In many well applications, packers are used to seal off sections of a wellbore. The packers are delivered downhole via a well string and then set against the surrounding wellbore surface to provide annular barriers between the adjacent uphole and downhole sections of wellbore. In various applications, each packer comprises an elastomeric element which may be expanded radially into sealing engagement with the surrounding borehole surface. Additionally, some applications utilize an expandable metal packer or packers. Such expandable metal packers use a deformable metal membrane which is deformed permanently by the pressure of inflating fluid. In some applications, however, pressure acting on the metal membrane can be difficult to control and the metal membrane is susceptible to damage.
In general, a system and methodology are provided for utilizing a packer in a borehole or within other tubular structures. The packer may be constructed for mounting about a generally tubular base pipe. The packer generally comprises a metal sleeve combined with extremities located at each axial end of the metal sleeve. The metal sleeve maintains a seal once expanded to a surrounding wellbore wall, e.g. a casing wall. For example, the metal sleeve may be combined with an elastomer along its exterior, the elastomer sealing against the surrounding wellbore wall when the metal sleeve is radially expanded. Additionally, a device, e.g. a valve, is employed to control the pressures acting on the metal sleeve. For example, the device may be in the form of a valve operable to control pressures acting on the metal sleeve while running-in-hole, during expansion of the metal sleeve, and after setting of the packer.
However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.
Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:
In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.
The disclosure herein generally involves a system and methodology for utilizing a packer in a borehole or within other tubular structures. For example, one or more of the packers may be deployed downhole into a wellbore via a well string. The packer or packers may then be actuated to a set position to form a seal with the surrounding wellbore surface, e.g. an interior casing surface or an open hole surface, and to isolate sections of the annulus along the well string.
By way of example, the packer may be an expandable metal packer constructed with a metal sealing element. The metal sealing element may be in the form of a metal sleeve combined with an elastomeric seal element. The metal sealing element may be mounted around a base pipe which may be part of a well string, e.g. a drilling string, or other tubing string. When the packer is positioned at a desired location within the borehole or other tubular structure, the metal sealing element may be expanded under fluid pressure to move the elastomeric seal element into sealing engagement with a surrounding wall surface. For example, the metal sealing element may comprise a permanently deformable metal bladder, e.g. a metal membrane, which is deformed downhole via the fluid pressure, e.g. hydroforming.
According to an embodiment, a system and methodology are provided for utilizing a packer in a borehole or within other tubular structures. The packer may be constructed for mounting about a generally tubular base pipe. In general, the packer comprises a metal sleeve combined with extremities located at each axial end of the metal sleeve. The metal sleeve maintains a seal once expanded to a surrounding wellbore wall, e.g. a casing wall. For example, the metal sleeve may be combined with an elastomer along its exterior, the elastomer sealing against the surrounding wellbore wall when the metal sleeve is radially expanded. Additionally, a device, e.g. valve, is operable to control pressures acting on the metal sleeve while the packer is run-in-hole, during expansion of the metal sleeve, and after setting of the packer.
In this embodiment, the pressure control device may be actuated to ensure there is no fluid communication between an inside of the base pipe and the surrounding annulus while running-in-hole. However, fluid communication between the packer inside diameter (packer interior) and the annulus is allowed. At a first preset pressure applied to the pressure control device, fluid communication between the packer interior and the annulus is closed. Additionally, fluid communication between the inside of the base pipe and the packer interior is opened to enable packer expansion, i.e. expansion of the metal sleeve.
At a second preset pressure, fluid communication between the inside of the base pipe and the annulus may be permanently closed. Additionally, fluid communication between the packer interior and the annulus may be re-opened so as to compensate annulus pressure inside the packer and to improve its differential pressure rating. In some embodiments, however, the pressure may be trapped inside the packer.
Referring generally to
The expandable metal sleeve 40 is disposed between extremities 44. For example, the extremities 44 may be coupled with the expandable metal sleeve 40 and positioned with one extremity 44 on each axial end of the expandable metal sleeve 40. Each extremity 44 may comprise a metal collar 46 positioned around the base pipe 36. During mounting of packer 34 along tubing string 38, the metal collars 46 may be plastically deformed, e.g. crimped, to secure the packer 34 to the base pipe 36.
