REDUCED BACKLASH SEALING/ANCHORING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Provided is a sealing/anchoring assembly, a well system, and a method. The sealing/anchoring assembly, in one aspect, includes a mandrel, a sealing/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel, and a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element. The sealing/anchoring assembly, in one aspect, further includes an internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state.

Description

BACKGROUND

A typical sealing tool (e.g., packer, bridge plug, frac plug, etc.) generally has one or more sealing elements or “rubbers” that are employed to provide a fluid-tight seal radially between a mandrel of the sealing tool, and the casing or wellbore into which the sealing tool is disposed. Such a sealing tool is commonly conveyed into a subterranean wellbore suspended from tubing extending to the earth's surface.

To prevent damage to the elements of the sealing tool while the sealing tool is being conveyed into the wellbore, the sealing elements may be carried on the mandrel in a retracted or uncompressed state, in which they are radially inwardly spaced apart from the casing. When the sealing tool is set, the sealing elements radially expand, thereby sealing against the mandrel and the casing and/or wellbore. In certain embodiments, the sealing elements are axially compressed between element retainers that straddle them, which in turn radially expand the sealing elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a well system designed, manufactured and operated according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 2A through 2G illustrate different cross-sectional views of various deployment states of a sealing/anchoring assembly designed, manufactured and/or operated according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 3A through 3G illustrate different cross-sectional views of various deployment states of a sealing/anchoring assembly designed, manufactured and/or operated according to one or more alternative embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 4A through 4G illustrate different cross-sectional views of various deployment states of a sealing/anchoring assembly designed, manufactured and/or operated according to one or more alternative embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIGS. 5A through 5E illustrate different cross-sectional views of various deployment states of a sealing/anchoring assembly designed, manufactured and/or operated according to one or more alternative embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings and descriptions that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawn figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure may be implemented in embodiments of different forms.

Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “connect.” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other like term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “up,” “upper.” “upward.” “uphole.” “upstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally away from the bottom, terminal end of a well; likewise, use of the terms “down,” “lower,” “downward,” “downhole.” “downstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally toward the bottom, terminal end of a well, regardless of the wellbore orientation. Use of any one or more of the foregoing terms shall not be construed as denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis. Unless otherwise specified, use of the term “subterranean formation” shall be construed as encompassing both areas below exposed earth and areas below earth covered by water such as ocean or fresh water.

Body lock rings are traditionally a critical part of a scaling tool, for example used to hold the setting load once the sealing elements of the sealing tool are set, and prior to differential pressure application. The present disclosure, however, has acknowledged that backlash or set back of the body lock ring is an inherent drawback of common locking systems. This back lash or set back often results in reduction in setting force and relaxation of the sealing elements, which eventually affects the sealing element performance, particularly for large size sealing tools (e.g., the larger the back lash the bigger reduction in setting force). Similar problems may occur in anchoring tools employing body lock rings.

Given the foregoing acknowledgments, the present disclosure has designed a new scaling/anchoring assembly that does away with the conventional body lock ring system. For example, the new sealing/anchoring assembly employs an internally threaded setting sleeve that is coupled to a rotary motor. Accordingly, as the rotary motor rotates about the mandrel, the internally threaded setting sleeve rotates and axially translates along the mandrel to axially compress the sealing/anchoring elements, and thus move them from their radially retracted state to their radially expanded state. In the case of a sealing assembly, the sealing elements would radially expand to seal an annulus between the mandrel and a surrounding tubular (e.g., wellbore casing). In the case of an anchoring assembly, the anchoring elements would radially expand to engage the surrounding tubular (e.g., wellbore casing), and thus axially fix the mandrel relative to the surrounding tubular. In contrast to conventional body lock rings, the threaded setting sleeve does not have significant issues (e.g., any issues) with back lash or set back.

A reduced backlash sealing/anchoring assembly according to the disclosure is based on a simple idea of using rotary motor (e.g., hydraulic or electrical rotary motor), instead of a conventional hydraulic piston, to torque an internally threaded setting sleeve running on an externally threaded mandrel and pushing against the element backup system to set the scaling element. Once the sealing element is set, the rotary motor can be retrieved and pulled back. Once the rotary motor is retrieved, the threaded sleeve is axially locked in its position through the threaded connection with mandrel resulting in limited back lash (e.g., literally zero back lash). In other words, the setting axial force is resisted by the threaded connection where there is no axial set back (back lash) because the threaded connection cannot be un-torqued by the scaling element reaction. To release and retrieve the sealing element, the rotary motor will be used with reversed rotation to un-torque the setting sleeve and unload the sealing element.

