Bi-directional Packer Booster Assembly for Wellbore Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packer systems in wellbore completion operations are prone to unseating due to differential pressures, which can lead to a reduction in the packing element's ability to maintain a seal, as internal pressure is compromised by formation and operational pressure fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directionally boosted packer system with a packing element that uses a booster assembly to maintain internal pressure above differential pressures, ensuring the packing element remains seated and effective across varying pressure conditions, utilizing a mandrel with a packing cone and booster assembly to compress and lock the packing element into the annular region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical or hydraulic force is used to expand the packing element outwardly, then the packing element can seal the annular area, but the internal pressure of the packing element decreases when differential pressure approaches or exceeds the initial internal pressure, causing compression set and reducing sealing ability
Solution Approach 1:
The packer system applies preliminary mechanical or hydraulic force to expand the packing element outwardly into the annular region before differential pressure acts on it. This preliminary expansion establishes initial sealing contact and internal pressure that resists subsequent differential pressure fluctuations, preventing compression set and maintaining sealing reliability throughout wellbore operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of differential pressure (which tends to compress the packing element and reduce internal pressure) into a beneficial force by using hydraulic pressure applied to the slips and packing element. This hydraulic pressure counteracts the differential pressure, maintains internal pressure above differential pressure levels, and prevents unseating and compression set while enhancing the seal
2Force
If the slip is used to prevent packer movement, then the packer is anchored in place, but the slip traps the force used to expand the packing element, creating internal pressure that can be exceeded by differential pressure, leading to unseating
Solution Approach 1:
The packer system employs hydraulic pressure applied to the slips and packing element to maintain anchoring force and internal pressure. This hydraulic mechanism ensures that the internal pressure remains above differential pressure levels, preventing the packing element from being compressed beyond its elastic recovery capability and avoiding unseating during wellbore operations
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 packer system effectively maintains a seal under fluctuating wellbore pressures by boosting internal pressure to exceed differential pressures, preventing unseating and ensuring consistent sealing performance regardless of pressure direction or magnitude changes.
Implementation Method 1
a packing element expandable into sealing engagement with the surrounding casing
Implementation Method 2
a bi-directionally boosted and held packing element... a booster assembly to maintain internal pressure above differential pressures
Data Source
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AI summary
A packer (100) is provided for sealing an annular region in a wellbore. In one embodiment, the, packer includes a boosting assembly (131a,b) adapted to increase a pressure on the packing element (150) in response to an increase in a pressure surrounding the packer (100), for example, an increase in the annulus pressure.