Well packing
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorJan Freyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Annular packer (2) arranged on the outside of a production tubing (4) said packer comprises a core (12) comprising elastic polymer swelling by absorption of hydrocarbons. The core (12) may be surrounded by an external mantle of rubber (10), which is permeable to hydrocarbons and may be equipped with a reinforcement (11). The core (12) swells by absorption of hydrocarbons and the packer (2) expands thus in order to seal the annular space (5) between the production tubing (4) and the well wall (6).
Claims25
A method for sealing an annular space between a well wall and a production tubing in a production well for hydrocarbons, comprising:
- applying to the exterior of the production tubing at least one annular packer, the packer including a first elastomer adapted to swell when exposed to hydrocarbons, the packer having disposed externally to the first elastomer a second elastomer having the properties of diffusing hydrocarbons therethrough and having a lower expansion when exposed to hydrocarbons than the first elastomer;
- inserting the production tubing into the well;
- and
- enabling hydrocarbons to enter the well.
A packer for sealing an annular space between a well wall and a production tubing in a production well for hydrocarbons, comprising:
- a first elastomer adapted to swell when exposed to hydrocarbons, the first elastomer formed generally in the shape of an annular cylinder applicable to the external surface of the production tubing;
- and
- a second, swellable elastomer applied to substantially the entire external surface of the first elastomer, the second elastomer having the properties of diffusing hydrocarbons therethrough and having a lower expansion when exposed to hydrocarbons than the first elastomer.
A packer for sealing an annular space between a well wall and a production tubing in a production well for hydrocarbons, comprising:
- a first elastomer adapted to swell when exposed to hydrocarbons, the first elastomer formed generally in the shape of an annular cylinder applicable to the external surface of the production tubing;
- and
- a second swellable elastomer applied to substantially the entire external surface of the first elastomer, the second elastomer having perforations therein to enable diffusing hydrocarbons, and having a lower expansion when exposed to hydrocarbons than the first elastomer.
A packer for sealing an annular space between a well wall and a production tubing in a production well for hydrocarbons, comprising:
- an elastomer adapted to swell when exposed to hydrocarbons, the elastomer formed generally in the shape of an annular cylinder applicable to the external surface of the production tubing;
- and
- an outer layer applied to substantially the entire external surface of the first elastomer, the outer layer being formed from a material having slower diffusion to hydrocarbons than the elastomer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.