Certain main components in this concept are the internally threaded setting sleeve and the rotary motor. The mandrel is only partially threaded at OD within the travel length of the internally threaded setting sleeve, which is equal or larger than the sealing element setting stroke length. Unlike conventional systems, a sealing/anchoring assembly according to the present disclosure may be void of a body lock ring or slip biting mechanism.

In at least one embodiment, the rotary motor torques the internally threaded setting sleeve through a male-to-female connections at the interface. In one embodiment, the tip of the rotary motor has male connections with protruded parts while the back end of the internally threaded setting sleeve has female connections with recessed parts. Such male-to-female connection is only used for torque-and-push mechanism. Once the sealing element is set, the rotary motor is simply pulled back and disconnected from the internally threaded setting sleeve. As mentioned, in at least one embodiment the mandrel is only partially threaded at OD within the travel length of the internally threaded setting sleeve, which is equal or larger than sealing element stroke length. To release the locking system and the sealing element, the internally threaded setting sleeve is untortured by reversing the rotary mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a well system 100 designed, manufactured and operated according to one or more embodiments disclosed herein. The well system 100 includes a platform 120 positioned over a subterranean formation 110 located below the earth's surface 115. The platform 120, in at least one embodiment, has a hoisting apparatus 125 and a derrick 130 for raising and lowering one or more downhole tools including pipe strings, such as a drill string 140. Although a land-based oil and gas platform 120 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the scope of this disclosure is not thereby limited, and thus could potentially apply to offshore applications. The teachings of this disclosure may also be applied to other land-based well systems different from that illustrated.

As shown, a main wellbore 150 has been drilled through the various earth strata, including the subterranean formation 110. The term “main” wellbore is used herein to designate a wellbore from which another wellbore is drilled. It is to be noted, however, that a main wellbore 150 does not necessarily extend directly to the earth's surface, but could instead be a branch of yet another wellbore. A casing string 160 may be at least partially cemented within the main wellbore 150. The term “casing” is used herein to designate a tubular string used to line a wellbore. Casing may actually be of the type known to those skilled in the art as a “liner” and may be made of any material, such as steel or composite material and may be segmented or continuous, such as coiled tubing. The term “lateral” wellbore is used herein to designate a wellbore that is drilled outwardly from its intersection with another wellbore, such as a main wellbore. Moreover, a lateral wellbore may have another lateral wellbore drilled outwardly therefrom.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a whipstock assembly 170 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is positioned at a location in the main wellbore 150. Specifically, the whipstock assembly 170 could be placed at a location in the main wellbore 150 where it is desirable for a lateral wellbore 190 to exit. Accordingly, the whipstock assembly 170 may be used to support a milling tool used to penetrate a window in the main wellbore 150, and once the window has been milled and a lateral wellbore 190 formed, in some embodiments, the whipstock assembly 170 may be retrieved and returned uphole by a retrieval tool.

The whipstock assembly 170, in at least one embodiment, includes a whipstock element section 175, as well as a sealing/anchoring assembly 180 coupled to a downhole end thereof. The sealing/anchoring assembly 180, in one or more embodiments, includes an orienting receptacle tool assembly 182, a sealing assembly 184, and an anchoring assembly 186. In at least one embodiment, the anchoring assembly 186 axially, and optionally rotationally, fixes the whipstock assembly 170 within the casing string 160. The sealing assembly 184, in at least one embodiment, seals (e.g., provides a pressure tight seal) an annulus between the whipstock assembly 170 and the casing string 160. The orienting receptacle tool assembly 182, in one or more embodiments, along with a collet and one or more orienting keys, may be used to land and positioned a guided milling assembly and/or the whipstock element section 175 within the casing string 160.

