CA2049686C - Inflatable packing device and method of sealing - Google Patents
Inflatable packing device and method of sealing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2049686C CA2049686C CA002049686A CA2049686A CA2049686C CA 2049686 C CA2049686 C CA 2049686C CA 002049686 A CA002049686 A CA 002049686A CA 2049686 A CA2049686 A CA 2049686A CA 2049686 C CA2049686 C CA 2049686C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- annular
- elastomeric
- inflatable
- packing device
- interior surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims 15
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000543 intermediate Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003467 diminishing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/127—Packers; Plugs with inflatable sleeve
- E21B33/1277—Packers; Plugs with inflatable sleeve characterised by the construction or fixation of the sleeve
Abstract
An inflatable packing device is provided for use i,n wellbore containing fluid. The inflatable packing device provides a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an interior surface within the wellbore. A cylindrical housing is provided having a central longitudinal axis, and including upper and lower collar members. A means for securing the cylindrical housing to the conduit is provided. An annular inflatable wall with upper and lower ends is secured to the upper and lower collar members respectively, with the annular inflatable wall disposed over at least a portion of the cylindrical housing.
The annular inflatable wall includes an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable slats. Upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are disposed over a portion of the annular inflat-able wall between the upper and lower collar members of the cylindrical housing. The upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are axially spaced apart relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing the elastomeric annular covers in part define upper and lower anchor regions. A
central region of the annular inflatable wall is provided between the first and second elastomeric annular covers. The first and second anchor regions and the central region are outwardly movable from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position.
The annular inflatable wall includes an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable slats. Upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are disposed over a portion of the annular inflat-able wall between the upper and lower collar members of the cylindrical housing. The upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are axially spaced apart relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing the elastomeric annular covers in part define upper and lower anchor regions. A
central region of the annular inflatable wall is provided between the first and second elastomeric annular covers. The first and second anchor regions and the central region are outwardly movable from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position.
Description
~~~~~a~
B~cxoxovz~n ox~ ~~~ xrtv~z~Txorr
B~cxoxovz~n ox~ ~~~ xrtv~z~Txorr
2
3 s. Field of the Invaati~na
4 This invention relates generally to 6 inflatable packers for use in wellbores, and 7 specifically to inflatable packers, which have an 8 elastomeric cover disposed over an annular inflatable 9 wall.
11 2. Description of the Prior Art:
13 In the drilling and production of oil and gas 14 wells, it is frequently necessary to isolate one subterranean region from another and prevent the 16 passage of fluids between those regions. Conventional 17 packers and bridge plugs are used as packing devices in .. 18 wellbores containing fluid for providing a seal between 19 a conduit which carries the device downward in the 2o wellbore and an interior surface within the wellbore, 21 such as casing or an uncased wellbore wall.
23 One type of double anchor, packing device 24 includes two regions of expandable material which serve to grip the interior surface within the wellbore, 26 Usually, an elastomeric annular cover is pravided 27 between the two anchor regions. Ths elastomeric 28 annular cover also radially expands outward, and 29 eventually engages the desired surface and forms a sa_al, thus preventing the passage of fluid.
32 When a packing device having a small diameter 33 is lowered in a wellbore for engaging and forming a 34 seal with a much larger diameter casing, the 1 elastomeric annular cover is subaected to extraordinary 2 multi-dimensional strain, including bi-axial and tri-3 axial strain, that is, a strain having two or three 4 dimensional components. Consequently, it is possible for the outer flexible cover to split, destroying the 6 utility of the packing device.
"Soft set" is another frequently encountered 9 problem in the prior art devices. Soft set occurs when fluid is trapped between each end of the outer cover of l1 the packing device. When a soft set occurs, the 12 packing device is not as firmly anchored as possible, 13 and may slip or rotate unexpectedly.
g ~~~r.~~~~~
1 8'iJM,~2ARY OF T~i~ IN'tTENTxON
3 Tt is one objective of the present invention 4 to provide an inflatable packing device far use in a wellbore in which mufti-dimensional strain an the 6 annular elastomeric cover is minimized.
8 It is another objective of the present 9 invention to provide an inflatable packing 'device for l0 use,in a wellbore which does not trap fluid in the 11 region of the annular elastomeric cover, and thus 12 minimizes the occurrence of a soft-set of the 13 inflatable packing device against the casing or uncased 14 wellbore wall.
16 These and other objectives are achieved as is 17 now described. An inflatable packing device is 18 provided for use in wellbore containing fluid. The 19 inflatable packing device provides a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an 21 interior surface within the wellbore. A cylindrical 22 housing is.~provided having a central longitudinal axis, 23 and including upper and lower collar members. Means 24 for securing the cylindrical housing to the conduit is provided. An annular inflatable wall with upper and 26 lower ends is secured to the upper and lower collar 27 members rQSp~atively, with the annular inflatable: wall 28 disposed over,a;~ least a portion of the cylindrical 29 housing. The,annular inflatable wall includes an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable 31 slats. Upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are 32 disposed over a portion of the annular inflatable wall . .,... _ . ~"..,. ..
33 between the upper and fewer collar members of the 34 cylindrical housing,. ., The"upper and ,lower elastomeric _ ,~
~~~~~~i~c~
1 annular covers are axially spaced~apart relative to the 2 central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing.
.. .
4 Preferrably, the elastomeric annular covers in-part define an upper anchor region of the annular 6 inflatable wall between the upper collar and the upper 7 elastomeric annular cover. The ~elastomeric annular 8 covers further define a lower anchor region of the 9 annular inflatable wall between the lower collar and the lower elastomeric annular cover. However, it is 11 possible in the present invention far the elastomeric 12 covers to define only a single anchor region either 13 above or below the covers. A central region of the 14 annular inflatable wall is provided between the upper and lower elastomeric annular covers. The upper and 16 lower anchor regions and the central region are 17 outwardly movable from a non-inflated running position 18 to an inflated setting position. The first and second 19 anchor regions expand evenly in opposition to the upper and lower elastomeric annular covers and operate to 21 frictionally engage the interior surface to resist 22 longitudinal and rotational movements when in the 23 inflated setting position. The central region operates 24 to evacuate fluid from between the upper and lower elastomeric annular covers when expanded radially 26 outward from the running position to the setting 27 position. The upper and lower elastomeric annular 28 covers operate to sealingly engage the interior surface 29 and provide a double seal to fluid when expanded radially outward from the running position to 'the 31 setting position.
..
The above as well as additional objects, 2 features, and advantages o~E the invention will become 3 apparent in the following detailed description.
_s_ x~~~~~~~~
1 BazEF D~acRZp~xoa~ of mx~ D~,wxrro 3 , The novel features believed characteristic of 4 the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself however, as well as a preferred 6 mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, 7 will best be understood by reference to the following 8 detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when 9 read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
12 Figure 1 is a,.. simplified and partial 13 longitudinal section of a prior art double anchor 14 packer, in a non-inflated running position;
16 Figure 2 is a simplified partial longitudinal 17 section of the prior art double anchor packer of Figure .. 18 1, disposed within a well-bore, in a semi-inflated 19 condition; -., 21 Figure a is a simplified partial longitudinal 22 section of the packer. of Figures 1 and 2, in a 23 wellbore, in a fully-inflated condition, and hence in a 24 setting position;
26 Figure 4 is a simplified partial longitudinal 2? section of the improved ~.n:~~.at,able packing device of 28 the present invention, in ,.a non-inflated running 29 position; , ." . , , . " . , , 32 Figure 9:a is a simplified part.i.al 32 longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment. of 33 the improved inflatable packing. device of , the pr-esent 34 invention in a non-inflated running position;.
~~~f~~~,~Ci~3 2 , Figures 5 is a simplified partial longitudinal 3 section of the improved inflatabl a packing device of 4 Figure ~, disposed in a wellbore, in a semi-inflated condition; and . ..
Figure 6 is a simplified partial longitudinal 8 section of the improved inflatable packing device of 9 Figures 9 and 5, disposed in a wellbare, in a fully inflated setting position.
8,, -1 DFTAr~~ra x~ESC~z~Fmzarr of T~3~ xzwFarT~orr 2 , " , ""
3 The present invention is best described and 4 understood w'ith~~~reference first to the prior art double anchor packer of Figures 1 through 3. In F3,gur~ 1, the 6 prior art packer is shown in a non-inflated running '7 position. In Figure 2, the prior art packer is shown 8 in a semi-inflated condition. In Figure 3, the prior 9 art packer is shown in a fully-inflated running position.
