Multiple layers of open-hole seal in a wellbore
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMohan Gunasekaran, Jorge Gustavo Kuhnen, Laurence Campos Paiva Costa, Desiderio Naegele Rodrigues, Jr., Peterson Garcia Ramaldes
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Abstract
Multiple layers of a seal can be formed to pressure-seal an open-hole wellbore in a subterranean formation. The seal can include at least one element and a sealing mixture between the element and a container housing for pressure sealing the open-hole wellbore between the element and the container housing and for providing multiple layers of seal in the open-hole wellbore. The seal can be retained by the sealing mixture subsequent to the sealing mixture being released.
Claims15
A sealing assembly for an open-hole wellbore, the sealing assembly comprising:
- at least one element comprising a first expandable sealing element and a second expandable sealing element;
- a sealing mixture;
- and
- a container housing positionable between the first expandable sealing element and the second expandable sealing element for retaining the sealing mixture that is releasable, in response to the sealing assembly being actuated, from the container housing (i) to directly contact a wall of the open-hole wellbore for pressure sealing the open-hole wellbore between the at least one element and the container housing and (ii) for providing multiple layers of seal, wherein differential pressure is receivable by a plurality of pistons to form the multiple layers of seal, and wherein the plurality of pistons, in response to receiving the differential pressure, cause the sealing assembly to expand such that retaining teeth of at least two retainer rings, which are positionable adjacent to a tubing around which the sealing assembly is positionable, contact a retaining mechanism of the tubing to retain the sealing assembly in an expanded state.
A method comprising:
- positioning a sealing assembly downhole in an open-hole wellbore, the sealing assembly comprising (i) at least one element having a first expandable sealing element and a second expandable sealing element and (ii) a container housing positioned between the first expandable sealing element and the second expandable sealing element, the container housing comprising a sealing mixture;
- applying differential pressure to a plurality of pistons of the sealing assembly to release the sealing mixture from the container housing (i) to cause the sealing mixture to directly contact a wall of the open-hole wellbore for pressure-sealing the open-hole wellbore and (ii) to form multiple layers of seal between the at least one element and the container housing, wherein the plurality of pistons, in response to receiving the differential pressure, cause the sealing assembly to expand such that retaining teeth of at least two retainer rings, which are positionable adjacent to a tubing around which the sealing assembly is positionable, contact a retaining mechanism of the tubing to retain the sealing assembly in an expanded state;
- and
- performing wellbore-related tasks in the pressure-sealed open-hole wellbore.
A system for forming multiple layers of seal in an open-hole wellbore, the system comprising:
- a sealing assembly comprising:
- at least one element comprising a first expandable sealing element and a second expandable sealing element;
- a sealing mixture;
- and
- a container housing positionable between the first expandable sealing element and the second expandable sealing element for retaining the sealing mixture that is releasable, in response to the system being actuated, from the container housing (i) to directly contact a wall of the open-hole wellbore for pressure sealing the open-hole wellbore between the at least one element and the container housing and (ii) for providing multiple layers of seal, wherein differential pressure is receivable by a plurality of pistons to form the multiple layers of seal, and wherein the plurality of pistons, in response to receiving the differential pressure, cause the sealing assembly to expand such that retaining teeth of at least two retainer rings, which are positionable adjacent to a tubing around which the sealing assembly is positionable, contact a retaining mechanism of the tubing to retain the system in an expanded state;
- and
- the tubing comprising the retaining mechanism for retaining the system after the system expands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.