 and a valve outlet 20 longitudinally aligned with the valve inlet 18 and the wellhead outlet bore 14. The isolation valves are installed on the outside of the wellhead to ensure that any pressure migration is controlled, and no escape of production fluid is allowed into the environment.

[0007] Over time, these valves that are used to control flow become damaged and leak under pressure. The pressure leak can be detected through a gage installed in the system. When damaged and needing removal to repair or replace, the outlet of the wellhead for a particular valve needing removal needs to be temporarily plugged to avoid hydrocarbons escaping from the wellhead while the valve is removed.

[0008] Prior to removing a defective isolation valve, a valve removal (VR) plug 34 is installed into the wellhead outlet 12 through the valve inlet 18 of the isolation valve 16, as shown in FIG. 1, to stop flow into the isolation valve, so that the isolation valve can be safely removed from the wellhead structure while the remaining portion of the wellhead remains under pressure.

[0009] The challenge is that the VR plug must be installed on the upstream side of the isolation valve without interrupting flow to the remaining isolation valves being supplied from the same flow path. So, the VR plug must be inserted into and through an open isolation valve with full pressure of the wellhead that is often at 10,000 to 20,000 pounds per square inch of pressure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal tool for installing and uninstalling the valve removal plug. For decades, the only way to install a VR plug under pressure while the wellhead is operational has been to use a VR tool 24, sometimes referred to as a “VR running tool” that is used while the wellhead is “running”, such as shown. The VR tool 24 has a housing with a coupling flange 26 to couple with a corresponding flange for the valve outlet 20 of the valve 16 to be removed. The VR tool has an externally accessible movable stem 28 for extension and retraction through the valve bore 22 to reach the wellbore outlet 12 to set the VR plug.

[0011] For operation, a VR plug 34 is loaded into the VR tool 24. The stem 28 engages the VR plug and is rotationally coupled with an end to fit the structure on the VR plug. The valve is opened, and the VR tool is exposed to the wellhead pressure, but the pressure is restricted from exiting through the VR tool by a packing seal 32 around the stem circumference. The stem 28 is advanced toward the wellhead 10 until the VR plug engages the wellhead outlet 12 of the wellhead. The stem is rotated to rotate the VR plug 34 to thread the VR plug into corresponding threads on the wellhead outlet 12. The torque can be several hundred foot-pounds. To exert such a torque typically requires a straight line, robust assembly. Due to the lateral direction of the isolation valves and their bores aligning with the wellhead outlet bores, the VR tool is mounted laterally as shown, so the stem can move laterally to engage such bores.

[0012] After the VR plug is sufficiently secured, the stem can be retracted from the wellhead and isolation valve and the VR tool can be disconnected from the isolation valve. The isolation valve can be removed from the wellhead for repair or replacement while the VR plug remains coupled into the wellhead outlet to seal flow. The reverse procedure installs the isolation valve and the VR tool to the isolation valve to remove the VR plug to allow operation of the isolation valve. The stem is pushed toward the VR plug, rotated in the opposite rotation to disengage and remove the VR plug from the valve, the stem is retracted with the VR plug through the valve bore, the valve is closed, and the VR tool with the VR plug is decoupled from the valve.

[0013] Some installations of wellheads have size restrictions on lateral distances. For example, some wellhead installations are mounted below the ground surface, such as in a pit opening. Because the VR tool is mounted laterally and functions laterally, a larger pit is necessarily formed at added expense and time simply to be able to use the lateral VR tool. Other installations above ground have similar issues where surrounding structures and piping restrict access to the valves, causing special accommodations for being able to mount and use the lateral VR tool.

[0014] Therefore, there remains a need for an improved valve removal tool that can be used in confined spaces with sufficient torque without binding.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The disclosure provides an angled valve removal (VR) tool that can be actuated through a flexible joint assembly at an angle to a centerline of an isolation valve bore coupled to a wellhead while still allowing movement that is longitudinally aligned with the isolation valve bore and wellhead outlet bore for installation of a valve removal plug into and removal from the wellhead bore. The angled VR tool provides a housing having an actuator portion with a bore coupled with an angled transition elbow with a tapered and enlarged bore that is coupled with an aligned installation portion having a bore that can be coupled to the valve attached to the wellhead. The flexible joint assembly includes a shaft and a set of articular segments is configured to slide flexibly through the changing angles of the bores of the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion in the housing. The shaft can be coupled with a power source to rotate the shaft with sufficient torque. The angled transition elbow is sized larger than the diameter of the articular joints by a lower and upper limit to allow rotation of the articular segments in the elbow and yet avoid kinking at joints that couple adjacent segments. The combination of coordinating the size and shape of the articular segments with the transition elbow allows the angled VR tool to install and remove the VR plug from an angle with significant torque needed for the application that heretofore has not been done.

