WO2022260685A1 - Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing - Google Patents
Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022260685A1 WO2022260685A1 PCT/US2021/037318 US2021037318W WO2022260685A1 WO 2022260685 A1 WO2022260685 A1 WO 2022260685A1 US 2021037318 W US2021037318 W US 2021037318W WO 2022260685 A1 WO2022260685 A1 WO 2022260685A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- collapsible
- shell
- packer
- hollow
- piston
- Prior art date
Links
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 109
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 109
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims description 34
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 23
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 13
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 12
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 9
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- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 4
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- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 3
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910001069 Ti alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
- E21B33/1212—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means including a metal-to-metal seal element
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
- E21B23/06—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells for setting packers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/124—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/128—Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to the use of packers, and more particularly, to the use of collapsible shell packers for providing zonal isolation with metal-to-metal sealing and anchoring.
- Packers may be used, among other reasons, for anchoring and for forming annular seals in and around conduits in wellbore environments.
- Pressure may be used to anchor a conduit concentrically within another conduit or wellbore.
- Packers may also seal off a zone within a conduit or wellbore. The seal may restrict all or a portion of fluid and/or pressure communication at the seal interface.
- Forming seals may be an important part of wellbore operations at all stages of drilling, completion, and production. In some operations, isolation and anchoring functionality may require separate mechanisms with many moving parts in some packer designs. These complications may increase costs as well as incidences of mechanical failures.
- packers may expand radially by stretching of the packer material in the axial direction.
- improved apparatus and methods for packers used to provide zonal isolation with metal-to-metal sealing and anchoring are provided.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an example of a collapsible shell packer in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 2 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer of FIG. 1 in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer of FIGs. 1 and 2 as used on a conduit when in the uncollapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer of FIG. 3 when in the collapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-section illustration of another example of a collapsible shell packer as disposed on a conduit in the uncollapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer of FIG. 5 when in the collapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 7 is a cross-section illustration of another example of a collapsible shell packer as disposed on a conduit in the uncollapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section of the collapsible shell packer of FIG. 7 in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 9 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer of FIG. 7 when in the collapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 10 is a cross-section of an optional locking mechanism for the collapsible shell packer of FIG. 7 in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the optional locking mechanism of FIG. 10 once it is engaged in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG 12. is a cross-section illustrating the collapsible shell packer of FIGs. 7-11 with a sealing element affixed over the tip in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG 13. is a cross-section illustrating the collapsible shell packer of FIGs. 7-11 with two sealing elements affixed on either side of the tip in accordance with the examples disclosed herein;
- FIG 14. is a cross-section illustrating the collapsible shell packer of FIG. 13 in the collapsed state in accordance with the examples disclosed herein.
- the present disclosure relates to the use of packers, and more particularly, to the use of collapsible shell packers for providing zonal isolation with metal-to-metal sealing and anchoring.
- any use of any form of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. Further, any use of any form of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other term describing an interaction between elements includes items integrally formed together without the aid of extraneous fasteners or joining devices.
- the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” Unless otherwise indicated, as used throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity.
- uphole and downhole may be used to refer to the location of various components relative to the bottom or end of a well.
- a first component described as uphole from a second component may be further away from the end of the well than the second component.
- a first component described as being downhole from a second component may be located closer to the end of the well than the second component.
- collapsible shell packers for providing zonal isolation with metal-to-metal sealing and anchoring.
- the collapsible shell packers comprise metal shells that allow for metal-to-metal sealing and/or anchoring within conduits.
- the collapsible shell packers are metal, they may be more durable in some wellbore environments than other packer types such as elastomeric swell packers.
- collapsible shell packers expand radially by collapsing the hollow shells in the axial direction, the collapsible shell packers are subjected to compressive stress in nature instead of tensile stress, which make it more durable than the bladder type of packer.
- An additional advantage is that the collapsible shell packers do not rely on inflating fluid or gas bladders, or the use of fluid or gas control lines to actuate the collapsible shell packers. Packers that rely on bladders become thinner upon expansion and may have reduced temperature and pressure ratings.
