US 5,297,633 A · Inflatable packer assembly

Abstract

An inflatable packer assembly for use in a subterranean well bore to isolate an interval of the well bore and/or adjacent subterranean formation for treatment. The assembly comprises a hanger assembly, a fluid piston assembly and at least one inflatable packer. As constructed and positioned in the well bore, the hanger assembly and fluid piston assembly are sufficiently distant from the interval to be treated to inhibit being stuck in the well bore. By lowering and raising the tubing or drill string from which the inflatable packer assembly is suspended, the fluid piston assembly pumps well bore fluid into and from the packer to respectively inflate and deflate the packer. In this manner, the packer can be repeatedly inflated, deflated and repositioned within a well bore to treat successive intervals of the well bore.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An inflatable packer assembly for use in an enclosure having a substantially tubular configuration, the assembly comprising:

securing means for securing the assembly against axial movement within the substantially tubular enclosure;
inflatable means for forming a fluid tight seal between the assembly and the enclosure upon being inflated thereby substantially preventing fluid flow through an annulus defined between the assembly and the enclosure;
pump means for mechanically pumping fluid which is initially present within the enclosure to and from said inflatable means;
positioning means for fixedly positioning said securing means and said pump means at a location which is sufficiently distant from said inflatable means to inhibit material entering the enclosure from contacting and causing the securing means and pump means to become stuck within the enclosure;
and
means for axially transporting fluid through the assembly.

3 more elements

A process for treating an interval of a well bore which is in fluid communication with a subterranean formation, the process comprising:

a) securing an inflatable packer assembly to a string of tubing, said assembly comprising securing means for securing the assembly against axial movement within the well bore, inflatable means for forming a fluid tight seal between the assembly and the well bore upon being inflated thereby substantially preventing fluid flow through an annulus defined between the assembly and the well bore and pump means for mechanically pumping fluid which is initially present within the well bore to and from said inflatable means;
b) positioning said inflatable means adjacent the well bore interval to be treated, the assembly being constructed such that said securing means and said pump means being positioned at a location distant from the interval to be treated;
c) expanding the securing means into contact with the well bore by manipulation of the tubing string to secure the assembly against axial movement within the well bore;
d) manipulating the tubing string to pump said fluid from the pump means to the inflatable means thereby inflating the inflatable means to form said fluid tight seal and to isolate the well bore interval;
and
e) injecting a treating fluid through the assembly and into contact with the well bore interval to be treated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inflatable packer assembly

Life of this patent

Inflatable packer assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21