[0016] The disclosure provides an angled oil field valve removal tool, comprising: a housing and a flexible joint assembly configured to pass through the housing. The housing comprises: an actuator portion having an actuator portion bore; a transition elbow having a transition elbow bore with a transition elbow first bore section at a first end, a transition elbow second transition bore section larger than the transition elbow first bore section with a taper therebetween, and a transition elbow third bore section at a second end, the transition elbow third first bore section being smaller than the transition elbow second bore section with a taper therebetween and configured at an angle to the transition elbow first bore section, the transition elbow first bore section aligned with the actuator portion bore; and an installation portion having an installation portion bore aligned with the transition elbow third bore section. The flexible joint assembly comprises a shaft coupled to a set of articular segments, the articular segments being configured to at least partially pass through the transition elbow bore and change angles relative to adjacent articular segments during rotation of the articular segments inside the transition elbow bore.

[0017] The disclosure also provides a method of installing a valve removal plug with the angled oil field valve removal tool, comprising: coupling the valve removal tool having the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion to a valve having a bore coupled to a wellhead having a wellhead outlet with a bore aligned with the valve bore; placing the flexible joint assembly into the actuator portion bore of the valve removal tool; moving the flexible joint assembly through the actuator portion bore aligned with the transition elbow first bore section; moving the flexible joint assembly through the transition elbow first bore section and through the first taper into the larger transition elbow second bore section; changing a direction of the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow; moving the flexible joint assembly through the larger transition elbow second bore section and through the second taper into the smaller transition elbow third portion section; moving the flexible joint assembly into the installation portion bore aligned with the transition elbow third bore section; moving the flexible joint assembly through a bore of a valve aligned with the installation portion bore; and rotating the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow to install the valve removal plug into a wellhead outlet bore aligned with the bore of the valve.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a typical production wellhead for a hydrocarbon production well.

[0019] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal plug.

[0020] FIG. 2B is a schematic top perspective view of the valve removal plug of FIG. 2A.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a typical valve removal tool for installing and uninstalling the valve removal plug.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of an exemplary angled oil field valve removal tool of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary set of articular segments.

[0024] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross sectional view of a transition elbow of the valve removal tool.

[0025] FIG. 6B is a schematic end view of the transition elbow of FIG. 6B.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The figures described above and incorporated from the Appendices, and the written description of specific aspects and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation or location, or with time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. The use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the system can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa. References to at least one item may include one or more items. Also, various aspects of any embodiments could be used in conjunction with each other to accomplish the understood goals of the disclosure. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations. The term “coupled,”“coupling”, “coupler”, and like terms are used broadly herein and may include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and may further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unitary fashion. The coupling may occur in any direction, including rotationally. The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and / or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. Some elements are nominated by a device name for simplicity and would be understood to include a system of related components that are known to those with ordinary skill in the art and may not be specifically described. Various examples are provided in the description and figures that perform various functions and are non-limiting in shape, size, description, but serve as illustrative structures that can be varied as would be known to one with ordinary skill in the art given the teachings contained herein. As such, the use of the term “exemplary” is the adjective form of the noun “example” and likewise refers to an illustrative structure, and not necessarily a preferred embodiment. Element numbers with suffix letters, such as “A”, “B”, and so forth, are to designate different elements within a group of like elements having a similar structure or function, and corresponding element numbers without the letters are to generally refer to one or more of the like elements. Any element numbers in the claims that correspond to elements disclosed in the application are illustrative and not exclusive, as several embodiments may be disclosed that use various element numbers for like elements. The terms “top”, “up”, “upward”, “bottom”, “down”, “downwardly”, and like directional terms are used to indicate the direction relative to the figures and their illustrated orientation and are not absolute relative to a fixed datum such as the earth in commercial use. The term “inner”, “inward”, “internal”, or like terms refers to a direction facing toward a center portion of an assembly or component, such as longitudinal centerline of the assembly or component, and the term “outer”, “outward”, “external”, or like terms refers to a direction facing away from the center portion of an assembly or component. The subsurface terms “downhole” and “uphole” refer to a relative position along the length of a pipe, conduit, wellbore, or other hole, where uphole is closer to a ground surface, regardless of the actual gravitational orientation of up or down.

