EP2434089A2 - Friction bite with swellable elastomer elements - Google Patents
Friction bite with swellable elastomer elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2434089A2 EP2434089A2 EP11250823A EP11250823A EP2434089A2 EP 2434089 A2 EP2434089 A2 EP 2434089A2 EP 11250823 A EP11250823 A EP 11250823A EP 11250823 A EP11250823 A EP 11250823A EP 2434089 A2 EP2434089 A2 EP 2434089A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- friction
- swellable
- area
- swellable element
- particles
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 title abstract description 18
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 title abstract description 17
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 5
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000181 Ethylene propylene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- ZQXSMRAEXCEDJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-ethenylformamide Chemical compound C=CNC=O ZQXSMRAEXCEDJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
- E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
- E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
- E21B33/1216—Anti-extrusion means, e.g. means to prevent cold flow of rubber packing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
- E21B33/129—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of downhole tools, and in particular to swellable packers.
- Annular barriers have been designed for preventing undesirable flow of wellbore fluids in the annulus between a wellbore tubular and the inner surface of a surrounding tubular or the borehole wall. In many cases, the annular barriers provide a fluid seal capable of holding a significant pressure differential across its length.
- a wellbore packer is formed on the outer surface of a completion string that is run into an outer casing in a first condition having a particular outer diameter. When the packer is in its desired downhole location, it is inflated or expanded into contact with the inner surface of the outer casing to create a seal in the annulus.
- Similar wellbore packers have been designed for use in openhole environments, to create a seal between a tubular and the surrounding wall of the wellbore.
- Conventional packers are actuated by mechanical or hydraulic systems. A force or pressure is applied from the wellhead to move a mechanical packer element radially into contact with the surrounding surface.
- a force or pressure is applied from the wellhead to move a mechanical packer element radially into contact with the surrounding surface.
- fluid is delivered from the wellhead to inflate a chamber defined by a bladder around the tubular body.
- wellbore packers which include a mantle of swellable material formed around the tubular.
- the swellable material is selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, which may be a hydrocarbon fluid or an aqueous fluid or brine.
- the swellable packer may be run to a downhole location in its unexpanded state, where it is exposed to a wellbore fluid and caused to increase in volume.
- the design, dimensions, and swelling characteristics are selected such that the swellable packer element expands to create a fluid seal in the annulus to isolate one wellbore section from another.
- Swellable packers have several advantages over conventional packers, including passive actuation, simplicity of construction, and robustness in long-term isolation applications.
- swellable packers may be designed for compliant expansion of the swellable mantle into contact with a surrounding surface, such that the force imparted on the surface prevents damage to a rock formation or sandface, while still creating an annular barrier or seal. Swellable packers therefore lend themselves well to openhole completions in loose or weak formations.
- Swellable materials are elastomeric (i.e. they display mechanical and physical properties of an elastomer or natural rubber).
- the swellable mantle may comprise a material such as an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber.
- EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer
- the material for example may comprise an N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide-based cross-linked resin and a water swellable urethane in an ethylene propylene rubber matrix.
- swellable elastomeric materials may be designed to increase in volume in both hydrocarbon fluids and aqueous fluids.
- a downhole apparatus comprising a swellable element.
- the swellable element comprises a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; and a first area, disposed with the swellable element and operable to increase friction between the swellable element and a surrounding surface upon swelling of the swellable element.
- a swellable element for a downhole tool comprises a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; and a friction-enhancing material, disposed on a first annular area of an outer surface of the swellable elastomeric material.
- a method of reducing axial extrusion of a swellable element of a downhole tool comprises disposing a friction-enhancing material on a portion of an outer surface of the swellable element.
- An aspect of the invention relates to a downhole apparatus, comprising:
- the downhole apparatus may be a swellable packer.
- the first area may comprise a plurality of particles disposed on a surface of the first area, the particles selected for friction enhancement.
- the plurality of particles may be dispersed randomly on the surface of the first area.
- the plurality of particles may be patterned onto the surface of the first area.
- the first area may comprise a mesh disposed about an outer diameter of the first area, the mesh selected for friction enhancement.
- the mesh may be composed of stainless steel wire.
- the first area may comprise a plurality of wickers, formed of material selected for friction enhancement.
- the first area may comprise a plurality of wickers, formed of material selected to be harder than the surrounding surface.
- the first area may comprise a roughened radially outward surface of a portion of the swellable element.
- the first area may comprise the entire outer surface of the swellable element.
- the downhole apparatus may further comprise a backup member, configured to resist axial extrusion of the swellable element, disposed at an end of the swellable element.
- the first area may be proximal to the backup member.
- Another aspect of the invention relates to a swellable element for a downhole tool, comprising:
- the friction-enhancing material may comprise a plurality of particles disposed on the outer surface of the first annular area.
- the plurality of particles may be formed from a material selected to have a hardness sufficient to bite into a surrounding surface when deployed in a casing or wellbore.
- the plurality of particles may be randomly dispersed in the first annular area.
- the plurality of particles may be patterned on the first annular area.
- the friction-enhancing material may comprise a mesh, disposed about an outer diameter of the first annular area.
- the friction-enhancing material may comprise a plurality of wickers, disposed about an outer diameter of the first annular area.
- the predetermined fluid may be an aqueous solution.
- a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of reducing axial extrusion of a swellable element of a downhole tool, comprising:
- the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a portion of a swellable packer 100 according to one embodiment. Some common features of the swellable packer known to the art are omitted for clarity of the drawing.
- the swellable packer 100 comprises a central body 110, such as a tubular or mandrel, about which is disposed a swellable elastomer mantle 120.
- the swellable mantle 120 may be formed of one or more sections as desired, using any known technique for forming a swellable mantle about a central body. In one embodiment, the swellable mantle 120 may be bonded or otherwise attached to the body 110.
- the swellable mantle 120 is formed of an elastomer designed to swell when exposed to an aqueous solution, such as water or brine, or a hydrocarbon fluid.
- the elastomer of the mantle 120 swells upon exposure to the fluid surrounding the packer 100 in the wellbore. As the elastomer of the mantle 120 swells, it expands radially outwardly, engaging a surrounding casing or open hole wellbore (not shown in FIG. 1 ) sealing the packer 100 in an annular space around the packer 100, typically to the casing or wellbore.
- the elastomer of the mantle 120 may also swell axially, and if not prevented from doing so, may extrude axially around the other elements disposed at the ends of the mantle 120, reducing the pressure that is exerted by the expanded mantle 120 on the surrounding casing or wellbore.
- mechanical backup units 130 may be provided. Axial expansion of the mantle 120 is limited by the backup units 130, which typically expand under axial pressure, reducing extrusion around the expanded backup units. Although backup units 130 are disposed at both ends of the swellable mantle 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the backup unit 130 may be disposed at only one end of the mantle 120, or a different technique for reducing extrusion may be employed at the end of the mantle 120 axially distal from the backup unit 130. Although mechanical backups 130 have been used to bridge off the extrusion gap and help retain the swellable packing element, these are not always practical or possible. Furthermore, some extrusion may occur around the backup units 130.
- Various embodiments disclosed herein use implanted mechanical components disposed on or embedded into the outer surface of the swellable mantle 120 to increase the friction or gripping capability of the mantle 120.
- These mechanical components may include particles, slip segments, wire-mesh sheet, etc. that would either bite into the bore, or provide a rougher, stronger surface than the swellable rubber.
- These mechanical components may increase the tensile holding capability of the element, as well as increasing the pressure holding capability of the packer 100.
- the friction enhancement is achieved by disposing particles 140 onto the outer surface of the mantle 120, or embedding the particles 140 into the outer surface.
- the particles 140 provide an increased friction coefficient for the entire surface of the mantle 120.
- the particles 140 are randomly distributed across the surface of the mantle 120.
- the particles 140 may be randomly distributed across one or more portions of the outer surface of the mantle 120, preferably at least in areas proximal to the ends of the mantle 120, where extrusion of the elastomer around the backup units 130 may occur.
- the friction-enhancing particles 140 may be patterned across the entire or portions of the outer surface of the mantle 120, using any desired pattern.
- the friction increasing particles 140 in one embodiment may comprise carbide particles, designed to bite into the surrounding surface of the casing or wellbore.
- Other friction-enhancing particles 140 may be used that are not hard enough to bite into the surrounding surface, but which add frictional improvement to the mantle 120, such as elastomers or plastic particles that are harder than the elastomer forming the mantle 120.
- the particles 140 may be of any desired size, and the density of distribution of the particles 140 may be any desired density.
- the particles 140 may be deposited on or embedded into the elastomer of the mantle 120 before disposition of the mantle 120 on the body 110, or may be added after the mantle 120 is disposed on the downhole tool 100.
- the outer surface of the mantle 120 may be scored or roughened mechanically producing random or patterned scorings or roughened areas to increase the friction coefficient of the surface of the mantle 120.
- FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a downhole tool 200 according to one embodiment in which, instead of discrete particles 140, a mesh 240 is disposed about the mantle 120 to provide friction enhancement.
- the mesh 240 may be formed of wire, such as a stainless steel wire, or any other desired materials. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the mesh 240 may be formed of the material hard enough to bite into the surrounding surface of the casing or wellbore, but may alternately simply be harder than the elastomer used to form the mantle 120.
- the mesh 240 may be disposed on the outer surface of the mantle 120 or may be embedded into the surface of the mantle 120.
- FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of a downhole tool 300 according to yet another embodiment.
- one or more areas of wickers 340 may be disposed annularly about the outer diameter of the mantle 120 to provide the desired friction enhancement.
- six areas of wickers 340 are provided, but the number and placement of the wicker areas 340 is illustrative and by way of example only. Any number of wicker areas 340 may be placed in any desired arrangement on the mantle 120.
- wicker areas 340 are placed proximal to the ends of the mantle 120 where extrusion around backup units 130 may occur.
- the wickers may be formed of stainless steel or any other material. In one embodiment, the wickers may be formed of a material of sufficient hardness to bite into the surrounding surface. In another embodiment, the wickers do not need to be hard enough to bite into the surrounding surface, but simply are harder than the mantle 120, thus increase frictional drag on the mantle 120.
- the wickers may have any desired shape configured to increased friction, and do not need to be capable of anchoring the mantle 120 to completely prevent movement of the mantle 120 relative to the surrounding surface.
- the friction-enhancing material is disposed on the outer surface of the mantle 120
- the friction-enhancing elements whether separate particles, meshes, wickers, or other forms, may be embedded into the elastomer of the mantle 120 below the outer surface.
- the subsurface embedded friction-enhancing elements may, instead of directly engaging the surrounding surface to resist movement, pinch the elastomer of the mantle 120between the friction-enhancing elements 140, 240, or 340, enhancing friction between the mantle 120 and the surrounding surface.
- the friction-enhancing elements 140, 240, and 340 reduce axial extrusion of the elastomer of the mantle 120 around the support assemblies or backup rings 130 disposed at the ends of the mantle 120. By reducing extrusion, the pressure on the surrounding surface caused by the expansion of the elastomer radially outwardly may be increased.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
- Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the field of downhole tools, and in particular to swellable packers.
- In the field of hydrocarbon exploration and production, various tools are used to provide fluid seals between two components in a wellbore. Annular barriers have been designed for preventing undesirable flow of wellbore fluids in the annulus between a wellbore tubular and the inner surface of a surrounding tubular or the borehole wall. In many cases, the annular barriers provide a fluid seal capable of holding a significant pressure differential across its length. In one application, a wellbore packer is formed on the outer surface of a completion string that is run into an outer casing in a first condition having a particular outer diameter. When the packer is in its desired downhole location, it is inflated or expanded into contact with the inner surface of the outer casing to create a seal in the annulus. Similar wellbore packers have been designed for use in openhole environments, to create a seal between a tubular and the surrounding wall of the wellbore.
