US20120012342A1 - Downhole Packer Having Tandem Packer Elements for Isolating Frac Zones - Google Patents
Downhole Packer Having Tandem Packer Elements for Isolating Frac Zones Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120012342A1 US20120012342A1 US12/835,684 US83568410A US2012012342A1 US 20120012342 A1 US20120012342 A1 US 20120012342A1 US 83568410 A US83568410 A US 83568410A US 2012012342 A1 US2012012342 A1 US 2012012342A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- packer
- sealing element
- piston
- agent
- seal
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 43
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 36
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002449 FKM Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006172 Tetrafluoroethylene propylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920000459 Nitrile rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006169 Perfluoroelastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;prop-1-ene Chemical group C=C.CC=C HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- -1 ethylene propylene diene Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920001973 fluoroelastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006168 hydrated nitrile rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000010720 hydraulic oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003049 isoprene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000004137 mechanical activation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000636 poly(norbornene) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 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
- E21B33/128—Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
- E21B33/1285—Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure by fluid pressure
-
- 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
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
- E21B23/06—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for setting packers
-
- 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
- E21B33/124—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
-
- 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
- E21B33/124—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
- E21B33/1243—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space with inflatable sleeves
Definitions
- Selective frac operations of multiple isolated zones can improve a well's production capabilities.
- operators deploy a tool string that has a number of port subs separated by packers into a borehole through the formation.
- the borehole may be an open hole or may be lined with a casing having perforations.
- the packers isolate the borehole annulus into separate zones.
- the individual port subs can then be opened and closed so that frac treatment can be applied to specific isolated zones of the formation.
- One type of packer uses a compression-set element that expands radially outward to the borehole wall when subjected to compression. Being compression-set, the element's length is limited by practical limitations because a longer compression-set element would experience undesirable buckling and collapsing during use. However, the shorter compression-set element may not be able to adequately seal against irregularities of the surrounding borehole wall.
- Another type of packer uses an inflatable element with a differential pressure limitation to produce a seal.
- Inflatable packers can be significantly more costly than compression-set packers and can be more difficult to implement and deploy.
- Yet another type of packer uses a swellable element. Once these packers are run into position, a fluid enlarges the element until it swells to produce a seal with the borehole wall. Unfortunately, high differential pressures or an absence of the fluid that initially caused the element to swell can compromise the swellable element's seal.
- FIG. 1A illustrates a downhole packer having tandem packer elements for isolating zones in a borehole.
- FIG. 1B illustrates the downhole packer of FIG. 1A set in the borehole.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a downhole packer having tandem packer elements in partial cross-section as initially deployed downhole.
- FIG. 2B illustrates the downhole packer of FIG. 2A with both packer elements set in the borehole.
- FIG. 2C illustrates the downhole packer of FIG. 2A in a stage of retrieval.
- FIG. 3A illustrates a downhole packer having a compression-set packer portion and an inflatable packer portion.
- FIGS. 3B-3C show alternative arrangements for packers having tandem packer portions.
- FIG. 4A illustrates a downhole packer having a swellable element in partial cross-section deployed in a borehole.
- FIG. 4B illustrates the downhole packer of FIG. 3A in an initial stage of deployment.
- FIG. 4C illustrates the downhole packer of FIG. 3A in a subsequent stage of deployment.
- FIG. 4D illustrates the downhole packer of FIG. 3A in a further stage of deployment.
- a downhole packer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A deploys in a borehole 10 .
- the packer 100 can be used to isolate the annulus 12 into separate zones for treatment in a frac operation.
- the borehole 10 may be an open hole or may be lined with a casing (not shown) having perforations.
- the packer 100 has a body 110 with first and second packer portions 120 / 170 disposed thereon. These packer portions 120 / 170 are capable of different forms of sealing.
- the first (upper) packer portion 120 provides a compressible form of sealing and includes an upper piston 130 , a lower piston 140 , a compression-set element 150 , and a lower shoulder 160 .
- the second (lower) packer portion 170 provides an engorgable (i.e., swellable) form of sealing and includes a swellable element 180 disposed on the body 110 .
- pumped fluid flowing in the body 110 hydraulically actuates the upper packer portion 120 by forcing the upper and lower pistons 130 / 140 towards the fixed lower shoulder 160 .
- the pistons' movements compress the compression-set element 150 and set the element 150 against the inside of the borehole 10 .
- the swellable element 180 of the lower packer portion 170 swells and sets against the inside of the borehole 10 by interacting with an activating agent (e.g., well fluid, drilling fluid, or the like) and engorging the swellable element 180 in the agent's presence.
- an activating agent e.g., well fluid, drilling fluid, or the like
- the elements 150 / 180 When set, the elements 150 / 180 create dual, tandem seals to isolate the annulus into a zone above the packer 100 and a zone below. Use of the two types of packer elements 150 / 180 allows the best features of each type to complement and improve the seal rating of the packer 100 between isolated zones.
- the compression-set element 150 provides high-pressure containment in the borehole 10
- the swellable element 180 having a longer element can accommodate irregularities in the borehole 10 .
- the downhole packer 100 is shown in further detail in FIG. 2A as initially deployed in the borehole 10 .
- the compression-set packer portion 120 can operate in a manner similar to a packer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,372, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- fluid pressure can activate the compression-set element 150 on the packer 100 .
- other forms of activation could also be used, such as mechanical activation using a pulling tool or the like.
- the freed piston 140 moves along the body 110 , and expansion portion of the piston 140 travels underneath the compression-set element 150 and expands the element 150 an initial expansion amount closer to the inner surface of the borehole 10 .
- a lock ring and groove arrangement 148 becomes engaged between the piston 140 and the outer piston housing 144 . Once engaged, the piston 140 and the outer piston housing 144 will move together along the body 110 as one unit.
- fluid pressure reaches a predetermined value to break shear pins ( 133 ; FIG. 2A ) holding the upper piston 130 .
- the upper piston 130 can move together with the lower piston 140 .
- Pumped fluid passes through a second port 113 into an upper annular chamber 136 and acts against a ratcheting assembly 132 of the upper piston 130 .
- a slip ratchet with teeth on this ratchet assembly 132 prevents the upper piston 130 from travelling back towards its initial position against upper shoulder 138 .
- the pistons 130 and 140 travel along the body 110 , they compress the compression-set element 150 against the lower fixed shoulder 160 so that the compression-set element 150 expands radially outward a subsequent expansion amount.
- the second chamber 136 has increased in volume
- the outer piston housing 144 has axially pressed against the element 150
- the axially compressed element 150 has fully expanded in the radial direction to effectively seal the annulus 12 of the borehole 10 .
- the packer's swellable packer portion 170 also sets in the annulus 12 of the borehole 10 to provide a second (tandem) seal between zones.
- the swellable element 180 of this portion 170 disposes on the outside of the packer's body 110 and can be a sleeve or any other suitable shape.
- the swellable element 180 may be positioned between upper and lower rings 182 and 184 affixed to the body 110 with shear pins, although this may not be necessary in some implementations.
- the swellable element 180 When initially deployed, the swellable element 180 does not engage the inside of the borehole 10 .
