Downhole Packer Hydraulic Setting via Annulus Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole packer setting mechanisms face challenges in effectively sealing zones within a wellbore using mechanical means, necessitating a solution that leverages differential pressure for reliable sealing.
Innovation Solution
A downhole packer design featuring a mandrel with radially directed ports and an annulus area that expands axially when fluid pressure exceeds a threshold, utilizing a housing to squeeze the packer element against the casing, and incorporating springs for compression and decompression to engage and disengage the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical mechanisms are used to set downhole packers, then the packer can be set in the wellbore, but reliability of sealing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical setting mechanisms with a hydraulic system. Fluid pressure applied through a fluid passage acts on a piston to radially expand the packer element against the wellbore wall, eliminating the need for complex mechanical setting mechanisms and improving sealing reliability through differential pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure to set the packer. A fluid passage leads to a piston that converts fluid pressure into radial expansion force, causing the packer element to expand and seal against the wellbore wall. This hydraulic mechanism provides reliable sealing with simpler device architecture
2Ease of operation
If mechanical mechanisms are used to set downhole packers, then the packer can be deployed, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical setting operations with hydraulic actuation. Fluid pressure automatically drives the piston to expand the packer element, simplifying the setting operation to merely pumping fluid into the wellbore without requiring complex mechanical manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The packer element automatically expands when fluid pressure is applied through the piston mechanism. The system self-actuates through hydraulic pressure, eliminating the need for external mechanical setting operations and improving ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables reliable sealing of well zones by using differential pressure to expand the annulus area and compress the packer element against the casing, allowing for efficient sealing and easy disengagement, facilitating well treatment and zone isolation.
Implementation Method 1
a packer element disposed around a portion of the mandrel... axially expand the annulus area when fluid flows through the radially directed port and into the annulus area above a fluid pressure threshold
Implementation Method 2
fluid flows through the radially directed port and into the annulus area above a fluid pressure threshold... housing is disposed adjacent to the packer element to squeeze the packer element
Data Source
AI summary
A packer comprising a mandrel having a radially directed port disposed therein and a passageway axially disposed therein and a packer element disposed around a portion of the mandrel. The packer further includes a housing disposed around a portion of the mandrel creating an annulus area between the mandrel and the housing, the housing is disposed adjacent to the packer element to squeeze the packer element and axially expand the annulus area when fluid flows through the radially directed port and into the annulus area above a fluid pressure threshold. The packer can be included in a downhole assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer. A method of using the packer includes placing the packer into a wellbore to seal one zone from another and pumping fluid into the packer to set the packer element against a casing in the wellbore. A method of using the assembly that incorporates the upper packer and the lower packer is also described.