Non-Extruding Single Packer
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsPierre-Yves Corre, Benoit De Verdelhan Des Molles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable packer assembly for conveyance and adjustment within a wellbore. The inflatable packer assembly includes a first end assembly, a second end assembly, and a mandrel extending between the first and second end assemblies and comprising a fluid port on an outer surface of the mandrel. The inflatable packer assembly further includes an expandable packer disposed around the mandrel and sealingly connected with one or both of the first and second end assemblies. At least a portion of the first end assembly extends around the mandrel to define an annular space between the first end assembly and the mandrel. The fluid port extends to the annular space and passes a fluid to inflate the expandable packer.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable packer assembly for coupling within a tool string conveyed within a wellbore, wherein the inflatable packer assembly comprises:
- a mandrel comprising:
- a port in an outer surface of the mandrel;
- and
- a flowline extending within the mandrel and in fluid communication with the port;
- a first connector assembly connected to the mandrel such that the port is axially disposed between opposing ends of the first connector assembly, wherein the first connector assembly is for coupling with a first portion of the tool string such that a second flowline of the first portion is in fluid communication with the first flowline;
- a second connector assembly for coupling with a second portion of the tool string;
- and
- an expandable packer disposed around the mandrel and connected with the first and second connector assemblies, such that fluid received from the first and second flowlines via the port expands the expandable packer against a sidewall of the wellbore or a casing within the wellbore.
An apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable packer assembly configured to be conveyed within a wellbore, wherein the inflatable packer assembly comprises:
- a first end assembly;
- a second end assembly;
- a mandrel extending between the first and second end assemblies and comprising a fluid port on an outer surface of the mandrel, wherein at least a portion of the first end assembly extends around the mandrel to define an annular space between the first end assembly and the mandrel, and wherein the fluid port extends to the annular space;
- and
- an expandable packer disposed around the mandrel and sealingly connected with the first and second end assemblies, wherein the fluid port and annular space are configured to pass a fluid to inflate the expandable packer.
A method comprising:
- coupling an inflatable packer assembly to a tool string, wherein the inflatable packer assembly comprises:
- a mandrel comprising:
- a port in an outer surface of the mandrel;
- and
- a first flowline extending within the mandrel and in fluid communication with the port;
- a first connector assembly connected to the mandrel such that the port is axially disposed between opposing ends of the first connector assembly;
- a second connector assembly;
- and
- an expandable packer disposed around the mandrel and connected with the first and second connector assemblies, wherein coupling the inflatable packer assembly to the tool string comprises:
- coupling the first connector assembly with a first portion of the tool string such that a second flowline of the first portion of the tool string is in fluid communication with the first flowline;
- and
- coupling the second connector assembly with a second portion of the tool string;
- conveying the inflatable packer assembly within a wellbore to a selected location along the wellbore;
- and
- inflating the expandable packer away from the mandrel to against a sidewall of the wellbore or a casing within the wellbore by transferring a fluid into the expandable packer through the first flowline, the second flowline, and the port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.