Abstract: A well casing packer includes a seal mechanism, mounted on a mandrel. The casing packer comprises a seal element and a wedge member for driving the seal element radially outward against a well casing by applying radial forces to the seal element. This wedge member and a support member support the seal element to maintain the radial forces on the seal element, and the support member and the wedge member are constrained to move together during the driving of the seal element against the well casing. The casing packer also includes a mechanism for releasing the radial forces on the seal element, which comprises a member for releasing the constraint between the wedge and support members to allow these members to be longitudinally driven relative to one another to remove the support on the seal element by the wedge member, and thereby release the radial forces on the seal.

Abstract: A tubular joint sealing system for use in high pressure and high temperature conditions is provided. The sealing system consists of a shape memory material backup member combined with a compliant seal. The shape memory member is deformed into an intermediate shape that is sufficiently reduced in size so as to avoid abrasive contact with the sealing surfaces of the tubular members during the mechanical makeup of the joint. Thereafter, the shape memory member may be activated to assume its memory shape configuration, which is selected to be sufficient size to form a pressure and fluid-tight seal.