Well sealing system

Apparatus for forming a metal to metal seal between a first tubular means longitudinally slidable within a second tubular means, comprising:

• a. a metal seal ring carried on the exterior of the first tubular means;
• b. a guide sleeve slidably carried over one end of the first tubular means;
• c. a shoulder secured to the exterior of the first tubular means and the metal seal ring disposed between the guide sleeve and the shoulder;
• d. the outside diameter of the guide sleeve sized to engage a first restriction within the second tubular means restricting longitudinal movement of the guide sleeve and allowing the first tubular means to slide relative to the guide sleeve;
• e. a plurality of backup rings disposed around the exterior of the first tubular means between the guide sleeve and one end of the metal seal ring and the shoulder and the other end of the metal seal ring;
• and
• f. means, including the backup rings, for compressing and radially expanding the metal seal ring when the first tubular means slides relative to the guide sleeve.

A well sealing system for blocking fluid communication through an annulus formed by disposing a tubing string within a casing string, comprising:

• a. the casing string having a first shoulder projecting into the bore of the casing string;
• b. a second shoulder projecting into the bore of the casing string and spaced above the first shoulder;
• c. the inside diameter of the casing string between the first and second shoulders having a smooth surface for sealing with elastomeric material;
• d. a guide sleeve slidably carried on the end of the tubing string;
• e. the outside diameter of the guide sleeve selected to engage the first shoulder of the casing string restricting movement of the guide sleeve through the bore of the casing string;
• f. a spacer ring secured to the exterior of the tubing string and spaced above the guide sleeve;
• g. a metal seal ring carried on the exterior of the tubing string between the guide sleeve and the spacer ring;
• h. means for compressing and radially expanding the metal seal ring comprising the guide sleeve and the spacer ring;
• i. a plurality of packing rings carried on the exterior of the tubing string above the spacer ring;
• j. the outside diameter of the packing rings selected to engage the inside diameter of the casing string between the first and second shoulders;
• k. a protective cylinder releasably secured to the exterior of the tubing string having a first position covering the packing rings and a second position allowing the packing rings to engage the inside diameter of the casing string;
• and
• l. the outside diameter of the protective sleeve selected to engage the second shoulder and shift the protective sleeve from its first position to its second position.