The elements of the whipstock assembly 170 may be positioned within the main wellbore 150 in one or more separate steps. For example, in at least one embodiment, the scaling/anchoring assembly 180, including the orienting receptacle tool assembly 182, sealing assembly 184 and the anchoring assembly 186 are run in hole first, and then set within the casing string 160. Thereafter, the sealing assembly 184 may be pressure tested. Thereafter, the whipstock element section 175 may be run in hole and coupled to the sealing/anchoring assembly 180, for example using the orienting receptacle tool assembly 182. What may result is the whipstock assembly 170 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A through 2G, illustrated are different cross-sectional views of various deployment states of a sealing/anchoring assembly 200 designed, manufactured and/or operated according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The scaling/anchoring assembly 200, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, includes a mandrel 210. The mandrel 210, in the illustrated embodiment, is centered about a centerline (CL). The scaling/anchoring assembly 200, in at least the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, additionally includes a bore 290 positioned around the mandrel 210. The bore 290, in at least one embodiment, is a wellbore. The bore 290, in at least one other embodiment, is a tubular positioned within a wellbore, such as a casing, production tubing, etc. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the mandrel 210 and the bore 290 form an annulus 280.

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 includes one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 (e.g., one or more elastomeric scaling/anchoring elements) having a first end 225a and a second end 225b positioned about the mandrel 210. The one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 are operable to move between a radially retracted state, such as that shown in FIG. 2A, and a radially expanded state, such as that shown in FIGS. 2B through 2G. While a single sealing/anchoring element 220 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2G, other embodiments exist wherein multiple sealing/anchoring elements 220 are employed. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, the one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 comprise a non-swellable elastomer.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, first and second backup shoes 230a, 230b, straddle the first and second ends 225a, 225b, respectively, of the one or more scaling/anchoring elements 220. Further to the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, first and second collar sleeves 240a, 240b straddle the first and second backup shoes 230a, 230b, respectively. In at least one embodiment, the first and second collar sleeves 240a, 240b are non-threaded first and second collar sleeves. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, a setting sleeve 250 (e.g., an axially fixed setting sleeve) is coupled with the first end 225a of the one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 (e.g., through the first backup shoe 230a and first collar sleeve 240a). Those skilled in the art understand and appreciate the desire and/or need for the first and second backup shoes 230a. 230b, including preventing extrusion of the one or more scaling/anchoring elements 220. Similarly, those skilled in the art appreciate the desire and/or need for the first and second collar sleeves 240a, 240b. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, the first and second collar sleeves 240a, 240b are configured to axially slide relative to one another to move the one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 between the radially retracted state of FIG. 2A and the radially expanded state of FIGS. 2B through 2G.

The sealing/anchoring assembly 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2G additionally includes an internally threaded setting sleeve 260 coupled with the second end 225b of the sealing/anchoring element 220 (e.g., through the second backup shoe 230b and second collar sleeve 240b). In the illustrated embodiment, the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 is configured to employ its internal threads 265 to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel 210, to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state of FIG. 2A and the radially expanded state of FIGS. 2B through 2G. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, the mandrel 210 has reciprocal external threads 215. Accordingly, the internal threads 265 of the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 are configured to engage with the external threads 215 of the mandrel 210 to move the sealing/anchoring element 220 between the radially retracted state of FIG. 2A and the radially expanded state of FIGS. 2B through 2G.

The sealing/anchoring assembly 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2G additionally includes a rotary motor 270 coupled to the internally threaded setting sleeve 260. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary motor 270 (e.g., hydraulic rotary motor, radial piston hydraulic rotary motor, electric rotary motor, etc.) is configured to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 to move the one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 between the radially retracted state of FIG. 2A and the radially expanded state of FIGS. 2B through 2G. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotary motor 270 is configured to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 to shorten a distance between the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 and the setting sleeve 250 (e.g., axially fixed setting sleeve) thereby compressing the one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 into the radially expanded state of FIGS. 2B through 2G.

In one or more embodiments, the rotary motor 270 has one of a male member or female member, and the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 has the other of the female member or the male member. Accordingly, the male and female members are configured to engage one another to rotationally fix the rotary motor 270 with the internally threaded setting sleeve 260. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G, the rotary motor 270 has one or more male members 278 on a downhole face thereof and the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 has one or more female members 268 on an uphole face thereof, the one or more male members 278 of the rotary motor 270 configured to engage with the one or more female members 268 of the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 to rotationally fix the rotary motor 270 with the internally threaded setting sleeve 260. However, other embodiments may exist wherein the rotary motor has one or more female members and the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 has one or more male members.

