Spring energized debris barrier for mechanically set retrievable packer

Abstract

A debris barrier for a retrievable mechanical set packer is held retracted for run in. It is held spaced apart from upper slips and uses a spring bias that acts on the slips to keep them energized to also energize the barrier to the extended position to keep debris out of the upper slips when the packer is set. The debris barrier is preferably a sleeve that is axially compressed by the setting procedure to increase in diameter and span the gap between the packer mandrel and the set upper slips. Retrieving the packer is enabled by a retraction of the debris barrier as the upper slips are undermined with rotation and pickup force on the packer mandrel. The lack of a debris barrier could prevent retrieval of the packer in well bores where debris is present and has a tendency to settle around and more critically under the upper slips.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.