- the collapsible shell packers may be manufactured by additive manufacturing which allows for some examples to possess completely sealed off shells without openings and yet also remain hollow.
- collapsible shell packers possess very few moving parts and may not be subject to the same mechanical issues as other more complex packers. Additionally, the reduced component demand may also decrease costs.
- collapsible shell packers although metal, are elastically deformable and may be released and retrievable upon removal of the axial load. In some, examples the collapsible shell packers may be plastically deformable. In these examples, the collapsible shell packers may not be retrievable in some operations.
- the collapsible shell packers comprise a hollow shell comprising a metal.
- a metal is the metal alloy steel, which may provide corrosion resistance in some examples.
- Other examples of metals may include, titanium alloys, or combinations of titanium, steel, and other metals or alloys.
- the collapsible shell packers may be used to form a seal at the interface of the collapsible shell and an adjacent surface.
- the adjacent surface may be a metal surface of a wellbore conduit, a casing surface, a wall of a cement sheath, the wall of the formation itself, or any other wellbore surface. In some examples the adjacent surface may have profile variances, a rough finish, etc. These surfaces are not smooth, even, and/or consistent at the area where the sealing is to occur.
- These surfaces may have any type of indentation or projection, for example, gashes, gaps, pocks, pits, holes, divots, and the like.
- An example of a surface that may comprise these indentations or projections is a wellbore wall such as a casing wall or the wall of the formation.
- the collapsible shell packers are produced by additive manufacturing, for example 3-D printing of the metal shells.
- Additive manufactured components may not involve precision machining and may, in some examples, comprise a rough surface finish which may assist in texturing the exteriors of the shell for anchoring.
- the shells may be finished to provide a smooth surface.
- the metal shells may comprise different materials (e.g., different grades of steel, different alloys, combinations of alloys such as titanium and steel, etc.) layered throughout the shell to give different portions of the shell different material properties.
- the vertices of the shells may be made more elastically deformable to assist in flexing for expansion of the shells, whereas the walls of the collapsible shells may be made more rigid to improve strength and support.
- a further advantage of additive manufacturing is that the collapsible shell packers may be manufactured to be completely sealed without opening and yet still retain a hollow core. Such a configuration may improve the strength of the material overall.
- the deformable portions of the collapsible shell packers may be plastically deformable if desired, and may not return to their original shapes. These specific examples of collapsible shell packers may be used in operations where it is not desirable to retrieve the collapsible shell packer. It is to be understood that although the collapsible shell packers are described as being a potential product of additive manufacturing, the collapsible shell packers may also be manufactured via other techniques as desired.
- the collapsible shell packers may be used to form a seal between adjacent surfaces in the wellbore.
- the collapsible shell packer may be used to form seals on conduits, formation surfaces, cement sheaths, downhole tools, and the like.
- a collapsible shell packer may be used to form a seal between the outer diameter of a conduit and a surface of the subterranean formation.
- a collapsible shell packer may be used to form a seal between the outer diameter of a conduit and a cement sheath (e.g., a casing).
- a collapsible shell packer may be used to form a seal between the outer diameter of one conduit and the inner diameter of another conduit (which may be the same or different).
- a plurality of collapsible shell packers may be used to form seals between multiple strings of conduits (e.g., oilfield tubulars).
- a collapsible shell packer may form a seal on the inner diameter of a conduit to restrict fluid flow through the inner diameter of a conduit, thus functioning similarly to a bridge plug. It is to be understood that the collapsible shell packer may be used to form a seal between any adjacent surfaces in the wellbore, and the disclosure is not to be limited to the explicit examples disclosed herein.
- the collapsible shell packers may be used in high-temperature formations (e.g., in formations with zones having temperatures equal to or exceeding 350° F). In these high- temperature formations, use of elastomeric packers or other species of swell packers may be impacted.