- Conventional packers are actuated by mechanical or hydraulic systems. A force or pressure is applied from the wellhead to move a mechanical packer element radially into contact with the surrounding surface. In an inflatable packer, fluid is delivered from the wellhead to inflate a chamber defined by a bladder around the tubular body.
- More recently, wellbore packers have been developed which include a mantle of swellable material formed around the tubular. The swellable material is selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, which may be a hydrocarbon fluid or an aqueous fluid or brine. The swellable packer may be run to a downhole location in its unexpanded state, where it is exposed to a wellbore fluid and caused to increase in volume. The design, dimensions, and swelling characteristics are selected such that the swellable packer element expands to create a fluid seal in the annulus to isolate one wellbore section from another. Swellable packers have several advantages over conventional packers, including passive actuation, simplicity of construction, and robustness in long-term isolation applications.
- In addition, swellable packers may be designed for compliant expansion of the swellable mantle into contact with a surrounding surface, such that the force imparted on the surface prevents damage to a rock formation or sandface, while still creating an annular barrier or seal. Swellable packers therefore lend themselves well to openhole completions in loose or weak formations.
- The materials selected to form a swellable element in a swellable packer vary depending on the specific application. Swellable materials are elastomeric (i.e. they display mechanical and physical properties of an elastomer or natural rubber). Where the swellable mantle is designed to swell in hydrocarbons, it may comprise a material such as an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. Where the swellable mantle is required to swell in aqueous fluids or brines, the material for example may comprise an N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide-based cross-linked resin and a water swellable urethane in an ethylene propylene rubber matrix. In addition, swellable elastomeric materials may be designed to increase in volume in both hydrocarbon fluids and aqueous fluids.
- One failure mode of packing elements that seal in an annular space is extrusion. Mechanical backups have been used to bridge off the extrusion gap and help retain the swellable packing element, but these are not always practical or possible.
- In one embodiment, a downhole apparatus is disclosed. The downhole tool comprises a swellable element. The swellable element comprises a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; and a first area, disposed with the swellable element and operable to increase friction between the swellable element and a surrounding surface upon swelling of the swellable element.
- In another embodiment, a swellable element for a downhole tool is disclosed. The swellable element comprises a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; and a friction-enhancing material, disposed on a first annular area of an outer surface of the swellable elastomeric material.
- In yet another embodiment, a method of reducing axial extrusion of a swellable element of a downhole tool is disclosed. The method comprises disposing a friction-enhancing material on a portion of an outer surface of the swellable element.
- An aspect of the invention relates to a downhole apparatus, comprising:
- a swellable element comprising a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase involume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; and
- a first area, disposed with the swellable element and operable to increase friction between the swellable element and a surrounding surface upon swelling of the swellable element.
- The downhole apparatus may be a swellable packer.
- The first area may comprise a plurality of particles disposed on a surface of the first area, the particles selected for friction enhancement.
- The plurality of particles may be dispersed randomly on the surface of the first area.
- The plurality of particles may be patterned onto the surface of the first area.
- The first area may comprise a mesh disposed about an outer diameter of the first area, the mesh selected for friction enhancement.
- The mesh may be composed of stainless steel wire.
- The first area may comprise a plurality of wickers, formed of material selected for friction enhancement.
- The first area may comprise a plurality of wickers, formed of material selected to be harder than the surrounding surface.
- The first area may comprise a roughened radially outward surface of a portion of the swellable element.
- The first area may comprise the entire outer surface of the swellable element.
- The downhole apparatus may further comprise a backup member, configured to resist axial extrusion of the swellable element, disposed at an end of the swellable element.
- The first area may be proximal to the backup member.
- Another aspect of the invention relates to a swellable element for a downhole tool, comprising:
- a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; and
- a friction-enhancing material, disposed on a first annular area of an outer surface of the swellable elastomeric material.
- The friction-enhancing material may comprise a plurality of particles disposed on the outer surface of the first annular area.