The packer 34 further comprises a pressure control device 48 positioned at a suitable location in packer 34. For example, the pressure control device 48 may be located within or combined with one of the extremities 44. As described in greater detail below, the pressure control device 48 may comprise a valve actuatable between different operational positions to control the pressure acting on expandable metal sleeve 40 during various stages of deployment and use of packer 34. According to certain embodiments, the pressure control device 48 may be selectively actuated via application of preset pressure levels along, for example, an interior of the tubing string 38 and base pipe 36. However, other types of inputs could be used to control actuation of the pressure control device 48.
Depending on the application, the expandable metal sleeve 40 may comprise a metal membrane, e.g. a bladder, or other metal structure which may be plastically deformed into a permanent expanded structure engaging the surrounding wall surface 42. In some embodiments, the metal sleeve 40 is expanded via fluid pressure, e.g. via a hydroforming process. For example, high pressure fluid may be delivered along an interior of tubing string 38 and directed into an interior of the expandable metal sleeve 40 via a passage or passages extending through a wall of base pipe 36 working in cooperation with pressure control device 48.
Referring generally to
Once the packer 34 is delivered to a desired position in borehole 32, a preset pressure may be applied through base pipe interior 56 to the pressure control device 48. The preset pressure causes the pressure control device 48, e.g. valve, to actuate to an open position, as illustrated in
Pressurized fluid may then be applied down through the base pipe interior 56 to cause packer expansion via radial expansion of metal sleeve 40 against the surrounding wellbore wall surface 42, as illustrated in
Referring generally to
According to the embodiment illustrated, the opening piston 68 has differing diameters and includes expanded portions 76, 78, i.e. portions with larger diameters. In the specific example illustrated, the expanded portion 78 comprises a seal 80 positioned for selective sealing with a surrounding wall surface of the corresponding piston passage 72. The expanded portion 76 may have an intermediate diameter portion and a large diameter portion arranged for interaction with a piston locking device 82. By way of example, the locking device 82 may comprise a locking piston 84 biased toward the opening piston 68 by, for example, a spring 86.
The opening piston 68 also may be coupled with a check valve 88 via a spring member 90 or other suitable extension member. The check valve 88 comprises an expanded portion 92 having a seal 94 oriented for sealing engagement with the surrounding wall surface of the corresponding piston passage 72. Initially, the opening piston 68 may be held at a desired flow position by a retention member 96. By way of example, the retention member 96 may comprise a shear member 98, e.g. a rupture device such as a rupture wire.
Similarly, the closing and compensation piston 70 may have differing diameters and may include expanded portions 100, 102, 104, i.e. portions with larger diameters. In the specific example illustrated, the expanded portions 102, 104 comprise corresponding seals 106, 108 positioned for selective sealing with surrounding wall surfaces of the corresponding piston passage 74. The expanded portion 100 is positioned for interaction with a piston locking device 110. By way of example, the locking device 110 may comprise a locking piston 112 biased toward the closing and compensation piston 70 by, for example, a spring 114.
Initially, the closing and compensation piston 70 may be held at a desired flow position by a retention member 116. By way of example, the retention member 116 may comprise a shear member 118, e.g. a rupture device such as a rupture wire. When the opening piston 68 and the closing and compensation piston 70 are held in the initial positions within hydraulic circuit 66, the hydraulic circuit 66 enables fluid communication between annulus 52 and packer interior 50, as represented by arrows 120 in
As illustrated, the hydraulic circuit 66 is in fluid communication with the annulus 52 via a hydraulic circuit passage 122. The hydraulic circuit 66 also is in fluid communication with the packer interior 50 via hydraulic circuit passage 124. During this stage, fluid communication between the base pipe interior 56 and the annulus 52 is blocked by check valve 88. This configuration of valve 62 may be used when the packer 34 is run-in-hole to a desired position in borehole 32 as illustrated schematically in
As pressure is increased within interior 56 of base pipe 36, the check valve 88 is shifted toward opening piston 68 and compresses spring member 90, as illustrated in
In this configuration, the expanded portion 78 and its seal 80 have been moved into sealing engagement with a portion of the surrounding wall surface forming corresponding piston passage 72. As a result, communication between the annulus 52 and the packer interior 50 is closed. However, communication between the base pipe interior 56 and the packer interior 50 is opened, as represented by arrows 126.