- the swellable element 180 can be set either concurrently with the activation of the compression-set packer portion 120 or sometime before or after depending on the implementation. For example, pumped fluid passed through the packer 100 to set the compression-set element 150 as discussed above can also cause the swellable element 180 to swell, filling the annulus 12 and engaging the inside of the borehole 10 .
- the swellable element 180 may begin swelling by interacting with existing fluid downhole or with fluid introduced at a later stage of operation.
- the swellable element 180 becomes engorged by the activating agent and swells radially outward. As then shown in FIG. 2B , the swollen element 180 forms a secondary, tandem seal that isolates the annulus 12 in conjunction with the compression-set element 150 .
- the compression-set element 150 can be composed of any expandable or otherwise malleable material such as metal, plastic, elastomer, or combination thereof that can stabilize the packer 100 and withstand tool movement and thermal fluctuations within the borehole 10 .
- the compression-set element 150 can be uniform or can include grooves, ridges, indentations, or protrusions designed to allow the element 150 to conform to variations in the shape of the interior of the borehole 10 .
- the swellable element 180 can be composed of an elastomeric material as detailed later that can swell in the presence of an activating agent, such as a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) existing or introduced downhole.
- the compression-set packer portion 120 in combination with the swellable packer portion 170 enhances the pressure containment provided by the packer 100 during a frac operation.
- these different types of packer elements 150 and 180 improve the isolation of the borehole's annulus beyond what can be achieved using just a single packer element as is common in the art. More particularly, the swellable element 180 with its increased axial length and ability to engage irregular surfaces can enhance the packer 100 's seal by sealing against any irregularities in the borehole 10 .
- the compression-set element 150 gives the packer 100 the ability to seal against higher differential pressures.
- the packer 100 is shown during a stage of retrieval.
- forces are applied to the packer 100 to break shear pins ( 162 ; FIG. 2B ) that hold the lower shoulder 160 fixed to the body 110 .
- the shoulder 160 travels axially along the body 110 until it reaches a profile ( 164 ; FIG. 2B ) on the body 110 .
- the release of the shoulder 160 thereby relaxes the compression-set element 150 , allowing this packer portion 120 to be removed from the borehole 10 .
- the ratcheting assembly 132 may also be released and free to move axially along the body 110 .
- the removal or absence of the activating agent downhole may allow the swellable element 180 to decrease in size, thereby disengaging it from the borehole 10 and making the swellable packer portion 170 removable from the borehole 10 .
- the forces applied to the packer 100 may also free the swellable element 180 by breaking shear pins that retain one or both of the retaining rings 182 or 184 . With the rings 182 / 184 freed, the swollen element 180 can relax axially so this portion 170 can be removed from the borehole 10 .
- the packer 100 shown in FIG. 2A has the engorgable portion 170 that uses the swellable element that swells in the presence of an activating agent.
- the downhole packer 100 again has the compression-set packer portion 120 but includes an inflatable packer portion 175 rather than the swellable portion discussed previously.
- operation of the compression-set packer portion 120 can be similar to that discussed previously.
- the inflatable packer portion 175 has an inflatable sleeve or bladder 190 disposed about the body 110 and fixed at the ends by retainers 192 and 194 .
- the inflatable sleeve 190 can be composed of an elastomeric material reinforced with metal slats or other material. When activated, the inflatable sleeve 190 becomes engorged by an agent filing the sleeve 190 so that the sleeve 190 expands radially outward to the surrounding borehole 10 .
- the agent filing the sleeve 190 can be the fluid pumped downhole. This pumped fluid enters a port 196 on the body 110 that allows the fluid from the bore 112 to fill inside the sleeve 190 , causing it to expand and seal with the surrounding borehole wall.
- Any suitable valve arrangement 198 can be used on the port 196 to control the flow of fluid.
- a control valve can be used.
- a valve that is activated using a ball drop, tubing movements, or manual manipulation by an ancillary tool can be used.
- control of the inflation of the inflatable packer element 190 can be linked to the operation of the compression-set packer portion 120 . In this way, as fluid pressure activates the compression-set portion 120 , the fluid pressure can also inflate the inflatable packer element 190 .
- the packer 100 as shown in FIG. 2A shows the compression-set packer portion 120 on the uphole end of the packer 100 and the swellable packer portion 170 on the downhole end.
- the packer 100 can have a reverse arrangement.
- FIG. 3C shows the packer 100 having the compression-set packer portion 120 interposed on the body 110 between an upper swellable packer portion 170 A and a lower swellable packer portion 170 B.
- the high pressure differential seal created by the compression-set element 150 is complemented on both sides by the engorged seal of the swellable elements 180 A and 180 B.
- Any one or both of the swellable packer portions shown in FIGS. 3B-3C could also be an inflatable packer portion as disclosed herein.
- the packer 100 disclosed above uses tandem packer elements—e.g., one compressible and one engorgable (i.e., swellable or inflatable).
- a downhole packer 200 illustrated in FIG. 4A has a single element 250 for isolating zones in a borehole 10 .
- This element 250 is engorgable (i.e., swellable) in the presence of an agent and may also be compressible.
- the swellable element 250 disposes on the packer's body 210 between an outer piston housing 230 and a lower shoulder 260 . As shown, this swellable element 250 can be a sleeve, but it can have any other suitable shape.
- an upper shoulder 220 supports the outer piston housing 230 on the body 210 with shear pins 222 , and an inner piston 240 movably positions in an annular space between the body 210 and the outer piston housing 230 .
- a seal 232 attached to the body 210 fits into the annular space between the body 210 and the outer piston housing 230 and separates the space into a lower chamber communicating with bore port 214 and an upper chamber communicating with an exterior port 234 .
- the packer 200 deploys in the borehole 10 to isolate the annulus 12 into separate zones that can be treated by a frac operation.
- the swellable element 250 remains unswelled, and the piston 240 remains in an unextended condition retained by shear pins 243 .
- shear pins 222 hold the outer piston housing 230 in an unextended condition to the upper shoulder 220 .
- the partially expanded sleeve 250 interacts with an activating agent, such as drilling fluid, hydrocarbons, or the like, either introduced or existing downhole.
- an activating agent such as drilling fluid, hydrocarbons, or the like
- the agent engorges the sleeve 250 and causes the sleeve 250 to swell outwardly a subsequent expansion amount to increase the sealing capability.
- the sleeve 250 expands radially outward to create a seal with the surrounding borehole wall.
- the piston's expansion member 244 in expanding the sleeve 250 may only fit between the packer's body 210 and the sleeve 250 so that the sleeve 250 is pushed radially outward from the body 210 .
- this expansion in combination with the swelling of the sleeve 250 may produce the desired seal with the surrounding borehole 10 .
- the packer 200 may also compress the sleeve 250 against the fixed shoulder 260 to expand the swellable element 250 an additional expansion amount. In this way, the seal produced can be generated by the initial expansion, swelling, and compression of the swellable element 250 .
- an arrangement of the outer housing 230 , piston 240 , and sleeve 250 shows how the packer 200 can both expand and compresses the swollen sleeve 250 during operation.
- fluid pressure has forced against the inner piston 240 until a lock ring and groove arrangement couples it to the outer piston housing 230 so that the piston 240 and housing 230 can move together.
- the shear pins ( 222 ; FIG. 4C ) holding the top of the outer piston housing 230 break.