- The plurality of particles may be formed from a material selected to have a hardness sufficient to bite into a surrounding surface when deployed in a casing or wellbore.
- The plurality of particles may be randomly dispersed in the first annular area.
- The plurality of particles may be patterned on the first annular area.
- The friction-enhancing material may comprise a mesh, disposed about an outer diameter of the first annular area.
- The friction-enhancing material may comprise a plurality of wickers, disposed about an outer diameter of the first annular area.
- The predetermined fluid may be an aqueous solution.
- A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of reducing axial extrusion of a swellable element of a downhole tool, comprising:
- disposing a friction-enhancing material on a portion of an outer surface of the swellable element.
- The act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- disposing particles of a substance harder than the swellable element on the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element.
- The act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- disposing a plurality of wickers about the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element.
- The act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- disposing a mesh formed of a substance harder than the swellable element about the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element.
- The act of disposing a friction-enhancing material may comprise:
- embedding the friction-enhancing material into the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention. In the drawings,
-
Figure 1 is a cutaway view of a downhole tool according to one embodiment. -
Figure 2 is a cutaway view of a downhole tool according to another embodiment. -
Figure 3 is a cutaway view of a downhole tool according to yet another embodiment. - In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structure and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention. References to numbers without subscripts or suffixes are understood to reference all instance of subscripts and suffixes corresponding to the referenced number. Moreover, the language used in this disclosure has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter. Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment of the invention, and multiple references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" should not be understood as necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
-
FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a portion of aswellable packer 100 according to one embodiment. Some common features of the swellable packer known to the art are omitted for clarity of the drawing. Theswellable packer 100 comprises acentral body 110, such as a tubular or mandrel, about which is disposed aswellable elastomer mantle 120. Theswellable mantle 120 may be formed of one or more sections as desired, using any known technique for forming a swellable mantle about a central body. In one embodiment, theswellable mantle 120 may be bonded or otherwise attached to thebody 110. Theswellable mantle 120 is formed of an elastomer designed to swell when exposed to an aqueous solution, such as water or brine, or a hydrocarbon fluid. - Upon insertion into the well, the elastomer of the
mantle 120 swells upon exposure to the fluid surrounding thepacker 100 in the wellbore. As the elastomer of themantle 120 swells, it expands radially outwardly, engaging a surrounding casing or open hole wellbore (not shown inFIG. 1 ) sealing thepacker 100 in an annular space around thepacker 100, typically to the casing or wellbore. The elastomer of themantle 120 may also swell axially, and if not prevented from doing so, may extrude axially around the other elements disposed at the ends of themantle 120, reducing the pressure that is exerted by the expandedmantle 120 on the surrounding casing or wellbore. - To prevent this extrusion, mechanical
backup units 130 may be provided. Axial expansion of themantle 120 is limited by thebackup units 130, which typically expand under axial pressure, reducing extrusion around the expanded backup units. Althoughbackup units 130 are disposed at both ends of theswellable mantle 120 as illustrated inFIG. 1 , in some embodiments, thebackup unit 130 may be disposed at only one end of themantle 120, or a different technique for reducing extrusion may be employed at the end of themantle 120 axially distal from thebackup unit 130. Althoughmechanical backups 130 have been used to bridge off the extrusion gap and help retain the swellable packing element, these are not always practical or possible. Furthermore, some extrusion may occur around thebackup units 130. - By increasing the friction factor between the
mantle 120 and the bore, the extrusion resistance is increased, and thus the pressure holding capability of thepacker 100. Various embodiments disclosed herein use implanted mechanical components disposed on or embedded into the outer surface of theswellable mantle 120 to increase the friction or gripping capability of themantle 120. These mechanical components may include particles, slip segments, wire-mesh sheet, etc. that would either bite into the bore, or provide a rougher, stronger surface than the swellable rubber. These mechanical components may increase the tensile holding capability of the element, as well as increasing the pressure holding capability of thepacker 100. - There are different ways of increasing the friction coefficient of the surface of the
