Tension set packing apparatus for subterranean wells
AssigneeBaker Oil Tools, Inc.
InventorsPatrick C. Stone, Mike A. Luke, Gary D. Ingram
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of packing elements are mounted in vertically spaced relationship on a tubing string with the spacing of the elements corresponding generally to the spacing of a plurality of sets of perforations in a well conduit. The lowermost packing unit is provided with radially expanding locking elements which engage a locking groove provided in the wall conduit. All packing units incorporate expandable elastomeric sealing members and are set by the application of tension to the tubing string and are unset by the subsequent application of a higher degree of tension to the tubing string.
Claims10
Apparatus for sealing the annulus between an outer well conduit and a tubular body assembly telescopically inserted within the bore of said outer well conduit;
- said tubular body assembly comprising an axially split, two-piece hollow mandrel having means on the upper end of the upper piece for securement to a tubing string;
- shearable means for securing together said two pieces of said mandrel;
- a radially expandable annular packing element surrounding the lower piece of said two-piece mandrel;
- said annular packing element having an annular upper and lower face;
- a radial abutment on said lower mandrel piece engageable with said lower face of said packing element;
- means connectable to the outer well conduit for opposing upward movement of said upper face of said annular packing element, whereby upward movement of the tubing string elevates said two-piece mandrel and imposes an axial compression on said annular packing element to radially expand said annular packing element to seal annulus;
- means engaging the upper piece for preventing downward movement of the upper piece of said two-piece mandrel from said elevated position;
- said shearable means being severable by the application of a larger upward force to said two-piece mandrel than required to expand said packing element to seal said annulus, thereby permitting the lower piece of said two-piece mandrel to move downwardly to permit a radial contraction of said annular packing element from said annulus sealing position.
Wherein said means opposing upward movement of said upper face of said annular packing element comprises an inner tubular body sealably inserted in the bore of said two-piece mandrel and extending downwardly below said two-piece mandrel;
- and means attached to the bottom of said tubular inner body for effecting an anchored engagement with the bore of the well conduit.
Apparatus for sealing the annulus between an outer well conduit and a tubular body telescopically inserted within the bore of said outer well conduit;
- said tubular body comprising a first tubular element having means on its upper end for securement to a tubing string;
- a radially expandable annular packing element slidably surrounding a medial portion of said first tubular element;
- an annular first abutment surrounding the lower end of the first tubular element and engageable with the bottom end of said annular packing element;
- shearable means securing said annular first abutment to said first tubular element;
- a second tubular element inserted in said first tubular element;
- means for securing said second tubular element to the outer well conduit;
- an annular second abutment surrounding said first tubular element above said annular packing element;
- means securing said second annular abutment to said second tubular element, whereby upward movement of the tubing string elevates said first tubular element and imposes an axial compression force on said annular packing element to radially expand said annular packing element to seal said annulus;
- means for preventing downward movement of said first tubular element from said elevated position;
- said shearable means being severable by the application of a greater upward force to said first tubular element than required to expand said annular packing element to seal said annulus, thereby permitting a radial contraction of said annular packing element from said expanded annulus sealing position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.