FIG. 2A illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 in a run-in-hole state, and thus its scaling/anchoring element 220 is in a radially retracted state. FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate cross-sectional views of the rotary motor 270 and internally threaded setting sleeve 260, respectively. FIG. 2D illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 as the rotary motor 270 has engaged the internally threaded setting sleeve 260. FIG. 2E illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 after the rotary motor 270 begins to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve 260. FIG. 2F illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 after the sealing/anchoring element 220 is in its fully radially expanded state. FIG. 2G illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 after the rotary motor 270 has disengaged from the internally threaded setting sleeve 260. As discussed above, the threads 265 of the internally threaded setting sleeve 260, and in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G the threads 265 of the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 along with the external threads 215 in the mandrel 210, help reduce (e.g., prevent) the back lash or set back issues disclosed above. Moreover, if necessary, the rotary motor 270 could reengage the internally threaded setting sleeve 260 while rotating in an opposite direction to move the one or more sealing/anchoring elements 220 from the radially expanded state back to the radially retracted state.

While the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2G is configured as a scaling assembly employing one or more different sealing elements, other embodiments exist wherein the scaling/anchoring assembly is an anchoring assembly employing one or more different anchoring elements.

Turning to FIGS. 3A through 3G, depicted are various deployment states for a scaling/anchoring assembly 300 designed, manufactured, and operated according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. The sealing/anchoring assembly 300 of FIGS. 3A through 3G is similar in many respects to the sealing/anchoring assembly 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2G. Accordingly, like reference numbers have been used to illustrate similar, if not identical, features. The sealing/anchoring assembly 300 differs, for the most part, from the scaling/anchoring assembly 200, in that the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 employs a different internally threaded setting sleeve 360. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A through 3G, the internally threaded setting sleeve 360 includes a first setting sleeve portion 360a and a second setting sleeve portion 360b. Further to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A through 3G, a dissolvable material 370 is positioned between the first setting sleeve portion 360a and the second setting sleeve portion 360b. In accordance with this embodiment, the dissolvable material 370 is configured to remain intact until the sealing/anchoring element 220 is in its fully radially expanded state (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F), and thereafter dissolve leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions 360c, 360d. At this stage, the independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions 360c, 360d are no longer rotationally coupled. Most of the sealing/anchoring element 220 setting load will be resisted by the second setting sleeve portion 360d and backed up by the first setting sleeve portion 360c, for example to resist any possible thread loosening (e.g., that may occur by way of vibration or any other mechanism).

In one or more embodiments, the independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions 360c, 360d have male/female connections (e.g., each having a female connection) for future retrieval by the reversed rotary motor 270. In this embodiment, the independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions 360c, 360d would need to be sequentially retrieved.

FIG. 3A illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 in a run-in-hole state, and thus its sealing/anchoring element 220 is in a radially retracted state. FIG. 3B is a zoomed in view of the internally threaded setting sleeve 360 including the first setting sleeve portion 360a, the second setting sleeve portion 360b, and the dissolvable material 370. FIG. 3C illustrates the scaling/anchoring assembly 300 as the rotary motor 270 has engaged the internally threaded setting sleeve 360. FIG. 3D illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 after the rotary motor 270 begins to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve 360. FIG. 3E illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 after the sealing/anchoring element 220 is in its fully radially expanded state. FIG. 3F illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 after the rotary motor 270 has disengaged from the internally threaded setting sleeve 360. FIG. 3G is a zoomed in view of the internally threaded setting sleeve 360 including the independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions 360c, 360d.

Turning to FIGS. 4A through 4G, depicted are various deployment states for a scaling/anchoring assembly 400 designed, manufactured and operated according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. The sealing/anchoring assembly 400 of FIGS. 4A through 4G is similar in many respects to the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 of FIGS. 3A through 3G. Accordingly, like reference numbers have been used to illustrate similar, if not identical, features. The sealing/anchoring assembly 400 differs, for the most part, from the scaling/anchoring assembly 300, in that the sealing/anchoring assembly 400 employs a different internally threaded setting sleeve 460. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4A through 4G, the first setting sleeve portion 460a has one of a male member 470a or female member 470b, and the second setting sleeve portion 460b has the other of the female member 470b or the male member 470a. In this embodiment, the male and female member 470a, 470b are configured to rotationally fix the first setting sleeve portion 460a and the second setting sleeve portion 460b as the sealing/anchoring element 220 is moving from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state, but allow the second setting sleeve portion 460b to be at least partially rotationally free from the first setting sleeve portion 460a once the sealing/anchoring element 220 is in its fully radially expanded state, thereby leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions. For example, in at least one embodiment the female member 470b is an arced slot that is larger than the male member 470a (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4G), which allows for the foregoing.