[0027] The disclosure provides an angled oil field valve removal tool that can be actuated through a flexible joint assembly at an angle to a centerline of an isolation valve bore coupled to a wellhead while still allowing aligned movement with the isolation valve bore and wellhead bore for installation of a valve removal plug into and removal from the wellhead bore. The angled VR tool provides a housing having an actuator portion with a bore coupled with an angled transition elbow with a tapered and enlarged bore that is coupled with an aligned installation portion having a bore that can be coupled to the valve attached to the wellhead. The flexible joint assembly having a shaft and a set of articular segments is configured to slide flexibly through the changing angles of the bores of the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion in the housing.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of an exemplary angled oil field valve removal tool of the invention. The angled oil field valve removal tool 36 includes a housing 38 to hold and direct internal components, primarily a flexible joint assembly 50, as described below. The housing 38 can be a single component or an assembly of components. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 38 can include an actuator portion 40 coupled with a transition elbow 42 coupled with an installation portion 44.

[0029] The actuator portion 40 can have an actuator portion bore 60 appropriately sized to allow the flexible joint assembly 50 to slide therethrough. The actuator portion bore 60 is generally oriented at a nonzero actuator bore angle α relative to a wellhead outlet bore centerline 70′ and therefore is nonparallel to the centerline 70.

[0030] The transition elbow 42, coupled with the actuator portion 40 on one end and the transition portion 44 on the other end, is configured to change an angular direction of the flexible joint assembly 50 between the actuator bore angle α and the installation bore angle β, each relative to the wellhead outlet bore centerline. During installation of the VR plug 34 as the flexible joint assembly passes through the transition portion 44, the flexible joint assembly changes directions toward a different angle β that is more aligned with the transition portion 44, which is generally aligned with the wellhead outlet bore centerline 70. Advantageously, the transition elbow 42 can have a transition elbow bore 62 having a section that can be radially larger compared to the actuator portion bore 60 to reduce binding of the articulating flexible joint assembly for the change through the transition elbow, as described below. Tapers 46 and 48 on the transition elbow bore 62 can provide a smooth transition between the bores of the actuator portion 40 and transition elbow 42 on one (first) end of the transition elbow and between the bores of the transition elbow 42 and the installation portion 44 on the other (second) end of the transition elbow.

[0031] The installation portion 44, coupled to the transition elbow 42, can have an installation portion bore 64 appropriately sized to allow the flexible joint assembly 50 to slide therethrough and can be the same or similar cross sectional bore dimension as the actuator portion bore 60. The installation portion 44 can be coupled to the isolation valve 16 at the isolation valve outlet 20 for access to the wellhead outlet 12 for installation and removal of the VR plug 34.

[0032] The flexible joint assembly 50 can include a shaft that slidably engages the combined bores of the housing 38 and is configured to adapt to the changes in direction through the bores. The flexible joint assembly 50 can include a shaft 52 coupled to a set of articular segments 54. The shaft can have a coupler (not shown) on an end that is distal from the articular segments for coupling with a power source (not shown) to rotate the shaft and therefore the articular segments coupled to the shaft to transmit torque along the length of the flexible joint assembly to install and remove the VR plug 34. The set of articular segments 54 are configured to angularly swivel around a coupling between adjacent segments to accommodate the changes in direction. The transition elbow bore 62 is shaped and sized to allow the flexible joint assembly 50 to swivel in the transition elbow, which is dependent on a diameter and length of the articular segments in the flexible joint assembly and a composite angle at which adjacent articular segments can swivel relative to each other. The transition elbow bore 62 is also configured to not be oversized that would allow the flexible joint assembly to rotate and detrimentally bind (known as “kinking”) the articular segments 54. If the articular elements are kinked, then they partially lock up adjacent segments and reduce the ability of the VR removal tool to exert the needed torque on the VR plug for insertion or removal.

