Expandable packer isolation system

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• running in an expansion assembly comprising an inflatable with said string;
• and expanding said at least one isolator at least in part with said inflatable.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• limiting the amount of expansion with a device fitted to said mandrel.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• providing radially extending members from said mandrel into said resilient sealing sleeve to resist extrusion of said resilient sleeve after expansion of said mandrel.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• providing an embedded ring located adjacent at least one end of said resilient sleeve to resist extrusion of said sleeve after expansion of said mandrel.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• providing exterior undulations on said mandrel;
• providing a cylindrically shaped outer surface on said resilient sleeve;
• converting said cylindrical shape of the outer surface of said resilient sleeve to an undulating shape upon expansion of said mandrel.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• providing a void between said mandrel and said resilient sealing sleeve;
• placing a deformable material or a particulate material in said void;
• using said deformable material or said particulate material to aid said resilient sleeve conform to the wellbore shape on expansion of said mandrel.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• pre-cooling said resilient sealing sleeve below ambient temperature before insertion into the wellbore.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• circulating through said string during run in;
• closing off circulation passages;
• building pressure in said string;
• using pressure in said string to expand said at least one isolator, at least in part.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• fully expanding said at least one isolator solely with at least one inflatable;
• regulating the volume of incompressible fluid delivered to said inflatable as a way to limit expansion of said at least one isolator.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• fully expanding said at least one isolator solely with at least one inflatable;
• using a screen as said tool;
• expanding said screen with said inflatable;
• pressure testing, after expansion, the sealing contact against the wellbore of said at least one isolator, through said screen.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• fully expanding said at least one isolator solely with at least one inflatable;
• performing said expanding of said at least one isolator and said tool in a single trip into the wellbore;
• running in an anchor with said string;
• setting the anchor before said expanding said inflatable;
• releasing the string from the anchor before actuation of the inflatable;
• removing said inflatable from the wellbore with said string.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• expanding said tool into contact with the formation;
• and
• fracturing the formation by said expanding.

A well completion method for isolating at least one zone, comprising:

• running into the wellbore a string with at least one isolator in conjunction with a tool which allows flow from the surrounding formation into the string;
• expanding said isolator and said tool in said wellbore;
• forming said at least one isolator from an un-perforated mandrel covered by a resilient sealing sleeve;
• expanding said tool into contact with the formation;
• and
• fracturing the formation by said expanding.