12 Turning first to Figure 1, prior art packing 13 device 11 is shown in simplified and partial 14 longitudinal section. The packing device il includes cylindrical housing 13 with upper and lower collars 19, 16 21 attached at each end. Threads 23, 25 are provided 17 in upper and Lower collars g9, 21 to allow packing Z8 device 17. to be connected to other tubular members in a 19 string. Cylindrical housing ~.3 includes tubular member 3,5, with a plurality of ports ~.7 which allow the 21 passage of-fluids to inflate packing device 21.
23 Annular inflatable wall 27 is disposed over 24 at least a portion of tubular member ~.5 and is held in place by couplings 29, 31. Annular inflatable wall 27 26 includes inner elastomeric sleeva 33 and an array of 27 slats 35 which are disposed about the outer surface of 28 inner elastomeric sleeve 33. Cylindrical elastomeric 29 cover 37 is disposed over a central region of annular inflatable wall 27.
32 As shown in Figure 2, annular inflatable wall 33 27 is flexible radially outward from tubular member 15, 34 in response to high pressure fluid which is diverted 1 through ports 17 into the cavity between tubular member 2 Z5 and annular inflatable wall 27. In this system, 3 inner elastomeric sleeve 33 operates as a bladder, 4 which expands uniformly in response to increa-sed fluid pressure. Array of slats 35 comprise a plurality of 6 axially aligned and overlapping slats disposed in an 7 annular array for accommodating radial outward 8 expansion of inner elastomeric sleeve 33. Annular 9 inflatable wall 27 is coupled to lower collar 22 in a known manner which allows annular inflatable wall to 11 slide upward and downward as it ~is'~ inflated and 12 deflated.
14 Cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 operates to resist autward radial expansion of annular inflatable 16 wall 27 at a mid-region of annular inflatable wall 27 17 between upper and lower collars 19, 21. Regions of 18 annular inflatable wall 27 above and below cylindrical 19 elastomeric cover 37 will bulge forward to form upper and lower anchor regions X15, 47 which serve to 21 fractionally engage interior surface f1"iw wellbore 39.
23 ~'or purposes of exposition, interior surface 24 41 is shown as casing; however, packing device 11, may be used in uncased wellbares, and may be used to form a 26 seal with tubular wellbore members other than casing, 27 Upper and lower anchor regions 95, 47 da not serve to 28 form a seal with interior surface ~9.. Upper and lower 29 anchor regions 45, 47 serve only to inhibi'~ rotational.
and longitudinal movement of packing device 3$ relative 31 to interior surface 4l within wellbore 39. As annular 32 inflatable wall 27 further radially expands; fluid 43 33 is pushed out of the region between upper and lower 34 anchor regions 45, 47, and will actually flow through - l0 -~;~~~~~~~a 1 the small channels between the individual slats in 2 array. of slats 35.
4 Hven in the intermediate semi-inflated position shown in Figure 2, cylindrical elastomeric 6 cover 37 of packing device Z1 is exposed to a rather 7 large multi-dimensional forces, including bi-axial or 8 tri-axial forces. Bi-axial and tri-axial forces are 9 forces which have dimensional components in two or three orthogonally opposed directions. As shown in 11 Figure 2, cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 is 12 simultaneously pushed radially outward, stretched 13 circumferentially, and tipped upward at its outer ends.
Turning now to Figuxs 3, packing device ~.1 is 16 shown in a fully-inflated setting position with upper 17 and Sower anchor regions 45, 47 in frictional 18 engagement with interior surface 41 of wellbore 39 19 casixtg. ~ In this configuration, upper and lower ends
11 2. Description of the Prior Art:
13 In the drilling and production of oil and gas 14 wells, it is frequently necessary to isolate one subterranean region from another and prevent the 16 passage of fluids between those regions. Conventional 17 packers and bridge plugs are used as packing devices in .. 18 wellbores containing fluid for providing a seal between 19 a conduit which carries the device downward in the 2o wellbore and an interior surface within the wellbore, 21 such as casing or an uncased wellbore wall.
23 One type of double anchor, packing device 24 includes two regions of expandable material which serve to grip the interior surface within the wellbore, 26 Usually, an elastomeric annular cover is pravided 27 between the two anchor regions. Ths elastomeric 28 annular cover also radially expands outward, and 29 eventually engages the desired surface and forms a sa_al, thus preventing the passage of fluid.
32 When a packing device having a small diameter 33 is lowered in a wellbore for engaging and forming a 34 seal with a much larger diameter casing, the 1 elastomeric annular cover is subaected to extraordinary 2 multi-dimensional strain, including bi-axial and tri-3 axial strain, that is, a strain having two or three 4 dimensional components. Consequently, it is possible for the outer flexible cover to split, destroying the 6 utility of the packing device.
"Soft set" is another frequently encountered 9 problem in the prior art devices. Soft set occurs when fluid is trapped between each end of the outer cover of l1 the packing device. When a soft set occurs, the 12 packing device is not as firmly anchored as possible, 13 and may slip or rotate unexpectedly.
g ~~~r.~~~~~
1 8'iJM,~2ARY OF T~i~ IN'tTENTxON
3 Tt is one objective of the present invention 4 to provide an inflatable packing device far use in a wellbore in which mufti-dimensional strain an the 6 annular elastomeric cover is minimized.
8 It is another objective of the present 9 invention to provide an inflatable packing 'device for l0 use,in a wellbore which does not trap fluid in the 11 region of the annular elastomeric cover, and thus 12 minimizes the occurrence of a soft-set of the 13 inflatable packing device against the casing or uncased 14 wellbore wall.
16 These and other objectives are achieved as is 17 now described. An inflatable packing device is 18 provided for use in wellbore containing fluid. The 19 inflatable packing device provides a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an 21 interior surface within the wellbore. A cylindrical 22 housing is.~provided having a central longitudinal axis, 23 and including upper and lower collar members. Means 24 for securing the cylindrical housing to the conduit is provided. An annular inflatable wall with upper and 26 lower ends is secured to the upper and lower collar 27 members rQSp~atively, with the annular inflatable: wall 28 disposed over,a;~ least a portion of the cylindrical 29 housing. The,annular inflatable wall includes an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable 31 slats. Upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are 32 disposed over a portion of the annular inflatable wall . .,... _ . ~"..,. ..
33 between the upper and fewer collar members of the 34 cylindrical housing,. ., The"upper and ,lower elastomeric _ ,~
~~~~~~i~c~
1 annular covers are axially spaced~apart relative to the 2 central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing.
.. .
4 Preferrably, the elastomeric annular covers in-part define an upper anchor region of the annular 6 inflatable wall between the upper collar and the upper 7 elastomeric annular cover. The ~elastomeric annular 8 covers further define a lower anchor region of the 9 annular inflatable wall between the lower collar and the lower elastomeric annular cover. However, it is 11 possible in the present invention far the elastomeric 12 covers to define only a single anchor region either 13 above or below the covers. A central region of the 14 annular inflatable wall is provided between the upper and lower elastomeric annular covers. The upper and 16 lower anchor regions and the central region are 17 outwardly movable from a non-inflated running position 18 to an inflated setting position. The first and second 19 anchor regions expand evenly in opposition to the upper and lower elastomeric annular covers and operate to 21 frictionally engage the interior surface to resist 22 longitudinal and rotational movements when in the 23 inflated setting position. The central region operates 24 to evacuate fluid from between the upper and lower elastomeric annular covers when expanded radially 26 outward from the running position to the setting 27 position. The upper and lower elastomeric annular 28 covers operate to sealingly engage the interior surface 29 and provide a double seal to fluid when expanded radially outward from the running position to 'the 31 setting position.
..
The above as well as additional objects, 2 features, and advantages o~E the invention will become 3 apparent in the following detailed description.
