Tight Tolerance Packer With Stepped Mandrel for Annular Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression packers struggle to achieve a proper seal in tight annular spaces between outer and inner casings in the oil and gas industry, due to the limited thickness of the packer element which prevents effective sealing.
Innovation Solution
The packer design incorporates a packer mandrel with a stepped outer surface, allowing for a thicker packer element and a stepped setting sleeve that moves along the mandrel, ensuring sufficient thickness for an effective seal in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional packer design with a single stepped down portion is used, then the tool can be deployed in standard casing, but the packer element thickness is insufficient to generate a proper seal in tight annular spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is segmented into multiple stepped down portions with different outer diameters, allowing the packer element to be positioned at different radial locations. This segmentation enables the packer element to achieve sufficient thickness for reliable sealing in tight annular spaces while maintaining compatibility with standard casing dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an additional radial dimension by incorporating multiple stepped down portions at different radii from the mandrel center. This dimensional approach allows the packer element to be supported at optimal radial positions, ensuring adequate thickness for sealing without increasing the overall tool outer diameter beyond casing limitations
2Area of stationary object
If the packer element is made thinner to fit in tight annular spaces, then the tool can be deployed in small casings, but the seal quality deteriorates due to insufficient thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel features localized stepped down portions at specific radial positions, creating zones of different diameters. This local quality variation allows the packer element to be supported at the optimal location where sufficient thickness can be achieved, ensuring high-quality sealing even in constrained annular spaces
3Device complexity
If a single stepped down portion is used on the mandrel, then the structure remains simple, but the packer element cannot achieve sufficient thickness for effective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel structure is segmented into multiple stepped down portions, each providing a different support diameter for the packer element. This segmentation increases sealing reliability by enabling optimal packer element thickness while maintaining a relatively simple overall mandrel design that builds upon conventional single-step configurations
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
This design enables the packer element to achieve a competent seal even in small annular spaces, enhancing wellbore isolation and casing-to-casing isolation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The setting sleeve will be disposed about the packer mandrel. The portion of the mandrel about which the setting sleeve moves has a single stepped down portion
Implementation Method 2
Compression packers provide economical and efficient solutions for wellbore isolation
Data Source
AI summary
A packer assembly has a packer mandrel and a packer element movable from an unset to a set position on the packer mandrel. An annular lock ring with a plurality of lock ring teeth is positioned in an annular space between the packer mandrel and a setting sleeve movable on the packer mandrel from a first to a second position to move the packer element to the set position. The mandrel has a plurality of mandrel teeth thereon in engagement with the lock ring teeth.