In at least one embodiment, once the sealing/anchoring element 220 is set and before retrieving the rotary motor 270, a small un-twisting may be applied to the first setting sleeve portion 460a releasing the rotational constraint between the first and second setting sleeve portions 460a, 460b. In at least one embodiment, the axial constraint may still be maintained through an optional compressible disk or washer (not shown) located between the first and second setting sleeve portions 460a, 460b. Therefore, any potential loosening of the second setting sleeve portion 460b is resisted by the first setting sleeve portion 460a. For retrieval, the rotary motor 270 may un-torque the first setting sleeve portion 460a, which will automatically un-torque and release the second setting sleeve portion 460b, and ultimately the scaling/anchoring element 220 subsequently.

FIG. 4A illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 400 in a run-in-hole state, and thus its sealing/anchoring element 220 is in a radially retracted state. FIG. 4B illustrates the scaling/anchoring assembly 400 as the rotary motor 270 has engaged the internally threaded setting sleeve 460. FIG. 4C illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 400 after the rotary motor 270 begins to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve 460. FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of an interaction between the first and second setting sleeve portions 460a, 460b of FIG. 4C. FIG. 4E illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 400 after the scaling/anchoring element 220 is in its fully radially expanded state. FIG. 4F illustrates the scaling/anchoring assembly 400 after the rotary motor 270 has disengaged from the internally threaded setting sleeve 460. FIG. 4G illustrates a cross-sectional view of an interaction between the first and second setting sleeve portions 460a, 460b of FIG. 4F.

Turning to FIGS. 5A through 5E, depicted are various deployment states for a scaling/anchoring assembly 500 designed, manufactured and operated according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. The sealing/anchoring assembly 500 of FIGS. 5A through 5E is similar in many respects to the sealing/anchoring assembly 300 of FIGS. 3A through 3G. Accordingly, like reference numbers have been used to illustrate similar, if not identical, features. The sealing/anchoring assembly 500 differs, for the most part, from the scaling/anchoring assembly 300, in that the sealing/anchoring assembly 500 employs a different internally threaded setting sleeve 560. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A through 5E, the first setting sleeve portion 560a and the second setting sleeve portion 560b include one or more axially aligned passageways 570a. 570b therethrough. In this embodiment, the one or more axially aligned passageways 570a, 570b are configured to receive one or more related post members 575 from a rotary motor 570 coupled thereto. Accordingly, the first and second setting sleeve portions 560a, 560b are rotationally fixed relative to one another when the one or more related post members 575 are within the one or more axially aligned passageways 570a, 570b, but are independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions free to rotate relative to one another when the one or more related post members 575 are not within the one or more axially aligned passageways 570a, 570b.

In at least one embodiment, there is no mechanical connection between the first setting sleeve portion 560a and the second setting sleeve portion 560b, but the one or more related post members 575 penetrate the one or more axially aligned passageways 570a, 570b, and thus rotate the first setting sleeve portion 560a and the second setting sleeve portion 560b at the same time. Retrieval of the sealing/anchoring assembly 500 is reverse of the setting process, where the first setting sleeve portion 560a and the second setting sleeve portion 560b will be un-torqued by the rotary motor 570 having the one or more related post members 575.

FIG. 5A illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 500 in a run-in-hole state, and thus its scaling/anchoring element 220 is in a radially retracted state. FIG. 5B illustrates the scaling/anchoring assembly 500 as the rotary motor 570 has engaged the internally threaded setting sleeve 560. FIG. 5C illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 500 after the rotary motor 570 begins to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve 560. FIG. 5D illustrates the scaling/anchoring assembly 500 after the sealing/anchoring element 220 is in its fully radially expanded state. FIG. 5E illustrates the sealing/anchoring assembly 500 after the rotary motor 570 has disengaged from the internally threaded setting sleeve 560.

Aspects disclosed herein include:

A. An anchoring/scaling assembly, the anchoring/sealing assembly including: 1) a mandrel; 2) a sealing/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel; 3) a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element; and 4) an internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state

B. A well system, the well system including: 1) a wellbore located in a subterranean formation; and 2) a sealing/anchoring assembly positioned in the wellbore, the sealing/anchoring assembly including: a) a mandrel; b) a scaling/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel; c) a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element; and d) an internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state.