- the packer 200 can perform the combination of enlarging, swelling, and compressing the swellable sleeve 250 in different orders.
- the expansion member 244 of the piston 240 can initially enlarge the sleeve 250 .
- the material of the initially expanded sleeve 250 can be swelled in the presence of the desired agent, and the packer 200 can then compress the swollen sleeve 250 to seal up the borehole 10 .
- the expansion member 244 of the piston 240 can initially enlarge the sleeve 250 , and then the packer 200 may further compress the sleeve 250 in an axial direction. Then, the material of the sleeve 250 can be swelled in the presence of the desired agent. Yet still, the sleeve 250 can first be swollen, then initially expanded, and finally compressed.
- the enlarged, swollen, and compressed sleeve 250 may offer a differential pressure rating similar to that achievable with a compression-set element. Because the swellable sleeve 250 is initially expanded and swelled, the amount of compression applied to the sleeve 250 may be less than traditionally applied to a compression-set packer element. Consequently, the swellable sleeve 250 can be made longer than conventional compression-set packer elements because it may not suffer some of the undesirable effects of buckling and collapsing. With these benefits, the swellable sleeve 250 may advantageously be able to cover a significantly longer section of the borehole and can form a better seal against borehole irregularities than produced by existing packer elements.
- the packer 200 can be retrieved by removing the activating agent that causes the swellable element 250 to swell. Once the agent is absent, the expansion of the swellable element 250 may reduce so that it dislodges from the borehole 10 and allows the packer 200 to be removed.
- the lower shoulder 260 may have shear pins (not shown) that can be dislodged by jarring movements. Once freed, the shoulder 260 can move along the body 210 and enable the element 250 to relax so the packer 200 can be retrieved from the borehole 10 .
- the swellable elements 180 / 250 disclosed above are composed of a material that an activating agent engorges and causes to swell.
- the material can be an elastomer, such as ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber (EPDM), ethylene propylene copolymer (EPM) rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene monomer rubber, ethylene vinylacetate rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber and polynorbornen, nitrile, VITON® fluoroelastomer, AFLAS® fluoropolymer, KALREZ® perfluoroelastomer, or other suitable material.
- EPDM ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber
- EPM ethylene propylene copolymer
- styrene butadiene rubber natural rubber
- the swellable material of these elements 180 / 250 may or may not be encased in another expandable material that is porous or has holes.
- the activating agent can be mineral-based oil, water, hydraulic oil, production fluid, drilling fluid, or any other liquid or gas designed to react with the particular material of the swellable element 180 / 250 .
Landscapes
- 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)
- Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
Abstract
A tandem packer seals a wellbore annulus with first and second seals. The packer has a body defining a bore therethrough and has a shoulder disposed on the body. A compressible element is disposed on the body adjacent the shoulder. A piston is movably disposed on the body adjacent the compressible element and is activated by fluid pressure communicated through a port in the packer's bore. When actuated, the piston fits between the compressible element and the body to initially expand it outward. With further fluid pressure, the piston compresses the compressible element against the shoulder to expand the element radially outward and produce a first seal with a surrounding surface. A swellable element also disposed on the body is swellable in the presence of an agent and expands radially outward to produce a second seal with the surrounding surface.
Description
- This application is concurrently filed with U.S. patent application Ser. No. __/______ entitled “Downhole Packer Having Swellable Sleeve” by the same inventors, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- Selective frac operations of multiple isolated zones can improve a well's production capabilities. To isolate multiple zones of a formation, operators deploy a tool string that has a number of port subs separated by packers into a borehole through the formation. The borehole may be an open hole or may be lined with a casing having perforations. When activated, the packers isolate the borehole annulus into separate zones. The individual port subs can then be opened and closed so that frac treatment can be applied to specific isolated zones of the formation.
- Different types of conventional packers can been used to isolate zones in the borehole. One type of packer uses a compression-set element that expands radially outward to the borehole wall when subjected to compression. Being compression-set, the element's length is limited by practical limitations because a longer compression-set element would experience undesirable buckling and collapsing during use. However, the shorter compression-set element may not be able to adequately seal against irregularities of the surrounding borehole wall.
- Another type of packer uses an inflatable element with a differential pressure limitation to produce a seal. Inflatable packers can be significantly more costly than compression-set packers and can be more difficult to implement and deploy. Yet another type of packer uses a swellable element. Once these packers are run into position, a fluid enlarges the element until it swells to produce a seal with the borehole wall. Unfortunately, high differential pressures or an absence of the fluid that initially caused the element to swell can compromise the swellable element's seal.
-
FIG. 1A illustrates a downhole packer having tandem packer elements for isolating zones in a borehole. -
FIG. 1B illustrates the downhole packer ofFIG. 1A set in the borehole. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a downhole packer having tandem packer elements in partial cross-section as initially deployed downhole. -
FIG. 2B illustrates the downhole packer ofFIG. 2A with both packer elements set in the borehole. -
FIG. 2C illustrates the downhole packer ofFIG. 2A in a stage of retrieval. -
FIG. 3A illustrates a downhole packer having a compression-set packer portion and an inflatable packer portion. -
FIGS. 3B-3C show alternative arrangements for packers having tandem packer portions. -
FIG. 4A illustrates a downhole packer having a swellable element in partial cross-section deployed in a borehole. -
FIG. 4B illustrates the downhole packer ofFIG. 3A in an initial stage of deployment. -
FIG. 4C illustrates the downhole packer ofFIG. 3A in a subsequent stage of deployment. -
FIG. 4D illustrates the downhole packer ofFIG. 3A in a further stage of deployment. - A
downhole packer 100 illustrated inFIG. 1A deploys in aborehole 10. Thepacker 100 can be used to isolate theannulus 12 into separate zones for treatment in a frac operation. In general, theborehole 10 may be an open hole or may be lined with a casing (not shown) having perforations. Thepacker 100 has abody 110 with first andsecond packer portions 120/170 disposed thereon. Thesepacker portions 120/170 are capable of different forms of sealing. In particular, the first (upper)packer portion 120 provides a compressible form of sealing and includes anupper piston 130, alower piston 140, a compression-set element 150, and alower shoulder 160. The second (lower)packer portion 170 provides an engorgable (i.e., swellable) form of sealing and includes aswellable element 180 disposed on thebody 110. - As shown in
FIG. 1B and further detailed below, pumped fluid flowing in thebody 110 hydraulically actuates theupper packer portion 120 by forcing the upper andlower pistons 130/140 towards the fixedlower shoulder 160. The pistons' movements compress the compression-setelement 150 and set theelement 150 against the inside of theborehole 10. By contrast, theswellable element 180 of thelower packer portion 170 swells and sets against the inside of theborehole 10 by interacting with an activating agent (e.g., well fluid, drilling fluid, or the like) and engorging theswellable element 180 in the agent's presence. - When set, the
elements 150/180 create dual, tandem seals to isolate the annulus into a zone above thepacker 100 and a zone below. Use of the two types ofpacker elements 150/180 allows the best features of each type to complement and improve the seal rating of thepacker 100 between isolated zones. In particular, the compression-set element 150 provides high-pressure containment in theborehole 10, while theswellable element 180 having a longer element can accommodate irregularities in theborehole 10. - The