_s_ x~~~~~~~~
1 BazEF D~acRZp~xoa~ of mx~ D~,wxrro 3 , The novel features believed characteristic of 4 the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The invention itself however, as well as a preferred 6 mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, 7 will best be understood by reference to the following 8 detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when 9 read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
12 Figure 1 is a,.. simplified and partial 13 longitudinal section of a prior art double anchor 14 packer, in a non-inflated running position;
16 Figure 2 is a simplified partial longitudinal 17 section of the prior art double anchor packer of Figure .. 18 1, disposed within a well-bore, in a semi-inflated 19 condition; -., 21 Figure a is a simplified partial longitudinal 22 section of the packer. of Figures 1 and 2, in a 23 wellbore, in a fully-inflated condition, and hence in a 24 setting position;
26 Figure 4 is a simplified partial longitudinal 2? section of the improved ~.n:~~.at,able packing device of 28 the present invention, in ,.a non-inflated running 29 position; , ." . , , . " . , , 32 Figure 9:a is a simplified part.i.al 32 longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment. of 33 the improved inflatable packing. device of , the pr-esent 34 invention in a non-inflated running position;.
~~~f~~~,~Ci~3 2 , Figures 5 is a simplified partial longitudinal 3 section of the improved inflatabl a packing device of 4 Figure ~, disposed in a wellbore, in a semi-inflated condition; and . ..
Figure 6 is a simplified partial longitudinal 8 section of the improved inflatable packing device of 9 Figures 9 and 5, disposed in a wellbare, in a fully inflated setting position.
8,, -1 DFTAr~~ra x~ESC~z~Fmzarr of T~3~ xzwFarT~orr 2 , " , ""
3 The present invention is best described and 4 understood w'ith~~~reference first to the prior art double anchor packer of Figures 1 through 3. In F3,gur~ 1, the 6 prior art packer is shown in a non-inflated running '7 position. In Figure 2, the prior art packer is shown 8 in a semi-inflated condition. In Figure 3, the prior 9 art packer is shown in a fully-inflated running position.
12 Turning first to Figure 1, prior art packing 13 device 11 is shown in simplified and partial 14 longitudinal section. The packing device il includes cylindrical housing 13 with upper and lower collars 19, 16 21 attached at each end. Threads 23, 25 are provided 17 in upper and Lower collars g9, 21 to allow packing Z8 device 17. to be connected to other tubular members in a 19 string. Cylindrical housing ~.3 includes tubular member 3,5, with a plurality of ports ~.7 which allow the 21 passage of-fluids to inflate packing device 21.
23 Annular inflatable wall 27 is disposed over 24 at least a portion of tubular member ~.5 and is held in place by couplings 29, 31. Annular inflatable wall 27 26 includes inner elastomeric sleeva 33 and an array of 27 slats 35 which are disposed about the outer surface of 28 inner elastomeric sleeve 33. Cylindrical elastomeric 29 cover 37 is disposed over a central region of annular inflatable wall 27.
32 As shown in Figure 2, annular inflatable wall 33 27 is flexible radially outward from tubular member 15, 34 in response to high pressure fluid which is diverted 1 through ports 17 into the cavity between tubular member 2 Z5 and annular inflatable wall 27. In this system, 3 inner elastomeric sleeve 33 operates as a bladder, 4 which expands uniformly in response to increa-sed fluid pressure. Array of slats 35 comprise a plurality of 6 axially aligned and overlapping slats disposed in an 7 annular array for accommodating radial outward 8 expansion of inner elastomeric sleeve 33. Annular 9 inflatable wall 27 is coupled to lower collar 22 in a known manner which allows annular inflatable wall to 11 slide upward and downward as it ~is'~ inflated and 12 deflated.
14 Cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 operates to resist autward radial expansion of annular inflatable 16 wall 27 at a mid-region of annular inflatable wall 27 17 between upper and lower collars 19, 21. Regions of 18 annular inflatable wall 27 above and below cylindrical 19 elastomeric cover 37 will bulge forward to form upper and lower anchor regions X15, 47 which serve to 21 fractionally engage interior surface f1"iw wellbore 39.
23 ~'or purposes of exposition, interior surface 24 41 is shown as casing; however, packing device 11, may be used in uncased wellbares, and may be used to form a 26 seal with tubular wellbore members other than casing, 27 Upper and lower anchor regions 95, 47 da not serve to 28 form a seal with interior surface ~9.. Upper and lower 29 anchor regions 45, 47 serve only to inhibi'~ rotational.
and longitudinal movement of packing device 3$ relative 31 to interior surface 4l within wellbore 39. As annular 32 inflatable wall 27 further radially expands; fluid 43 33 is pushed out of the region between upper and lower 34 anchor regions 45, 47, and will actually flow through - l0 -~;~~~~~~~a 1 the small channels between the individual slats in 2 array. of slats 35.
4 Hven in the intermediate semi-inflated position shown in Figure 2, cylindrical elastomeric 6 cover 37 of packing device Z1 is exposed to a rather 7 large multi-dimensional forces, including bi-axial or 8 tri-axial forces. Bi-axial and tri-axial forces are 9 forces which have dimensional components in two or three orthogonally opposed directions. As shown in 11 Figure 2, cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 is 12 simultaneously pushed radially outward, stretched 13 circumferentially, and tipped upward at its outer ends.
Turning now to Figuxs 3, packing device ~.1 is 16 shown in a fully-inflated setting position with upper 17 and Sower anchor regions 45, 47 in frictional 18 engagement with interior surface 41 of wellbore 39 19 casixtg. ~ In this configuration, upper and lower ends
5~~;.53 of..cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 sealingly 21 engage interior surface 4x. Upper and lower ends 5~., 22 53 of cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 are urged into 23 engagement with interior surface 41 by expansion of 24 uppex and lower anchor regions 95, 97. However, the region of annular inflatable wall Z7 which underlies 26 cylindrical-elastomer3,c cover 37 expands at a rate 27 wh-iah~is significantly less than the expansion rate of 28 'upper and lower anchor regions ~5, 47, due to the added 29 stiFfnes,~--~ av :cylindxioal elastomeric cover 37.
Therefore,..: upper., and"lower anchor regions ~5, 47 serve 31 to fix the location ~of packing device ~.1 within 32 wellbore 39., -while cylindrircal. elastomeric cover 37 33 serves to form a seal with interior surface all,.
a 1~ r 1 Two significant, problems exit for packing 2 device il when fully inflafied." ; Fir,st, as discussed 3 above, cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 is subjected to 4 significant bi-axial or tri-axial, strain at upper and lower ends 51, 53., when the strain on cylindrical
Therefore,..: upper., and"lower anchor regions ~5, 47 serve 31 to fix the location ~of packing device ~.1 within 32 wellbore 39., -while cylindrircal. elastomeric cover 37 33 serves to form a seal with interior surface all,.
a 1~ r 1 Two significant, problems exit for packing 2 device il when fully inflafied." ; Fir,st, as discussed 3 above, cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 is subjected to 4 significant bi-axial or tri-axial, strain at upper and lower ends 51, 53., when the strain on cylindrical
6 elastomeric cover 37 exceeds the limits of the
7 elastomer, small longitudinal tears are formed at the
8 ends 51, 53 of cylindrical elastomeric cover 37. Once
9 initiated, these tears propagate rapidly along the length of cylindrical elastomeric cover 37, since 11 elastomers in tension are very susceptible to tears.
12 Once cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 splits, it no 13 longer provides the uniform separation of array of 14 slats 35 as packing device 11 inflates. The uneven expansion of array of slats 35 results in gaps between 16 the slats, which allow inner elastomeric sleeve 33 to 17 extrude through in response to pressure, and eventually - 18 erupt. Once inner elastomeric sleeve 33 erupts, 19 packing device 11 looses all pressure, and becomes , useless.
22 Another problem is apparent from the prior 23 art packing device shown in Figure 3. Since the 24 central region of annular inflatable wall 27 inflates at a rate which is significantly less than the 26 inflation rate of upper and lower anchor regions 45, 97 27 of annular inflatable wall 27, It is likely that upper 28 and lower ends 51, 53 of cylindrical elastomeric cover 29 37 will form a seal with interior surface 41 before fluid 43 can be evacuated from between upper and lower 31 ends 51, 53. Consequently, fluid 93 will be trapped 32 between upper and lower ends 51, 53 of cylindrical 33 elastomeric cover 37 and interior surface 41 (in 3.4 Figure 3, designated generally as 9g). With fluid ~~9 12 _ ~~~~~~~a trapped in Chas region, the tool has become "soft set."
2 This ,will effect the overall performance of packing 3 device 11, since it is much more likely to move either 4 longitudinally or rotationally relative to interior surface 41, in an unexpected and unpredictable manner.
7 If upper and lower ends 51, 53 of cylindrical 8 elastomeric cover 37 form a tight seal with interior 9 surface 41, it is possible for fluid 43 to be trapped between upper and lower ends 51, 53, even though 11 packing device 11 has been inflated to pressures in the 12 range of thousands of pounds per square inch. This is 13 true, since fluid is incompressible. However, it is 14 possible for a low volume leak to occur at the interface of upper and lower ends 51, 53 and interior 16 surface 41, which slowly drains fluid 49~from this 1? region. When this occurs, the pressure of fluid 18 trapped between tubular member 15 and annular 19 inflatable wall 27 will drastically decrease, sometimes to as low as tens or hundreds of pounds per square 21 inch. Of course, when this occurs, packing device 11 22 will be likely to slide down hole or rotate, under 23 differential pressure or under its own weight.
24 Therefore, a "soft set" is a tezm which describes a temporary setting of packing device 11 against inter~,ar 26 surface 41. Tha setting will last only for as fang as 27 fluid 49 is trapped between upper and lower anchor ends 28 51, 53 of cylindrical elastomeric cover 3'7. As 29 discussed above, leakage will eventually result in a depressurization of packing device 11, making it 31 susceptible to slippage or rotation.
33 The improved inflatable packing device 61 of 34 the present invention is shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, 13 ~-1 Figure .4 is a view of the improved inflatable packing 2 device 61 in a non-inflated running position. Figure 3 3 is a view of the partially-inflated inflatable packing 4 device 61 of the present invention. Figur~ 6 is a view of the improved inflatable packing device of the 6 present invention in a fully-inflated setting mode.
7 Figures ~~ through 6 show the preferred embodiment of 8 the present invention; other embodiments are possible.
Turning first to Figures 4, inflatable packing 11 device 61: ~ ~. of . ..the 'present invention is shown in 12 simplified and.. partial longitudinal section.
13 Inflatable packing device 61 includes cylindrical 14 housing 63 with upper collar 65, lower collar 67, and tubular member 69 extending between upper collar 65 and 16 lower collar 67. Upper and lower collar 65, 67 are 17 threaded at threads 61,.. 63 and are thus suited for 38 connection in a string of tubular members. Preferably, 19 inflatable packing device 61 is coupled to conduit 75 and lowered in a wellbore. Fluid 97 may be passed down 21 in the wellbore throughw conduit 75, and may serve to 22 inflate inflatable packing device 61 from the non-23 inflated running mode..shown in Figure 9 to the fully-24 inflated setting mode shown in~~Figuxa 6.
25 Returning now to Figure ~, tubular member 69 27 of cylindrical housing 63 includes a plurality of ports 28 77 which are suited for receiving pressurized fluid 29 from conduit 7,5, which.: aGts.'on- annular inflatable wall 79 to urge it radially outwaxd~: Annular inflatable 31 wall 79 includes inner elastomeric .stevave: 81 which is 32 covered by array of slats ~3.: Pr~fer~bly, array of 33 slats comprises a plurality-- of axiallywaligned and 34 overlapping thin metal slats ~ahio~r ware~wdvspased xn an 3;~ _ 1 annular array for accommodating radial outward 2 expansion of inner elastomeric sleeve 81 in response to 3 fluid pressure.
Cylindrical cover 89 is provided at a mid-6 region of annular inflatable wall 79, and includes 7 upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93, with 8 a gap 95 therebetween. Preferably, upper and lower 9 elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 are axially spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of cylindrical 11 housing 63. Preferably, gap 9S between upper and lower 12 elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 serves .to fully 13 expose annular inflatable wall 79.
In alternate embodiments, either one of upper 16 or lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 may be 17 substantially longer than the other: in fact, one of 18 the elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 may extend all 19 the way up or down to either the upper or lower collars s5, 67. In such embodiments, only a single anchor 21 region is provided on annular inflatable wall 79. Tn 22 still other embodiments, multiple anchor regions may be 23 provided and defined by a plurality of elastomeric 24 annular covers.
26 Pigur~ 4a depicts an alternate embodiment of 27 the present ,invention. Tn this embodiment, inflatable 28 packing device is provided with only an upper anchor 29 region a5, since lower elastomeric annular cover 93 is substantially longer in length than upper elastomeric 31 cover 91, and extends along the lower portion of 32 annular inflatable wall 79 all the way to lower eollar 33 67. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 4a ~~~~~~~~a 1 is similar to the embodiment of F'~.guxe 4, so identical 2 numbers have been used in the drawing.
4 Turning now to the preferred embodiment of Figure 5, inflatable packing device si is shown in a 6 semi-inflated state. Pressurized fluid causes annular 7 inflatable wall 79 to expand radially outward. The 8 portions of annular inflatable wall 79 which are not 9 covered by upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 expand outward into contact with interior 11 surface 102 of casing 99. Upper anchor region 85 is 12 provided between upper elastomeric annular cover 91 and 13 upper collar 65. Lower anchor region is provided 14 between lower elastomeric annular cover 93 and lower collar 67. Upper and lower anchor regions 85, 87 16 operate to fractionally engage interior surface loi of 1? casing 99, and ~~set~~ inflatable packing device 61. At 18 gap 95 between upper and lower elastomeric annular 19 covers 91, 93, a central area 103 of annular inflatable wall 79 also expands radially outward. Of course, the 22 regions of annular inflatable wall 79 which underlie 22 upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 also 23 expand radially outward in response to high pressure 2a fluid.
26 Of these regions, upper and lower anchor 27 regions 85, 87 expand at the fastest Central rate.
28 area 103 of annular inflatable wall 79, 'which 29 corresponds 'to the region of inflatablewall annular 79 which underlies gap 95 between upper and lower 31 elastomeric annular covers 93., expands a rate 93, at 32 which is less than that of upper and lower anchor 33 regions 85, 87. The regions of annular inflatable wall - t6 -~~~:~~~3ui~
1 79 which underlie upper and lower elastomeric annular 2 covers 91, 93 expand at the slowest rate.
4 Since regions of annular inflatable wall 79 on both sides of upper and lower elastomeric annular 6 covers 91, 93 are radially expanding, the multi-7 dimensional strain on upper and lower elastomeric 8 annular covers 91, 93 is diminished. As shown in 9 Figures 5 and 6, the ends of upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 are tipped upward 11 much less than the ends of the prior art covers, 12 Furthermore, as central area 103 of annular inflatable 23 wall 79 expands between upper and lower elastomeric 14 annular covers 91, 93, fluid 97 as evacuated from between upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 16 93. Consequently, one much less likely to create a 17 "soft set" with the improved inflatable packing device ' 18 of the present invention.
2n Figure 6 is a view of the improved inflatable 21 packing device 61 in a fully-inflated setting position.
22 In this position, upper and lower anchor regions 8.5, 87 23 frictionally engage interior surface 101 of casing 99.
24 Upper and lower anchor regions 85, 37 do not form a seal at the interface with the interior vurface 101.
26 ~tather, upper and lawer elastomeric annular covers 91, 27 93 serve to sealingly engage intax~iar surface 101 of 28 casing 99. As shown in Figux~ 6, central area 10:, 29 between upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 serves to evacuate fluid from between upper and 31 lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93. ~Iowever, 32 central area 103 does not serve to frictionally engage 33 interior surface 101, and does not serve to form a seal 34 with interior surface 101. Tn the preferred ~- 17 1 embodiment, central area X03 comprises a region of 2 annular inflatable wall 79 which is between one and 3 four inches in length, but could be substantially 4 shorter or longer in length.
The present invention also includes an 7 improved method of providing a seal between a conduit 8 and an interior surface within a wellbore containing 9 fluid. The steps include providing a cylindrical housing including upper and lower collar members.
11 Next, an annular inflatable wall is disposed between 12 the upper and lower collar members. Then, upper and 13 lower spaced apart elastomeric annular covers are 14 disposed over the annular inflatable wall, and define an upper anchor region of the annular inflatable wall, 16 a lower anchor region of the annular inflatable wall, 17 an intermediate region between upper and lower spaced 18 apart elastomeric annular covers. The cylindrical 19 housing is then coupled to a conduit, and lowered into 2o a wellbore. Next, the annular inflatable wall is 21 inflated with fluid causing the upper and lower anchor 22 regions and intermediate region to move radially 23 outward from a non--inflated running position to an 24 inflated setting position. Inflation of the annular inflatable wall also causes the upper and lower anchor 26 regions to expand evenly in opposition to the upper and 27 lower spaced apart elastomeric covers, and to engage 28 the interior surface to resist at least one of 29 longitudinal and rotational movements. Inflation of 3n the annular inflatable wall also causes the 31 intermediate region to evacuate fluid from between the 32 upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers.