- the collapsible shell packers of the present disclosure are not impacted by use in high-temperature formations. In some examples, the collapsible shell packers of the present disclosure may be used in both high-temperature formations and exposure to high-salinity brines.
- a collapsible shell packer may be used to form a seal after contact with a brine having a salinity of 10% or greater and also while being disposed in a wellbore zone having a temperature equal to or exceeding 350° F.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an example of a collapsible shell packer, generally 5.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell 10.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 collapses in the axial direction to initiate expansion in the radial direction.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 is wrapped or slipped on a conduit (not illustrated) with weight, grade, and connection specified by the well design.
- the conduit may be any type of conduit used in a wellbore, including drill pipe, stick pipe, tubing, coiled tubing, etc.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 further comprises a corrugated design with tips 15 which contact an adjacent surface to form a seal to prevent passage of fluids as well as to anchor the conduit to the adjacent surface.
- an interior 20 of the collapsible shell packer 5 may form a seal with the exterior surface of the conduit including upon expansion of the collapsible shell packer 5.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer 5 of FIG. 1.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 comprises a cavity 25.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 may be manufactured with additive manufacturing to provide a collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 that has no openings and whose cavity 25 is bordered on all sides by the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 itself.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer 5 of FIGs. 1 and 2 as used on a conduit 30 when in the uncollapsed state.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 is wrapped or slipped on the conduit 30 with weight, grade, and connection specified by the well design.
- the conduit 30 may be any type of conduit used in a wellbore, including drill pipe, stick pipe, tubing, coiled tubing, etc.
- the conduit 30 is disposed in a wellbore 35.
- a fixed support 40 On one side of the collapsible shell packer 5 is a fixed support 40.
- Fixed support 40 may be used to prevent slippage or act as an extrusion barrier preventing the applied pressure from sliding or extruding the collapsible shell packer 5 in the direction of said applied pressure.
- the fixed support 40 may be attached to the conduit 30 using any suitable connective mechanism such as a threaded connection.
- Piston 45 applies pressure to the collapsible shell packer 5 to collapse the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 in the axial direction.
- Collapse of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 in the axial direction forces expansion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 in the radial direction. This expansion is elastic, and the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 returns to the illustrated uncollapsed state upon removal of the applied pressure from the piston 45.
- Piston 45 may be actuated through any sufficient mechanism including motor actuation with gears to create axial movement, hydraulic pressure from the annulus via annular fluid or a downhole fluid with applied pressure from the surface, an internal hydraulic system, or any combination thereof.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 is not inflatable, it does not require a control line for the inflation of a bladder with fluid or gas in order to initiate deployment.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer 5 of FIG. 3 when in the collapsed state.
- Piston 45 has moved in the direction illustrated by arrow 50 to apply pressure in the axial direction to the collapsible shell packer 5.
- the applied pressure collapses the collapsible hollow, metal shell 10 in the axial direction, which initiates expansion in the radial direction.
- the tips 15 contact an adjacent surface 55.
- the adjacent surface 55 may be the surface of the conduit 30 such as a casing, tubing, etc., or it may be the surface of a wall of the wellbore 35.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 anchors the conduit 30 to the adjacent surface 55.
- the optional fixed support 40 prevents slippage of the collapsible shell packer 5 as the piston 45 applies pressure.
- actuation of the piston 45 may be halted, and the applied pressure to the collapsible shell packer 5 may be released.
- the collapsible shell packer 5 is elastically deformable, the collapsible shell packer 5 reverts to the uncollapsed state of FIG. 3 upon removal of the applied pressure. This reversion allows the seal and anchoring of the collapsible shell packer 5 to be removed as desired, as well as for the collapsible shell packer 5 to be retrieved as desired.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-section illustration of another example of a collapsible shell packer, generally 100 as disposed on a conduit 110 in the uncollapsed state.
- the collapsible shell packer 100 comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell 105.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 collapses in the axial direction to initiate expansion in the radial direction.