downhole packer 100 is shown in further detail inFIG. 2A as initially deployed in theborehole 10. On thepacker 100, the compression-setpacker portion 120 can operate in a manner similar to a packer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,372, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As discussed herein, fluid pressure can activate the compression-setelement 150 on thepacker 100. However, other forms of activation could also be used, such as mechanical activation using a pulling tool or the like. - When the
packer 100 as part of a tool string is positioned to a desired location in theborehole 10, operators pump fluid down the tool string. The pumped fluid reaches thepacker 100 and passes from thebore 112, through aport 114, and into a lowerannular chamber 146 between thebody 110 and anouter piston housing 144. Fluid pressure building in thischamber 146 acts against apiston 140 slideably disposed on thebody 110. Once the fluid pressure reaches a predetermined value, shear pins 143 that initially hold thepiston 140 to thehousing 110 break, freeing thepiston 140 to move axially along the outside of thebody 110 by the applied pressure. - As shown in
FIG. 2B , the freedpiston 140 moves along thebody 110, and expansion portion of thepiston 140 travels underneath the compression-setelement 150 and expands theelement 150 an initial expansion amount closer to the inner surface of theborehole 10. As thepiston 140 then reaches a lower position relative to theouter piston housing 130, a lock ring andgroove arrangement 148 becomes engaged between thepiston 140 and theouter piston housing 144. Once engaged, thepiston 140 and theouter piston housing 144 will move together along thebody 110 as one unit. - Eventually, fluid pressure reaches a predetermined value to break shear pins (133;
FIG. 2A ) holding theupper piston 130. Once freed, theupper piston 130 can move together with thelower piston 140. Pumped fluid passes through asecond port 113 into an upperannular chamber 136 and acts against a ratchetingassembly 132 of theupper piston 130. A slip ratchet with teeth on thisratchet assembly 132 prevents theupper piston 130 from travelling back towards its initial position againstupper shoulder 138. - As the
pistons body 110, they compress the compression-setelement 150 against the lower fixedshoulder 160 so that the compression-setelement 150 expands radially outward a subsequent expansion amount. As shown set inFIG. 2B , thesecond chamber 136 has increased in volume, theouter piston housing 144 has axially pressed against theelement 150, and the axiallycompressed element 150 has fully expanded in the radial direction to effectively seal theannulus 12 of theborehole 10. - In addition to the seal from the compression-set
portion 120, the packer'sswellable packer portion 170 also sets in theannulus 12 of the borehole 10 to provide a second (tandem) seal between zones. As shown in the initial stage ofFIG. 2A , theswellable element 180 of thisportion 170 disposes on the outside of the packer'sbody 110 and can be a sleeve or any other suitable shape. Theswellable element 180 may be positioned between upper andlower rings body 110 with shear pins, although this may not be necessary in some implementations. - When initially deployed, the
swellable element 180 does not engage the inside of theborehole 10. Once thepacker 100 is located in its desired position in theborehole 10, theswellable element 180 can be set either concurrently with the activation of the compression-setpacker portion 120 or sometime before or after depending on the implementation. For example, pumped fluid passed through thepacker 100 to set the compression-setelement 150 as discussed above can also cause theswellable element 180 to swell, filling theannulus 12 and engaging the inside of theborehole 10. Alternatively, theswellable element 180 may begin swelling by interacting with existing fluid downhole or with fluid introduced at a later stage of operation. Regardless of the activation method, theswellable element 180 becomes engorged by the activating agent and swells radially outward. As then shown inFIG. 2B , theswollen element 180 forms a secondary, tandem seal that isolates theannulus 12 in conjunction with the compression-setelement 150. - In general, the compression-set
element 150 can be composed of any expandable or otherwise malleable material such as metal, plastic, elastomer, or combination thereof that can stabilize thepacker 100 and withstand tool movement and thermal fluctuations within theborehole 10. In addition, the compression-setelement 150 can be uniform or can include grooves, ridges, indentations, or protrusions designed to allow theelement 150 to conform to variations in the shape of the interior of theborehole 10. Theswellable element 180 can be composed of an elastomeric material as detailed later that can swell in the presence of an activating agent, such as a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) existing or introduced downhole. - As intimated previously, use of the compression-set
packer portion 120 in combination with theswellable packer portion 170 enhances the pressure containment provided by thepacker 100 during a frac operation. In general, these different types ofpacker elements swellable element 180 with its increased axial length and ability to engage irregular surfaces can enhance thepacker 100's seal by sealing against any irregularities in theborehole 10. On the other hand, the compression-setelement 150 gives thepacker 100 the ability to seal against higher differential pressures. - In
FIG. 2C , thepacker 100 is shown during a stage of retrieval. To release the activatedpacker 100, forces are applied to thepacker 100 to break shear pins (162;FIG. 2B ) that hold thelower shoulder 160 fixed to thebody 110. Once released, theshoulder 160 travels axially along thebody 110 until it reaches a profile (164;FIG. 2B ) on thebody 110. The release of theshoulder 160 thereby relaxes the compression-setelement 150, allowing thispacker portion 120 to be removed from theborehole 10. The ratchetingassembly 132 may also be released and free to move axially along thebody 110. - During retrieval, the removal or absence of the activating agent downhole may allow the
swellable element 180 to decrease in size, thereby disengaging it from theborehole 10 and making theswellable packer portion 170 removable from theborehole 10. In addition or in the alternative, the forces applied to thepacker 100 may also free theswellable element 180 by breaking shear pins that retain one or both of the retaining rings 182 or 184. With therings 182/184 freed, theswollen element 180 can relax axially so thisportion 170 can be removed from theborehole 10. - The
packer 100 shown inFIG. 2A has theengorgable portion 170 that uses the swellable element that swells in the presence of an activating agent. InFIG. 3A , thedownhole packer 100 again has the compression-setpacker portion 120 but includes an inflatable packer portion 175 rather than the swellable portion discussed previously. Here, operation of the compression-setpacker portion 120 can be similar to that discussed previously. The inflatable packer portion 175 has an inflatable sleeve orbladder 190 disposed about thebody 110 and fixed at the ends byretainers inflatable sleeve 190 can be composed of an elastomeric material reinforced with metal slats or other material. When activated, theinflatable sleeve 190 becomes engorged by an agent filing thesleeve 190 so that thesleeve 190 expands radially outward to the surroundingborehole 10. - In general, the agent filing the
sleeve 190 can be the fluid pumped downhole. This pumped fluid enters aport 196 on thebody 110 that allows the fluid from thebore 112 to fill inside thesleeve 190, causing it to expand and seal with the surrounding borehole wall. Anysuitable valve arrangement 198 can be used on theport 196 to control the flow of fluid. For example, a control valve can be used. Alternatively, a valve that is activated using a ball drop, tubing movements, or manual manipulation by an ancillary tool can be used. In fact, control of the inflation of theinflatable packer element 190 can be linked to the operation of the compression-setpacker portion 120. In this way, as fluid pressure activates the compression-setportion 120, the fluid pressure can also inflate theinflatable packer element 190. - The
packer 100 as shown inFIG. 2A shows the compression-setpacker portion 120 on the uphole end of thepacker 100 and theswellable packer portion 170 on the downhole end. As shown inFIG. 3B , thepacker 100 can have a reverse arrangement. In addition,FIG. 3C shows thepacker 100 having the compression-setpacker portion 120 interposed on thebody 110 between an upperswellable packer portion 170A and a lowerswellable packer portion 170B. With this arrangement, the high pressure differential seal created by the compression-setelement 150 is complemented on both sides by the engorged seal of theswellable elements 180A and 180B. Any one or both of the swellable packer portions shown inFIGS. 3B-3C could also be an inflatable packer portion as disclosed herein. - To produce tandem seals to isolate zones for a frac operation, the
