Controlled deformation and shape recovery of packing elements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11713644-B2
Application number	US-202117157552-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2021
Priority date	Oct 30, 2020
Publication date	Aug 1, 2023
Grant date	Aug 1, 2023

Abstract

A packer assembly includes a mandrel and a packing element disposed about the mandrel. Upper and lower recovery sleeves are disposed about the mandrel and extend between the mandrel and respective upper and lower ends of the packing element. The upper and lower recovery sleeves each have a recovery profile embedded within the packing element. Upper and lower backup assemblies are movably disposed about the respective upper and lower recovery sleeves, adjacent to the respective upper and lower ends of the packing element. The packer assembly includes at least one release mechanism. When setting the packer assembly in a bore, the packing element is axially compressed between the upper and lower backup assemblies to contact the bore wall, and the upper and lower backup assemblies splay outwards. Upon release, the packing element and backup assemblies retract, thereby facilitating retrieval of the packer assembly from the bore.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retrievable downhole tool for setting in and releasing from a wellbore, the tool comprising:
a central mandrel;
a radially expandable packer assembly disposed about the central mandrel, the packer assembly comprising:
a packer mandrel, and
a radially expandable packing element disposed about the packer mandrel for sealingly engaging the wellbore;

a radially expandable slip assembly disposed about the central mandrel, the slip assembly comprising at least one a slip member for grippingly engaging the wellbore;
a primary release mechanism configured to selectively permit the packer assembly to transition from a set configuration, in which the packing element is radially expanded into sealing engagement with the wellbore, to a released configuration in which the packing element is radially retracted from the wellbore; and
a secondary release mechanism configured to selectively permit the slip assembly to transition from a set configuration, in which the at least one slip member is radially expanded into gripping engagement with the wellbore extended, to a released configuration in which the at least one slip member is radially retracted from the wellbore;
wherein the primary release mechanism is configured to permit the packer assembly to transition to the released configuration in the wellbore before the slip assembly has transitioned to the released configuration in the wellbore.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the slip assembly is configured to transition from a running configuration, in which the at least one slip member is radially retracted, to the set configuration prior to the packer assembly transitioning from a running configuration, in which the packing element is radially retracted, to the set configuration.

3. The downhole tool of claim 2 , wherein the slip assembly is transitioned from the running configuration to the set configuration by applying a force from the packer mandrel to a cone assembly of the slip assembly.

4. The downhole tool of claim 2 , further comprising an equalization mandrel disposed within the central mandrel.

5. The downhole tool of claim 4 , wherein when the packer assembly is in the set configuration, the equalization mandrel is configured to move relative to the central mandrel, thereby opening fluid communication between a first annular zone above the packing element and a second annular zone below the packing element.

6. The downhole tool of claim 5 , wherein the primary release mechanism is configured to permit the packer assembly to transition to the released configuration after moving the equalization mandrel to open fluid communication between the first annular zone and the second annular zone.

7. The downhole tool of claim 6 , wherein the primary release mechanism includes a first lock ring, and further wherein a portion of a release mandrel coupled to the equalization mandrel engages the first lock ring upon the equalization mandrel moving to open fluid communication between the first annular zone and the second annular zone.

8. The downhole tool of claim 7 , wherein the secondary release mechanism includes a second lock ring, and further wherein a portion of a slip mandrel of the slip assembly engages the second lock ring upon the slip assembly being transitioned from the running configuration to the set configuration.

9. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the packer assembly further comprises:
an upper recovery sleeve disposed about the packer mandrel and extending between the packer mandrel and an upper end of the packing element, the upper recovery sleeve including an upper recovery profile embedded within the packing element;
an upper backup assembly movably disposed about the upper recovery sleeve and adjacent to the upper end of the packing element;
a lower recovery sleeve disposed about the packer mandrel and extending between the packer mandrel and a lower end of the packing element, the lower recovery sleeve including a lower recovery profile embedded within the packing element; and
a lower backup assembly movably disposed about the lower recovery sleeve and adjacent to the lower end of the packing element.

10. The downhole tool of claim 9 , wherein each backup assembly further comprises:
an inner backup sleeve disposed about the corresponding upper or lower recovery sleeve and movable with respect to the corresponding upper or lower upper recovery sleeve, the inner backup sleeve including a first annular shoulder;
an outer backup sleeve disposed about the inner backup sleeve and movable with respect to the inner backup sleeve, the outer backup sleeve including a second annular shoulder;
a biasing member between the first and second annular shoulders;
a backup support coupled to the inner backup sleeve; and
a backup ring assembly coupled to the backup support and configured to enclose an outer surface of the corresponding upper or lower end of the packing element.

11. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the slip assembly includes a cone assembly comprising:
a base cone;
an extension ramp coupled to the base cone, the extension ramp:
pivotably movable between a radially retracted position and a radially extended position, and
biased toward the radially retracted position by a biasing member; and
a support cone movable relative to the base cone between an unset position and a set position, and configured to move the extension ramp between the radially retracted and radially extended positions upon moving from the unset position to the set position.

12. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool is a bridge plug.

13. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the primary release mechanism comprises at least a release lug radially supported by a support ring while the packer assembly is in the set configuration, the support ring movable relative to the release lug to a release position wherein the radial support for the release lug is removed.

14. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the secondary release mechanism comprises shear sub movable upon defeating a fastener coupling the shear sub to the slip assembly, thereby permitting relative movement of the shear sub and the shear assembly.

Assignees

• Weatherford Tech Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Mitchell Michael Wilbert
• Ingram Gary Duron

Classifications

• E21B33/128 Primary

  with a member expanded radially by axial pressure (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B23/06

  for setting packers · CPC title

• E21B33/1208

  characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/129

  with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/1216

  Anti-extrusion means, e.g. means to prevent cold flow of rubber packing · CPC title