33 Finally, the upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric _ Z8 _ ~~~~~~~a 1 covers are caused to sealingly engage the interior 2 surface to provide a double seal to fluid, 4 In this method, the intermediate region expands at a rate faster than the upper and lower 6 spaced apart elastomeric covers, and thus comes into 7 contact with the interior surface before the upper and 8 lower spaced apart elastomeric covers come into contact 9 with the interior surface.
11 The present invention has two distinct 12 advantages over prior art inflatable packing devices.
13 First, in the present invention, multidimensional 14 strain, including tri--axial strain, on elastomeric covers of the packing device is minimized, diminishing 16 the risk of damage to the packing device through.
17 tearing of the elastomeric covers. Second, the region 18 of the annular inflatable wall between the upper and 19 lower annular elastomeric covers expands at a rate sufficient to evacuate fluid from between the upper and 21 lower annular elastomeric covers before they sealingly 22 engage the interior surface in the wellbore.
23 Consequently, the possibility of obtaining a "soft set"
24 is minimized with the present invention.
26 Although the invention has been described 27 with reference to a specific embodiment, this 28 description is not meant to be construed in a limiting 29 sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the 31 invention will become apparent to persons skilled in 32 the art upon reference to the description of the 33 invention. It is therefore contemplated that the 34 appended claims will cover any such modifications or ~~~f~r~o~~
1 embodiments that fall with~.n the 'true scope of 'the 2 invention.
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12 Once cylindrical elastomeric cover 37 splits, it no 13 longer provides the uniform separation of array of 14 slats 35 as packing device 11 inflates. The uneven expansion of array of slats 35 results in gaps between 16 the slats, which allow inner elastomeric sleeve 33 to 17 extrude through in response to pressure, and eventually - 18 erupt. Once inner elastomeric sleeve 33 erupts, 19 packing device 11 looses all pressure, and becomes , useless.
22 Another problem is apparent from the prior 23 art packing device shown in Figure 3. Since the 24 central region of annular inflatable wall 27 inflates at a rate which is significantly less than the 26 inflation rate of upper and lower anchor regions 45, 97 27 of annular inflatable wall 27, It is likely that upper 28 and lower ends 51, 53 of cylindrical elastomeric cover 29 37 will form a seal with interior surface 41 before fluid 43 can be evacuated from between upper and lower 31 ends 51, 53. Consequently, fluid 93 will be trapped 32 between upper and lower ends 51, 53 of cylindrical 33 elastomeric cover 37 and interior surface 41 (in 3.4 Figure 3, designated generally as 9g). With fluid ~~9 12 _ ~~~~~~~a trapped in Chas region, the tool has become "soft set."
2 This ,will effect the overall performance of packing 3 device 11, since it is much more likely to move either 4 longitudinally or rotationally relative to interior surface 41, in an unexpected and unpredictable manner.
7 If upper and lower ends 51, 53 of cylindrical 8 elastomeric cover 37 form a tight seal with interior 9 surface 41, it is possible for fluid 43 to be trapped between upper and lower ends 51, 53, even though 11 packing device 11 has been inflated to pressures in the 12 range of thousands of pounds per square inch. This is 13 true, since fluid is incompressible. However, it is 14 possible for a low volume leak to occur at the interface of upper and lower ends 51, 53 and interior 16 surface 41, which slowly drains fluid 49~from this 1? region. When this occurs, the pressure of fluid 18 trapped between tubular member 15 and annular 19 inflatable wall 27 will drastically decrease, sometimes to as low as tens or hundreds of pounds per square 21 inch. Of course, when this occurs, packing device 11 22 will be likely to slide down hole or rotate, under 23 differential pressure or under its own weight.
24 Therefore, a "soft set" is a tezm which describes a temporary setting of packing device 11 against inter~,ar 26 surface 41. Tha setting will last only for as fang as 27 fluid 49 is trapped between upper and lower anchor ends 28 51, 53 of cylindrical elastomeric cover 3'7. As 29 discussed above, leakage will eventually result in a depressurization of packing device 11, making it 31 susceptible to slippage or rotation.
33 The improved inflatable packing device 61 of 34 the present invention is shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, 13 ~-1 Figure .4 is a view of the improved inflatable packing 2 device 61 in a non-inflated running position. Figure 3 3 is a view of the partially-inflated inflatable packing 4 device 61 of the present invention. Figur~ 6 is a view of the improved inflatable packing device of the 6 present invention in a fully-inflated setting mode.
7 Figures ~~ through 6 show the preferred embodiment of 8 the present invention; other embodiments are possible.
Turning first to Figures 4, inflatable packing 11 device 61: ~ ~. of . ..the 'present invention is shown in 12 simplified and.. partial longitudinal section.
13 Inflatable packing device 61 includes cylindrical 14 housing 63 with upper collar 65, lower collar 67, and tubular member 69 extending between upper collar 65 and 16 lower collar 67. Upper and lower collar 65, 67 are 17 threaded at threads 61,.. 63 and are thus suited for 38 connection in a string of tubular members. Preferably, 19 inflatable packing device 61 is coupled to conduit 75 and lowered in a wellbore. Fluid 97 may be passed down 21 in the wellbore throughw conduit 75, and may serve to 22 inflate inflatable packing device 61 from the non-23 inflated running mode..shown in Figure 9 to the fully-24 inflated setting mode shown in~~Figuxa 6.
25 Returning now to Figure ~, tubular member 69 27 of cylindrical housing 63 includes a plurality of ports 28 77 which are suited for receiving pressurized fluid 29 from conduit 7,5, which.: aGts.'on- annular inflatable wall 79 to urge it radially outwaxd~: Annular inflatable 31 wall 79 includes inner elastomeric .stevave: 81 which is 32 covered by array of slats ~3.: Pr~fer~bly, array of 33 slats comprises a plurality-- of axiallywaligned and 34 overlapping thin metal slats ~ahio~r ware~wdvspased xn an 3;~ _ 1 annular array for accommodating radial outward 2 expansion of inner elastomeric sleeve 81 in response to 3 fluid pressure.
Cylindrical cover 89 is provided at a mid-6 region of annular inflatable wall 79, and includes 7 upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93, with 8 a gap 95 therebetween. Preferably, upper and lower 9 elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 are axially spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of cylindrical 11 housing 63. Preferably, gap 9S between upper and lower 12 elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 serves .to fully 13 expose annular inflatable wall 79.
In alternate embodiments, either one of upper 16 or lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 may be 17 substantially longer than the other: in fact, one of 18 the elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 may extend all 19 the way up or down to either the upper or lower collars s5, 67. In such embodiments, only a single anchor 21 region is provided on annular inflatable wall 79. Tn 22 still other embodiments, multiple anchor regions may be 23 provided and defined by a plurality of elastomeric 24 annular covers.
26 Pigur~ 4a depicts an alternate embodiment of 27 the present ,invention. Tn this embodiment, inflatable 28 packing device is provided with only an upper anchor 29 region a5, since lower elastomeric annular cover 93 is substantially longer in length than upper elastomeric 31 cover 91, and extends along the lower portion of 32 annular inflatable wall 79 all the way to lower eollar 33 67. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 4a ~~~~~~~~a 1 is similar to the embodiment of F'~.guxe 4, so identical 2 numbers have been used in the drawing.
4 Turning now to the preferred embodiment of Figure 5, inflatable packing device si is shown in a 6 semi-inflated state. Pressurized fluid causes annular 7 inflatable wall 79 to expand radially outward. The 8 portions of annular inflatable wall 79 which are not 9 covered by upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 expand outward into contact with interior 11 surface 102 of casing 99. Upper anchor region 85 is 12 provided between upper elastomeric annular cover 91 and 13 upper collar 65. Lower anchor region is provided 14 between lower elastomeric annular cover 93 and lower collar 67. Upper and lower anchor regions 85, 87 16 operate to fractionally engage interior surface loi of 1? casing 99, and ~~set~~ inflatable packing device 61. At 18 gap 95 between upper and lower elastomeric annular 19 covers 91, 93, a central area 103 of annular inflatable wall 79 also expands radially outward. Of course, the 22 regions of annular inflatable wall 79 which underlie 22 upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 also 23 expand radially outward in response to high pressure 2a fluid.