- the collapsible shell packer 100 is wrapped or slipped on the conduit 110 with weight, grade, and connection specified by the well design.
- the conduit 110 may be any type of conduit used in a wellbore, including drill pipe, stick pipe, tubing, coiled tubing, etc.
- the collapsible shell packer 100 further comprises a flat trapezoidal design with a flat contact surface 115 which contacts an adjacent surface 120 when in the collapsed state to form a seal to prevent passage of fluids as well as to anchor the conduit 110 to the adjacent surface 120.
- an interior 125 of the collapsible shell packer 100 may seal to an exterior surface of the conduit 110 including upon expansion of the collapsible shell packer 100.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 comprises a cavity 130.
- collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 may be manufactured with additive manufacturing to provide a collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 that has no openings and whose cavity 130 is bordered on all sides by the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 itself.
- the conduit 110 is disposed in a wellbore 135.
- Fixed support 140 is an optional component and is illustrated in all examples as strictly optional. Fixed support 140 may be used to prevent slippage or act as an extrusion barrier preventing the applied pressure from sliding or extruding the collapsible shell packer 100 in the direction of said applied pressure.
- the fixed support 140 may be attached to the conduit 110 using any suitable connective mechanism such as a threaded connection. Additionally, or alternatively, the collapsible shell packer 100 may be attached to the conduit 110 with a threaded connection.
- Piston 145 applies pressure to the collapsible shell packer 100 to collapse the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 in the axial direction. Collapse of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 in the axial direction forces expansion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 in the radial direction. This expansion is elastic, and the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 returns to the illustrated uncollapsed state upon removal of the applied pressure from the piston 145.
- Piston 145 may be actuated through any sufficient mechanism including motor actuation with gears to create axial movement, hydraulic pressure from the annulus via annular fluid or a downhole fluid with applied pressure from the surface, an internal hydraulic system, or any combination thereof. As the collapsible shell packer 100 is not inflatable, it does not require a control line for the inflation of a bladder with fluid or gas in order to initiate deployment.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer 100 of FIG. 5 when in the collapsed state.
- Piston 145 has moved in the direction illustrated by arrow 150 to apply pressure in the axial direction to the collapsible shell packer 100.
- the applied pressure collapses the collapsible hollow, metal shell 105 in the axial direction, which initiates expansion in the radial direction.
- the flat contact surface 115 contacts the adjacent surface 120.
- the adjacent surface 120 may be the surface of the conduit 110 such as a casing, tubing, etc., or it may be the surface of a wall of the wellbore 135.
- the collapsible shell packer 100 anchors the conduit 110 to the adjacent surface 120.
- the fixed support 140 prevents slippage of the collapsible shell packer 100 as the piston 145 applies pressure.
- actuation of the piston 145 may be halted, and the applied pressure to the collapsible shell packer 100 may be released.
- the collapsible shell packer 100 is elastically deformable, the collapsible shell packer 100 reverts to the uncollapsed state of FIG. 5 upon removal of the applied pressure. This reversion allows the seal and anchoring of the collapsible shell packer 100 to be removed as desired, as well as for the collapsible shell packer 100 to be retrieved as desired.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-section illustration of another example of a collapsible shell packer, generally 200, as disposed on a conduit 210 in the uncollapsed state.
- Multiple collapsible shell packers 200 are illustrated as interconnected in a series.
- the collapsible shell packers 200 comprise collapsible hollow, metal shells 205.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shells 205 collapse in the axial direction to initiate expansion in the radial direction.
- the collapsible shell packers 200 are wrapped or slipped on the conduit 210 with weight, grade, and connection specified by the well design.
- the conduit 210 may be any type of conduit used in a wellbore, including drill pipe, stick pipe, tubing, coiled tubing, etc.
- the collapsible shell packers 200 further comprise a pointed design with a single tip 215 which contacts an adjacent surface 220 when in the collapsed state to form a seal to prevent passage of fluids as well as to anchor the conduit 210 to the adjacent surface 220.