C. A method, the method including: 1) positioning a sealing/anchoring assembly within a wellbore located in a subterranean formation, the sealing/anchoring assembly including: a) a mandrel; b) a sealing/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel; c) a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element; and d) an internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state; 2) coupling a rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve; and 3) actuating the rotary motor to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve to move the sealing/anchoring element from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state.

Aspects A, B and C may have one or more of the following additional elements in combination: Element 1: wherein the mandrel has external threads to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state and the radially expanded state. Element 2: further including a rotary motor coupled to the internally threaded setting sleeve, the rotary motor configured to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state and the radially expanded state. Element 3: wherein the rotary motor has one of a male member or female member, and the internally threaded setting sleeve has an other of the female member or the male member, the male and female members configured to rotationally fix the rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve. Element 4: wherein the rotary motor has one or more male members on a downhole face thereof and the internally threaded setting sleeve has one or more female members on an uphole face thereof, the one or more male members of the rotary motor configured to engage with the one or more female members of the internally threaded setting sleeve to rotationally fix the rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve. Element 5: wherein the internally threaded setting sleeve includes a first setting sleeve portion and a second setting sleeve portion. Element 6: further including a dissolvable material positioned between the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion, the dissolvable material configured to remain intact until the sealing/anchoring element is in its fully radially expanded state and thereafter dissolve leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions. Element 7: wherein the first setting sleeve portion has one of a male member or female member, and the second setting sleeve portion has an other of the female member or the male member, the male and female members configured to rotationally fix the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion as the sealing/anchoring element is moving from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state but allow the second setting sleeve portion to be at least partially rotationally free from the first setting sleeve portion once the scaling/anchoring element is in its fully radially expanded state, thereby leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions. Element 8: wherein the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion include one or more axially aligned passageways therethrough, the one or more axially aligned passageways configured to receive one or more related post members from a rotary motor coupled thereto, such that the first and second setting sleeve portions are rotationally fixed relative to one another when the one or more related post members are within the one or more axially aligned passageways but are independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions free to rotate relative to one another when the one or more related post members are not within the one or more axially aligned passageways. Element 9: further including a first collar sleeve disposed between the first end of the sealing/anchoring element and the setting sleeve and a second collar sleeve disposed between the second end of the sealing/anchoring element and the internally threaded setting sleeve. Element 10: further including a first backup shoe disposed between the first end of the sealing/anchoring element and the first collar sleeve and a second backup shoe disposed between the second end of the sealing/anchoring element and the second collar sleeve. Element 11: wherein the setting sleeve is an axially fixed setting sleeve. Element 12: wherein the wellbore is a main wellbore, and further including a lateral wellbore extending from the main wellbore, the sealing/anchoring assembly positioned proximate an intersection between the main wellbore and the lateral wellbore.

Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A sealing/anchoring assembly, comprising: a mandrel;a sealing/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel;a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element; andan internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state.

2. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the mandrel has external threads, the internal threads of the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to engage with the external threads to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state and the radially expanded state.

3. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 1, further including a rotary motor coupled to the internally threaded setting sleeve, the rotary motor configured to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state and the radially expanded state.

4. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the rotary motor has one of a male member or female member, and the internally threaded setting sleeve has an other of the female member or the male member, the male and female members configured to rotationally fix the rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve.

5. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the rotary motor has one or more male members on a downhole face thereof and the internally threaded setting sleeve has one or more female members on an uphole face thereof, the one or more male members of the rotary motor configured to engage with the one or more female members of the internally threaded setting sleeve to rotationally fix the rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve.

6. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the internally threaded setting sleeve includes a first setting sleeve portion and a second setting sleeve portion.

7. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 6, further including a dissolvable material positioned between the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion, the dissolvable material configured to remain intact until the sealing/anchoring element is in its fully radially expanded state and thereafter dissolve leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions.

8. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the first setting sleeve portion has one of a male member or female member, and the second setting sleeve portion has an other of the female member or the male member, the male and female members configured to rotationally fix the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion as the sealing/anchoring element is moving from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state but allow the second setting sleeve portion to be at least partially rotationally free from the first setting sleeve portion once the sealing/anchoring element is in its fully radially expanded state, thereby leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions.

9. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion include one or more axially aligned passageways therethrough, the one or more axially aligned passageways configured to receive one or more related post members from a rotary motor coupled thereto, such that the first and second setting sleeve portions are rotationally fixed relative to one another when the one or more related post members are within the one or more axially aligned passageways but are independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions free to rotate relative to one another when the one or more related post members are not within the one or more axially aligned passageways.

10. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 1, further including a first collar sleeve disposed between the first end of the sealing/anchoring element and the setting sleeve and a second collar sleeve disposed between the second end of the sealing/anchoring element and the internally threaded setting sleeve.

11. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 10, further including a first backup shoe disposed between the first end of the sealing/anchoring element and the first collar sleeve and a second backup shoe disposed between the second end of the sealing/anchoring element and the second collar sleeve.

12. The sealing/anchoring assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the setting sleeve is an axially fixed setting sleeve.

13. A well system, comprising: a wellbore located in a subterranean formation; anda sealing/anchoring assembly positioned in the wellbore, the sealing/anchoring assembly including: a mandrel;a sealing/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel;a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element; andan internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state.

14. The well system as recited in claim 13, wherein the wellbore is a main wellbore, and further including a lateral wellbore extending from the main wellbore, the sealing/anchoring assembly positioned proximate an intersection between the main wellbore and the lateral wellbore.

15. The well system as recited in claim 13, wherein the mandrel has external threads, the internal threads of the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to engage with the external threads to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state and the radially expanded state.

16. The well system as recited in claim 13, further including a rotary motor coupled to the internally threaded setting sleeve, the rotary motor configured to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve to move the sealing/anchoring element between the radially retracted state and the radially expanded state.

17. The well system as recited in claim 16, wherein the rotary motor has one of a male member or female member, and the internally threaded setting sleeve has an other of the female member or the male member, the male and female members configured to rotationally fix the rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve.

18. The well system as recited in claim 17, wherein the rotary motor has one or more male members on a downhole face thereof and the internally threaded setting sleeve has one or more female members on an uphole face thereof, the one or more male members of the rotary motor configured to engage with the one or more female members of the internally threaded setting sleeve to rotationally fix the rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve.

19. The well system as recited in claim 13, wherein the internally threaded setting sleeve includes a first setting sleeve portion and a second setting sleeve portion.

20. The well system as recited in claim 19, further including a dissolvable material positioned between the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion, the dissolvable material configured to remain intact until the sealing/anchoring element is in its fully radially expanded state and thereafter dissolve leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions.

21. The well system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first setting sleeve portion has one of a male member or female member, and the second setting sleeve portion has an other of the female member or the male member, the male and female members configured to rotationally fix the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion as the sealing/anchoring element is moving from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state but allow the second setting sleeve portion to be at least partially rotationally free from the first setting sleeve portion once the sealing/anchoring element is in its fully radially expanded state, thereby leaving independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions.

22. The well system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first setting sleeve portion and the second setting sleeve portion include one or more axially aligned passageways therethrough, the one or more axially aligned passageways configured to receive one or more related post members from a rotary motor coupled thereto, such that the first and second setting sleeve portions are rotationally fixed relative to one another when the one or more related post members are within the one or more axially aligned passageways but are independent locking first and second setting sleeve portions free to rotate relative to one another when the one or more related post member are not within the one or more axially aligned passageways.

23. The well system as recited in claim 13, further including a first collar sleeve disposed between the first end of the sealing/anchoring element and the setting sleeve and a second collar sleeve disposed between the second end of the sealing/anchoring element and the internally threaded setting sleeve.

24. The well system as recited in claim 23, further including a first backup shoe disposed between the first end of the sealing/anchoring element and the first collar sleeve and a second backup shoe disposed between the second end of the sealing/anchoring element and the second collar sleeve.

25. The well system as recited in claim 23, wherein the setting sleeve is an axially fixed setting sleeve.

26. A method, comprising: positioning a sealing/anchoring assembly within a wellbore located in a subterranean formation, the sealing/anchoring assembly including: a mandrel;a sealing/anchoring element positioned about the mandrel;a setting sleeve coupled with a first end of the sealing/anchoring element; andan internally threaded setting sleeve coupled with a second end of the sealing/anchoring element, the internally threaded setting sleeve configured to employ its internal threads to rotate and axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing/anchoring element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state;coupling a rotary motor with the internally threaded setting sleeve; andactuating the rotary motor to rotate and axially translate the internally threaded setting sleeve to move the sealing/anchoring element from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state.