26 Of these regions, upper and lower anchor 27 regions 85, 87 expand at the fastest Central rate.
28 area 103 of annular inflatable wall 79, 'which 29 corresponds 'to the region of inflatablewall annular 79 which underlies gap 95 between upper and lower 31 elastomeric annular covers 93., expands a rate 93, at 32 which is less than that of upper and lower anchor 33 regions 85, 87. The regions of annular inflatable wall - t6 -~~~:~~~3ui~
1 79 which underlie upper and lower elastomeric annular 2 covers 91, 93 expand at the slowest rate.
4 Since regions of annular inflatable wall 79 on both sides of upper and lower elastomeric annular 6 covers 91, 93 are radially expanding, the multi-7 dimensional strain on upper and lower elastomeric 8 annular covers 91, 93 is diminished. As shown in 9 Figures 5 and 6, the ends of upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 are tipped upward 11 much less than the ends of the prior art covers, 12 Furthermore, as central area 103 of annular inflatable 23 wall 79 expands between upper and lower elastomeric 14 annular covers 91, 93, fluid 97 as evacuated from between upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 16 93. Consequently, one much less likely to create a 17 "soft set" with the improved inflatable packing device ' 18 of the present invention.
2n Figure 6 is a view of the improved inflatable 21 packing device 61 in a fully-inflated setting position.
22 In this position, upper and lower anchor regions 8.5, 87 23 frictionally engage interior surface 101 of casing 99.
24 Upper and lower anchor regions 85, 37 do not form a seal at the interface with the interior vurface 101.
26 ~tather, upper and lawer elastomeric annular covers 91, 27 93 serve to sealingly engage intax~iar surface 101 of 28 casing 99. As shown in Figux~ 6, central area 10:, 29 between upper and lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93 serves to evacuate fluid from between upper and 31 lower elastomeric annular covers 91, 93. ~Iowever, 32 central area 103 does not serve to frictionally engage 33 interior surface 101, and does not serve to form a seal 34 with interior surface 101. Tn the preferred ~- 17 1 embodiment, central area X03 comprises a region of 2 annular inflatable wall 79 which is between one and 3 four inches in length, but could be substantially 4 shorter or longer in length.
The present invention also includes an 7 improved method of providing a seal between a conduit 8 and an interior surface within a wellbore containing 9 fluid. The steps include providing a cylindrical housing including upper and lower collar members.
11 Next, an annular inflatable wall is disposed between 12 the upper and lower collar members. Then, upper and 13 lower spaced apart elastomeric annular covers are 14 disposed over the annular inflatable wall, and define an upper anchor region of the annular inflatable wall, 16 a lower anchor region of the annular inflatable wall, 17 an intermediate region between upper and lower spaced 18 apart elastomeric annular covers. The cylindrical 19 housing is then coupled to a conduit, and lowered into 2o a wellbore. Next, the annular inflatable wall is 21 inflated with fluid causing the upper and lower anchor 22 regions and intermediate region to move radially 23 outward from a non--inflated running position to an 24 inflated setting position. Inflation of the annular inflatable wall also causes the upper and lower anchor 26 regions to expand evenly in opposition to the upper and 27 lower spaced apart elastomeric covers, and to engage 28 the interior surface to resist at least one of 29 longitudinal and rotational movements. Inflation of 3n the annular inflatable wall also causes the 31 intermediate region to evacuate fluid from between the 32 upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers.
33 Finally, the upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric _ Z8 _ ~~~~~~~a 1 covers are caused to sealingly engage the interior 2 surface to provide a double seal to fluid, 4 In this method, the intermediate region expands at a rate faster than the upper and lower 6 spaced apart elastomeric covers, and thus comes into 7 contact with the interior surface before the upper and 8 lower spaced apart elastomeric covers come into contact 9 with the interior surface.
11 The present invention has two distinct 12 advantages over prior art inflatable packing devices.
13 First, in the present invention, multidimensional 14 strain, including tri--axial strain, on elastomeric covers of the packing device is minimized, diminishing 16 the risk of damage to the packing device through.
17 tearing of the elastomeric covers. Second, the region 18 of the annular inflatable wall between the upper and 19 lower annular elastomeric covers expands at a rate sufficient to evacuate fluid from between the upper and 21 lower annular elastomeric covers before they sealingly 22 engage the interior surface in the wellbore.
23 Consequently, the possibility of obtaining a "soft set"
24 is minimized with the present invention.
26 Although the invention has been described 27 with reference to a specific embodiment, this 28 description is not meant to be construed in a limiting 29 sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment as well as alternative embodiments of the 31 invention will become apparent to persons skilled in 32 the art upon reference to the description of the 33 invention. It is therefore contemplated that the 34 appended claims will cover any such modifications or ~~~f~r~o~~
1 embodiments that fall with~.n the 'true scope of 'the 2 invention.
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Claims (18)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An inflatable packing device for use in a wellbore containing fluid for providing a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an interior surface within the wellbore, comprising:
a cylindrical housing;
means for securing said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall secured to said cylindrical housing;
a cover disposed over a portion of said annular inflat-able wall, including upper and lower sealing areas which partially resist radial expansion of said annular inflatable wall, and further including a central area between said upper and lower sealing areas which resists radial expansion of said annular inflatable wall in an amount less than the resistance of said upper and lower sealing areas;
said annular inflatable wall including at least one anchor region adjacent said cover, said at least one anchor region being located in a region other than between said upper and lower sealing areas of said cover;
said at least one anchor region being radially flexible between a non-inflated running position with said at least one anchor region out of contact with said interior surface and an inflated setting position with said at least one anchor region in contact with said interior surface; and wherein a portion of said annular inflatable wall underlying said central area of said cover is likewise radially flexible between a non-inflated running position and an inflated setting position to evacuate fluid between said sealing members to prevent fluid from being trapped between said upper and lower sealing areas and said interior surface.
a cylindrical housing;
means for securing said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall secured to said cylindrical housing;
a cover disposed over a portion of said annular inflat-able wall, including upper and lower sealing areas which partially resist radial expansion of said annular inflatable wall, and further including a central area between said upper and lower sealing areas which resists radial expansion of said annular inflatable wall in an amount less than the resistance of said upper and lower sealing areas;
said annular inflatable wall including at least one anchor region adjacent said cover, said at least one anchor region being located in a region other than between said upper and lower sealing areas of said cover;
said at least one anchor region being radially flexible between a non-inflated running position with said at least one anchor region out of contact with said interior surface and an inflated setting position with said at least one anchor region in contact with said interior surface; and wherein a portion of said annular inflatable wall underlying said central area of said cover is likewise radially flexible between a non-inflated running position and an inflated setting position to evacuate fluid between said sealing members to prevent fluid from being trapped between said upper and lower sealing areas and said interior surface.
2. An inflatable packing device according to claim 1, wherein said central area of said cover does not form a seal with said interior surface.
3. An inflatable packing device according to claim 1, wherein said at. least one anchor region does not form a seal with said interior surface.
4. An inflatable packing device according to claim 1, wherein radial expansion of said annular inflatable wall at said central region minimizes multi-dimensional strain on said upper and lower sealing areas of said cover as said annular inflatable wall is expanded radially outward.
5. An inflatable packing device for use in a wellbore containing fluid, for providing a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an interior surface within the wellbore, comprisings a cylindrical housing;
means for securing said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall secured to said cylindrical housing;
a cylindrical cover disposed over a portion of said annular inflatable wall, including an annular gap separating said cylindrical cover into upper and lower sealing members;
said annular inflatable wall including at least one anchor region adjacent said cylindrical cover, said at least one anchor region being located in a region other than between said upper and lower sealing members;
said at least one anchor region being radially flexible between a non-inflated running position with said at least one anchor region out of contact with said interior surface, and an inflated setting position with said at least one anchor region in contact with said interior surface;
wherein a region of said annular inflatable wall under-lying said gap is likewise radially flexible between a non-inflated running position and an inflated setting position to evacuate fluid between said sealing members to prevent fluid from being trapped between said upper and lower sealing members and said interior surface and to diminish multi-dimensional strain on said upper and lower sealing members.
means for securing said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall secured to said cylindrical housing;
a cylindrical cover disposed over a portion of said annular inflatable wall, including an annular gap separating said cylindrical cover into upper and lower sealing members;
said annular inflatable wall including at least one anchor region adjacent said cylindrical cover, said at least one anchor region being located in a region other than between said upper and lower sealing members;
said at least one anchor region being radially flexible between a non-inflated running position with said at least one anchor region out of contact with said interior surface, and an inflated setting position with said at least one anchor region in contact with said interior surface;
wherein a region of said annular inflatable wall under-lying said gap is likewise radially flexible between a non-inflated running position and an inflated setting position to evacuate fluid between said sealing members to prevent fluid from being trapped between said upper and lower sealing members and said interior surface and to diminish multi-dimensional strain on said upper and lower sealing members.
