Well tool having knitted wire mesh seal means and method of use thereof

An apparatus adaptable for insertion on a first conduit within a subterranean well having a second conduit extending therein, said apparatus comprising:

• a cylindrical mandrel communicable to said first conduit;
• slip means carried exteriorly around said mandrel and movable into expanded position for anchoring said apparatus to said second conduit whereby subsequent longitudinal movement of said apparatus in at least one direction is prevented;
• and seal means circumferentially extending exteriorly of said mandrel and urgeable into sealing relation with said second conduit to prevent fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising at least one section of transversely compressible seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile, metal-containing loop members, and further comprising [an elastomeric] a sealing material introduced among said loop members.

A packer apparatus adaptable for insertion on a conduit within a subterranean well having casing therein, said apparatus comprising:

• a cylindrical mandrel communicable to said conduit;
• slip means carried exteriorly around said mandrel and movable into expanded position for anchoring said apparatus to said casing whereby subsequent longitudinal movement of said apparatus in at least one direction is prevented;
• seal means circumferentially extending exteriorly of said mandrel and urgeable into sealing relation with said casing to prevent fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising at least one section of transversely compressible, seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile, metal-containing loop members, and further comprising fibrous means introduced among said metal-containing loop members for preventing fluid transmission through said loop members.

An apparatus adaptable for insertion on a first conduit within a subterranean well having a second conduit extending therein, and responsive to means for anchoring said apparatus at a predetermined location in a subterranean well, said apparatus comprising seal means for preventing fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising at least one section of transversely compressible, seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile metal-containing loop members and further comprising fibrous means, introduced among said loop members, for preventing fluid transmission through said knitted elements.

An apparatus for insertion on a first conduit within a subterranean well having a second conduit extending therein, said apparatus comprising:

• a mandrel communicable to said first conduit;
• slip means for anchoring said apparatus to said second conduit to prevent longitudinal movement of said apparatus in at least one direction;
• and seal means extending between said mandrel and said second conduit to prevent fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising a first primary flexible sealing element and a second seal means adjacent thereto for preventing extrusion of said primary flexible sealing element after initial sealing relation is established, said second seal means comprising a continuous series of interlocking ductile, metal-containing loop members.

An apparatus adaptable for insertion on a first conduit within a subterranean well and responsive to means for positioning said apparatus at a predetermined location in said subterranean well against movement in at least one direction said apparatus comprising seal means for preventing fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising a first sealing element and a second sealing element adjacent thereto for preventing extrusion of said first sealing element after initial sealing relation is established, said second sealing element comprising a continuous series of interlocking ductile, metal-containing loop members.

A method of establishing a seal in a subterranean well between a first conduit and an inner wall of a second conduit in said well to prevent fluid communication thereacross;

• comprising the steps of positioning said second conduit with respect to said first conduit;
• compressing a knitted wire mesh comprising seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile, metal-containing loop members with a fibrous material introduced among said metal-containing loop members to urge said knitted wire mesh into contact with both said first and second conduits to form a seal therebetween.

A method of establishing a seal in a subterranean well between a first conduit and an inner wall of a second conduit in said well to prevent fluid communication thereacross;

• comprising the steps of positioning and anchoring said second conduit with respect to said first conduit:
• activating a main sealing component to urge said main sealing component radially outward into sealing relationship between said first and said second conduits;
• and comprising a knitted wire mesh comprising seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile, metal-containing loop members to urge said knitted wire mesh radially outward into contact with said first and second conduits, urging said knitted wire mesh into contact with said main sealing component immediately adjacent to said knitted wire mesh to fill gaps through which said main sealing component would otherwise extrude.

An apparatus adaptable for insertion on a first conduit within a subterranean well having a second conduit extending therein, and responsive to means for anchoring said apparatus at a predetermined location in a subterranean well, said apparatus comprising seal means for preventing fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising a first sealing element;

• extrusion preventing back up means preventing extrusion of the first sealing element therepast;
• and a resilient metallic element, transversely compressible and conformable to the contour of the extrusion preventing means, positioned between the extrusion preventing means and the first sealing element.

An apparatus adaptable for insertion on a first conduit within a subterranean well having a second conduit extending therein, and responsive to means for anchoring said apparatus at a predetermined location in a subterranean well, said apparatus comprising seal means for preventing fluid transmission thereacross, said seal means comprising a first sealing element;

• extrusion preventing means radially expandable into engagement with the second conduit for preventing extrusion of the first sealing element therepast;
• and a resilient metallic element, transversely compressible and conformable to the contour of the extrusion preventing means, positioned between the extrusion preventing means and the first sealing element.