packer 100 disclosed above uses tandem packer elements—e.g., one compressible and one engorgable (i.e., swellable or inflatable). As an alternative, adownhole packer 200 illustrated inFIG. 4A has asingle element 250 for isolating zones in aborehole 10. Thiselement 250 is engorgable (i.e., swellable) in the presence of an agent and may also be compressible. Theswellable element 250 disposes on the packer'sbody 210 between anouter piston housing 230 and alower shoulder 260. As shown, thisswellable element 250 can be a sleeve, but it can have any other suitable shape. - Also on the
packer 200, anupper shoulder 220 supports theouter piston housing 230 on thebody 210 withshear pins 222, and aninner piston 240 movably positions in an annular space between thebody 210 and theouter piston housing 230. Aseal 232 attached to thebody 210 fits into the annular space between thebody 210 and theouter piston housing 230 and separates the space into a lower chamber communicating withbore port 214 and an upper chamber communicating with anexterior port 234. - In an initial deployment stage shown in
FIG. 4A , thepacker 200 deploys in the borehole 10 to isolate theannulus 12 into separate zones that can be treated by a frac operation. When deployed, theswellable element 250 remains unswelled, and thepiston 240 remains in an unextended condition retained by shear pins 243. Likewise, shear pins 222 hold theouter piston housing 230 in an unextended condition to theupper shoulder 220. - In a subsequent stage of deployment shown in
FIG. 4B , operators pump fluid down the tubing string, and the fluid reaches thepacker 200. The fluid pressure enters thebore port 214 from the housing'sbore 212, fills an adjacent annular chamber belowseal 232, and pushes against the sealedend 242 of thepiston 240. With increase pressure, the shear pins (243;FIG. 4A ) that initially held thepiston 240 break, and the fluid pressure pushes thepiston 240 downwardly. As thepiston 240 moves, itsexpansion member 244 fits behind theswellable sleeve 250 and causes it to expand radially outward an initial expansion amount towards the surroundingborehole 10. - Eventually as shown in
FIG. 4C , the partially expandedsleeve 250 interacts with an activating agent, such as drilling fluid, hydrocarbons, or the like, either introduced or existing downhole. As the activating agent interacts with thesleeve 250, the agent engorges thesleeve 250 and causes thesleeve 250 to swell outwardly a subsequent expansion amount to increase the sealing capability. Being fixed between thehousing 230 andshoulder 260 and swelling outward from thebody 210, thesleeve 250 expands radially outward to create a seal with the surrounding borehole wall. - As discussed above, the piston's
expansion member 244 in expanding thesleeve 250 may only fit between the packer'sbody 210 and thesleeve 250 so that thesleeve 250 is pushed radially outward from thebody 210. In some implementations, this expansion in combination with the swelling of thesleeve 250 may produce the desired seal with the surroundingborehole 10. In addition to this expansion and swelling, however, thepacker 200 may also compress thesleeve 250 against the fixedshoulder 260 to expand theswellable element 250 an additional expansion amount. In this way, the seal produced can be generated by the initial expansion, swelling, and compression of theswellable element 250. - As shown in
FIG. 4D , for example, an arrangement of theouter housing 230,piston 240, andsleeve 250 shows how thepacker 200 can both expand and compresses theswollen sleeve 250 during operation. Here, fluid pressure has forced against theinner piston 240 until a lock ring and groove arrangement couples it to theouter piston housing 230 so that thepiston 240 andhousing 230 can move together. With continued fluid pressure, the shear pins (222;FIG. 4C ) holding the top of theouter piston housing 230 break. With thehousing 230 free to move, the fluid pressure against thepiston 240 moves theouter piston housing 230 downward as well, and excess fluid in the chamber above theseal 232 is allowed to exit theexternal port 234 on thehousing 230. As thehousing 230 moves, teeth on itsratchet mechanism 236 engage grooves on thebody 210 to prevent retraction, and the housing'slower end 238 compress thesleeve 250 against the fixedshoulder 260. - The
packer 200 can perform the combination of enlarging, swelling, and compressing theswellable sleeve 250 in different orders. For example, theexpansion member 244 of thepiston 240 can initially enlarge thesleeve 250. The material of the initially expandedsleeve 250 can be swelled in the presence of the desired agent, and thepacker 200 can then compress theswollen sleeve 250 to seal up theborehole 10. Alternatively, theexpansion member 244 of thepiston 240 can initially enlarge thesleeve 250, and then thepacker 200 may further compress thesleeve 250 in an axial direction. Then, the material of thesleeve 250 can be swelled in the presence of the desired agent. Yet still, thesleeve 250 can first be swollen, then initially expanded, and finally compressed. - Regardless of the order, the enlarged, swollen, and
compressed sleeve 250 may offer a differential pressure rating similar to that achievable with a compression-set element. Because theswellable sleeve 250 is initially expanded and swelled, the amount of compression applied to thesleeve 250 may be less than traditionally applied to a compression-set packer element. Consequently, theswellable sleeve 250 can be made longer than conventional compression-set packer elements because it may not suffer some of the undesirable effects of buckling and collapsing. With these benefits, theswellable sleeve 250 may advantageously be able to cover a significantly longer section of the borehole and can form a better seal against borehole irregularities than produced by existing packer elements. - The
packer 200 can be retrieved by removing the activating agent that causes theswellable element 250 to swell. Once the agent is absent, the expansion of theswellable element 250 may reduce so that it dislodges from theborehole 10 and allows thepacker 200 to be removed. In addition, as with the packer discussed previously, thelower shoulder 260 may have shear pins (not shown) that can be dislodged by jarring movements. Once freed, theshoulder 260 can move along thebody 210 and enable theelement 250 to relax so thepacker 200 can be retrieved from theborehole 10. - The
swellable elements 180/250 disclosed above are composed of a material that an activating agent engorges and causes to swell. For example, the material can be an elastomer, such as ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber (EPDM), ethylene propylene copolymer (EPM) rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene propylene monomer rubber, ethylene vinylacetate rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber and polynorbornen, nitrile, VITON® fluoroelastomer, AFLAS® fluoropolymer, KALREZ® perfluoroelastomer, or other suitable material. (AFLAS is a registered trademark of the Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., and KALREZ and VITON are registered trademarks of DuPont Performance Elastomers). The swellable material of theseelements 180/250 may or may not be encased in another expandable material that is porous or has holes. - What particular material is used for the
elements 180/250 depends on the particular application, the intended activating agent, and the expected environmental conditions downhole. Likewise, what activating agent is used to swell theelements 180/250 depends on the properties of the element's material, the particular application, and what fluid (liquid and gas) may be naturally occurring or can be injected downhole. Typically, the activating agent can be mineral-based oil, water, hydraulic oil, production fluid, drilling fluid, or any other liquid or gas designed to react with the particular material of theswellable element 180/250. - The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. Although the packers disclosed herein have been described for use in a lined or open borehole, it will be appreciated that the packers can also be used through tubing. In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims (30)
1. A downhole packer for sealing an annulus, comprising:
a body defining a bore therethrough;
a first sealing element disposed on the body,
an actuator movably disposed on the body adjacent the first sealing element, the actuator actuatable to compress the first sealing element, the first sealing element expandable radially outward when compressed to produce a first seal with a surrounding surface; and
a second sealing element disposed on the body, the second sealing element being engorgable by an agent radially outward to produce a second seal with the surrounding surface.
2. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is hydraulically actuatable by fluid pumped through the bore of the body.
3. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the first sealing element comprises a compressible sleeve disposed on the body and composed of metal, plastic, elastomer, or combination thereof.
4. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the second sealing element comprises a swellable sleeve disposed on the body and composed of an elastomeric material swellable by the agent selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gas, an oil, water, production fluid, and drilling fluid.
5. The packer of claim 4 , wherein a first shoulder on the body retains one end of the swellable sleeve, and a second shoulder on the body retains another end of the swellable sleeve.
6. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the second sealing element comprises an inflatable sleeve disposed on the body and inflatable by pumped fluid as the agent filing the inflatable sleeve.
7. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the first sealing element has a first axial length along the body, and wherein the second sealing element has a second axial length along the body that is greater than the first axial length.
8. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the second sealing element is disposed on a downhole portion of the body, and wherein the first sealing element is disposed on an uphole portion of the body.
9. The packer of claim 1 , further comprising a third sealing element disposed on the body so that the first sealing element is interposed on the body between the second and third sealing elements, the third sealing element being engorgable by the agent radially outward to produce a third seal with the surrounding surface.
10. The packer of claim 1 , wherein the body defines a port from the bore, and wherein the actuator comprises a piston axially movable along the body, the piston acted upon by fluid pressure communicating from the port, a portion of the piston fitting between the first sealing element and the body and expanding the first sealing element an initial expansion amount.
11. The packer of claim 10 , wherein a connection temporarily affixes the piston to the body until a predetermined fluid pressure is applied to the piston.
12. The packer of claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises an outer housing disposed about the body and the piston, the outer housing being engageble by the piston and being movable with the piston, the outer housing compressing the first sealing element against a shoulder on the body and expanding the first sealing element a subsequent expansion amount.
13. The packer of claim 12 , wherein a connection temporarily affixes the outer housing to the body until a predetermined fluid pressure is applied.
14. The packer of claim 12 , wherein a connection temporarily affixes the shoulder to the body until a predetermined force is applied.
15. A downhole packer for sealing an annulus, comprising:
a body defining a bore therethrough;
first means being compressible on the body for expanding radially outward to produce a first seal with a surrounding surface;
means for actuating the first means; and
second means being engorgable on the body by an agent for expanding radially outward to produce a second seal with the surrounding surface.
16. The packer of claim 15 , wherein the means for actuating the first means comprises means fitting between the first means and the body for expanding the first means an initial expansion amount.
17. The packer of claim 16 , wherein the means for actuating the first means comprises means for compressing the first means to expand the first means a subsequent expansion amount.
18. The packer of claim 15 , wherein the second means comprises means for swelling on the body in the presence of the agent.
19. The packer of claim 18 , wherein the agent is introduced downhole.
20. The packer of claim 18 , wherein the agent is naturally occurring downhole.
21. The packer of claim 15 , wherein the second means comprises means for inflating on the body by interaction with pumped fluid as the agent.
22. A packer actuating method, comprising:
running a packer into a borehole;
creating a first seal in an annulus of the borehole with the packer by compressing a first sealing element on the packer and expanding the compressed first sealing element against a surrounding surface; and
creating a second seal in the annulus of the borehole with the packer by engorging a second sealing element on the packer with an agent and expanding the engorged second sealing element against the surrounding surface.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein compressing the first sealing element comprises actuating a piston disposed on the packer by pumping fluid pressure to the packer.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein actuating the piston comprises fitting a first portion of the piston between the first sealing element and a body of the packer and expanding the first sealing element an initial expansion amount.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein actuating the piston comprises compressing the first sealing element with a second portion of the piston against a shoulder on the packer and expanding the first sealing element a subsequent expansion amount.
26. The method of claim 22 , wherein engorging the second sealing element comprises swelling the second sealing element by interacting an agent with the second sealing element.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein interacting the agent comprises pumping the agent downhole.
28. The method of claim 22 , wherein interacting the agent comprises subjecting the swellable element to the agent as naturally occurring downhole.
29. The method of claim 22 , wherein engorging the second sealing element comprises inflating the second sealing element by filling the second sealing element with pumped fluid as the agent.
30. The method of claim 22 , wherein creating the first and second seals comprises creating the second seal with a greater axial length along the packer than the first seal.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/835,684 US20120012342A1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2010-07-13 | Downhole Packer Having Tandem Packer Elements for Isolating Frac Zones |
AU2011202199A AU2011202199B2 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-05-12 | Downhole packer having tandem packer elements for isolating frac zones |
EP11166237.5A EP2407633A3 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-05-16 | Downhole packer having tandem packer elements for isolating frac zones |
CA2805073A CA2805073C (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-05-19 | Swelling packer assisted by expander |
CA2740684A CA2740684C (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-05-19 | Tandem packer with compressible and swelling seals |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/835,684 US20120012342A1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2010-07-13 | Downhole Packer Having Tandem Packer Elements for Isolating Frac Zones |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120012342A1 true US20120012342A1 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
Family
ID=44279178
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/835,684 Abandoned US20120012342A1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2010-07-13 | Downhole Packer Having Tandem Packer Elements for Isolating Frac Zones |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120012342A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2407633A3 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2011202199B2 (en) |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140262352A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-18 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Cable By-Pass for Spooled Cables |
CN104213866A (en) * | 2013-06-05 | 2014-12-17 | 中国石油天然气集团公司 | Self-expansion packer improving sealing ability and self-expansion method improving sealing ability |
US20160102526A1 (en) * | 2014-10-08 | 2016-04-14 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Stage tool |
US9410399B2 (en) | 2012-07-31 | 2016-08-09 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Multi-zone cemented fracturing system |
US9500300B2 (en) | 2014-02-13 | 2016-11-22 | Maraton Petroleum Company LP | Method for replacing a packing chamber in an existing valve |
US9637997B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2017-05-02 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Packer having swellable and compressible elements |
US9988865B2 (en) * | 2013-02-06 | 2018-06-05 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Two phase mud flow usage with dual-string drilling system |
US11149516B2 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-10-19 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | High pressure sealing tool for use in downhole environment |
US11802257B2 (en) | 2022-01-31 | 2023-10-31 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Systems and methods for reducing rendered fats pour point |
US11860069B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-01-02 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and assemblies for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers |
US11891581B2 (en) | 2017-09-29 | 2024-02-06 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Tower bottoms coke catching device |
