CONTROL SYSTEMS COMPRISING SUPPLEMENTARY CLOSURE DEVICES AND INWARDLY INFLATING PACK-OFF DEVICES

Abstract

A supplementary closure device system comprising: a tubular, a supplementary closure device disposed in the tubular, wherein the supplementary close device comprises a housing and one or more flapper fingers disposed on the housing, and a pack-off device and associated methods.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 62/069,519 filed Oct. 28, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to supplementary closure devices used in association with pack-off devices. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to supplementary closure devices capable of being used in association with inwardly inflating inflatable packers and associated methods and systems.

During drilling or production, a well may experience an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons. One method of controlling this uncontrolled release is through the use a collapsible insert device. Briefly, collapsible insert devices are wellbore inserts that may comprise a housing that surrounds a collapsible insert. The collapsible insert device may be installed within a tubular, and when that tubular experiences an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons, the collapsible insert device may be activated thus sealing the wellbore. Examples of collapsible insert devices are discussed in U.S Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0214183, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

One potential problem with collapsible insert devices is that they may not fully seal a well. For example, if a collapsible insert device does not obtain a closure of at least 96% then it may not effectively control the flow of hydrocarbons from the wellbore. In some instances, if flow continues through the sleeve for a finite period while the sleeve does not have a consistent closure of at least 96%, flow erosion may breach a wall of the collapsed collapsible insert device sleeve. Other potential problems with collapsible insert devices may include the complete failure of the collapsible insert device to close or uneven closure. Uneven closure may result in higher fluid velocity rates through the sleeve, lack of pressure drop, and high erosion rates.

Recently, a supplementary control device has been developed that assists in the control of hydrocarbons. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/975,292, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. These devices may form an additional closure in an open wellbore to stop, or substantially reduce, an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons. In certain embodiments, these devices may be used in conjunction with a collapsible insert device.

However, these supplementary control devices themselves may also have problems fully sealing a well in certain embodiments. For example, when there is a pipe disposed within the production tubular, the supplementary control device may not be able to provide a seal. In certain instances, the pipe passing through the supplementary control device may prevent the supplementary control device and the collapsible insert device from fully closing and sealing the wellbore. Additionally, even when there is no pipe passing through the supplementary control device and the supplementary control device is able to be fully closed, an additional seal may be desirable to fully seal the well.

It is desirable to develop a method of completely sealing a down hole system comprising a tubular and a pipe disposed within the tubular.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to supplementary closure devices used in association with pack-off devices. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to supplementary closure devices capable of being used in association with inwardly inflating inflatable packers and associated methods and systems.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a supplementary closure device system comprising: a tubular, a supplementary closure device disposed in the tubular, wherein the supplementary close device comprises a housing and one or more flapper fingers disposed on the housing, and a pack off device disposed in the tubular.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a supplementary closure device system comprising: a tubular, a supplementary closure device disposed in the tubular, wherein the supplementary close device comprise a housing and one or more flapper fingers disposed on the housing, a pipe passing through the supplementary closure device; and a pack off device disposed in the tubular.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: providing a supplementary closure device system comprising a supplementary closure device, and a pack off device, and a tubular and activating the supplementary closure device to seal the tubular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete and thorough understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a supplementary closure device system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a supplementary closure device system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a supplementary closure device system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a supplementary closure device system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the spirit of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes exemplary apparatuses, methods, techniques, and/or instruction sequences that embody techniques of the inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure relates generally to supplementary closure devices used in association with pack-off devices. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to supplementary closure devices capable of being used in association with inwardly inflating inflatable packers and associated methods and systems.

There may be several advantages of the methods and systems described herein. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems described herein allow for the sealing of a wellbore system that comprise a tubular and a pipe disposed within the tubular. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems described herein allow for the sealing of a wellbore system that comprises a tubular with no pipe disposed within the tubular.

Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates a supplementary closure device system 1000. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device system 1000 may comprise a tubular 1100, a supplementary closure device 1200, and pack-off device 1300.

In certain embodiments, tubular 1100 may comprise any type of tubular. In certain embodiments, tubular 1100 may comprise a casing string or a liner. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may comprise a part of tubular 1100.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may comprise any conventional supplementary closure device. Examples of suitable supplementary closure devices are disclosed in US 61/975,292. In other embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may comprise a surface controlled sub-surface safety valve.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may comprise a housing 1210 and one or more flapper fingers 1220.

In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may be constructed of any conventional downhole material suitable for use as a tubular. In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may be constructed out of steel, cast iron, cast steel, and/or stainless steel. In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may have a cylindrical shape with a hollow center. In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may comprise an outside surface (not illustrated in FIG. 1), an inside surface (not illustrated in FIG. 1), a top surface (not illustrated in FIG. 1), and a bottom surface (not illustrated in FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may further comprise a groove (not illustrated in FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, an O-ring (not illustrated in FIG. 1) may be disposed in the groove.

In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may be from 4 to 20 inches in length. In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may have an outer diameter of from 5 to 15 inches, an inner diameter of from 4 to 14 inches, and/or a thickness of 0.25 to 1 inches. In certain embodiments, housing 1210 may have an outer diameter of 11.75 inches, an inner diameter of 8.5 inches, and/or a thickness of 1.625 inches.

In certain embodiments, the top surface of housing 1210 may have several indented portions comprising indented surfaces (not illustrated in FIG. 1) and side surfaces (not illustrated in FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the side surfaces may each define a cavity.

In certain embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may be constructed out of any conventional downhole material suitable for use as a tubular. In certain embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may be constructed out of steel, cast iron, cast steel, stainless steel, Incalloy/Inconel, and/or titanium. In certain embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may be arrow shaped and/or comprise base portions (not illustrated in FIG. 1), side sealing faces (not illustrated in FIG. 1), back sealing faces (not illustrated in FIG. 1), bottom surfaces (not illustrated in FIG. 1), and top surfaces (not illustrated in FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the base portions may define one or more cavities.

In certain embodiments, the one or more flapper fingers 1220 may be disposed on the top surface of housing 1210. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may comprise 6, 8, 10, or 12 flapper fingers 1220 disposed and equispaced on the top surface of housing 1210. In certain embodiments, the base portion of flapper fingers 1220 may be in contact with the side surfaces of housing 1210. In certain embodiments, the base portion of flapper fingers 1220 may be disposed within the indented portions of the top surfaces of housing 1210.

In certain embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may be attached to housing 1210 through the use of a pivot pin (not illustrated in FIG. 1) and a torsion spring (not illustrated in FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the pivot pin may be disposed in the cavities defined by the side surfaces and the base portion. In certain embodiments, the torsion spring may be disposed around the pivot pin. In certain embodiments, the torsion spring may be capable of keeping supplementary closure device in a closed position, as further described below.

In certain embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 1, supplementary closure device 1200 may be in an open position. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 are arranged such that they do not restrict flow through supplementary closure device 1200. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may be vertically disposed on housing 1210. In certain embodiments, the top surfaces of flapper fingers 1220 may be in vertical alignment with the outside surface of housing 1210.

In certain embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 2, supplementary closure device 1200 may be in a closed position. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 are arranged such that they restrict flow through supplementary closure device 1200. In such embodiments, there is no tubular passing through supplementary closure device 1200. In certain embodiments, the restriction may be a complete restriction or a partial restriction. In certain embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may be arranged such that they restrict 100% of the flow when in the closed position.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may be capable of providing a pressure containment up to 5000 psi when in the closed position. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may be capable of providing a pressure containment in excess of 5000 psi when in the closed position. In certain embodiments, the selection of materials used for the flapper fingers 1220 and housing 1210 may govern the amount of pressure containment supplementary closure device 1200 may withstand.

In certain embodiments, when in the closed position, the side sealing faces of each of each flapper fingers 1220 may be in sealing contact with the side sealing faces of the adjacent flapper fingers 1220. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 1220 may create a self-supporting bridge effectively sealing the supplementary closure device.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may be disposed within an outer housing 1120 of tubular 1100. In certain embodiments, outer housing 1120 may match or exceed the physical and chemical ratings of tubular 1100. In certain embodiments, outer housing 1120 may comprises top, middle, and bottom cylindrical components that may be threadedly connected to each other by metal-to-metal premium sealing threads.

