EP3167148B1 - Expandable tubular element bearing one or more inflatable seals - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of drilling, including oil drilling and geothermal.

The invention relates to a device comprising a radially expandable tubular element which is intended to seal or plug a well or pipe and which comprises on its outer face one or more annular sealing modules.

2. Solutions of the prior art

In the remainder of the description, the invention will be described, by way of example, in the field of oil production.

The operation of wells, whether vertical or horizontal, requires sealing certain areas of this well relative to others, for example to delimit an area within which it will be possible to intervene later.

To illustrate the state of the art in this field, we have shown on the Figures 1 and 2 appended, a portion of metal tubular pipe BP, known in English terminology "casing", which is placed inside a well A (it could however be a casing).

On the outer surface of the pipe BP extends a cylindrical jacket C of metal (or radially expandable tubular element) whose ends are fixed sealingly to the face on the outer surface of the pipe BP, for example via rings or rings B.

An opening O is formed in the wall of the pipe BP (it may be provided several openings), so as to communicate the internal space of the BP pipe with the annular space formed between the wall of the BP pipe and the shirt vs.

Conventionally, the jacket C is covered over all or part of its length with a layer of elastically deformable material, for example elastomer, which constitutes a "sheet", or "strip", annular sealing, a few millimeters thick. In a variant, illustrated on the figure 1 , the jacket can be covered with several sealing modules D, spaced apart from each other.

The jacket C, and in particular the sealing modules D, are fixed against the internal face of the casing, at the level of the zone to be sealed, by radial expansion. This expansion operation is carried out, in the example illustrated, by hydroforming a fluid under pressure.

On the figure 1 , the sleeve C is shown in its initial state, when its wall is not yet deformed.

As illustrated on the figure 2 when a predetermined pressure of fluid (preferably a liquid such as water) is implemented inside the BP line (this is illustrated by the arrows), this pressure is communicated inside the sleeve C, via the opening O, which expands radially (relative to the axis X-X ') beyond its limit of elastic deformation. In doing so, the sealing modules D of elastomeric material come into contact with the inner wall of the well A and are compressed against the latter so as to seal the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 which are arranged on both sides. other of the shirt.

We referenced Z on the figure 2 , an area that is magnified on the figure 3 .

It is possible that during the expansion operation of the jacket C illustrated on the figure 2 one or more elastomer sealing modules D are located at / opposite a cavity F formed in the inner wall of the well A. In this case, there is no contact between the wall internal well A and the D sealing module, thus creating a communication space between annular spaces EA1 and EA2 above. In other words, under these conditions, the seal is not satisfactory.

In addition, regardless of the shape of the inner wall of the well A, it is possible that the differential pressure between the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 causes the extrusion and the irreversible deformation of one or more of the sealing modules D, which which thereby reduces the effectiveness of the sealing modules D. The document US 2004/055758 discloses a casing for a borehole bearing an elastomeric sleeve that can see its radial dimension increase along with the expansion of the casing to form an annular insulator. The document WO 2006/121340 discloses a device for attaching an inflatable annular seal to a body by means of an adjustable end ring.

3. Objectives of the invention

The invention therefore particularly aims to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the object of the invention is, in at least one embodiment, to provide a radially expandable tubular element, especially by hydroforming, equipped on its outer face with one or more sealing modules that fully fulfill their function when they are applied to the wall of a casing or well.

This sealing function must be ensured regardless of the liquid or gaseous medium in which the expansion is carried out.

• qui est simple à mettre en oeuvre ;
• qui conserve ses qualités d'étanchéité sur une plage large de températures et de pressions ;
• qui présente une bonne tenue dans le temps ;
• qui est compact et ne cause pas une augmentation trop importante du diamètre extérieur de l'élément tubulaire.

Another object of the invention, in at least one embodiment, is to provide such an element:

• which is simple to implement;
• which maintains its sealing qualities over a wide range of temperatures and pressures;
• which has a good behavior over time;
• which is compact and does not cause an excessive increase in the outer diameter of the tubular element.

4. Summary of the invention

The invention manages to fulfill all or part of these objectives by means of a radially expandable metal tubular element, which has on its outer face at least one annular sealing module, said annular sealing module comprises at least one seal ring in an inflatable material, said inflatable seal. According to the invention, said at least one inflatable seal is disposed between two annular abutments fixed on said outer face of said tubular element. The invention thus proposes a radially expandable tubular element, especially by hydroforming, equipped on its outer face with one or more sealing modules intended to be applied to the wall of a casing or well.