mantle 120. InFIG. 1 , the friction enhancement is achieved by disposingparticles 140 onto the outer surface of themantle 120, or embedding theparticles 140 into the outer surface. Theparticles 140 provide an increased friction coefficient for the entire surface of themantle 120. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , theparticles 140 are randomly distributed across the surface of themantle 120. In other embodiments, theparticles 140 may be randomly distributed across one or more portions of the outer surface of themantle 120, preferably at least in areas proximal to the ends of themantle 120, where extrusion of the elastomer around thebackup units 130 may occur. - In yet other embodiments, the friction-enhancing
particles 140 may be patterned across the entire or portions of the outer surface of themantle 120, using any desired pattern. - The
friction increasing particles 140 in one embodiment may comprise carbide particles, designed to bite into the surrounding surface of the casing or wellbore. Other friction-enhancingparticles 140 may be used that are not hard enough to bite into the surrounding surface, but which add frictional improvement to themantle 120, such as elastomers or plastic particles that are harder than the elastomer forming themantle 120. - The
particles 140 may be of any desired size, and the density of distribution of theparticles 140 may be any desired density. Theparticles 140 may be deposited on or embedded into the elastomer of themantle 120 before disposition of themantle 120 on thebody 110, or may be added after themantle 120 is disposed on thedownhole tool 100. - In an alternate embodiment, instead of using
particles 140 added to the outer surface of themantle 120, the outer surface of themantle 120 may be scored or roughened mechanically producing random or patterned scorings or roughened areas to increase the friction coefficient of the surface of themantle 120. -
FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of adownhole tool 200 according to one embodiment in which, instead ofdiscrete particles 140, amesh 240 is disposed about themantle 120 to provide friction enhancement. Themesh 240 may be formed of wire, such as a stainless steel wire, or any other desired materials. As with the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , themesh 240 may be formed of the material hard enough to bite into the surrounding surface of the casing or wellbore, but may alternately simply be harder than the elastomer used to form themantle 120. Themesh 240 may be disposed on the outer surface of themantle 120 or may be embedded into the surface of themantle 120. -
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of adownhole tool 300 according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, one or more areas ofwickers 340 may be disposed annularly about the outer diameter of themantle 120 to provide the desired friction enhancement. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , six areas ofwickers 340 are provided, but the number and placement of thewicker areas 340 is illustrative and by way of example only. Any number ofwicker areas 340 may be placed in any desired arrangement on themantle 120. Preferably,wicker areas 340 are placed proximal to the ends of themantle 120 where extrusion aroundbackup units 130 may occur. - The wickers may be formed of stainless steel or any other material. In one embodiment, the wickers may be formed of a material of sufficient hardness to bite into the surrounding surface. In another embodiment, the wickers do not need to be hard enough to bite into the surrounding surface, but simply are harder than the
mantle 120, thus increase frictional drag on themantle 120. - The wickers may have any desired shape configured to increased friction, and do not need to be capable of anchoring the
mantle 120 to completely prevent movement of themantle 120 relative to the surrounding surface. - Although as described above the friction-enhancing material is disposed on the outer surface of the
mantle 120, and other embodiments the friction-enhancing elements, whether separate particles, meshes, wickers, or other forms, may be embedded into the elastomer of themantle 120 below the outer surface. Under pressure from the expandedmantle 120 against the surrounding surface, the subsurface embedded friction-enhancing elements may, instead of directly engaging the surrounding surface to resist movement, pinch the elastomer of the mantle 120between the friction-enhancingelements mantle 120 and the surrounding surface. - By increasing friction between the
mantle 120 and the surrounding surface, the friction-enhancingelements mantle 120 around the support assemblies or backup rings 130 disposed at the ends of themantle 120. By reducing extrusion, the pressure on the surrounding surface caused by the expansion of the elastomer radially outwardly may be increased. - It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention therefore should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein."