In certain embodiments, outer housing 1120 may comprise a stop sleeve 1121. In certain embodiments, stop sleeve 1121 may be an integral part of outer housing 1120. In other embodiments, stop sleeve 1121 may be disposed within outer housing 1120. In certain embodiments, when supplementary closure device 1200 is in the open position, the bottom surfaces of the flapper fingers of supplementary closure device 1200 may be in contact with the outer housing.

In certain embodiments, an inner sleeve assembly may be disposed within outer housing 1120. In certain embodiments, the inner sleeve assembly may comprise inner sleeve 1133 and/or spacer sleeve 1134. In certain embodiments, inner sleeve assembly may be held in a down position by one or more shear pins 1131. In such embodiments, the one or more flapper fingers of supplementary closure device 1200 may be held in the open position and the torsion springs of supplementary closure device 1200 may be torsionally loaded. In such embodiments, inner sleeve 1133 may cover the inner surfaces of the flapper fingers 1220 providing protection and smooth flow of any wellbore fluids.

Furthermore, in such embodiments, once shear pin 1131 is sheared, gas propellant or hydraulic pressure may move the inner sleeve 1133 upward allowing for the one or more flapper fingers to rotate upward and bring supplementary closure device 1200 into the closed position.

In certain embodiments, activation of explosive material 1150 may move inner sleeve 1133 to shear shear pins 1131. In certain embodiments, explosive material 1150 may be a solid propellant. In certain embodiments, explosive 1150 may initiate a gas pressure surge to move inner sleeve 1133 in response to an activation signal. In certain embodiments, explosive material 1150 may be disposed within an annulus formed by outer housing 1120 and inner sleeve 1133. In certain embodiments, explosive material 1150 may be disposed within a propellant cavity (not illustrated in FIG. 1).

In certain embodiments, explosive material 1150 may comprise any solid gas propellant. Examples of suitable solid gas propellants include solid gas propellants that comprises/contains potassium perchlorate. In certain embodiments, the solid gas propellant may comprise potassium perchlorate mixed with a resin. In certain embodiments a Lead Azide may be used as a primer for the solid gas propellant.

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may comprise an inwardly inflating inflatable pack-off device. Examples of suitable inwardly inflating inflatable pack-off devices are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,052,861, 4,063,427, 4,337,010, and 4,372,704, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may comprise an inwardly inflating inflatable packer. In certain embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may comprise an outer housing 1310, element reinforcement 1320, sealing element 1340, bottom sub 1350, an injection port 1360, inflation element 1370, and seal 1380.

In certain embodiments, outer housing 1310 may comprise an upper end and a lower end. In certain embodiments, outer housing 1310 may have an inner diameter of 8.5 inches, an outer diameter of 11.75 inches, and a length of 12 feet. In other embodiments, outer housing 1310 may have an inner diameter of 12.25 inches, an outer diameter of 15 inches, and a length of 12 feet.

In certain embodiments, lower end of outer housing 1310 may comprise a draw feature. In certain embodiments, a seal may be disposed between bottom sub 1350 and outer housing 1310. In certain embodiments, bottom sub 1350 may be sheared-pinned in place by shear pin 1390. In certain embodiments, when the pack-off device is inflated, shear pin 1390 may be sheared allowing bottom sub 1350 to slide sealingly engaged in the bore of the packer outer housing 1310 when the packer starts to inflate. This draw feature allows the inflation element 1370 to move inwards due to the effects of the external gas pressure on the inflation element 1370 and the upward movement of the inflation element 1370 and sliding bottom sub 1350.

In certain embodiments, rubber inflation element 1370 may comprise continuous or discontinuous reinforcing ribs (made of stainless steel, or carbon steel) disposed outwith sealing element 1340.

In certain embodiments, injection port 1360 may comprise a single injection port 1360 or a series of injection ports 1360. In certain embodiments, injection port 1360 may allow for gas to be introduced into an annular space between the sealing element 1340 and outer housing 1310.

In certain embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 1, pack-off device 1300 may be in an uninflated position. In other embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 2, pack-off device 1300 may be in an inflated position. In such embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may provide a restriction of flow through tubular 1100. In certain embodiments, the restriction may be a complete restriction or a partial restriction. In certain embodiments, approximately 50% of the flow through tubular 1100 may be restricted once pack-off device 1300 is inflated.

