Expandable packing element and cartridge

A method of deploying a packing element cartridge, comprising:

• running a packing element cartridge in an annulus between a well bore and production pipe, wherein said packing element cartridge includes
• a tubular housing having a longitudinal length;
• a mandrel, including a first ramped surface and a first portion that is positioned within said tubular housing and is slidable longitudinally relative to said tubular housing, wherein said tubular housing includes a second ramped surface opposing said first ramped surface;
• a packing element disposed around said mandrel, wherein said packing element includes a tube having a longitudinal length including:
• a first end and a second end opposing said first end,
• an external portion including a plurality of circumferential ribs;
• and
• an internal portion opposing said external portion, wherein said internal portion includes
• i) a central portion between said first end and said second end including a relief,
• ii) a first tapered portion radially tapering along the longitudinal length from said central portion towards said first end, and
• iii) a second tapered portion tapering along the longitudinal length from said central portion towards said second end,
• wherein said first tapered portion and said second tapered portion slide-ably contact said ramped surfaces;
• and
• moving said mandrel longitudinally into said tubular housing, whereupon a distance between said ramped surfaces decreases and said tapered portions slide up said ramped surfaces, radially expanding said packing element.

A well bore, comprising:

• a well bore annulus;
• a packing element cartridge placed within said annulus, the packing element cartridge including:
• a tubular housing having a longitudinal length;
• a mandrel including a first ramped surface and a first portion that is positioned within said tubular housing and is slidable longitudinally relative to said tubular housing, wherein said tubular housing includes a second ramped surface opposing said first ramped surface;
• a packing element disposed around said mandrel, wherein said packing element includes a tube having a longitudinal length including:
• a first end and a second end opposing said first end;
• an external portion including a plurality of circumferential ribs;
• and
• an internal portion opposing said external portion, wherein said internal portion includes
• i) a central portion between said first end and said second end including a relief,
• ii) a first tapered portion radially tapering along the longitudinal length from said central portion towards said first end of said tube, and
• iii) a second tapered portion tapering along the longitudinal length from said central portion towards said second end of said tube,
• wherein said first tapered portion and said second tapered portion slidably contact said ramped surfaces, and wherein
• upon moving said mandrel longitudinally into said tubular housing, a distance between said ramped surfaces decreases and said tapered portions slide up said ramped surfaces, radially expanding said packing element, and
• upon moving said mandrel longitudinally out of said tubular housing, the distance between said ramped surfaces increases and said tapered portions slide down said ramped surfaces, radially contracting said packing element.

A method of deploying a packing element cartridge, comprising:

• feeding a packing element cartridge with production pipe into a wellbore, wherein said packing element cartridge includes
• a tubular housing having a longitudinal length;
• a mandrel, including a first ramped surface and a first portion that is positioned within said tubular housing and is slidable longitudinally relative to said tubular housing, wherein said tubular housing includes a second ramped surface opposing said first ramped surface;
• a packing element disposed around said mandrel, wherein said packing element includes a tube having a longitudinal length including:
• a first end and a second end opposing said first end,
• an external portion including a plurality of circumferential ribs;
• and
• an internal portion opposing said external portion, wherein said internal portion includes
• i) a central portion between said first end and said second end including a relief,
• ii) a first tapered portion radially tapering along the longitudinal length from said central portion towards said first end, and
• iii) a second tapered portion tapering along the longitudinal length from said central portion towards said second end,
• wherein said first tapered portion and said second tapered portion slide-ably contact said ramped surfaces;
• and
• moving said mandrel longitudinally into said tubular housing, whereupon a distance between said ramped surfaces decreases and said tapered portions slide up said ramped surfaces, radially expanding said packing element.