6. An inflatable packing device according to claim 5, wherein said annular inflatable wall includes an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of slats.
7. An inflatable packing device according to claim 5, wherein said region of said annular inflatable wall underlying said gap radially expands into contact with said interior surface when in said inflated setting position.
8. An inflatable packing device according to claim 5, wherein each of said sealing members of said cylindrical cover engage and form a fluid tight seal with said interior surface when in said inflated setting position.
9. An inflatable packing device according to claim 5, wherein said cylindrical cover is elastomeric and also serves to automatically retract said annular inflatable wall at deflation from said inflated setting position to said non-inflated running position.
10. An inflatable packing device according to claim 5, wherein said sealing members of said cylindrical cover are elastomeric members which partially resist inflation of said annular inflatable wall and ensure uniform inflation of said annular inflatable wall.
11. An inflatable packing device for use in a wellbore containing fluid, for providing a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an interior surface within the wellbore, comprising:
a cylindrical housing having a central longitudinal axis and including upper and lower collar members;
means for securing said cylindrical hauling to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall with upper and lower ends, said upper and lower ends secured to said upper and lower collar members respectively, with said annular inflatable wall disposed over at least a portion of said cylindrical housing;
said annular inflatable wall including an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable slats;
upper and lower elastomeric annular covers axially spaced apart relative to said central longitudinal axis and disposed over a portion of said annular inflatable wall between said upper and lower collar members of said cylindrical housing, in part defining:
an upper anchor region of said annular inflatable wall between said upper collar and said first elastomeric annular cover;
a lower anchor region of said annular inflatable wall between said lower collar and said second elastomeric annular cover; and a central region of said annular inflatable wall between said first and second elastomeric annular covers;
said upper and lower anchor regions and said central region being outwardly movable from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position;
wherein said upper and lower anchor regions expand evenly in opposition to said upper and lower elastomeric annular covers and operate to frictionally engage said interior surface to resist at least one of longitudinal and rotational movements when in said inflated setting position;
wherein said central region operates to evacuate fluid from between said upper and lower elastomeric annular covers when expanded radially outward from said running position to said setting position; and wherein said upper and lower elastomeric annular covers operate to sealingly engage said interior surface and provide a double seal to fluid when expanded radially outward from said running position to said setting position.
a cylindrical housing having a central longitudinal axis and including upper and lower collar members;
means for securing said cylindrical hauling to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall with upper and lower ends, said upper and lower ends secured to said upper and lower collar members respectively, with said annular inflatable wall disposed over at least a portion of said cylindrical housing;
said annular inflatable wall including an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable slats;
upper and lower elastomeric annular covers axially spaced apart relative to said central longitudinal axis and disposed over a portion of said annular inflatable wall between said upper and lower collar members of said cylindrical housing, in part defining:
an upper anchor region of said annular inflatable wall between said upper collar and said first elastomeric annular cover;
a lower anchor region of said annular inflatable wall between said lower collar and said second elastomeric annular cover; and a central region of said annular inflatable wall between said first and second elastomeric annular covers;
said upper and lower anchor regions and said central region being outwardly movable from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position;
wherein said upper and lower anchor regions expand evenly in opposition to said upper and lower elastomeric annular covers and operate to frictionally engage said interior surface to resist at least one of longitudinal and rotational movements when in said inflated setting position;
wherein said central region operates to evacuate fluid from between said upper and lower elastomeric annular covers when expanded radially outward from said running position to said setting position; and wherein said upper and lower elastomeric annular covers operate to sealingly engage said interior surface and provide a double seal to fluid when expanded radially outward from said running position to said setting position.
12. An inflatable packing device according to claim 11, wherein said array of slats comprise a plurality of axially aligned and overlapping slats disposed in an annular array for accommodating radial outward expansion of said inner elastomeric sleeve.
13. An inflatable packing device according to claim 11, wherein said inner elastomeric tube comprises in elastomeric sleeve which is disposed between said cylindrical housing and said array of slats.
19. An inflatable packing device according to claim 11, wherein said array of slat s comprises a series of overlapping thin metal strips.
15. An inflatable packing device according to claim 11, wherein said array of slats comprise a plurality of axially aligned and overlapping slats disposed in an annular array for accommodating radial outward expansion of said inner elastomeric sleeve, and wherein said upper and lower annular covers further operate to allow uniform separation of said slats in said array of slats as said annular inflatable wall is radially expanded.
16. An inflatable packing device for use in a wellbore containing fluid, for providing a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an interior surface within the wellbore, comprising:
a cylindrical housing including upper and lower collar members;
means for securing said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall with upper and lower ends, said upper and lower ends secured to said upper and lower collar members respectively, with said annular inflatable wall disposed over at least a portion of said cylindrical housing;
at least one pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers disposed over said annular inflatable wall between said upper and lower collar members of said cylindrical housing, defining:
(a) at least two anchor regions of said annular inflatable wall; and (b) at least one central region, each being disposed between each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers;
said at least two anchor regions being outwardly flexibly movable from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position;
wherein said at least two anchor regions expand evenly in opposition to said at least one pair of spaced apart elastomeric covers and operate to frictionally engage said interior surface to resist at least one of longitudinal and rotational movements when in said inflated setting position;
wherein said at least one central region between each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers expand radially outward at a rate which exceeds that of said at least two anchor regions and operate to evacuate fluid from between adjoining annular regions separated by each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers when expanded radially outward from said running position and said setting position; and wherein said at least one pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers operate to sealingly engage said interior surface and provide multiple seals to fluid when expanded radially outward from said running position to said setting position.
a cylindrical housing including upper and lower collar members;
means for securing said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
an annular inflatable wall with upper and lower ends, said upper and lower ends secured to said upper and lower collar members respectively, with said annular inflatable wall disposed over at least a portion of said cylindrical housing;
at least one pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers disposed over said annular inflatable wall between said upper and lower collar members of said cylindrical housing, defining:
(a) at least two anchor regions of said annular inflatable wall; and (b) at least one central region, each being disposed between each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers;
said at least two anchor regions being outwardly flexibly movable from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position;
wherein said at least two anchor regions expand evenly in opposition to said at least one pair of spaced apart elastomeric covers and operate to frictionally engage said interior surface to resist at least one of longitudinal and rotational movements when in said inflated setting position;
wherein said at least one central region between each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers expand radially outward at a rate which exceeds that of said at least two anchor regions and operate to evacuate fluid from between adjoining annular regions separated by each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers when expanded radially outward from said running position and said setting position; and wherein said at least one pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers operate to sealingly engage said interior surface and provide multiple seals to fluid when expanded radially outward from said running position to said setting position.
17. An inflatable packing device for use in a wellbore according to claim 16, wherein said at least one central region between each pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers comes into contact with said interior surface before each adjoining pair of spaced apart elastomeric annular covers comes into contact with said interior surface.
