# US 2014/0196887 A1 · Annular barrier with safety metal sleeve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196887 A1 - Document ID: US20140196887A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/878,609 - Filed: 2012-09-12 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-13 - Assignees: Welltec A/S - Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196887A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/1277: {characterised by the construction or fixation of the sleeve} - E21B 33/127: with inflatable sleeve (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole. The annular barrier comprises a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular part and having an inner face facing the tubular part and an outer face facing towards the inside wall of the borehole, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with a connection part which is connected with the tubular part, a space between the inner face of the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular part, and an expansion opening in the tubular part through which fluid may enter into the space in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve, wherein the annular barrier further comprises a first safety metal sleeve surrounding the tubular part and abutting the expandable metal sleeve and said first safety metal sleeve having a first inner face abutting the face of the expandable metal sleeve, each end of the first safety metal sleeve being connected with the connection part which is connected with the tubular part. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An annular barrier (1) to be expanded in an annulus (2) between a well tubular structure (3) and an inside wall (4) of a borehole (5) downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone (200) and a second zone (300) of the borehole, comprising a tubular part (6) for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an expandable metal sleeve (7) surrounding the tubular part and having an inner face (7a) facing the tubular part and an outer face (7b) facing towards the inside wall of the borehole, each end (71, 72) of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with a connection part (12) which is connected with the tubular part, a space (13) between the inner face of the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular part, and an expansion opening (11) in the tubular part (6) through which fluid may enter into the space (13) in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve (7), wherein the annular barrier further comprises a first safety metal sleeve (8) surrounding the tubular part and abutting the expandable metal sleeve, said first safety metal sleeve having a first inner face (8a) abutting the face of the expandable metal sleeve, each end (81, 82) of the first safety metal sleeve being connected with the connection part (12) which is connected with the tubular part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the first safety metal sleeve has a first inner face (8a) abutting the outer face of the expandable metal sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a second safety metal sleeve (9) surrounding the tubular part, said second safety metal sleeve having a second inner face (9a) facing the safety metal sleeve, each end (91, 92) of the second safety metal sleeve being connected with the connection part (12) which is connected with the tubular part. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An annular barrier according to claim 3, further comprising a third safety metal sleeve (10), said third safety metal sleeve having a third inner face (10a) facing the second outer face (9b) of the second safety metal sleeve, each end (101, 102) of the third safety metal sleeve being connected with the connection part (12) which is connected with the tubular part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of additional safety metal sleeves surrounding the tubular part and the safety metal sleeves being the first safety metal sleeve, and being connected with the connection part (12) which is connected with the tubular part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the expandable metal sleeve and safety metal sleeve have different required expansion pressures. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the expandable metal sleeve and safety metal sleeve are made from different materials. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the sleeves have a thickness and the thickness of the expandable metal sleeve is greater than the thickness of the safety metal sleeve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the safety metal sleeve has a higher ductility than the expandable metal sleeve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An annular barrier according to claim 1, wherein the expandable metal sleeve has a higher yield strength than the safety metal sleeve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An annular barrier according to claim 9, wherein the first safety metal sleeve is made of a material having an elongation of more than 10% of an elongation of the material of the expandable metal sleeve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) An annular barrier according to claim 5, wherein an additional sealing element surrounding an outermost safety sleeve comprises an intermediate layer of elastomer, rubber or polymer arranged between the outermost safety metal sleeve and a sealing element sleeve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) An annular barrier according to claim 3, wherein the safety metal sleeve closest to the inside wall (4) of the borehole is made from a sealing metal material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) An annular barrier according to claim 3, wherein the safety metal sleeve closest to the inside wall (4) of the borehole comprises at least one sealing element.