Each sealing module consists of at least one annular seal (or sealing ring) of inflatable or self-inflating material, such as an inflatable elastomer (in English "swelling elastomer") which swells on contact a fluid present in the well (water, mud or oil in particular). Such a seal is able to widen axially (within the limit established by the stops which are fixed on the expandable tubular element) and radially to come into contact with the wall of a casing or well, and to seal the seal. annular space between the tubular element and the wall. In addition, such a seal is able to fill any cavities present in the wall. Furthermore, such a seal is able to withstand mechanically, thermally and chemically attacks and the various constraints related to the application in question, while ensuring a perfect seal when it is applied with force against a casing or formation. It may for example be manufactured from nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR) or even fluoroelastomers (FKM) such as Viton (trademark).

According to a particular characteristic, said tubular element further comprises two anti-extrusion rings each disposed between one of said annular abutments and said at least one inflatable seal.

These anti-extrusion rings eliminate, or at least limit, the extrusion of the inflatable seal when the latter is pressed against the inner wall of a cavity or a casing. The rings maintain, therefore, an optimal seal.

According to a particular characteristic, each anti-extrusion ring is in two parts and comprises two beveled surfaces formed respectively on each of said parts, said beveled surfaces being located facing one another and being able to slide one relative to one another by axial movement (along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member) of said inflatable seal so as to cause radial displacement (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular element) of one of said two parts.

According to a particular characteristic, each anti-extrusion ring is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

According to a particular characteristic, said seal of inflatable material is sandwiched between two seals of non-inflatable material, said non-inflatable seals.

According to a particular characteristic, each seal of non-inflatable material is in two parts, said first and second parts, of different hardness.

According to a particular feature, the part having the least hardness, said first portion, is juxtaposed to said seal of inflatable material.

According to a particular characteristic, the first part has a hardness of between 75 and 80 shore A.

According to a particular characteristic, the second part has a hardness of between 85 and 90 shore A.

According to a particular characteristic, the first and second parts are manufactured separately and are placed in contact on said tubular element.

According to a particular characteristic, the first and second parts are glued.

According to a particular characteristic, the first and second parts are formed in one piece (in other words, they are vulcanized together).

According to a particular feature, said inflatable material seal and the non-inflatable material seals are manufactured separately and are placed in contact on said tubular member.

According to a particular characteristic, said seal of inflatable material and non-inflatable material seals are manufactured separately and are glued.

According to a particular feature, said inflatable material seal and the non-inflatable material seals are integrally formed (in other words, they are vulcanized together).

According to a particular characteristic, said annular stops are made of metal.

Thus, an assembly of elements is proposed in association with the inflatable seal element to prevent the axial extrusion of the inflatable material (elastomer for example) and thus ensure a particularly effective seal.

The seal module may comprise a stack of three or more layers of inflatable and non-inflatable elastomer. Thus, a seal of inflatable material may be placed coaxially sandwiched between two seals non-inflatable material.

The sealing module may consist of an annular seal of inflatable material placed between a first anti-extrusion ring and a second anti-extrusion ring.

According to a particular characteristic, the seal or seal (s) is / are connected (s) to said tubular element by a sliding pivot connection.

The inflatable seal is thus able to move axially on the expandable tubular element.

According to one particular characteristic, said inflatable seal is able to pass from a retracted mode in which it presents a first volume to an expanded mode in which it has a second volume greater than the first volume, said seal inflatable having a thickness less than or equal to the distance separating the two annular stops in the retracted mode.

Such an inflatable seal can thus pass from an uninflated mode in which it has a first volume to an expanded mode in which it has a second volume greater than the first volume and in which it seals the annular space between the element expandable tubular and the wall of a well or casing.

According to a particular characteristic, said tubular element is radially expandable by hydroforming.