US11898109B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-02-13 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Assemblies and methods for enhancing control of hydrotreating and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes using spectroscopic analyzers |
US11905479B2 (en) | 2020-02-19 | 2024-02-20 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Low sulfur fuel oil blends for stability enhancement and associated methods |
US11905468B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-02-20 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Assemblies and methods for enhancing control of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes using spectroscopic analyzers |
US11970664B2 (en) | 2021-10-10 | 2024-04-30 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and systems for enhancing processing of hydrocarbons in a fluid catalytic cracking unit using a renewable additive |
US11975316B2 (en) | 2019-05-09 | 2024-05-07 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and reforming systems for re-dispersing platinum on reforming catalyst |
US12000720B2 (en) | 2018-09-10 | 2024-06-04 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Product inventory monitoring |
US12031676B2 (en) | 2019-03-25 | 2024-07-09 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Insulation securement system and associated methods |
US12031094B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-07-09 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Assemblies and methods for enhancing fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes during the FCC process using spectroscopic analyzers |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104373075B (en) * | 2014-11-07 | 2017-04-12 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Fracturing packer |
GB2553823B (en) * | 2016-09-15 | 2021-01-20 | Weatherford Uk Ltd | Apparatus and methods for use in wellbore packing |
GB2604889A (en) * | 2021-03-17 | 2022-09-21 | Bernard Lee Paul | Packer apparatus |
Citations (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4248299A (en) * | 1978-10-02 | 1981-02-03 | Roeder George K | Packer nose assembly |
US4403660A (en) * | 1980-08-08 | 1983-09-13 | Mgc Oil Tools, Inc. | Well packer and method of use thereof |
US4577695A (en) * | 1984-04-04 | 1986-03-25 | Completion Tool Company | Sequential inflatable packer |
US4754814A (en) * | 1987-06-10 | 1988-07-05 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Well packer with internally adjustable shear release mechanism |
US4903777A (en) * | 1986-10-24 | 1990-02-27 | Baker Hughes, Incorporated | Dual seal packer for corrosive environments |
US5273109A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1993-12-28 | Napoleon Arizmendi | Retrievable packer |
US5472048A (en) * | 1994-01-26 | 1995-12-05 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Parallel seal assembly |
US5507341A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1996-04-16 | Dowell, A Division Of Schlumberger Technology Corp. | Inflatable packer with bladder shape control |
US5810082A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-09-22 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Hydrostatically actuated packer |
US5819854A (en) * | 1996-02-06 | 1998-10-13 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Activation of downhole tools |
US5924491A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 1999-07-20 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Thru-tubing anchor seal assembly and/or packer release devices |
US6230798B1 (en) * | 1996-02-03 | 2001-05-15 | Smith International, Inc. | Inflatable packer |
US6612372B1 (en) * | 2000-10-31 | 2003-09-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Two-stage downhole packer |
US20040123983A1 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2004-07-01 | Enventure Global Technology L.L.C. | Isolation of subterranean zones |
US6854522B2 (en) * | 2002-09-23 | 2005-02-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Annular isolators for expandable tubulars in wellbores |
US20050072579A1 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2005-04-07 | Philippe Gambier | Well packer having an energized sealing element and associated method |
US20050199401A1 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2005-09-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and Method to Seal Using a Swellable Material |
US20060042801A1 (en) * | 2004-08-24 | 2006-03-02 | Hackworth Matthew R | Isolation device and method |
US20060090905A1 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-04 | Brennan William E Iii | Inflatable packer assembly |
US20060180320A1 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2006-08-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and Method to Seal by Bringing the Wall of a Wellbore into Sealing Contact with a Tubing |
US20070029082A1 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2007-02-08 | Giroux Richard L | Apparatus and methods for creation of down hole annular barrier |
US20070056750A1 (en) * | 2005-06-09 | 2007-03-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Deployable Zonal Isolation System |
US20070227733A1 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-04 | Vercaemer Claude J | Method of sealing an annulus surrounding a slotted liner |
US20070284109A1 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-13 | East Loyd E | Methods and devices for treating multiple-interval well bores |
US20080023205A1 (en) * | 2003-02-20 | 2008-01-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and Method for Maintaining Zonal Isolation in a Wellbore |
US20080078561A1 (en) * | 2006-09-11 | 2008-04-03 | Chalker Christopher J | Swellable Packer Construction |
US20080087441A1 (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2008-04-17 | Wood Edward T | Swelling Layer Inflatable |
US20080099201A1 (en) * | 2006-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | Sponchia Barton F | Contaminant excluding junction and method |
US20080135260A1 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2008-06-12 | Vel Berzin | Field assembled packer |
US20080149351A1 (en) * | 2006-12-20 | 2008-06-26 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Temporary containments for swellable and inflatable packer elements |
US20080185158A1 (en) * | 2007-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Swellable packer with enhanced sealing capability |
US20090101364A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wellbore zonal isolation system and method |
US20090126945A1 (en) * | 2007-11-20 | 2009-05-21 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Anchoring and sealing system for cased hole wells |
US20100243235A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Packer Providing Multiple Seals and Having Swellable Element Isolatable from the Wellbore |
US20110147014A1 (en) * | 2009-12-21 | 2011-06-23 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Control swelling of swellable packer by pre-straining the swellable packer element |
US8074723B2 (en) * | 2008-04-22 | 2011-12-13 | Swelltec Limited | Ring member for a swellable downhole packer |
US20120012343A1 (en) * | 2010-07-13 | 2012-01-19 | Wilkin James F | Downhole Packer Having Swellable Sleeve |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US49544A (en) * | 1865-08-22 | Improvement in packing for oil-well tubes |
-
2010
- 2010-07-13 US US12/835,684 patent/US20120012342A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-05-12 AU AU2011202199A patent/AU2011202199B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-05-16 EP EP11166237.5A patent/EP2407633A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (39)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4248299A (en) * | 1978-10-02 | 1981-02-03 | Roeder George K | Packer nose assembly |
US4403660A (en) * | 1980-08-08 | 1983-09-13 | Mgc Oil Tools, Inc. | Well packer and method of use thereof |
US4577695A (en) * | 1984-04-04 | 1986-03-25 | Completion Tool Company | Sequential inflatable packer |
US4903777A (en) * | 1986-10-24 | 1990-02-27 | Baker Hughes, Incorporated | Dual seal packer for corrosive environments |
US4754814A (en) * | 1987-06-10 | 1988-07-05 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Well packer with internally adjustable shear release mechanism |
US5273109A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1993-12-28 | Napoleon Arizmendi | Retrievable packer |
US5472048A (en) * | 1994-01-26 | 1995-12-05 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Parallel seal assembly |
US5507341A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1996-04-16 | Dowell, A Division Of Schlumberger Technology Corp. | Inflatable packer with bladder shape control |
US6230798B1 (en) * | 1996-02-03 | 2001-05-15 | Smith International, Inc. | Inflatable packer |
US5819854A (en) * | 1996-02-06 | 1998-10-13 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Activation of downhole tools |
US5810082A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-09-22 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Hydrostatically actuated packer |
US5924491A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 1999-07-20 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Thru-tubing anchor seal assembly and/or packer release devices |
US5988287A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 1999-11-23 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Thru-tubing anchor seal assembly and/or packer release devices |
US20040123983A1 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2004-07-01 | Enventure Global Technology L.L.C. | Isolation of subterranean zones |
