Self-energized seal or centralizer and associated setting and retraction mechanism

• US 9,341,044 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2012
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Lehr, Joerg, Rex, Ines, O'Connor, Keven, Rosenblatt, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): KRECK, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US13/675,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20140131953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/1014 Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well E21B17/1042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/126 with fluid-pressure-operated elastic cup or skirt E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence

Abstract

A self energizing structure can function as a centralizer or as a seal when allowed to spring out after a retainer is moved away from an overlying position for run in to protect the structure. Segments extend from a common base ring and are radially offset during run in. Alternating segments have landing surfaces on opposed ends such that on release of the structure the intervening segments land on such surfaces to form a cohesive single layer with all segments circumferentially aligned and against a surrounding tubular or the borehole wall. The structure is held retracted with a bi-directionally movable sleeve operable in a variety of ways from the surface. Internally the sleeve has splines to push the segments with the landing surfaces back so that the structure can collapse back into the sleeve for removal. Structures can be stacked and used as centralizers with alternating segments removed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for support or sealing around a mandrel in a cased or open hole borehole defined by a borehole wall, comprising:

a mandrel;

at least one assembly of a plurality of segments extending from a base, said mandrel extending through said base;

a retainer for selective retention of said segments adjacent said mandrel for run in and subsequently releasing said segments to move against the borehole wall for use, said retainer retracts said segments after said use for removal of said mandrel, base and segments from the borehole, said segments defining an open end opposite said base during use.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said retainer comprises a remotely actuated sleeve axially movable in opposed directions.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said segments move into a single row circumferentially using developed potential energy therein to seal against the borehole wall.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said retainer retracts some of said segments before others of said segments.

2. An apparatus for support or sealing around a mandrel in a cased or open hole borehole defined by a borehole wall, comprising:

a mandrel;

at least one assembly of a plurality of segments extending from a base, said mandrel extending through said base;

a retainer for selective retention of said segments adjacent said mandrel for run in and removal from the borehole after use, said retainer releasing said segments to move against the borehole wall, said segments defining an open end opposite said base during use;

said retainer selectively is movable relative to said mandrel from a first position of overlying said segments to a second position adjacent said base to allow radial movement of said segments to the borehole wall; and

said retainer movable back to said first position to retract said segments from the borehole wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

said retainer retracts some of said segments before others of said segments.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

said retainer comprises raised internal surfaces to retract some segments before other said segments.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

said retainer comprises raised internal surfaces to retract some segments before other said segments.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

alternating segments have edge ledges onto which other segments land when said retainer releases said segments.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

said segments radially overlap into multiple rows when retained by said retainer and define a single row when released by the retainer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

said segments define varying gaps when released by said retainer and are shaped such that at a predetermined amount of radial segment movement, segments that previously overlapped circumferentially align in said gaps.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

said segments are spaced apart when retained such that on release by said retainer the segments centralize said mandrel while allowing flow through said gaps.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

said at least one assembly comprises multiple assemblies where the orientation of said open ends is aligned or opposed.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

said retainer comprises a remotely actuated sleeve axially movable in opposed directions.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

said segments move into a single row circumferentially using developed potential energy therein to seal against the borehole wall.

5. An apparatus for support or sealing around a mandrel in a cased or open hole borehole defined by a borehole wall, comprising:

a mandrel.

at least one assembly of a plurality of segments extending from a base, said mandrel extending through said base;

a retainer for selective retention of said segments adjacent said mandrel for run in and selective retention during removal from the borehole after use, said retainer releasing said segments to move against the borehole wall, said segments defining an open end opposite said base during use;

alternating segments have edge ledges onto which other segments land when said retainer releases said segments.

6. An apparatus for support or sealing around a mandrel in a cased or open hole borehole defined by a borehole wall, comprising:

a mandrel.

at least one assembly of a plurality of segments extending from a base, said mandrel extending through said base;

a retainer for selective retention of said segments adjacent said mandrel for run in and selective retention during removal from the borehole after use, said retainer releasing said segments to move against the borehole wall, said segments defining an open end opposite said base during use;

said segments radially overlap into multiple rows when retained by said retainer and define a single row when released by the retainer.

7. An apparatus for support or sealing around a mandrel in a cased or open hole borehole defined by a borehole wall, comprising:

a mandrel;

at least one assembly of a plurality of segments extending from a base, said mandrel extending through said base;

a retainer for selective retention of said segments adjacent said mandrel for run in and selective retention during removal from the borehole after use, said retainer releasing said segments to move against the borehole wall, said segments defining an open end opposite said base during use;

said segments define varying gaps when released by said retainer and are shaped such that at a predetermined amount of radial segment movement, segments that previously overlapped circumferentially align in said gaps.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said segments are spaced apart when retained such that on release by said retainer the segments centralize said mandrel while allowing flow through said gaps.

9. An apparatus for support or sealing around a mandrel in a cased or open hole borehole defined by a borehole wall, comprising:

a mandrel;

at least one assembly of a plurality of segments extending from a base, said mandrel extending through said base;

a retainer for selective retention of said segments adjacent said mandrel for run in and selective retention during removal from the borehole after use, said retainer releasing said segments to move against the borehole wall, said segments defining an open end opposite said base during use;

said at least one assembly comprises multiple assemblies where the orientation of said open ends is aligned or opposed.