Retrievable high pressure, high temperature packer apparatus with anti-extrusion system
US6102117A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B33/1293
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A packer apparatus for sealing between a tubing string and a casing in a wellbore is disclosed. The packer apparatus includes a seal assembly disposed about a packer mandrel. Upper and lower seal wedges are disposed about the packer mandrel above and below the seal assembly and may be inserted between the seal assembly and the packer mandrel to radially expand the seal assembly into engagement with the casing. The seal assembly includes an expandable elastomeric seal element having anti-extrusion bridge elements disposed in recesses at the upper and lower ends thereof. The anti-extrusion elements form an almost complete circle and thus are arcuately shaped having first and second ends with a gap therebetween. The anti-extrusion bridge elements are preferably automatically radially retractable elements so that when the seal wedges are removed from between the seal assembly and the packer mandrel, the automatically radially retractable anti-extrusion elements will apply a radially inwardly directed force sufficient to cause the seal assembly to radially retract and close around the packer mandrel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.