Anti-extrusion element with overlapping segments

A method for sealing in a wellbore, the method comprises:

• introducing a packer assembly into a wellbore, wherein the packer assembly comprises:
• a conduit,
• a sealing element disposed on the conduit and positioned adjacent to an anti-extrusion element, and
• the anti-extrusion element comprising:
• a series of inner segments with each inner segment in the series being adjacent to another inner segment in the series to form a loop of inner segments;
• wherein each of the inner segments in the series is bent to form a slot running along a circumference of the anti-extrusion element and wherein the slot opens and faces radially outward away from the loop;
• wherein each inner segment has two ends disposed on opposing sides of an axial length of each inner segment and each end comprises a groove;
• wherein the groove of one end of each inner segment aligns with a corresponding groove of an end of an adjacent inner segment so as to form an opening;
• a series of outer segments with each outer segment in the series being adjacent to another outer segment in the series to form a loop of outer segments;
• wherein each of the outer segments in the series is bent to form a slot running along the circumference of the anti-extrusion element and wherein the slot opens and faces radially outward away from the loop;
• wherein the series of inner segments is nested within the slot of the series of outer segments;
• wherein each outer segment in the series comprises a peg within the slot;
• wherein each peg faces radially outward from the loop formed of the series of outer segments;
• wherein each of the pegs in the series of outer segments aligns with one of the openings of the series of inner segments such that one peg in the series of outer segments protrudes through one opening in the series of inner segments;
• and
• a plurality of springs disposed in the slot of the inner segments;
• wherein the springs in the plurality are coupled to the pegs of the series of outer segments;
• applying a force to the anti-extrusion element;
• wherein the force compresses the anti-extrusion element and the adjacent sealing element to expand the anti-extrusion element and the sealing element radially;
• and
• contacting an adjacent surface in the wellbore with the compressed sealing element.

A system for sealing in a wellbore, the system comprises:

• a conduit,
• a sealing element disposed on the conduit and positioned adjacent to an anti-extrusion element, and
• the anti-extrusion element comprising:
• a series of inner segments with each inner segment in the series being adjacent to another inner segment in the series to form a loop of inner segments;
• wherein each of the inner segments in the series is bent to form a slot running along a circumference of the anti-extrusion element and wherein the slot opens and faces radially outward away from the loop;
• wherein each inner segment has two ends disposed on opposing sides of an axial length of each inner segment and each end comprises a groove;
• wherein the groove of one end of each inner segment aligns with a corresponding groove of an end of an adjacent inner segment so as to form an opening;
• a series of outer segments with each outer segment in the series being adjacent to another outer segment in the series to form a loop of outer segments;
• wherein each of the outer segments in the series is bent to form a slot running along the circumference of the anti-extrusion element and wherein the slot opens and faces radially outward away from the loop;
• wherein the series of inner segments is nested within the slot of the series of outer segments;
• wherein each outer segment in the series comprises a peg within the slot;
• wherein each peg faces radially outward from the loop formed of the series of outer segments;
• wherein each of the pegs in the series of outer segments aligns with one of the openings of the series of inner segments such that one peg in the series of outer segments protrudes through one opening in the series of inner segments;
• and
• a plurality of springs disposed in the slot of the inner segments;
• wherein the springs in the plurality are coupled to the pegs of the series of outer segments.