5. List of figures

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues schématiques, selon un plan de coupe longitudinal, d'un dispositif d'isolation conforme à l'état de la technique, respectivement à l'état d'origine et une fois déformé radialement ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail d'une zone Z de la figure 2 ;
• les figures 4A à 4C sont des vues en coupe schématique longitudinale d'un dispositif d'isolation d'une partie d'un puits de forage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 5A à 5D représentent un deuxième mode de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 représente un troisième mode de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention ;
• les figures 7A à 7C représentent un quatrième mode de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention ;
• les figures 8A à 8D représentent un cinquième mode de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the described technique will appear more clearly on reading the following description of several preferred embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 are schematic views, in a longitudinal section plane, of an isolation device according to the state of the art, respectively in the original state and once deformed radially;
• the figure 3 is a detail view of a Z zone of the figure 2 ;
• the Figures 4A to 4C are schematic longitudinal sectional views of an isolation device of a portion of a wellbore according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 5A to 5D represent a second embodiment of the device of the invention;
• the figure 6 represents a third embodiment of the device of the invention;
• the Figures 7A to 7C represent a fourth embodiment of the device of the invention;
• the Figures 8A to 8D represent a fifth embodiment of the device of the invention.

6. Description

Five embodiments of the tubular element 1 according to the invention are presented hereinafter.

It comprises on its outer face 10 one or more sealing modules 2 spaced from each other.

However, in the figures, only a part, namely the upper part of the tubular element 1 and a sealing module 2, is shown.

These figures illustrate a particular application of the tubular element 1 according to the invention, namely the isolation of a wellbore.

We describe with reference to Figures 4A to 4C a first embodiment of the invention.

The metal tubular element 1 is radially expandable by hydroforming. Although this is not illustrated, the tubular element 1 is sealingly attached at its ends to the outer face of a pipe, by means of rings or rings. At least one opening is formed in the wall of the pipe, so as to communicate its internal space with the space between the outer wall of the pipe and the tubular element 1.

The annular sealing module here comprises two annular metal stops 21 between which is inserted an annular seal 22 which is advantageously made of an inflatable elastomeric material.

The two annular metal stops 21 are fixed on the outer face of the tubular metal element 1, for example by welding. The seal 22 is not fixed on the tubular element 1 and is thus free to pivot about the tubular element 1 and to move axially (along the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 1).

The tubular metal element 1 and the annular metal stops 21 are, for example, made of steel, and are able to deform plastically.

The annular seal 22 has in cross section a substantially rectangular shape, two opposite corners facing the inner wall of the well A being beveled.

Each of the annular metal stops 21 has in cross section a substantially triangular shape.

The Figure 4A shows the expanded metal tubular element 1 radially beyond its limit of elastic deformation.

The seal 22, which is here retracted (that is to say uninflated) comes into contact with the inner wall of the well A, and is located opposite the cavity F formed in the inner wall of the well A .

Note that the lateral surfaces of the seal 22 are not in contact with the annular metal stops 21 (there is therefore a clearance between the seal 22 and the stops 21), and that its upper surface is flat.

The Figure 4B shows, in the expanded position of the tubular element 1 metal, the seal 22 in its inflated state, the upper surface of the seal 22 being curved. The latter inflated in contact with the fluid (water, oil) present in the well A, and filled the space of the cavity F.

Furthermore, the seal 22 is in contact with the annular metal stops 21.

In other words, in contact with the fluid, the seal 22 expands radially outward (that is to say towards the inner wall of the well A) and axially towards the annular metal stops 21.

Once inflated, the seal 22 is sealingly applied against the inner wall of the well A.

The annular space EA1 is thus isolated in fluid communication and in pressure of the annular space EA2.

If the pressure in the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 is different, the seal 22 is subjected to a differential pressure. So that the differential pressure does not cause irreversible extrusion and degradation of the seal 22 (and thus the seal between the annular spaces EA1 and EA2), the annular metal stops 21 are configured to maintain axially the seal in sealing position.

On the figure 4C it is found that the application of a differential pressure (illustrated by the arrows on the right) between the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 has the effect of moving the seal 22 axially towards the stop 21 on the left. The seal 22 thus behaves dynamically.

On the figure 4C , the seal 22, which is inflated, is pressed / compressed in the axial direction against the stop 21 on the left. The material constituting the seal 22 is redistributed, in a controlled, reversible manner, by the stop 21. It is understood that when the axial pressure is eliminated, the seal 22 resumes its position and its shape of the Figure 4B .

Note that there is a small extrusion clearance "j" between the annular metal stop 21 and the inner wall of the well A. This low extrusion clearance "j" maintains an optimal seal, even when the differential pressure is relatively important.

We describe with reference to Figures 5A to 5D a second embodiment of the invention.