In certain embodiments, inflatable pack-off device 1300 may be capable of providing a pressure containment up to 5000 psi when in the inflated position. In certain embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may be capable of providing a pressure containment in excess of 5000 psi when in the inflated position. In certain embodiments, the selection of materials used for pack-off device 1300, and the size of the tubular 1100 it is disposed within, may govern the amount of pressure containment that pack-off device 1300 may withstand.

In operation, supplementary closure device system 1000 may be activated by activating both supplementary closure device 1200 and pack-off device 1300 individually or together. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 and pack-off device 1300 may be activated simultaneously. In other embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 and pack-off device 1300 may be activated sequentially. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device system 1000 may be activated by only activating one of supplementary closure device 1200 and pack-off device 1300.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may be activated by activating explosive material 1150. Explosive material 1150 may be activated by a signal that is sent to a downhole receiver which in turn activates/switches on a battery pack which sends an electrical charge to the detonator package which ignites the primer and solid propellant to create the gas pressure. Once activated, propellant gas generated from explosive material 1150 may be applied to inner sleeve 1133 which then shears the one or more shear pins 1131. Once the one or more shear pins 1131 have been sheared, pressure from the propellant gas generated from explosive material 1150 may then move inner sleeve 1133 upwards until it contacts spacer sleeve 1134. This contact then allows torsion springs to urge the flapper fingers to rotate around the pivot pins in the housing and move into the closed position where they sealingly meet and mate together, thus restricting or cutting off fluid/gas/entrained particle flow that may be flowing up from the wellbore.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, supplementary closure device 1200 may be activated by utilizing hydraulic pressure rather than propellant gas to apply pressure to inner sleeve 1133.

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may be activated by activating explosive material 1150. Explosive material 1150 may be activated by a signal that is sent to a downhole receiver which in turn activates/switches on a battery pack which sends an electrical charge to the detonator package which ignites the primer and solid propellant to create the gas pressure. Once activated, propellant gas generated from explosive material 1150 may enter injection port 1360 of pack-off device 1300. The propellant gas may then inwardly inflate the inflation element 1370 until tubular is effectively sealed.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, pack-off device 1300 may be activated by utilizing hydraulic pressure rather than propellant gas to apply pressure to inflate the inflation element 1370.

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 1300 and supplementary closure device 1200 may be activated by activating a single source of explosive material 1150. In other embodiments, pack-off device 1300 and supplementary closure device 1200 may be activated independently by activating separate explosive materials 1150.

Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a supplementary closure device system 2000. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device system 2000 may comprise a tubular 2100, a supplementary closure device 2200, pack-off device 2300, and a drill pipe 2400.

In certain embodiments, tubular 2100 may comprise any type of tubular. In certain embodiments, tubular 2100 may comprise a casing string or a liner. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may comprise a part of tubular 2100.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to supplementary closure device 1200. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may comprise a housing 2210 and one or more flapper fingers 2220.

In certain embodiments, housing 2210 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to housing 1210.

In certain embodiments, flapper fingers 2220 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to flapper fingers 1220.

In certain embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 3, supplementary closure device 2200 may be in an open position. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 2220 are arranged such that they do not restrict flow through supplementary closure device 2200. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 2220 may be vertically disposed on housing 2210. In certain embodiments, the top surfaces of flapper fingers 2220 may be in alignment with the outside surface of housing 2210.

In certain embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 4, supplementary closure device 2200 may be in a partially closed position. In such embodiments, a pipe 2400 passing through supplementary closure device 2200 may prevent supplementary closure device 2200 from closing to the fully closed position. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may not alone be capable of providing a pressure containment when in the partially closed position. In such embodiments, flapper fingers 2220 of supplementary closure device 2200 may be in contact with pipe 2400.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may be disposed within an outer housing 2210 of tubular 2100. In certain embodiments, outer housing 2120 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to outer housing 1120.

In certain embodiments, outer housing 2120 may comprise a stop sleeve 2121. In certain embodiments, stop sleeve 2121 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to stop sleeve 1121.

In certain embodiments, an inner sleeve assembly may be disposed within outer housing 1120. In certain embodiments, the inner sleeve assembly may comprise inner sleeve 2133 and/or spacer sleeve 2134. In certain embodiments, inner sleeve assembly may be held in a down position by one or more shear pins 2131. In such embodiments, the one or more flapper fingers of supplementary closure device 2110 may be held in the open position and the torsion springs of supplementary closure device 2110 may be torsionally loaded. In such embodiments, inner sleeve 2133 may cover the inner surfaces of the flapper fingers 2220 providing protection and smooth flow of any wellbore fluids.

