Method and apparatus for downhole sealing

A method of providing a downhole seal in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing, the method comprising:

• providing an intermediate tubing section defining means for sealingly engaging with the inner tubing;
• and deforming a portion of the intermediate tubing section downhole by compressive plastic deformation with a localised reduction in wall thickness resulting in a subsequent increase in diameter of the intermediate tubing section to form an annular extension, said extension forming a sealing contact with the outer tubing.

An apparatus for use in forming a downhole arrangement for permitting sealing between inner tubing and outer tubing utilizing and intermediate tubing section fixed and in sealing contact with the outer tubing and for sealingly engaging the inner tubing, the apparatus comprising an intermediate tubing section and a body carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubing engaging portions for location within the tubing section, at least one of the tubing engaging portions being radially extendable to plastically deform a portion of the intermediate tubing section, the body being rotatable to form an annular extension in the intermediate tubing section for sealing engagement with the outer tubing.

A packer for providing a downhole seal in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing, the packer comprising an intermediate tubing section defining means for sealingly engaging with the inner tubing and a radially plastically deformed annular extension for sealing contact with the outer tubing.

A method of providing a downhole seal in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing, the method comprising:

• plastically deforming at least a portion of the inner tubing downhole to form an annular extension, said extension creating a sealing contact with the outer tubing.

A packer arrangement comprising outer and inner tubing for location downhole, the inner tubing having a radially plastically deformed annular extension for sealing contact with the outer tubing.

An apparatus for providing a sealing connection with outer tubing in a drilled bore to permit an item operatively associated with the apparatus to be sealingly located in the bore, the apparatus comprising a tubing section having a radially plastically deformed annular extension for sealing contact with the outer tubing and a non-deformed section for cooperating with the item to be located in the bore.

An apparatus for use in forming a seal between an inner tubing and an outer tubing, using an intermediate tubing section in sealing contact with the outer tubing for creating a sealed engagement between the inner and outer tubings, the apparatus comprising:

• an intermediate tubing section;
• and
• a body with at least two circumferentially spaced tubing engaging portions for location within the tubing section, at least one of the tubing engaging portions being radially extendable to plastically deform a portion of the intermediate tubing section to form an annular extension in the intermediate tubing section for sealing engagement with the outer tubing.

A method of sealing an annular area in a wellbore comprising:

• providing a tubular member;
• deforming the tubular member in a manner whereby an outer surface of the tubular assumes a shape of a non uniform inner surface of an outer tubular therearound and forms a seal therebetween.

An apparatus for forming a seal between and inner tubular and an outer tubular, the apparatus comprising:

• a body disposable within the inner tubular, the body having radially extendable, fluid actuated members to expand an outer surface of the inner tubular into sealing contact with the outer tubular.