[0033] In summary, the composite of the bores 60, 62, and 64 of the housing define a travel path for the flexible joint assembly 50 during use of different angles between an actuator bore angle in the actuator portion 40 that is different from an installation bore angle β in the installation portion 44, where the angles can be measured in two-dimensional axes or three-dimensional axes relative to a centerline 70 passing through the wellhead outlet bore. In the embodiment shown, the actuator bore angle α is at a right angle to the centerline 70. The installation bore angle β is aligned with the centerline 70, because generally the installation portion bore 64 will be aligned with the wellhead outlet bore 14. However, the angle can vary in other embodiments. The housing 38 can be coupled to a lubricator tool (not shown) distally from the wellhead to facilitate the VR tool operation.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary set of articular segments. The set of articular segments 54 includes a series of joints 72 coupled together with pins 74 that can articulate in two axes and can move in three axes when rotated. A variation would be gimbals that articulate in three-axes. In at least one embodiment, an end articular segment 54A of the set of articular segments 54 can be rotationally coupled to the shaft 52, and the other end articular segment 54C of the set of articular segments can be rotationally coupled to an adapter 56 that can be coupled with the socket 30 (shown in FIG. 3) that can engage the VR plug 34. The term “socket” is used broadly to include any tool that can rotationally engage the VR plug to insert and / or remove the VR plug.

[0035] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross sectional view of a transition elbow of the valve removal tool. FIG. 6B is a schematic end view of the transition elbow of FIG. 6B. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition elbow 42 has a transition elbow coupling 66, such as a flange as a first end, to couple with the actuator portion 40, and a transition elbow coupling 68 as a second end to couple with the installation portion 44, described above.

[0036] The transition elbow bore 62 of the transition elbow 42 can be formed in three portions. A first transition elbow bore portion 62A can be a bore sized to correspond to the actuator portion bore 60 and generally angularly aligned with the actuator portion bore 60, described above. A third transition elbow bore portion 62C can be a bore sized to correspond to the installation portion bore 64 and generally angularly aligned with the installation portion bore 64, described above. A second transition elbow bore portion 62B, formed between the transition elbow bore portions 62A and 62C, is generally an enlarged bore compared to the bore portions 62A and 62C to accommodate the directional changes of the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow. To make a transition between the bore section sizes, a conical actuator taper 46 can be formed between the actuator portion bore 60 (described above) and the second transition elbow bore portion 62B, and a conical installation taper 48 can formed between the second transition elbow bore portion 62B and the installation portion bore 64.

[0037] Thus, from a perspective of an installation step of the VR plug, the flexible joint assembly can be placed into the actuator portion 40, and moved through the actuator portion bore 60 through the first transition elbow bore portion 62A and through the actuator taper 46 into the enlarged transition bore portion 62B to start the directional changes of the articular segments 54. As the flexible joint assembly 50 is progressively moved through the second transition elbow bore portion 62B, the directional change can become complete and the flexible joint assembly moves through the installation taper 48 to align with the third transition elbow bore portion 62C for entry into the installation portion bore 64 and then to the wellbore outlet bore 14 to install the VR plug, described above. Upon completing the VR plug installation, the flexible joint assembly can be removed in the reverse direction to make the travel from the installation portion bore to the actuator portion bore.

[0038] An important aspect of the enlarged bore 62B is that the bore size be sufficiently large to accommodate the increased effective diameter occupied by the articular segments when pivoting relative to adjacent articular segments but not too large to allow such angular movement between the articular segments to cause kinking. The increased effective diameter of the flexible joint assembly when pivoting relative to each other can be dependent on the lengths and cross sections of individual articular segments, the radius of the centerline of the transition elbow, and the amount of angular change between the centerlines of the bore 62A and bore 62C. These factors affect how much the articular segments have to pivot relative to adjacent articular segments and therefore a minimum diameter of the larger bore 62B. However, too large of a diameter than needed for the enlarged bore 62B can result in “kinking” the articular segments during rotation, when the articular segments have been allowed to pivot at too much of an angle relative to an adjacent articular segment and the angle no longer allows rotation without substantially more force than normally used and perhaps cause damage to the flexible joint assembly. It is understood by the inventor that in at least one embodiment, the relationships to help establish a properly sized bore 62B may be expressed as ratios of at least one of: (a) a ratio of the articular segments compared to a radius of curvature of the transition elbow, (b) a diametric ratio between an outside diameter (or major axis of a cross section) of the articular segments compared to an inside diameter of the transition elbow, (c) the ratio between the articular height and the height of the transition elbow, and (d) an angular difference between the angle of the transition elbow bore 62A (aligned with the actuator portion bore 60) compared to the angle of the transition elbow bore 62C (aligned with the installation portion bore 64).

