Fluid energized metal-to-metal seal with retrieval capabilities
AssigneeBaker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
InventorsRyan Parsley, Keith Adams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An annular hanger seal for sealing a tubing or casing hanger comprising a flow passage, at least one seal chamber, and a metal surface. Pressure can enter the hanger seal through the flow passage causing the at least one seal chamber to expand. Expansion of the at least one seal chamber can cause sealing contact between the metal surface around the at least one seal chamber and the housing, the hanger, or both surfaces. The seal can later be punctured or otherwise depressurized to break sealing contact for removal of the hanger from the annular space.
Claims17
A hanger sealing system comprising:
- a flow passage fluidly connected to an annular space above a hanger;
- at least one seal chamber fluidly connected to the flow passage;
- a metal surface encapsulating the at least one seal chamber;
- and
- a check valve integral with or positioned adjacent to the at least one seal chamber and positioned between the flow passage and the at least one seal chamber oriented to prevent fluid flow out of the at least one seal chamber;
- wherein the metal surface expands when pressurized by fluid from the flow passage.
A hanger sealing system comprising:
- a flow passage;
- at least one seal chamber fluidly connected to the flow passage;
- a metal surface encapsulating the at least one seal chamber;
- a check valve integral with or positioned adjacent to the at least one seal chamber and positioned between the flow passage and the at least one seal chamber oriented to prevent fluid flow of the fluid out of the at least one seal chamber;
- and
- tubing running from an external pressure source to the flow passage the at least one seal chamber being pressured by such pressure source.
A method of sealing an annular space, the method comprising:
- positioning a hanger within an annular space;
- pressurizing a hanger seal of the hanger;
- expanding a seal chamber of the hanger seal by such pressure;
- sealingly engaging a metal surface of the hanger seal upon such expansion;
- and
- containing such pressure within the seal chamber with a check valve integral with or positioned adjacent to the seal chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.