Valve

Abstract

A valve comprises a valve mechanism located within a housing arrangement, wherein the housing arrangement comprises an outer housing configured to be mechanically secured with a fluid conduit system, and an inner housing located within the outer housing and configured to contain pressure.

1 . A valve comprising a valve mechanism located within a housing arrangement, wherein the housing arrangement comprises an outer housing configured to be mechanically secured with a fluid conduit system, and an inner housing located within the outer housing and configured to contain pressure. 
     
     
         2 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is securable in-line with a fluid conduit system. 
     
     
         3 . The valve according to  claim 1 , defining or forming part of at least one of a Subsea Test Tree (SSTT), a retainer valve and a lubricator valve. 
     
     
         4 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises a connection arrangement for permitting mechanical connection with a fluid conduit system. 
     
     
         5 . The valve according to  claim 4 , wherein the connection arrangement comprises first and second connectors for securing with a fluid conduit system. 
     
     
         6 . The valve according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second connectors comprises a flange connector. 
     
     
         7 . The valve according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second connectors defines a preloaded connector. 
     
     
         8 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing is axially contained within the outer housing. 
     
     
         9 . The valve according to  claim 8 , wherein the outer housing comprises a connection arrangement comprising first and second connectors for securing with a fluid conduit system, wherein the inner housing is axially contained between the first and second connectors of the outer housing. 
     
     
         10 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the valve mechanism is axially located between the outer and inner housings. 
     
     
         11 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises an axially extending wall section to encapsulate the inner housing. 
     
     
         12 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is split. 
     
     
         13 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is longitudinally split. 
     
     
         14 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises at least two housing segments. 
     
     
         15 . The valve according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing segments are hingedly connected together. 
     
     
         16 . The valve according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing segments are secured together when the outer housing is secured to a fluid conduit system. 
     
     
         17 . The valve according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing segments are secured along a length of separation defined between the different housing segments. 
     
     
         18 . The valve according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing segments are secured together by a bolting arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . The valve according to  claim 18 , wherein the bolting arrangement is provided along one or more sides or regions of separation between different housing segments. 
     
     
         20 . The valve according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing segments are secured together via one or more tangential bolts. 
     
     
         21 . The valve according to  claim 14 , wherein adjacent housing segments comprise one or more connecting portions extending at least partially along the length of split defined between the adjacent housing segments, wherein opposing connecting portions of each segment are arranged to be secured together. 
     
     
         22 . The valve according to  claim 21 , wherein a plurality of connecting portions are provided on each adjacent housing segment. 
     
     
         23 . The valve according to  claim 22 , wherein axially adjacent connecting portions on a single housing segment are separated by a slotted region. 
     
     
         24 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer housing defines a generally cylindrical outer profile. 
     
     
         25 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer housing defines a non-cylindrical outer profile having different dimensions in mutually perpendicular lateral directions. 
     
     
         26 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing is isolated from mechanical connection with a fluid conduit system. 
     
     
         27 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing is defined by a pressure containing sleeve. 
     
     
         28 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the valve mechanism defines part of the inner housing. 
     
     
         29 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve mechanism comprises a ball valve mechanism. 
     
     
         30 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve mechanism is operable to cut a body extending at least partially through the valve. 
     
     
         31 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve mechanism is operable to cut an elongate body including at least one of tubing, coiled tubing, wireline, slickline and a tool string. 
     
     
         32 . The valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve mechanism comprises a ball valve mechanism which includes a ball seat and a ball member, wherein the ball member is rotatable relative to the ball seat to provide flow control. 
     
     
         33 . The valve according to  claim 32 , wherein the ball seat and ball member define respective through bores each having a bore edge and the bore edge of at least one of the ball seat and ball member is configured to cut a body extending at least partially through the valve upon closure of the ball member. 
     
     
         34 . The valve according to  claim 33 , wherein the bore edge of at least one of the ball seat and ball member defines a recessed cutting region for cutting a body. 
     
     
         35 . A method for controlling flow along a fluid conduit system, comprising:
 securing a valve housing arrangement to a fluid conduit system, wherein the valve housing arrangement includes an outer housing which provides mechanical connection to the fluid conduit system and an inner housing located within the outer housing and which contains pressure; and   controlling flow along the fluid conduit using a valve mechanism located within the valve housing.   
     
     
         36 . A sub sea test tree comprising:
 a housing arrangement; and   a valve mechanism located within a housing arrangement,   wherein the housing arrangement comprises an outer housing configured to be mechanically secured with a fluid conduit system, and an inner housing located within the outer housing and configured to contain pressure.