Furthermore, in such embodiments, once shear pin 2131 is sheared, gas propellant or hydraulic pressure may move the inner sleeve 2133 upward allowing for the one or more flapper fingers to rotate upward and bring supplementary closure device 2110 into the partially closed position.

In certain embodiments, activation of explosive material 2150 may move inner sleeve 2133 to shear shear pin 2131. In certain embodiments, explosive material 2150 may share any combination of features discussed above with respect to explosive material 1150. In certain embodiments, explosive material 2150 may be disposed within an explosive cavity (not illustrated in FIG. 3).

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 2300 may share any combination of features discussed above with respect to pack-off device 1300. In certain embodiments, pack-off device 2300 may comprise an outer housing 2310, an element reinforcement 2320, sealing element 2340, bottom sub 2350, an injection port 2360, inflation element 2370, and seal 2380.

In certain embodiments, body 2310 may share any combination of features discussed above with respect to body 1310. In certain embodiments, body 2310 may comprise an upper end and a lower end.

In certain embodiments, inflation element 2370 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to rubber inflation element 1370. In certain embodiments, inflation element 2370 may comprise continuous or discontinuous reinforcing ribs (made of stainless steel, or carbon steel) disposed outwith sealing element 2340.

In certain embodiments, bottom sub 2350 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to bottom sub 1350. In certain embodiments, bottom sub 2350 may be may be held in place by a shear pin 2390.

In certain embodiments, injection port 2360 may comprise any combination of features discussed above with respect to injection port 1360.

In certain embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 3, pack-off device 2300 may be in an uninflated position. In other embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 4, pack-off device 2300 may be in an inflated position. In such embodiments, pack-off device 2300 may provide a restriction of flow through tubular 2100. In certain embodiments, the restriction may be a complete restriction or a partial restriction. In certain embodiments, approximately 100% of the flow through tubular 2100 may be restricted once pack-off device 2300 is inflated.

In certain embodiments, inflatable pack-off device 2300 may be capable of providing a pressure containment up to 5000 psi when in the inflated position. In certain embodiments, pack-off device 2300 may be capable of providing a pressure containment in excess of 5000 psi when in the inflated position. In certain embodiments, the selection of materials used for pack-off device 2300, and the size of the tubular 2100 it is disposed within, may govern the amount of pressure containment that pack-off device 2300 may withstand.

In operation, supplementary closure device system 2000 may be activated by activating both supplementary closure device 2200 and pack-off device 2300 individually or together. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 and pack-off device 2300 may be activated simultaneously. In other embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 and pack-off device 2300 may be activated sequentially. In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device system 2000 may be activated by only activating one of supplementary closure device 2200 and pack-off device 2300.

In certain embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may be activated by activating explosive material 2150. Explosive material 2150 may be activated by a signal that is sent to a downhole receiver which in turn activates/switches on a battery pack which sends an electrical charge to the detonator package which ignites the primer and solid propellant to create the gas pressure. Once activated, propellant gas generated from explosive material 2150 may be applied to inner sleeve 2133 which then shears the one or more shear pins 2131. Once the one or more shear pins 2131 have been sheared, pressure from the propellant gas generated from explosive material 2150 may then move inner sleeve 2133 upwards until it contacts an inner shoulder of housing 2210. This contact then allows torsion springs to urge the flapper fingers to rotate around the pivot pins in the housing and move into the closed position where they sealingly meet and mate together, thus restricting or cutting off fluid/gas/entrained particle flow that may be flowing up from the wellbore.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, supplementary closure device 2200 may be activated by utilizing hydraulic pressure rather than propellant gas to apply pressure to inner sleeve 2133.

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 2300 may be activated by activating explosive material 2150. Explosive material 2150 may be activated by a signal that is sent to a downhole receiver which in turn activates/switches on a battery pack which sends an electrical charge to the detonator package which ignites the primer and solid propellant to create the gas pressure. Once activated, propellant gas generated from explosive material 2150 may enter injection port 2360 of pack-off device 2300. The propellant gas may then inwardly inflate the inflation element 2370 until tubular is effectively sealed.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, pack-off device 2300 may be activated by utilizing hydraulic pressure rather than propellant gas to apply pressure to inwardly inflate the inflation element 2370.

