1. Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to downhole completion devices, and particularly to a downhole completion device in which a barrier to annular flow is established.
2. Related Art
It is often desirable to run a completion device such as a packer, for example, to block or restrict fluid flow through an annular region in a well. The annular region at issue is the space between the wellbore wall and a downhole tool such as production tubing or a completion assembly. Providing an annular barrier to block annular flow allows, for example, zones to be isolated.
The present invention provides for an annular barrier tool to block or restrict the flow of well fluids in the annular region of a well.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims.
Referring to
Seal element 10 is carried on a mandrel 20 of ABT 12. A ratchet 22 is mounted on mandrel 20 near an end of seal element 10. Seal element 10 has mating teeth to engage ratchet 22, preventing relative motion between that end of seal element 10 and mandrel 20 in one direction. A mandrel seal 24 is carried on mandrel 20 and forms a barrier to fluid flow between mandrel 20 and seal element 10 at the end where mandrel seal 24 is located. Fluid communication exists, however, between an annulus 26 and a chamber 28 behind inner conformable layer 18.
Conformable layers 16, 18 and support 14 are held between end stops 30, 32 (
When pressure is applied to end stop 32, support 14 is compressed against fixed end stop 30, causing support 14 to deflect outward toward and ultimately against a wellbore wall 34 (
When support 14 is deformed sufficiently outward, outer conformable layer 16 surrounding support 14 contacts wellbore wall 34 and creates a seal between wellbore and outer conformable layer 16. To further increase the sealing capacity, ABT 12 uses, for example, hydrostatic pressure from a high pressure zone to further increase the pressure applied by ABT 12 against wellbore wall 34 (
The high pressure fluid penetrates beneath inner conformable layer 18 into chamber 28 and pressures up the interior of seal element 10. This can be achieved, for example, by a leak path past ratchet 22 or through a port through end stop 32. The pressure further pushes outer conformable layer 16 against wellbore wall 34, thus increasing the sealing with wellbore wall 34. The elastic deformation of support 14 helps maintain the seal with wall 34 even with the slight variations that may occur because of, for example, changes in pressure, bore shape, and tool movement.
Seal element 10 may be stacked with other seal elements 10 to form a module 36 (
The independent seal elements 10 may be arranged within modules 36 to control how the high pressure is allowed to get inside the “dome” of chamber 28. There are at least three possible seal arrangements: (1) facing each other (
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
ABT 12 may be activated in numerous ways such as activation through tubing pressure, control line activation, shunt tube activation, and mechanical activation. For example, a profile may be placed in end stop 32 so that a latching tool run on an intervention device such as slickline, wireline, or coiled tubing can be releasably affixed to end stop 32. Pulling on the intervention device will move end stop 32, forcing seal element 10 to set. Alternatively, pressurized fluid can be transported via the tubing, a shunt tube, or a control line to the entry port of chamber 28, pressurizing chamber 28 and setting seal element 10. In some instances it may be possible to combine two or more of the activation mechanisms, with the aim of building in redundancy or remedial functionalities.
An alternate embodiment of ABT 12 (
One cone, say upper cone 108, may be fixed to mandrel 20 of ABT 12, while lower cone 110 acts as a moveable piston to press against the lower end of barrel support 104. Lower cone 110 may move, for example, in response to applied pressure or a mechanical force. Fluid pressure may be applied via a port 112. As described above, a ratchet mounted to mandrel 20 mates with complementary teeth on lower cone 110 to prevent movement of lower cone 110 in a particular direction. When lower cone 110 is displaced to actuate ABT 12, it pushes barrel support 104 outward toward wellbore wall 34. In response to the outward push of barrel support 104, support sleeve 106 deforms elastically, forcing seal 102 and slips 100 to engage wellbore wall 34. The roles of upper and lower cones 108, 110 may be interchanged, or both cones 108, 110 may be moveably mounted to mandrel 20. ABT 12 may also be configured to be releasable to allow ABT 12 to be retrieved.
If one or more check valves 118 are used, passageways 116 may be on both sides of barrel support 104 such that fluid pressure from the higher pressure side will bear on barrel support 104.
Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/539,398 filed on Jan. 27, 2004.
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