This embodiment differs only from the previous embodiment by the implementation of a non-inflatable seal 24 (elastomer for example) on either side of the inflatable seal 22. The non-inflatable seals 24 do not lose their mechanical characteristics in contact with the fluid and over time, and thus prevent the extrusion of the inflatable seal 22.

In other words, the non-inflatable seals 24 serve as an anti-extrusion barrier of the inflatable seal 22.

The Figure 5A shows the tubular element 1 when it is not yet deformed before it is placed in the well A. The seals 22, 24 are mounted around the tubular element 1 without being fixed thereto. They are spaced from the stops 21.

According to a first approach, the seal 22 of inflatable material and the seals 24 of non-inflatable material are manufactured separately and are placed in contact on said tubular element.

According to a second approach, the seal 22 of inflatable material and the seals 24 non-inflatable material are manufactured separately and are glued.

According to a third approach, the seal 22 of inflatable material and the seals 24 of non-inflatable material are formed in one piece (in other words, they are vulcanized together).

The Figure 5B shows the expanded metal tubular element 1 in the well A.

The Figure 5C shows, in the expanded position of the metal tubular element 1, the seal 22 in its expanded state. The latter has swollen in contact with the fluid (water, oil) present in the well A, and filled the space of the cavity F. The seals 24 have moved axially under the effect of the swelling of the seal 22, and come to bear against the stops 21, thus preventing the inflatable seal 22 from extruding thereby reducing the effectiveness of the seal 22.

On the figure 5D , it is found that the application of a differential pressure (illustrated by the arrows on the right) between the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 has the effect of pressing / compressing the seal 22 in the axial direction against the stop 21 located at left, the anti-extrusion barrier being made by the non-inflatable seal 24 located to the left of the seal 22.

We describe with reference to the figure 6 a third embodiment of the invention.

This figure 6 shows the tubular element 1 when it is not yet deformed and installed in a well or casing.

In this embodiment, two non-inflatable seals 24 (elastomer for example) are disposed on either side of the inflatable seal 22.

Each non-inflatable seal 24 is composed of two parts 24A, 24B made of different elastomers and having different properties. Thus, the elastomer of the portion 24B has a hardness of between 85 and 90 Shore A in this example, and the elastomer of the portion 24A has a hardness of between 75 and 80 Shore A. It is noted that a greater hardness gives a better resistance to extrusion.

The two parts 24A, 24B can be independent, and are, for example, manufactured separately and juxtaposed to the assembly (they are left free or glued).

In a variant, the two parts 24A, 24B are integral, the two constituent elastomers being vulcanized together and forming one and the same bi-gum element.

In another variant, the non-inflatable seal 24 may be composed of more than two parts 24A, 24B manufactured in different elastomers and having different properties.

We describe with reference to Figures 7A to 7C a fourth embodiment of the invention.

In this variant embodiment, the inflatable seal 22 is placed between two anti-extrusion rings 26, each of the anti-extrusion rings 26 being placed between the seal 22 and an annular metal stop 21, in contact with this last. The anti-extrusion rings 26 are movably mounted on the tubular element 1.

Each anti-extrusion ring 26 comprises two parts 26A, 26B in the shape of a right triangle. These two parts 26A, 26B are arranged head to tail, so that their inclined surfaces (corresponding to the base of the triangle) are facing each other.

The anti-extrusion rings 26 are, for example, made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

The Figure 7A shows the tubular element 1 expanded metal.

The Figure 7B shows, in the expanded position of the tubular element 1 metal, the seal 22 inflated. The latter has filled the cavity F and is in contact with the anti-extrusion rings 26

On the Figure 7C it is found that the application of a differential pressure (illustrated by the arrows on the right) between the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 has the effect of pressing / compressing the seal 22 in the axial direction against the anti-extrusion ring 26 on the left. More specifically, the pressure applied in the annular space EA2 passes between the stop 21 on the right and the inner wall of the well A, then between the anti-extrusion ring 26 on the right and the inner wall of the well A. This has the effect to press the seal 22 against the portion 26B of the ring 26 to the left of the Figure 7C .

The portion 26B of the ring 26, and its bevelled surface, slides toward the stop 21 on the left, and by "wedge" effect is raised and cause the radial displacement outwards (towards the wall of the well A). of the portion 26A of the ring 26 until the portion 26A is against the wall.

The portions 26A, 26B of the left-hand ring 26 thus cooperate perfectly with the inflatable seal 22 so as to avoid the extrusion thereof and to ensure dynamic sealing between the tubular element 1 and the inner wall well A.

We describe with reference to Figures 8A to 8D a fifth embodiment of the invention. This embodiment differs only from the previous embodiment by the implementation of a non-inflatable seal 24 (elastomer for example) on either side of the inflatable seal 22.

The figure 8A shows the tubular element 1 when it is not yet deformed and installed in a well or casing.

In this embodiment, the inflatable seal 22 is placed between two anti-extrusion rings 26, each of the anti-extrusion rings 26 being placed between the seal 22 and an annular metal stop 21.

In addition, two non-inflatable seals 24 are disposed on either side of the inflatable seal 22.

The Figure 8B shows the tubular element 1 expanded.

The Figure 8C shows, in the expanded position of the tubular member 1, the seal 22 inflated.

On the figure 8D , it is found that the application of a differential pressure (illustrated by the arrows on the right) between the annular spaces EA1 and EA2 has the effect of pressing / compressing the seal 22 and the non-inflatable seal 24 located left in the axial direction against the anti-extrusion ring 26 on the left. The portion 26B of the ring 26, and its bevelled surface, slides towards the stop 21 on the left, and by "wedge" effect is raised and cause the radial displacement towards the outside (in the direction of the well wall A) of the portion 26A of the ring 26 until the portion 26A is against the wall.

The portions 26A, 26B of the left ring 26 and the non-inflatable seal 24 located on the left perfectly cooperate with the inflatable seal 22 so as to avoid the extrusion thereof and to ensure the dynamic sealing between the tubular element 1 and the inner wall of the well A. It should be noted that other forms than those illustrated are possible for stops, seals and anti-extrusion rings.

Furthermore, it may be envisaged to associate anti-extrusion rings 26 with the gasket 22, 24 as described in connection with the figure 6 .

Claims (20)

1. Radially expandable metallic tubular element (1) comprising at least one annular sealing module (2) on its external face, said sealing module (2) comprising at least one annular seal made out of a swelling material, called a swelling seal (22), characterized in that said at least one swelling seal (22) is disposed between two annular stops (21) attached to said external face of said tubular element (1).
2. Tubular element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises two anti-extrusion rings (26) each disposed between one of said annular stops (21) and said at least one swelling seal (22).
3. Tubular element (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each anti-extrusion ring (26) is in two parts (26A, 26B) and comprises two beveled surfaces made respectively in each of said parts, said beveled surfaces being situated so as to be facing each other and being capable of sliding relative to each other under the effect of an axial movement of said swelling seal (22) so as to prompt a radial shift of one of said two parts (26A, 26B).
4. Tubular element (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each anti-extrusion ring (26) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
5. Tubular element '1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said swelling seal (22) is sandwiched between two seals made of non-swelling material, called non-swelling seals (24).
6. Tubular element (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each non-swelling seal (24) is in two parts (24A, 24B), called a first part and a second part, having different hardness values.
7. Tubular element (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the part having the lowest hardness, called the first part (24A) is juxtaposed with said seal made of swelling material (22).
8. Tubular element (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first part (24A) has a hardness of 75 to 80 shore A.
9. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that second part (24B) has a hardness of 85 to 90 shore A.
10. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the first and second parts (24A, 24B) are manufactured separately and are placed in contact on said tubular element (1).
11. Tubular element (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first and second parts (24A, 24B) are bonded.
12. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the first and second parts (24A, 24B) parts are formed as a single block.
13. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said swelling seal (22) and the non-swelling seals (24) are manufactured separately and placed in contact on said tubular element (1).
14. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said swelling seal (22) and the non-swelling seals (24) are manufactured separately and are bonded.
15. Tubular element according to any one of the claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said swelling seal (22) and the non-swelling seal (24) are formed as a single block.
16. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said annular stops (21) are made of metal.
17. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in said seal or seals (22, 24) are connected to said tubular element (1) by a sliding pivot link.
18. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said swelling seal (22) is capable of passing from a retracted mode in which it has a first volume to a dilated mode in which it has a second volume that is greater than the first volume, said swelling seal (22) having a thickness smaller than or equal to the thickness between the annular stops (21) in the retracted mode.
19. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said swelling seal (22) is made of nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) or else fluoroelastomers (FKM).
20. Tubular element (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 19, characterized in that said tubular element (1) is radially expandable by hydroforming.

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