In certain embodiments, pack-off device 2300 and supplementary closure device 1200 may be activated by activating a single source of explosive material 2150. In other embodiments, pack-off device 2300 and supplementary closure device 2200 may be activated independently by activating separate explosive materials 2150.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: providing a supplementary closure device system comprising a supplementary closure device, a pack-off device, and a tubular and activating the supplementary closure device to seal the tubular. In certain embodiments, the supplementary closure device system may comprise any supplementary closure device system discussed above. In certain embodiments, the supplementary closure device may comprise any supplementary closure device discussed above. In certain embodiments, the supplementary closure device may comprise any pack-off device described above. In certain embodiments, the tubular may comprise any tubular discussed above.

In certain embodiments, providing a supplementary closure device system may comprise running a supplementary closure device and a pack-off device into a wellbore separately. In certain embodiments, providing a supplementary closure device system may comprise running a supplementary closure device and a pack-off device into a wellbore simultaneously. In certain embodiments, providing a supplementary closure device system may comprise running a combined supplementary closure device and a pack-off device into a wellbore as a single device.

In certain embodiments, activating the supplementary closure device may comprise activating an explosive material. In certain embodiments, the explosive material may be activated by a signal sent to a downhole receiver. In certain embodiments, once the explosive material has been activated, propellant gas may be generated from the explosive material. In certain embodiments, the propellant gas may be applied to an inner sleeve of the supplementary closure device system. In certain embodiments, once the propellant gas is applied to the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve may move shearing the shear pins of the supplementary closure device system. In certain embodiments, once the shear pins have been sheared, pressure may move an inner sleeve of the supplementary closure device so that it contacts an inner shoulder of a spacer sleeve. In certain embodiments, once the inner sleeve is in contact with the inner shoulder of the spacer sleeve, the torsion springs may urge the flapper fingers to rotate around the pivot pins and move into the closed position or the partially closed position.

In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise activating the pack-off device. In certain embodiments, the pack-off device may be activated in any manner discussed above. In certain embodiments, the pack-off device may be activated by activating the explosive material. In certain embodiments, the explosive material may be the same explosive material used to activate the supplementary closure device. In other embodiments, the explosive material may be a different explosive material than the explosive material used to activate the supplementary closure device.

In certain embodiments, the propellant gas generated from the explosive material may be used to inflate the pack-off device. In certain embodiments, the propellant gas may enter the injection port of the pack-off device thus inflating the pack-off device.

While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible.

Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A supplementary closure device system comprising: a tubular, a supplementary closure device disposed in the tubular, wherein the supplementary close device comprise a housing and one or more flapper fingers disposed on the housing, and a pack-off device.

2. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the tubular comprises a casing string or a liner.

3. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the supplementary closure device comprises 6 flapper fingers.

4. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the pack-off device comprises an inwardly inflating inflatable packer.

5. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the supplementary closure device is capable of transitioning from an open position to a closed position.

6. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the supplementary closure device is in an open position.

7. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the supplementary closure device is in a closed position.

8. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the pack-off device is in an uninflated position.

9. The supplementary closure device system of claim 1, wherein the pack-off device is in an inflated position.

10. A supplementary closure device system comprising: a tubular, a supplementary closure device disposed in the tubular, wherein the supplementary close device comprise a housing and one or more flapper fingers disposed on the housing, a pipe passing through the supplementary closure device; and a pack-off device.

11. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the tubular comprises a casing string or a liner.

12. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the supplementary closure device comprises 6 flapper fingers.

13. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the pack-off device comprises an inwardly inflating inflatable packer.

14. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the supplementary closure device is capable of transitioning from an open position to a partially closed position.

15. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the supplementary closure device is in an open position.

16. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the supplementary closure device is in a partially closed position.

17. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the pack-off device is in an uninflated position.

18. The supplementary closure device system of claim 10, wherein the pack-off device is in an inflated position.

19. A method comprising: providing a supplementary closure device system comprising a supplementary closure device, a pack-off device, and a tubular and activating the supplementary closure device to seal the tubular.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising activating the pack-off device.