Retrievable high pressure, high temperature packer apparatus with anti-extrusion system and method

A packer apparatus for sealing between a tubing string and a casing disposed in a wellbore, the packer apparatus comprising:

• a packer mandrel adapted to be connected in said tubing string;
• an expandable sealing element disposed about said packer mandrel, said packer apparatus having a running position and a set position, wherein said sealing element and said casing have a gap therebetween when said packer is in said running position, and wherein said sealing element sealingly engages said casing when said packer is in said set position, wherein said packer mandrel is movable relative to said sealing element, and wherein downward movement of said mandrel relative to said sealing element causes radially outwardly directed and compressive forces to be applied to said sealing element so that said sealing element will sealingly engage said casing;
• and
• wherein said packer apparatus can be repetitively moved between said set and said running position in said casing, and wherein said sealing element will maintain sealing engagement with said casing each time said packer is moved to said set position.

A packer apparatus for sealing between a tubing string and a casing disposed in a wellbore, the packer apparatus comprising:

• a packer mandrel adapted to be connected in said tubing string;
• an expandable sealing element disposed about said packer mandrel, said packer apparatus having a running position and a set position, wherein said sealing element and said casing have a gap therebetween when said packer is in said running position, and wherein said sealing element sealingly engages said casing when said packer is in said set position;
• an upper seal wedge disposed about said mandrel;
• and
• a lower seal wedge disposed about said mandrel, wherein said upper and lower seal wedges will slide between said sealing element and said mandrel to expand said sealing element radially outwardly when said packer is moved to its set position, wherein said packer apparatus can be repetitively moved between said set and said running position in said casing, and wherein said sealing element will maintain sealing engagement with said casing each time said packer is moved to said set position.

A packer apparatus for sealing between a tubing string and a casing disposed in a wellbore, the packer apparatus comprising:

• a packer mandrel adapted to be connected in said tubing string;
• an expandable sealing element disposed about said packer mandrel, said packer apparatus having a running position and a set position, wherein said sealing element and said casing have a gap therebetween when said packer is in said running position, and wherein said sealing element sealingly engages said casing when said packer is in said set position, wherein said packer apparatus can be repetitively moved between said set and said running position in said casing, and wherein said sealing element will maintain sealing engagement with said casing each time said packer is moved to said set position;
• a first anti-extrusion jacket disposed at an upper end of said sealing element;
• and
• a second anti-extrusion jacket disposed at a lower end of said sealing element.

A method of repeatedly sealing between a tubing and a casing string in a well, the method comprising:

• providing a packer apparatus comprising a packer mandrel and an expandable sealing element disposed about said mandrel;
• lowering said packer apparatus on said tubing into said casing to a selected location in said well;
• setting said packer apparatus to a set position by radially expanding said sealing element to sealingly engage said casing at said selected location;
• unsetting said packer apparatus by retracting said sealing element so that said sealing element disengages from said casing;
• and
• resetting said packer apparatus at least one additional time in said well so that said sealing element is radially expanded to sealingly engage said casing, said setting and resetting steps comprising applying radially outwardly and axially directed forces to said sealing element to cause said sealing element to sealingly engage said casing.

A method of repeatedly scaling between a tubing and a casing string in a well, the method comprising:

• providing a packer apparatus comprising a packer mandrel and an expandable sealing element disposed about said mandrel;
• lowering said packer apparatus on said tubing into said casing to a selected location in said well;
• setting said packer apparatus to a set position by radially expanding said sealing element to sealingly engage said casing at said selected location;
• unsetting said packer apparatus by retracting said sealing element so that said sealing element disengages from said casing;
• moving said apparatus in said casing to an additional selected location;
• and
• resetting said packer apparatus at least one additional time in said well so that said sealing element is radially expanded to sealingly engage said casing.

A method of repeatedly sealing between a tubing and a casing string in a well, the method comprising:

• providing a packer apparatus comprising a packer mandrel and an expandable sealing element disposed about said mandrel;
• lowering said packer apparatus on said tubing into said casing to a selected location in said well;
• setting said packer apparatus to a set position by radially expanding said sealing element to sealingly engage said casing at said selected location;
• unsetting said packer apparatus by retracting said sealing element so that said sealing element disengages from said casing;
• resetting said packer apparatus at least one additional time in said well so that said sealing element is radially expanded to sealingly engage said casing;
• and
• producing fluid through said tubing after said setting step.

A method of repeatedly sealing between a tubing and a casing string in a well, the method comprising:

• providing a packer apparatus comprising a packer mandrel and an expandable sealing element disposed about said mandrel;
• lowering said packer apparatus on said tubing into said casing to a selected location in said well;
• setting said packer apparatus to a set position by radially expanding said sealing element to sealingly engage said casing at said selected location;
• unsetting said packer apparatus by retracting said sealing element so that said sealing element disengages from said casing;
• and
• resetting said packer apparatus at least one additional time in said well so that said sealing element is radially expanded to sealingly engage said casing.