- an interior 225 of the collapsible shell packers 200 may comprise threads or other connective mechanisms to secure the collapsible shell packers 200 to the conduit 210.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shells 205 comprise a cavity 230. This specific example of the collapsible shell packers 200 has an opening adjacent the conduit 210 in the collapsible hollow, metal shells 205, and thus the cavity 230 is exposed on the conduit 210 side to the surface of the conduit 210.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shells 205 may be manufactured with additive manufacturing to provide a collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 that has no openings and whose cavity 230 is bordered on all sides by the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 itself.
- the conduit 210 is disposed in a wellbore 235.
- One side of the collapsible shell packers 200 comprises a piston housing 240.
- Piston housing 240 is used to house piston 245.
- Piston 245 is a component of the opposing side of the collapsible shell packers 200 as the piston housing 240.
- the collapsible shell packers 200 are designed to be interlocking with one another in a series as illustrated.
- the piston housing 240 of one collapsible shell packer 200 serves as the piston housing 240 of the piston 245 of the adjacent collapsible shell packer 200.
- This modular design allows the collapsible shell packers 200 to be applied as warranted to apply as much sealing and anchoring as desired.
- Piston 245 applies pressure to the collapsible shell packer 200 to collapse the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 in the axial direction. Collapse of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 in the axial direction forces expansion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 in the radial direction. This expansion may be elastic, and the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 may return to the illustrated uncollapsed state upon removal of the applied pressure from the piston 245. Alternatively, the expansion may be plastic in some examples and the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 may not return to the illustrated uncollapsed state upon removal of the applied pressure from the piston 245. In some examples, the piston housing 240 may be secured to the conduit 210 to control evenness in the compression rate for all of the collapsible hollow, metal shells 205.
- Piston 245 is illustrated as being actuated via a fluid pumped through the dual -layered wall of the conduit 210.
- the fluid exits via ports 250 into a piston setting chamber 255 to push the piston 245 and collapse the collapsible hollow, metal shells 205 in the axial direction.
- the piston setting chamber 255 is defined by the boundary of the outermost exterior wall of the piston 245 and the piston housing 240.
- the piston 245 may be actuated via other mechanisms such as motors or through the application of hydraulic pressure via annular or downhole fluids which may enter the piston setting chamber 255 via an alternative entry port.
- the collapsible shell packer 200 is not inflatable, it does not require a control line for the inflation of a bladder with fluid or gas in order to initiate deployment.
- the use of hydraulic pressure will generate higher contact force than the inflation of a bladder for zonal isolation, thereby providing better performance than the latter.
- the hydraulic pressure may even be high enough to provide anchor capability in some examples.
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section of the collapsible shell packer 200 of FIG. 7 to better illustrate the piston housing 240, piston 245, port 250, and piston setting chamber 255.
- actuation of the piston 245 collapses the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 in the axial direction which initiates expansion in the radial direction.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-section illustration of the example collapsible shell packer 200 of FIG. 7 when in the collapsed state.
- Piston 245 has moved in the direction illustrated by arrow 260 to apply pressure in the axial direction to the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205.
- Actuation of the piston 245 was performed by a fluid pumped through the dual-wall of the conduit 210.
- the fluid exited the conduit 210 via ports 250 to enter piston setting chamber 255 to apply pressure to the piston 245.
- the applied pressure collapses the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 in the axial direction, which initiates expansion in the radial direction.
- the tip 215 contacts the adjacent surface 220.
- the adjacent surface 220 may be the surface of a conduit such as a casing, tubing, etc., or it may be the surface of a wall of the wellbore 235.
- a seal is formed at the interface, and the collapsible shell packer 200 anchors the conduit 210 to the adjacent surface 220.
- actuation of the piston 245 may be halted, and the applied pressure to the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 may be released.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 may be elastically deformable, the collapsible shell packer 200 may revert to the uncollapsed state of FIG. 5 upon removal of the applied pressure.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 may be plastically deformable, and the collapsible shell packer 200 may not revert to the uncollapsed state of FIG. 5 upon removal of the applied pressure. Reversion to the uncollapsed state allows the seal and anchoring of the collapsible shell packer 200 to be removed as desired, as well as for the collapsible shell packer 200 to be retrieved as desired.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-section of an optional locking mechanism for the collapsible shell packer of FIG. 7.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the optional locking mechanism of FIG. 10 once it is engaged.
- actuation of the piston 245 has completed and the piston 245 and the locking ring 275 traveled in the axial direction until the locking ring 275 contacted groove 270.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 has now collapsed and remains locked in the collapsed state due to the locking ring 275 preventing movement of the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 even if the fluid pressure within the setting chamber 255 is removed.
- FIG 12 is a cross-section illustrating the collapsible shell packer 200 of FIGs. 7-11 with a sealing element 280 affixed over the tip 215.
- the sealing element 280 may be an elastomeric sealing element and may be used to supplement the sealing capability of the collapsible shell packer 200.
- the sealing element may be a swellable elastomer and may swell upon contact with aqueous and/or oleaginous fluids.
- FIG 13 is a cross-section illustrating the collapsible shell packer 200 of FIGs. 7-11 with two sealing elements 280 affixed on either side of the tip 215.
- the sealing elements 280 may be elastomeric sealing elements and may be used to supplement the sealing capability of the collapsible shell packer 200.
- the sealing element may be a swellable elastomer and may swell upon contact with aqueous and/or oleaginous fluids.
- the sealing elements 280 of FIG. 13 are the same sealing elements 280 of FIG. 12, but are positioned in a different orientation as illustrated.
- FIG 14 is a cross-section illustrating the collapsible shell packer 200 of FIG. 13 in the collapsed state.
- the two sealing elements 280 have been pressed against the adjacent surface 220 to supplement the seal formed at the tip 215.
- the sealing elements 280 may be bonded to the collapsible hollow, metal shell 205 using any sufficient mechanism including adhesives, melting, etc. Further, although the sealing elements 280 are illustrated as used with the collapsible shell packer 200 of FIGs. 7- 14, it is to be understood that the sealing elements 280 may be used with any example of a collapsible shell packer as disclosed herein. It should be clearly understood that the examples illustrated by FIGs. 1-14 are merely general applications of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in any manner to the details of any of the FIGURES described herein.
- collapsible shell packers may also directly or indirectly affect the various downhole equipment and tools that may come into contact with the collapsible shell packers during operation.
- equipment and tools may include, but are not limited to, wellbore casing, wellbore liner, completion string, insert strings, drill string, coiled tubing, slickline, wireline, drill pipe, drill collars, mud motors, downhole motors and/or pumps, surface-mounted motors and/or pumps, centralizers, turbolizers, scratchers, floats (e.g., shoes, collars, valves, etc.), logging tools and related telemetry equipment, actuators (e.g., electromechanical devices, hydromechanical devices, etc.), sliding sleeves, production sleeves, plugs, screens, filters, flow control devices (e.g., inflow control devices, autonomous inflow control devices, outflow control devices, etc.), couplings (e.g., electro-hydraulic wet connect, dry connect, inductive coupler, etc
- An example method comprises introducing a collapsible shell packer into a wellbore; wherein the collapsible shell packer comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell.
- the method further comprises collapsing the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially to expand the collapsible hollow, metal shell radially, wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is collapsed until a portion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell contacts an adjacent surface thereby isolating a zone.
- the method may include one or more of the following features individually or in combination.
- the collapsing of the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially may be performed by applying pressure to the collapsible hollow, metal shell with a piston in the axial direction.
- the collapsible shell packer may comprise a pointed tip contact surface.
- the collapsible shell packer may be trapezoidal in shape and comprises a flat contact surface.
- the collapsible shell packer may be corrugated in shape.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell may be hollow without openings.
- the collapsible shell packer may further comprise a piston on one end and a piston housing on the opposing end.