Claims (15)
- A downhole apparatus, comprising:a swellable element comprising a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid; anda first area, disposed with the swellable element and operable to increase friction between the swellable element and a surrounding surface upon swelling of the swellable element.
- The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole apparatus is a swellable packer.
- The downhole apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first area comprises a plurality of particles disposed on a surface of the first area, the particles selected for friction enhancement.
- The downhole apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of particles are dispersed randomly on the surface of the first area, or
wherein the plurality of particles are patterned onto the surface of the first area. - The downhole apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first area comprises a mesh disposed about an outer diameter of the first area, the mesh selected for friction enhancement, and optionally
wherein the mesh is composed of stainless steel wire. - The downhole apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first area comprises
a plurality of wickers, formed of material selected for friction enhancement, or
wherein the first area comprises
a plurality of wickers, formed of material selected to be harder than the surrounding surface, or
wherein the first area comprises:
a roughened radially outward surface of a portion of the swellable element. - The downhole apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first area comprises the entire outer surface of the swellable element.
- The downhole apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising:a backup member, configured to resist axial extrusion of the swellable element, disposed at an end of the swellable element, and optionallywherein the first area is proximal to the backup member.
- The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first area comprises:a friction-enhancing material, disposed on a first annular area of an outer surface of the swellable elastomeric material.
- The downhole apparatus of claim 9, wherein the friction-enhancing material comprises a plurality of particles disposed on the outer surface of the first annular area, or
wherein the plurality of particles are formed from a material selected to have a hardness sufficient to bite into a surrounding surface when deployed in a casing or wellbore. - The downhole apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of particles are randomly dispersed in the first annular area, or
wherein the plurality of particles are patterned on the first annular area. - The downhole apparatus of claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the friction-enhancing material comprises a mesh, disposed about an outer diameter of the first annular area, or
wherein the friction-enhancing material comprises a plurality of wickers, disposed about an outer diameter of the first annular area. - The downhole apparatus of claim 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the predetermined fluid is an aqueous solution.
- A method of reducing axial extrusion of a swellable element of a downhole tool, comprising:disposing a friction-enhancing material on a portion of an outer surface of the swellable element.
- The method of claim 14, wherein the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material comprises:disposing particles of a substance harder than the swellable element on the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element, orwherein the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material comprises:disposing a plurality of wickers about the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element, orwherein the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material comprises:disposing a mesh formed of a substance harder than the swellable element about the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element, orwherein the act of disposing a friction-enhancing material comprises:embedding the friction-enhancing material into the portion of the outer surface of the swellable element.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/892,084 US20120073834A1 (en) | 2010-09-28 | 2010-09-28 | Friction Bite with Swellable Elastomer Elements |
Publications (2)
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EP2434089A2 true EP2434089A2 (en) | 2012-03-28 |
EP2434089A3 EP2434089A3 (en) | 2013-03-27 |
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EP11250823A Withdrawn EP2434089A3 (en) | 2010-09-28 | 2011-09-27 | Friction bite with swellable elastomer elements |
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US (1) | US20120073834A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2434089A3 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2011224004A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2752398C (en) |
RU (1) | RU2011139422A (en) |
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NL1042686A (en) * | 2017-02-07 | 2018-08-14 | Halliburton Energy Services Inc | Packer sealing element with non-swelling layer |
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AU2019429892B2 (en) | 2019-02-22 | 2024-05-23 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | An expanding metal sealant for use with multilateral completion systems |
CA3138868C (en) | 2019-07-16 | 2024-03-19 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Composite expandable metal elements with reinforcement |
AU2019459040A1 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2021-11-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods to monitor a metallic sealant deployed in a wellbore, methods to monitor fluid displacement, and downhole metallic sealant measurement systems |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2434089A3 (en) | 2013-03-27 |
US20120073834A1 (en) | 2012-03-29 |
RU2011139422A (en) | 2013-04-10 |
CA2752398C (en) | 2013-11-26 |
CA2752398A1 (en) | 2012-03-28 |
AU2011224004A1 (en) | 2012-04-12 |
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