Thermally deformable annular packers
US11199067B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22C21/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention provides a thermally deformable annular packer with pressure relief means for use in oil and gas wells. The annular packer is formed from a stack of component parts, said parts comprising one or more eutectic alloy based ring sections sandwiched between two end sections. At least one of the annular packer component parts has one or more enclosed voids that are configured to become exposed when the packer is subjected to a predetermined pressure or temperature. The exposure of the enclosed voids serves to increase the effective volume within the sealed region formed by the annular packer in the annulus between two coaxial well casing/tubing. The increase in the effective volume serves to reduce the pressure within the sealed region thus preventing a build-up of pressure that might otherwise have damaged the well casing/tubing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.