Shape memory material packer for subterranean use

A method of using a seal for a subterranean location having a borehole dimension, comprising:

• providing a shape memory element to a manufactured peripheral dimension at least as large as the borehole dimension and extending for at least a portion of the length of said element;
• reducing said peripheral dimension to less than the borehole dimension before running in;
• running in said element on a mandrel to the subterranean location;
• allowing said element to revert to said manufactured peripheral dimension to seal at the subterranean location;
• raising the temperature of said element to above its transition temperature before said reducing;
• inserting a mandrel through a bore in said element before said raising the temperature of said element;
• providing an axial tensile force to said element when said element is mounted to said mandrel to reduce said manufactured peripheral dimension;
• mounting a biasing member on said mandrel before providing said axial tensile force.

A method of using a seal for a subterranean location having a borehole dimension, comprising:

• providing a shape memory element to a manufactured peripheral dimension at least as large as the borehole dimension and extending for at least a portion of the length of said element;
• reducing said peripheral dimension to less than the borehole dimension before running in;
• running in said element on a mandrel to the subterranean location;
• allowing said element to revert to said manufactured peripheral dimension to seal at the subterranean location;
• raising the temperature of said element to above its transition temperature before said reducing;
• inserting a mandrel through a bore in said element before said raising the temperature of said element;
• providing an axial tensile force to said element when said element is mounted to said mandrel to reduce said manufactured peripheral dimension;
• mounting a biasing member on said mandrel before providing said axial tensile force;
• locating said biasing member within said element.

A method of using a seal for a subterranean location having a borehole dimension, comprising:

• providing a shale memory element to a manufactured peripheral dimension at least as large as the borehole dimension and extending for at least a portion of the length of said element;
• reducing said peripheral dimension to less than the borehole dimension before running in;
• running in said element on a mandrel to the subterranean location;
• allowing said element to revert to said manufactured peripheral dimension to seal at the subterranean location;
• raising the temperature of said element to above its transition temperature before said reducing;
• inserting a mandrel through a bore in said element before said raising the temperature of said element;
• providing an axial tensile force to said element when said element is mounted to said mandrel to reduce said manufactured peripheral dimension;
• mounting a biasing member on said mandrel before providing said axial tensile force;
• manufacturing said biasing member from a shape memory polymer.

A method of using a seal for a subterranean location having a borehole dimension, comprising:

• providing a shape memory element to a manufactured peripheral dimension at least as large as the borehole dimension and extending for at least a portion of the length of said element;
• reducing said peripheral dimension to less than the borehole dimension before running in;
• running in said element on a mandrel to the subterranean location;
• allowing said element to revert to said manufactured peripheral dimension to seal at the subterranean location;
• using a variable manufactured peripheral dimension for said element that has a larger dimension between ends thereof;
• inserting a mandrel in an interference fit in a bore through said element before said reducing;
• locating a biasing member in an annular space between said mandrel and said larger dimension or in the element itself at said larger dimension.