Hydrostatically actuated packer
First Claim
1. A packer, comprising:
- a mandrel having an uphole and a downhole end;
a sealing element on said mandrel movable between a retracted and an expanded position;
a gripping mechanism on said mandrel;
a hydrostatically operated actuating mechanism comprising an actuating piston exposed to hydrostatic pressure on one side and a lower pressure on an opposing side, said actuating piston selectively releasable to allow said hydrostatic pressure to apply a force to said sealing element to move it to its expanded position, said actuating piston mounted between said sealing element and said uphole end of said mandrel such that a leak path between said sealing element and said mandrel is eliminated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A packer is disclosed which uses applied pressure to set the slips and initiate a compressive force on the sealing elements. The compressive force applied to the sealing elements moves components above the sealing elements and allows the available hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore to create an opposing force on the sealing elements to ensure that they properly set. The sealing elements are mounted directly to the packer body, thus eliminating a leakpath from the fluid pressure application port which is located below the sealing elements on the packer body. Various lock rings hold the set of the packer to avoid the creation of boost forces on the sealing elements from applied or induced pressures from above or below the sealing elements. Movement of the body is not required to accomplish setting of this packer. In applications with low hydrostatic pressure, the annulus can be pressurized to assist in obtaining the necessary pack-off pressure. The hydrostatic pressure continues to be available as a pack-off force even when the pressure below the packing element depletes as the reservoir depletes. The packing element, which is mounted directly to the packer body, eliminates leakpaths behind it, while, at the same time, the packing element is set by opposed forces; i.e., hydraulic from below and hydrostatic from above.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A packer, comprising:
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a mandrel having an uphole and a downhole end; a sealing element on said mandrel movable between a retracted and an expanded position; a gripping mechanism on said mandrel; a hydrostatically operated actuating mechanism comprising an actuating piston exposed to hydrostatic pressure on one side and a lower pressure on an opposing side, said actuating piston selectively releasable to allow said hydrostatic pressure to apply a force to said sealing element to move it to its expanded position, said actuating piston mounted between said sealing element and said uphole end of said mandrel such that a leak path between said sealing element and said mandrel is eliminated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification