Patent · US Expired

Annular isolators for expandable tubulars in wellbores

US6854522B2 · kind B2 · utility

115Cited by
68References
47Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 2002
Grant dateFeb 15, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/108
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.