18. A method of providing a seal between a conduit and an interior surface within a wellbore containing fluid, comprising:
providing a cylindrical housing including upper and lower collar members;
providing an annular inflatable wall disposed between said upper and lower collar members;
providing upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric annular covers disposed over said annular inflatable wall, defining at least one anchor region of said annular inflatable wall, and an intermediate region between said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric annular covers, said at least one anchor region being disposed in a region other than between said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers;
coupling said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
lowering said cylindrical housing into said wellbore;
inflating with fluid said annular inflatable wall casing:
(a) said at least one anchor region and said inter-mediate region to move radially outward from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position;
(b) said at least one anchor region to expand evenly in opposition to said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers and engage said interior surface to resist at least one of longitudinal and rotational movements;
(c) said intermediate region to evacuate fluid from between said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers; and (d) said upper arid lower spaced apart elastomeric covers being adapted to sealingly, engage said interior surface and provide a double, seal to fluid.
providing a cylindrical housing including upper and lower collar members;
providing an annular inflatable wall disposed between said upper and lower collar members;
providing upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric annular covers disposed over said annular inflatable wall, defining at least one anchor region of said annular inflatable wall, and an intermediate region between said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric annular covers, said at least one anchor region being disposed in a region other than between said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers;
coupling said cylindrical housing to said conduit;
lowering said cylindrical housing into said wellbore;
inflating with fluid said annular inflatable wall casing:
(a) said at least one anchor region and said inter-mediate region to move radially outward from a non-inflated running position to an inflated setting position;
(b) said at least one anchor region to expand evenly in opposition to said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers and engage said interior surface to resist at least one of longitudinal and rotational movements;
(c) said intermediate region to evacuate fluid from between said upper and lower spaced apart elastomeric covers; and (d) said upper arid lower spaced apart elastomeric covers being adapted to sealingly, engage said interior surface and provide a double, seal to fluid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US572,213 | 1984-01-19 | ||
| US07/572,213 US5101908A (en) | 1990-08-23 | 1990-08-23 | Inflatable packing device and method of sealing |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2049686A1 CA2049686A1 (en) | 1992-02-24 |
| CA2049686C true CA2049686C (en) | 2002-04-02 |
Family
ID=24286852
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002049686A Expired - Fee Related CA2049686C (en) | 1990-08-23 | 1991-08-22 | Inflatable packing device and method of sealing |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5101908A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2049686C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4127923A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2247263B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL9101426A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO305918B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (36)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4979570A (en) * | 1989-11-28 | 1990-12-25 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool with rib expansion support |
| US5197542A (en) * | 1992-03-31 | 1993-03-30 | Davis-Lynch, Inc. | Well packer |
| US5211226A (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1993-05-18 | Otis Engineering Corporation | Metal-to-metal seal for oil well tubing string |
| US5439053A (en) * | 1993-07-13 | 1995-08-08 | Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated | Reinforcing slat for inflatable packer |
| US5361836A (en) * | 1993-09-28 | 1994-11-08 | Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated | Straddle inflatable packer system |
| US5495892A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1996-03-05 | Carisella; James V. | Inflatable packer device and method |
| US5417289A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1995-05-23 | Carisella; James V. | Inflatable packer device including limited initial travel means and method |
| US5469919A (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 1995-11-28 | Carisella; James V. | Programmed shape inflatable packer device and method |
| FR2737533B1 (en) * | 1995-08-04 | 1997-10-24 | Drillflex | INFLATABLE TUBULAR SLEEVE FOR TUBING OR CLOSING A WELL OR PIPE |
| CA2169382C (en) * | 1996-02-13 | 2003-08-05 | Marvin L. Holbert | Method and apparatus for use in inflating packer in well bore |
| US6050131A (en) * | 1996-08-26 | 2000-04-18 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method for verifying positive inflation of an inflatable element |
| US6142230A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 2000-11-07 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore tubular patch system |
| US5785120A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 1998-07-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubular patch |
| US5957195A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 1999-09-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore tool stroke indicator system and tubular patch |
| CA2224668C (en) * | 1996-12-14 | 2004-09-21 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method and apparatus for hybrid element casing packer for cased-hole applications |
| US6009951A (en) * | 1997-12-12 | 2000-01-04 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method and apparatus for hybrid element casing packer for cased-hole applications |
| US6138774A (en) | 1998-03-02 | 2000-10-31 | Weatherford Holding U.S., Inc. | Method and apparatus for drilling a borehole into a subsea abnormal pore pressure environment |
| US6223820B1 (en) | 1999-04-12 | 2001-05-01 | James V. Carisella | Inflatable packing device including cover means for effecting a uniform expansion profile |
| US6158506A (en) * | 1999-04-12 | 2000-12-12 | Carisella; James V. | Inflatable packing device including components for effecting a uniform expansion profile |
| US6458233B2 (en) | 1999-04-12 | 2002-10-01 | James V. Carisella | Method for manufacturing a wall thickness program into an elastomeric tubular component for incorporation into a packing device for use in a subterranean well |
| US6843315B2 (en) * | 2001-06-07 | 2005-01-18 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Compression set, large expansion packing element for downhole plugs or packers |
| CA2392277C (en) | 2001-06-29 | 2008-02-12 | Bj Services Company Canada | Bottom hole assembly |
| US7249633B2 (en) * | 2001-06-29 | 2007-07-31 | Bj Services Company | Release tool for coiled tubing |
| US7128145B2 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2006-10-31 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | High expansion sealing device with leak path closures |
| US7828068B2 (en) * | 2002-09-23 | 2010-11-09 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | System and method for thermal change compensation in an annular isolator |
| US6854522B2 (en) | 2002-09-23 | 2005-02-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Annular isolators for expandable tubulars in wellbores |
| US6834725B2 (en) * | 2002-12-12 | 2004-12-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Reinforced swelling elastomer seal element on expandable tubular |
| WO2005008016A2 (en) * | 2003-07-14 | 2005-01-27 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Improve inflatable packer |
| US7134488B2 (en) * | 2004-04-22 | 2006-11-14 | Bj Services Company | Isolation assembly for coiled tubing |
| FR2893973B1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2008-02-15 | Saltel Ind Soc Par Actions Sim | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CEMENTING A WELL OR PIPING |
| US20110062670A1 (en) * | 2009-09-14 | 2011-03-17 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Load delayed seal element, system, and method |
| AU2013100387B4 (en) * | 2013-03-28 | 2013-07-11 | Welltec Oilfield Solutions Ag | Annular barrier |
| FR3009841B1 (en) * | 2013-08-20 | 2015-09-18 | Calyf | INFLATABLE SLEEVE WITH CONTROLLED EXPANSION |
| US10689939B1 (en) | 2017-02-22 | 2020-06-23 | Mitchell L. White | Downhole plug |
| EP4074939A1 (en) * | 2021-04-16 | 2022-10-19 | Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG | Annular barrier and downhole system |
| WO2022219019A1 (en) * | 2021-04-16 | 2022-10-20 | Welltec Oilfield Solutions Ag | Annular barrier and downhole system |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2991833A (en) * | 1957-04-26 | 1961-07-11 | Brown | Methods of and apparatus for completing multiple zone wells |
| US3542127A (en) * | 1968-05-13 | 1970-11-24 | Lynes Inc | Reinforced inflatable packer with expansible back-up skirts for end portions |
| US3524503A (en) * | 1968-09-05 | 1970-08-18 | Halliburton Co | Cementing tool with inflatable packer and method of cementing |
| US3529667A (en) * | 1969-01-10 | 1970-09-22 | Lynes Inc | Inflatable,permanently set,drillable element |
| US4349204A (en) * | 1981-04-29 | 1982-09-14 | Lynes, Inc. | Non-extruding inflatable packer assembly |
| US4424861A (en) * | 1981-10-08 | 1984-01-10 | Halliburton Company | Inflatable anchor element and packer employing same |
| US4967846A (en) * | 1984-04-04 | 1990-11-06 | Completion Tool Company | Progressively inflated packers |
| US4781249A (en) * | 1984-04-04 | 1988-11-01 | Completion Tool Company | Progressively inflated packers |
| US4768590A (en) * | 1986-07-29 | 1988-09-06 | Tam International, Inc. | Inflatable well packer |
| US4832120A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-23 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool for a subterranean well |
| US4923007A (en) * | 1988-11-15 | 1990-05-08 | Tam International | Inflatable packer with improved reinforcing members |
| US4892144A (en) * | 1989-01-26 | 1990-01-09 | Davis-Lynch, Inc. | Inflatable tools |
| US4951747A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1990-08-28 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool |
-
1990
- 1990-08-23 US US07/572,213 patent/US5101908A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-08-22 CA CA002049686A patent/CA2049686C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-08-22 NO NO913288A patent/NO305918B1/en unknown
- 1991-08-23 NL NL9101426A patent/NL9101426A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-08-23 GB GB9118261A patent/GB2247263B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-08-23 DE DE4127923A patent/DE4127923A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2247263A (en) | 1992-02-26 |
| GB2247263B (en) | 1994-07-27 |
| NO305918B1 (en) | 1999-08-16 |
| DE4127923A1 (en) | 1992-03-26 |
| NL9101426A (en) | 1992-03-16 |
| NO913288D0 (en) | 1991-08-22 |
| US5101908A (en) | 1992-04-07 |
| CA2049686A1 (en) | 1992-02-24 |
| GB9118261D0 (en) | 1991-10-09 |
| NO913288L (en) | 1992-02-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |