1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to wellbore packer assemblies and, in particular aspects, to the design of sealing elements that are carried upon such packer assemblies.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditional packers are comprised of an elastomeric sealing element and at least one mechanically set slip. Typically, a setting tool is run in with the packer to set it. The setting can be accomplished hydraulically due to relative movement created by the setting tool when subjected to applied pressure. This relative movement causes the slips to ride up on cones and extend into biting engagement with the surrounding tubular. At the same time, the sealing element is compressed into sealing contact with the surrounding tubular. The object of sealing elements in general is to seal fluid pressure between the outer radial surface of a packer and the internal surface of a surrounding casing or tubing.
Elastomeric sealing elements have traditionally been used with packer devices because they are able to be energized into a compressive sealing position against a surrounding tubular member. However, elastomers are vulnerable to extreme temperatures and many chemicals that are often present in wellbores. As a result, they can degrade over time and lose the ability to provide an effective seal.
Thermoplastic polymers, such as TEFLON® or PEEK, have not traditionally been considered to be good candidates for use as a packer sealing element. These materials, while resistant to chemical attack and able to withstand extreme temperatures, are relatively stiff and difficult to urge into a sealing engagement that is lasting. Attempts have been made in the past to form sealing elements from a thermoplastic such as TEFLON®. U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,265, issued to Luke, for example, describes a thermal packer that is used in wellbores that are expected to have high temperatures and pressure conditions. The '265 patent is owned by the assignee of the present invention and is herein incorporated by reference. The thermal packer in the Luke patent, however, uses a non-resilient, non-energizing, multi-component packing assembly. As such, it is not useful for long term sealing arrangements because it cannot be effectively energized into a sealing position.
The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art.
The invention provides an improved packer element for use in forming a fluid pressure barrier within a wellbore. The packer element uses a thermoplastic component to accomplish the seal against the interior diameter of a surrounding tubular. Additionally, the packer element includes an energizing component that is preferably formed of elastomeric material. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic component of the packer element provides a sealing surface and defines an energizing chamber within.
An energizing chamber is defined within the thermoplastic component and contains energizing elements that, when axially compressed, will urge the sealing surface of the thermoplastic component into sealing engagement with the surrounding tubular. In a preferred embodiment, there are three energizing elements that are formed of elastomer. The central energizing element is fashioned of a softer elastomer and positioned behind the central portion of the sealing surface. During setting, the softer element is more readily compressed than the other energizing elements, resulting in a greater setting force at the central portion of the sealing surface.
For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or similar elements throughout the several figures of the drawings and wherein:
The packer sealing element 30 is specially formed to provide a seal that can be energized into sealing engagement with the surrounding casing 16 or another wellbore tubular and, at the same time, remain resistant to chemicals within the wellbore and extreme temperatures. The packer sealing element 30 includes a thermoplastic seal component 44 and an elastomeric component, generally shown at 46. The thermoplastic seal component 44 is fashioned from a thermoplastic material and, more preferably, a chemically inert thermoplastic that is also resistant to degrading in extreme temperatures. Suitable thermoplastic materials for use in forming the thermoplastic component 44 are TEFLON® and PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKeytone). In the currently preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic component 44 is preferably trapezoidal in cross-sectional shape with the longest side 48 of the trapezoid facing the tubing string 18. The opposite radial side of the thermoplastic component 44 presents a sealing surface 50 that is adapted to from a fluid seal against the casing 16 when pressed into engagement with the casing 16. If desired, the sealing surface 50 may be formed with ridges, as illustrated, to help form a sealing contact.
An annular energizing chamber 52 is defined within the thermoplastic component 44 and the outer radial surface of the production tubing string 18. Interior leg portions 53 of the thermoplastic component 44 help to form the chamber 52. In a presently preferred embodiment, three annular elastomeric energizing elements 54, 56, and 58 are disposed within the energizing chamber 52 and aligned axially next to one another. It is noted that, in accordance with the present invention, there may be more or less than three energizing elements used. In the embodiment shown in
Ordinarily, the packer device 24 would be set within a string of steel casing lining the interior of a wellbore. However, a suitably sized packer device incorporating a packer sealing element constructed in accordance with the present invention could also be set within an inner production tubing string or liner. Alternatively, the “surrounding tubular” might be the uncased surface of a section of open hole within a wellbore.
Those of skill in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the exemplary designs and embodiments described herein and that the invention is limited only by the claims that follow and any equivalents thereof.