US6612372B1 (en) * | 2000-10-31 | 2003-09-02 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Two-stage downhole packer |
US6854522B2 (en) * | 2002-09-23 | 2005-02-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Annular isolators for expandable tubulars in wellbores |
US7299882B2 (en) * | 2002-09-23 | 2007-11-27 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Annular isolators for expandable tubulars in wellbores |
US20080023205A1 (en) * | 2003-02-20 | 2008-01-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and Method for Maintaining Zonal Isolation in a Wellbore |
US20050072579A1 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2005-04-07 | Philippe Gambier | Well packer having an energized sealing element and associated method |
US20080087441A1 (en) * | 2003-11-25 | 2008-04-17 | Wood Edward T | Swelling Layer Inflatable |
US20050199401A1 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2005-09-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and Method to Seal Using a Swellable Material |
US20060180320A1 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2006-08-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and Method to Seal by Bringing the Wall of a Wellbore into Sealing Contact with a Tubing |
US20060042801A1 (en) * | 2004-08-24 | 2006-03-02 | Hackworth Matthew R | Isolation device and method |
US20060090905A1 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-04 | Brennan William E Iii | Inflatable packer assembly |
US20070056750A1 (en) * | 2005-06-09 | 2007-03-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Deployable Zonal Isolation System |
US20070029082A1 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2007-02-08 | Giroux Richard L | Apparatus and methods for creation of down hole annular barrier |
US20070227733A1 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-04 | Vercaemer Claude J | Method of sealing an annulus surrounding a slotted liner |
US20070284109A1 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-13 | East Loyd E | Methods and devices for treating multiple-interval well bores |
US20080078561A1 (en) * | 2006-09-11 | 2008-04-03 | Chalker Christopher J | Swellable Packer Construction |
US20080099201A1 (en) * | 2006-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | Sponchia Barton F | Contaminant excluding junction and method |
US20080135260A1 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2008-06-12 | Vel Berzin | Field assembled packer |
US20080149351A1 (en) * | 2006-12-20 | 2008-06-26 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Temporary containments for swellable and inflatable packer elements |
US20080185158A1 (en) * | 2007-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Swellable packer with enhanced sealing capability |
US20090101364A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wellbore zonal isolation system and method |
US20090126945A1 (en) * | 2007-11-20 | 2009-05-21 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Anchoring and sealing system for cased hole wells |
US8074723B2 (en) * | 2008-04-22 | 2011-12-13 | Swelltec Limited | Ring member for a swellable downhole packer |
US20100243235A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Packer Providing Multiple Seals and Having Swellable Element Isolatable from the Wellbore |
US20110147014A1 (en) * | 2009-12-21 | 2011-06-23 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Control swelling of swellable packer by pre-straining the swellable packer element |
US20120012343A1 (en) * | 2010-07-13 | 2012-01-19 | Wilkin James F | Downhole Packer Having Swellable Sleeve |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
For the American Heritage Dictionary definition: unitary. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved March 8 2013 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unitary * |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9410399B2 (en) | 2012-07-31 | 2016-08-09 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Multi-zone cemented fracturing system |
US9988865B2 (en) * | 2013-02-06 | 2018-06-05 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Two phase mud flow usage with dual-string drilling system |
US20140262352A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-18 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Cable By-Pass for Spooled Cables |
US9212533B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2015-12-15 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Cable by-pass for spooled cables |
CN104213866A (en) * | 2013-06-05 | 2014-12-17 | 中国石油天然气集团公司 | Self-expansion packer improving sealing ability and self-expansion method improving sealing ability |
US9637997B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2017-05-02 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Packer having swellable and compressible elements |
US9500300B2 (en) | 2014-02-13 | 2016-11-22 | Maraton Petroleum Company LP | Method for replacing a packing chamber in an existing valve |
US20160102526A1 (en) * | 2014-10-08 | 2016-04-14 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Stage tool |
US11840905B2 (en) * | 2014-10-08 | 2023-12-12 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Stage tool |
US11891581B2 (en) | 2017-09-29 | 2024-02-06 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Tower bottoms coke catching device |
US12000720B2 (en) | 2018-09-10 | 2024-06-04 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Product inventory monitoring |
US12031676B2 (en) | 2019-03-25 | 2024-07-09 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Insulation securement system and associated methods |
US11975316B2 (en) | 2019-05-09 | 2024-05-07 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and reforming systems for re-dispersing platinum on reforming catalyst |
US11149516B2 (en) | 2019-05-28 | 2021-10-19 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | High pressure sealing tool for use in downhole environment |
US11920096B2 (en) | 2020-02-19 | 2024-03-05 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Low sulfur fuel oil blends for paraffinic resid stability and associated methods |
US11905479B2 (en) | 2020-02-19 | 2024-02-20 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Low sulfur fuel oil blends for stability enhancement and associated methods |
US11885739B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-01-30 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and assemblies for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers |
US11906423B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-02-20 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods, assemblies, and controllers for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers |
US11921035B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-03-05 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and assemblies for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers |
US11905468B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-02-20 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Assemblies and methods for enhancing control of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes using spectroscopic analyzers |
US11898109B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-02-13 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Assemblies and methods for enhancing control of hydrotreating and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes using spectroscopic analyzers |
US11860069B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-01-02 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and assemblies for determining and using standardized spectral responses for calibration of spectroscopic analyzers |
US12031094B2 (en) | 2021-02-25 | 2024-07-09 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Assemblies and methods for enhancing fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes during the FCC process using spectroscopic analyzers |
US11970664B2 (en) | 2021-10-10 | 2024-04-30 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Methods and systems for enhancing processing of hydrocarbons in a fluid catalytic cracking unit using a renewable additive |
US11802257B2 (en) | 2022-01-31 | 2023-10-31 | Marathon Petroleum Company Lp | Systems and methods for reducing rendered fats pour point |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2011202199A1 (en) | 2012-02-02 |
EP2407633A3 (en) | 2013-08-14 |
AU2011202199B2 (en) | 2014-01-16 |
EP2407633A2 (en) | 2012-01-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
AU2011202199B2 (en) | Downhole packer having tandem packer elements for isolating frac zones | |
US20120012343A1 (en) | Downhole Packer Having Swellable Sleeve | |
CA2697605C (en) | Packer providing multiple seals and having swellable element isolatable from the wellbore | |
US9567822B2 (en) | Downhole tool having setting valve for packing element | |
AU2017334854B2 (en) | Downhole packer element with propped element spacer | |
CA2922886C (en) | Packer having swellable and compressible elements | |
US7617880B2 (en) | Anchor assembly for slickline setting tool for inflatables | |
EP1437480B1 (en) | High expansion non-elastomeric straddle tool | |
WO2006119129A2 (en) | High pressure expandable packer | |
CA2740684C (en) | Tandem packer with compressible and swelling seals | |
CA2906352C (en) | Double compression set packer | |
WO2010036236A1 (en) | Anchor assembly | |
CA2820139A1 (en) | Swellable packer |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WILKIN, JAMES F.;JORDAN, HENRY JOE, JR.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20100826 TO 20100901;REEL/FRAME:024925/0454 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |