Redundant metal-metal seal
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsHarjit S. Kohli, Hebah Ahmed, Anthony F. Veneruso
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a sealing assembly for protecting a downhole connection. The sealing assembly comprises independently energized metal-metal seals and a housing that prevents the energization of individual seals from affecting other seals.
Claims39
A sealing assembly for a downhole connection, comprising:
- a primary metal-metal seal;
- and
- at least one independently energized redundant metal-metal seal;
- and
- a housing defining an interior that prevents the energization of the at least one independently energized redundant metal-metal seal from affecting the contact stresses on the primary metal-metal seal.
A sealing assembly for a connection, comprising:
- a primary metal-metal seal energized by a primary retainer;
- a secondary metal-metal seal energized by a secondary retainer, said energization having no effect on the contact stresses of the primary metal-metal seal;
- a tertiary metal-metal seal energized by a tertiary retainer, said energization having no effect on the contact stresses of the secondary metal-metal seal and having no effect on the contact stresses of the primary metal-metal seal;
- and
- a housing.
A sealing assembly for a connection, comprising:
- a primary metal-metal seal energized by a first energizing means;
- a secondary metal-metal seal energized by a second energizing means;
- a tertiary metal-metal seal energized by a third energizing means;
- means to prevent the energization of the secondary metal-metal seal from affecting the contact stresses of the primary metal-metal seal;
- and
- means to prevent the energization of the tertiary metal-metal seal from affecting the contact stresses of the secondary metal-metal seal.
A downhole sealing assembly, comprising:
- a housing having an internal cavity;
- a connection located within the internal cavity of the housing;
- a primary metal-metal seal adapted to prevent fluid from entering the internal cavity;
- and
- one or more independently energized metal-metal seals adapted to prevent fluid from reaching the primary metal-metal seal and to prevent affecting the contact stresses of the primary metal-metal seal upon energization.
A method of protectively sealing a downhole connection, comprising:
- providing a housing having the downhole connection within;
- providing a primary metal-metal seal adapted to prevent fluid from contacting the downhole connection within the housing;
- providing one or more independently energized redundant metal-metal seals adapted to prevent fluid from contacting the primary metal-metal seal;
- and
- preventing the energization of the one or more independently energized redundant metal-metal seals from affecting the contact stresses of the primary metal-metal seal.
A method of testing downhole seals within a housing, comprising:
- injecting a chemical into the housing, the chemical adapted to produce an exothermic reaction when exposed to test fluid, the chemical isolated by the downhole seals;
- exposing the downhole seals to test fluid;
- and
- monitoring the housing for temperature increases.
A method of testing downhole seals, comprising:
- providing hollow beads adapted to emit noise upon exposure to increased pressure, the hollow beads isolated from the increased pressure by the downhole seals;
- exposing the downhole seals to increased pressure;
- and
- monitoring the hollow beads for sound.
A method of testing downhole seals, comprising:
- providing cavities isolated from test fluid by downhole seals;
- exposing the downhole seals to test fluid;
- and
- detecting the presence of test fluid in the cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.