High pressure high temperature packer system
First Claim
1. A method for sealing the annulus between two concentric tubulars disposed in a wellbore, the first tubular residing within the second tubular, comprising the steps of:
- positioning an expander tool at the depth desired for sealing the annulus;
actuating the expander tool so that the expander tool acts against the inner surface of the first tubular;
expanding the first tubular so that the outer surface of the first tubular is in contact with the inner surface of the second tubular; and
rotating the expander tool so that radial contact is made between the outer surface of the first tubular and the inner surface of the second tubular, thereby creating a fluid seal in the annulus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for creating a seal between two coaxial strings of pipe. The method and apparatus have utility in one embodiment for sealing the annulus between the tubing and the casing within a hydrocarbon wellbore. According to the method of the present invention, an expander tool is positioned at a selected depth within the tubing, and then actuated in order to expand the tubing against the inner wall of the casing wall. The expander tool is rotated in order to provide a fluid seal in the annulus. In this way, the tubing string becomes its own packer. In the preferred embodiment, an elastomeric seal is provided around the outer surface of the tubing to enhance the fluid seal. Further, a slip ring is provided around the outer surface of the tubing to provide a gripping means between the tubing and the casing. In the preferred embodiment, rollers of the expander tool are aligned with the seal ring and slip ring before expansion.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for sealing the annulus between two concentric tubulars disposed in a wellbore, the first tubular residing within the second tubular, comprising the steps of:
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positioning an expander tool at the depth desired for sealing the annulus;
actuating the expander tool so that the expander tool acts against the inner surface of the first tubular;
expanding the first tubular so that the outer surface of the first tubular is in contact with the inner surface of the second tubular; and
rotating the expander tool so that radial contact is made between the outer surface of the first tubular and the inner surface of the second tubular, thereby creating a fluid seal in the annulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An expander tool for expanding a tubular body, the expander tool comprising:
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a body;
a plurality of apertures disposed radially about the circumference of the body;
a piston disposed within each of said apertures; and
a roller coupled to each of said pistons, said roller having a plurality of lobes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for sealing the annulus between a string of production tubing and the casing within a wellbore, comprising the steps of:
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positioning an expander tool at a selected depth within the production tubing;
actuating the expander tool so that the expander tool acts against the inner surface of the production tubing;
expanding the production tubing so that the outer surface of the production tubing is in contact with the inner surface of the casing; and
rotating the expander tool so that radial contact is made between the outer surface of the production tubing and the inner surface of the casing, thereby creating a fluid seal in the annulus;
. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of completing a wellbore comprising the steps of:
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providing a tubular;
applying a slip ring around said tubular;
applying an elastomeric seal ring around said tubular proximate to said slip ring;
positioning the tubular into a casing of the wellbore;
positioning an expander tool in the tubular at a point proximate the slip ring and sealing ring;
applying hydraulic fluid internal to the expander tool; and
expanding, in response to the hydraulic fluid, portions of the tubular corresponding to the depths of the slip ring and sealing ring, whereby the tubular is placed into contact with the inner surface of the casing. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification