US 11,634,963 B2 · Thermally deformable annular packers

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.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A thermally deformable annular packer for use in oil and gas wells, said annular packer comprising a stack of component parts, said parts comprising one or more eutectic alloy based ring sections sandwiched between two end sections wherein at least one of the annular packer ring sections is provided with a plurality of enclosed voids that are configured to become exposed when the ring sections melt;

and wherein at least one of the stacked component parts comprises an enclosed void;
wherein at least one of the end sections comprises a blind hole;
wherein the ring sections comprise conduits extending between the component facing surfaces of the ring section;
and wherein the blind holes and the conduits are arranged in an alternating pattern around each ring section.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermally deformable annular packers

Life of this patent

Thermally deformable annular packers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34