[0039] Thus, when rotating the flexible joint assembly to install or remove the VR plug, the shaft will be primarily in the actuator portion and the articular segments will primarily be in the transition elbow, installation portion, and bore of the valve. The shaft can be rotated manually or by a rotational power source, so that the flexible joint assembly can rotate the VR plug from an angle with articular segments. The rotation of the flexible joint assembly can be substantially without kinking such as might otherwise occur by the bore 62B being too large in diameter or jamming by the bore 62B being of insufficient diameter to allow the segments to articulate. If kinking or jamming were present, those conditions would degrade the torque input by the flexible joint assembly and possibly damage the flexible joint assembly.

[0040] Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the disclosed invention as defined in the claims. For example, various shapes of the articular segments and various types of couplings between the articular segments are possible and other variations than those specifically disclosed herein within the scope of the claims.

[0041] The invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to protect fully all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope of the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]The figures described above and incorporated from the Appendices, and the written description of specific aspects and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-relate...

Claims

1. An angled oil field valve removal tool, comprising:a housing comprising:an actuator portion having an actuator portion bore;a transition elbow coupled to the actuator portion on a first end of the transition elbow, and having a transition elbow bore larger in cross-section than the actuator portion bore and aligned at the first end with the actuator portion bore; andan installation portion coupled to the transition elbow on a second end of the transition elbow and having an installation portion bore aligned at the second end with the transition elbow bore, wherein the actuator portion bore is at a different angle than the installation portion bore; anda flexible joint assembly comprising a shaft coupled to a set of articular segments, the articular segments being configured to at least partially pass through the transition elbow bore and change angles relative to adjacent articular segments during rotation of the articular segments inside the transition elbow bore.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the transition elbow bore comprises a first transition elbow bore portion angularly aligned with the actuator portion bore 60, a third transition elbow bore portion angularly aligned with the installation portion bore 6, and a second transition elbow bore portion, formed between the first and third transition elbow bore portions, having an enlarged bore compared to the first and third transition elbow bore portions, the third transition elbow portion being configured to allow a directional change of the flexible joint assembly between the actuator portion and the installation portion.

3. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a first conical taper between the actuator portion bore and the first end of the transitional elbow bore and a second conical taper between the second end of the transition elbow bore and the installation portion bore.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein an end of the set of articular elements distal from the shaft is configured to removably engage a valve removal plug and install the valve removal plug through a bore of a valve and into a wellbore outlet bore for a removal of the valve.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the shaft is configured to be rotated to rotate the set of articular segments at least inside the transition elbow.

6. A method of installing a valve removal plug in a wellhead outlet of a wellhead with an angled oil field valve removal tool, comprising:coupling the valve removal tool having the actuator portion, transition elbow, and installation portion to a valve having a bore coupled to the wellhead having a wellhead outlet with a bore aligned with the valve bore;moving a flexible joint assembly comprising a shaft coupled to a set of articular segments coupled with the valve removal plug into the actuator portion having an actuator portion bore aligned with a transition elbow bore of the transition elbow that is larger than the actuator portion bore;moving the flexible joint assembly into the transition elbow bore and changing a direction of the flexible joint assembly in the transition elbow;moving the flexible joint assembly into the installation portion having an installation portion bore aligned with the transition elbow bore;moving the flexible joint assembly into valve bore aligned with the installation portion bore;engaging the valve removal plug on the flexible joint assembly with the wellhead outlet; androtating the flexible joint assembly to install the valve removal plug into a wellhead outlet bore.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising removing the flexible joint assembly from the wellhead bore and the valve bore.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising removing the valve from the wellhead while leaving the valve removal plug installed in the wellhead outlet bore.

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