- collapsible shell packers may be interconnected such that the piston of one collapsible shell packer is housing in the piston housing of an adjacent collapsible shell packer.
- the collapsible shell packer may further comprise a sealing element disposed on a contact surface of the collapsible shell packer.
- collapsible shell packers for forming a seal and providing anchoring in a wellbore in accordance with the disclosure and the illustrated FIGURES.
- An example collapsible shell packer comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell configured to collapse in the axial direction and expand in the radial direction.
- the collapsible shell packer may include one or more of the following features individually or in combination.
- the collapsing of the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially may be performed by applying pressure to the collapsible hollow, metal shell with a piston in the axial direction.
- the collapsible shell packer may comprise a pointed tip contact surface.
- the collapsible shell packer may be trapezoidal in shape and comprises a flat contact surface.
- the collapsible shell packer may be corrugated in shape.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell may be hollow without openings.
- the collapsible shell packer may further comprise a piston on one end and a piston housing on the opposing end. There may be a plurality of collapsible shell packers interconnected such that the piston of one collapsible shell packer is housing in the piston housing of an adjacent collapsible shell packer.
- the collapsible shell packer may further comprise a sealing element disposed on a contact surface of the collapsible shell packer.
- An example system comprises a collapsible shell packer comprising a collapsible hollow, metal shell, and a piston to collapse the collapsible metal shell in the axial direction thereby expanding the collapsible metal shell in the radial direction.
- the system may include one or more of the following features individually or in combination.
- the collapsing of the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially may be performed by applying pressure to the collapsible hollow, metal shell with a piston in the axial direction.
- the collapsible shell packer may comprise a pointed tip contact surface.
- the collapsible shell packer may be trapezoidal in shape and comprises a flat contact surface.
- the collapsible shell packer may be corrugated in shape.
- the collapsible hollow, metal shell may be hollow without openings.
- the collapsible shell packer may further comprise a piston on one end and a piston housing on the opposing end.
- collapsible shell packers interconnected such that the piston of one collapsible shell packer is housing in the piston housing of an adjacent collapsible shell packer.
- the collapsible shell packer may further comprise a sealing element disposed on a contact surface of the collapsible shell packer.
- the system may further comprise a conduit comprising a groove in the exterior of the conduit; wherein the piston comprises a locking ring; and wherein the locking ring is configured to lock into the groove after actuation of the piston.
- the piston may be a component of the collapsible shell packer and is disposed on one end of the collapsible shell packer; wherein the collapsible shell packer further comprises a piston housing on the opposing end; and further wherein there are a plurality of collapsible shell packers interconnected such that the piston of one collapsible shell packer is housed in the piston housing of an adjacent collapsible shell packer.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (10)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ROA202300555A RO138137A2 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
ES202390187A ES2958091A2 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | FOLDING SHELL PACKER FOR METAL TO METAL SEALING |
BR112023017476A BR112023017476A2 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | COLLAPSIBLE SHELL PACKER, METHOD FOR PERFORMING ZONAL ISOLATION WITH THE COLLAPSIBLE SHELL PACKER, AND, SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING ZONAL ISOLATION IN A WELL HOLE |
NO20231034A NO20231034A1 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
CA3208789A CA3208789A1 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
GB2314868.7A GB2619673A (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
AU2021450384A AU2021450384A1 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
CN202180094513.1A CN116867952A (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Foldable casing packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
DE112021007037.1T DE112021007037T5 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | BELLOWS SEAL FOR METAL-TO-METAL SEALING |
DKPA202330236A DK202330236A1 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2023-09-28 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/340,984 US20220389787A1 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-07 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
US17/340,984 | 2021-06-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2022260685A1 true WO2022260685A1 (en) | 2022-12-15 |
Family
ID=84284948
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2021/037318 WO2022260685A1 (en) | 2021-06-07 | 2021-06-15 | Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing |
Country Status (12)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220389787A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN116867952A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2021450384A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112023017476A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3208789A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE112021007037T5 (en) |
DK (1) | DK202330236A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2958091A2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2619673A (en) |
NO (1) | NO20231034A1 (en) |
RO (1) | RO138137A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022260685A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US6182755B1 (en) * | 1998-07-01 | 2001-02-06 | Sandia Corporation | Bellow seal and anchor |
US20020074740A1 (en) * | 2000-12-20 | 2002-06-20 | Quoiani Roberto L. | Alternative metallic seals |
US20110303421A1 (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2011-12-15 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Apparatus and method for sealing portions of a wellbore |
EP2466064A1 (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2012-06-20 | Welltec A/S | Casing anchor |
WO2014062200A1 (en) * | 2012-10-20 | 2014-04-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Multi-layered temperature responsive pressure isolation device |
Family Cites Families (7)
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US899985A (en) * | 1906-09-07 | 1908-09-29 | Gustav Huhn | Hollow packing-ring for stuffing-boxes. |
US1809407A (en) * | 1922-05-15 | 1931-06-09 | Garlock Packing Co | Packing |
US4515213A (en) * | 1983-02-09 | 1985-05-07 | Memory Metals, Inc. | Packing tool apparatus for sealing well bores |
US6446717B1 (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2002-09-10 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Core-containing sealing assembly |
GB0320252D0 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2003-10-01 | Caledyne Ltd | Improved seal |
GB2497124C (en) * | 2011-12-01 | 2020-07-01 | Xtreme Well Tech Limited | Apparatus for use in a fluid conduit |
GB2587237B (en) * | 2019-09-20 | 2022-06-15 | Rubberatkins Ltd | Downhole packer apparatus |
-
2021
- 2021-06-07 US US17/340,984 patent/US20220389787A1/en active Pending
- 2021-06-15 RO ROA202300555A patent/RO138137A2/en unknown
- 2021-06-15 DE DE112021007037.1T patent/DE112021007037T5/en active Pending
- 2021-06-15 WO PCT/US2021/037318 patent/WO2022260685A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-06-15 CA CA3208789A patent/CA3208789A1/en active Pending
- 2021-06-15 CN CN202180094513.1A patent/CN116867952A/en active Pending
- 2021-06-15 ES ES202390187A patent/ES2958091A2/en active Pending
- 2021-06-15 NO NO20231034A patent/NO20231034A1/en unknown
- 2021-06-15 GB GB2314868.7A patent/GB2619673A/en active Pending
- 2021-06-15 BR BR112023017476A patent/BR112023017476A2/en unknown
- 2021-06-15 AU AU2021450384A patent/AU2021450384A1/en active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-09-28 DK DKPA202330236A patent/DK202330236A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6182755B1 (en) * | 1998-07-01 | 2001-02-06 | Sandia Corporation | Bellow seal and anchor |
US20020074740A1 (en) * | 2000-12-20 | 2002-06-20 | Quoiani Roberto L. | Alternative metallic seals |
US20110303421A1 (en) * | 2010-06-11 | 2011-12-15 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Apparatus and method for sealing portions of a wellbore |
EP2466064A1 (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2012-06-20 | Welltec A/S | Casing anchor |
WO2014062200A1 (en) * | 2012-10-20 | 2014-04-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Multi-layered temperature responsive pressure isolation device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2958091A2 (en) | 2024-02-01 |
RO138137A2 (en) | 2024-04-30 |
GB202314868D0 (en) | 2023-11-08 |
US20220389787A1 (en) | 2022-12-08 |
DE112021007037T5 (en) | 2023-11-23 |
DK202330236A1 (en) | 2023-12-20 |
AU2021450384A1 (en) | 2023-08-03 |
NO20231034A1 (en) | 2023-09-28 |
BR112023017476A2 (en) | 2023-12-19 |
CN116867952A (en) | 2023-10-10 |
GB2619673A (en) | 2023-12-13 |
CA3208789A1 (en) | 2022-12-15 |
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