In this operational configuration of valve 62, the hydraulic circuit 66 is in fluid communication with base pipe interior 56 via a hydraulic circuit passage 128. It should be noted the arrows 126 representing flow along the hydraulic circuit 66 are part of the flow represented by arrow 58 in
After the packer 34 is set via expansion of metal sleeve 40, the pressure within base pipe 36 may be increased to the second preset pressure level so as to shift the closing and compensation piston 70. For example, increasing the pressure level to the second preset pressure level causes release of retention member 116 (e.g. shears the shear member/rupture wire 118) and shifting of closing and compensation piston 70, as illustrated in
In this configuration, the expanded portions 102, 104 and their corresponding seals 106, 108 have been moved into sealing engagement with portions of the surrounding wall surface forming corresponding piston passage 74. As a result, communication between the base pipe interior 56 and the packer interior 50 is closed. However, communication between the annulus 52 and the packer interior 50 is again opened, as represented by arrows 130. It should be noted the arrows 130 representing flow along the hydraulic circuit 66 are part of the flow represented by arrow 60 in
When the pressure within base pipe interior 56 of base pipe 36 is released, the spring member 90 shifts check valve 88 and its seal 94 back into sealing engagement with the surrounding wall surface of corresponding piston passage 72, as illustrated in
Referring generally to
In this example, the opening piston 68 and the closing and compensation piston 70 are again held at initial positions within hydraulic circuit 66 so as to enable fluid communication between annulus 52 and packer interior 50, as represented by arrows 120 in
As pressure is increased within interior 56 of base pipe 36, the check valve 88 is shifted toward opening piston 68 and compresses spring member 90, as illustrated in
In this configuration, the expanded portion 78 and its seal 80 have been moved into sealing engagement with a portion of the surrounding wall surface forming corresponding piston passage 72. As a result, communication between the annulus 52 and the packer interior 50 is closed. However, communication between the base pipe interior 56 and the packer interior 50 is opened, as represented by arrows 126. Once valve 62 is in this operational position, hydraulic fluid under pressure may continually be provided along interior 56 of base pipe 36 to expand packer 34/metal sleeve 40 into sealing engagement with the surrounding wellbore wall 42 (see
Additionally, piston locking device 82 is activated to a position interacting with expanded portion 76, thus preventing movement of opening piston 68 back to its original position. After the packer 34 is set via expansion of metal sleeve 40, the pressure within base pipe 36 may be increased to the second preset pressure level so as to shift the closing and compensation piston 70. For example, increasing the pressure level to the second preset pressure level causes release of retention member 116 (e.g. shears the shear member/rupture wire 118) and shifting of closing and compensation piston 70, as illustrated in
In this configuration, the expanded portions 102, 104 and their corresponding seals 106, 108 have been moved into sealing engagement with portions of the surrounding wall surface forming corresponding piston passage 74. As a result, communication between the base pipe interior 56 and the packer interior 50 is closed. Because of the position of expanded portion 102 and corresponding seal 106 and because of the configuration of the wall surface forming corresponding piston passage 74, communication between annulus 52 and packer interior 50 also remains closed. In this position, piston locking device 110 is activated to a position interacting with expanded portion 100, thus preventing movement of closing and compensation piston 70 back to its original position. Due to the positioning and sealing of seals 80, 106, 108, pressure in passage 124 is not released through valve 62 and thus fluid under pressure remains trapped within interior 50 of packer 34.
When the pressure within base pipe interior 56 of base pipe 36 is released, the spring member 90 shifts check valve 88 and its seal 94 back into sealing engagement with the surrounding wall surface of corresponding piston passage 72, as illustrated in
The valve 62 facilitates use of expandable metal packer 34 as an isolation device in a variety of operations and environments which may be subjected to high differential pressures. For example, the expandable metal packer 34 may be used in well applications and in other applications in which isolation between sections of a tubular structure is desired. The expandable metal packer 34 may be constructed with various types and sizes of expandable metal sleeves 40 depending on the parameters of a given operation. In a variety of well applications, the expandable metal sleeve 40 may be formed from a plastically deformable metal membrane, bladder, or other metal structure which may be radially expanded via fluid pressure.
Similarly, the pressure control device 48 may comprise various components positioned at various locations along packer 34. In a variety of applications, the pressure control device 48 may comprise valve 62. However, the specific structure and materials of valves 62 may be selected according to the parameters of a given use and/or environment. For example, the valve 62 may comprise various types of pistons, seals, springs, piston housings, and/or other components. The relative surface areas provided by the pistons/seals and corresponding piston passages may be selected according to the anticipated pressures and the desired operation of the valve 62 and packer 34. The overall tubing string 38 also may utilize many types of components and have various configurations suited for the operation and environment in which it is utilized.
Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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19305085 | Jan 2019 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2020/051612 | 1/23/2020 | WO |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2020/152262 | 7/30/2020 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220090455 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |