Wellbore annulus packer apparatus and method

A packer valve for connection with a tubing string for use in a wellbore for regulating the flow of fluid within a wellbore annulus between the tubing string and the wellbore, the packer valve comprising:

• a packer body for fixed interconnection with the tubing string such that the packer body is manipulable through manipulation of the tubing string, the packer body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough for communication with the tubing string;
• a inner packing member carried by and extending radially outward from the packer body, the inner packing member defining an outer annular flow path radially between the inner packing member and the wellbore when the packer valve is in the wellbore;
• an outer packing member carried by the packer body, the outer packing member defining an inner annular flow path radially between the packer body and the outer packing member;
• one of the packing members being axially moveable relative to the other packing member between a closed flow position wherein the outer packing member is engaged with the inner packing member and the wellbore and an open flow position wherein the outer packing member is disengaged from the inner packing member;
• and
• a packer sleeve mounted about the packer body such that rotation of the body relative to the packer sleeve is translated into axial movement of the one packing member relative to the other packing member, an outer surface of the packer body including an outer thread, and an inner surface of the packer sleeve including a mating inner thread, such that rotation of the tubing string moves the packer valve between the closed flow position and the opened flow position.

A method of controlling fluid flow with a packer valve within a wellbore annulus between a tubing string and the wellbore, the method comprising:

• connecting a packer body with the tubing string such that the packer body is manipulable through manipulation of the tubing string, the packer body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough for communication with the tubing string;
• supporting a inner packing member on the packer body and extending radially outward from the packer body, the inner packing member defining an outer annular flow path radially between the inner packing member and the wellbore when the packer valve is in the wellbore;
• supporting an outer packing member on the packer body, the outer packing member defining an inner annular flow path radially between the packer body and the outer packing member;
• axially moving one packing member relative the other packing member by rotating the tubing string between a closed flow position wherein the outer packing member is engaged with the inner packing member and the wellbore and an open flow position wherein the outer packing member is disengaged from the inner packing member;
• and
• passing a majority of fluid in the wellbore annulus through both the outer annular flow path and the inner annular flow path when the packer valve is in the open flow position.