Anchor Above Packer Or Plug Seal Patents (Class 166/140)
  • Patent number: 11598176
    Abstract: Rotating a casing during a cementing operation to ensure efficient displacement of cement slurry. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards a sub and rotating tool that are positioned above a first cement operation, wherein the rotating tool is positioned in a kickoff point or build section of a horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ranton Holding LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sepulveda, Sigurd Eirik Sperbund
  • Patent number: 10837255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole straddle system for sealing off a damaged zone in a well tubular metal structure in a well having a top, comprising: a straddle assembly having a first end, a second end closest to the top, an inner face, a first hydraulic expandable annular barrier and a second hydraulic expandable annular barrier, a downhole tool assembly having a hydraulic operated deployment tool for releasable connecting the downhole tool assembly to the second end of the straddle assembly, the downhole tool assembly further comprising a first sealing unit arranged above the first hydraulic expandable annular barrier and the second hydraulic expandable annular barrier and configured to seal against the inner face of the straddle assembly, and a closing unit configured to close the first end of the straddle assembly, wherein the downhole tool assembly further comprising a sealing device arranged above the deployment tool and the first sealing unit, the sealing device has an annular sealing eleme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG
    Inventors: Johnny Bårdsen, Frode Strømsvik
  • Patent number: 10012034
    Abstract: It is desirable to secure a lower end of a down hole assembly in the event of a down hole failure, such as a fractured drive shaft, enabling recovery of the bottom hole assembly and drill bit. To secure the lower end of the down hole assembly, a catch apparatus according to embodiments herein may be used, the catch apparatus including a rotating bearing having a distal end threadably coupled to a distal portion of a drive shaft. The apparatus may also include a stationary bearing having a proximal end threadably coupled to a distal end of an outer housing. A catch ring may be threadably coupled to a proximal end of the rotating bearing, the catch ring having a shoulder radially overlapping a shoulder of the stationary bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Jay M. Eppink
  • Patent number: 8997858
    Abstract: A liner hanger/packer apparatus operates by sequential expansion of a slip ring and then a sealing element. The hanger slips are set by pressure on a seated ball actuating anchor slips to grip followed by a stroker assembly and a swage making a first movement. The ball seat is defeated and the liner is cemented. A pickup force extends landing dogs so that a subsequent set down force releases a flapper to close and closes off fluid ports associated with the anchor slips so that pressure on the closed flapper sets the anchor and strokes the swage a second stroke to set the sealing element. A rupture disc breaks in the flapper after further relative movement of mandrel components to open the fluid displacement ports so that the anchor is in pressure balance to backpressure developed from fluid moving through the now broken disc as the running tool is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Andy Tom
  • Patent number: 8915296
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for setting an anchor in a borehole and milling a window in a side surface of the borehole in a single trip. The apparatus includes a mechanically-settable anchor initially forming part of the drill string, a plug member position below the anchor, and a milling assembly. When the drill string reaches a desired depth in the wellbore, the plug member may be activated from the surface, thus setting the plug member in position with respect to the wellbore. The anchor has an activation element which, when contacted in a predetermined manner, sets the anchor. The plug member has an operation element adapted so that, when the anchor and plug member come into contact with one another in a predetermined orientation, the activation element is operated by the operation element, thus setting the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce McGarian
  • Patent number: 8851166
    Abstract: A downhole tool having a throughbore is disclosed for use in a tubular located in a wellbore. The downhole tool has a sealing element configured to seal an annulus between the downhole tool and an inner wall of the tubular; at least one flow path formed in the downhole tool, wherein the flow path is configured to allow fluids in the annulus to flow past the sealing element when the sealing element is in a sealed position; and at least one valve in fluid communication with the flow path and configured to allow the fluids to flow through the flow path in a first direction while preventing the fluids from flowing through the flow path in a second direction. A guard may be installed proximate anchor elements. The guard extends radially beyond an outer diameter of the anchor elements when the anchor elements are in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Foubister, Graeme K. Smith, Andrew Thomson, Kannan Devarajan, Andres Fuenmayor
  • Patent number: 8561710
    Abstract: A tool for setting an annular seal, including an inner body, a first outer body coaxial with the longitudinal axis, and a second outer body coaxial with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second outer body is coupled to the first outer body. The inner body is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tool and is configure to bias a retaining ring, the first outer body is configured to couple to a potion of the mineral extraction system, and the second outer body is configured to move along the longitudinal axis to bias the annular seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20100288488
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20100206588
    Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a tool for setting an annular seal, including an inner body, wherein the inner body is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tool and is configured to bias a retaining ring, a first outer body coaxial with the longitudinal axis and configured to couple to a portion of a mineral resource system, and a second outer body coaxial with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second outer body is coupled to the first outer body, and the second outer body is configured to move along the longitudinal axis to bias the annular seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20100084127
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Patent number: 7631693
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for a retrievable plug in coil tubing. A plug is disposed within a tubing and is set within the tubing by an anchoring element placed in gripping engagement with the tubing. The plug also has seal elements disposed therein that are placed in sealing engagement with the tubing. An orientation element on the plug positions the plug within the tubing with respect to the seam of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Phillip M. Tong, Kosay El-Rayes
  • Patent number: 7546871
    Abstract: A device that relates to a downhole tool. The tool comprising, a tool body having first and second support portions, and at least one extendable assembly pivotally mounted between the first and second support portions. The extendable assembly is reconfigurable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration by relative movement of the support portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter Barnes Moyes
  • Patent number: 7244694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to viscoelastic fluids that contain nanotube structures that may be used advantageously as oilfield stimulation fluids in many different applications, most particularly as a fracturing fluid. Viscoelastic fluid compositions of the present invention include an aqueous medium, a viscoelastic surfactant, an organic or inorganic acids, or salt thereof, organic acid salts, inorganic salts, and a nanotube component. The invention is also called to a methods of treating a subterranean well bores in which the viscoelastic fluid is injected into the wellbore to perform operations such as fracturing, drilling, acid fracturing, gravel placement, removing scale, matrix acidizing, and removing mud cake. Further, a method of preparing a nanotube viscoelastic fluid comprising the steps of effectively mixing a carbon nanotube component into a viscoelastic fluid, and sonicating the mixture in order to incorporate the carbon nanotube component is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Diankui Fu, Keith Dismuke, Stephen Davies, Ann Wattana
  • Patent number: 6769491
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for sealing an annulus in a wellbore. In one aspect, the apparatus is an anchoring and sealing system for a downhole tool such as a bridge plug, packer, or frac-plug. The sealing system comprises of a sealing member disposed between a set of energizing rings, a set of expansion rings adjacent each cone, a set of support rings, and a set of slips. The components of the sealing system are arranged such that, when compressed, the sealing member may expand radially into contact with a casing. In another aspect, the apparatus the invention provides for an apparatus that is a downhole sealing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Zimmerman, Rocky A. Turley, Rami Al Oudat
  • Patent number: 6481497
    Abstract: A high temperature, high pressure retrievable packer adapted for service under extreme operating conditions when the packer apparatus is held in the wellbore with a mechanical slip and a barrel slip. The barrel slip has a barrel slip body with a plurality of openings defined in the outer surface of the body. Cylindrical inserts are received in the openings. The cylindrical inserts define upward facing and downward facing gripping edges that will engage casing when the barrel slip body is radially expanded. The inserts are preferably tungsten carbide inserts. A sufficient number of inserts are included along the length and around the circumference of the barrel slip so that the barrel slip can get a good grip in the casing wall. Separate metals may be used for the barrel slip body and the inserts so that a higher yield strength alloy steel may be utilized than is possible with other barrel slip arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren C. Swor, Donald W. Winslow, Lee Wayne Stepp, Kenneth G. Neal, Phillip M. Starr
  • Patent number: 6213204
    Abstract: A high-load slip system allows better transmission of loads from the slips to the body. The cone comprises longitudinal slots and the body comprises tabs which are disposed in those slots. The load is transferred from the slips to the cone and into the tabs which reside in the slots. The arrangement can be configured to share the load between the tabs extending from the body and the actual body itself after a small amount of collapse on the cone, leaving the body to support the cone, both through the tabs and on the outside diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James C. Doane
  • Patent number: 5678635
    Abstract: A bridge plug assembly 10 contracts radially inwardly to pass through tubing string T and then expands radially outwardly in response to axially compressive forces to set within a casing string C. Upper and lower independently moveable slips 52 and 54 of the anchor mechanism 12 engage casing C. The packoff mechanism 14 includes a plurality of upper sealing members 160, 162, 164 and a plurality of lower sealing members 166, 168, 170 having varying elasticity such that at least some of the sealing members overlap other sealing members when the bridge plug 10 is compression set in the casing C. The bridge plug assembly 10 is retained in a contracted position for passing downwardly through tubing T, then expanded for sealing engagement with casing C. The bridge plug 10 may be run-in with a setting tool ST and may be subsequently released by a releasing tool RT to drop within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Dunlap, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 5148866
    Abstract: A releasable boring mechanism for releasably securing a tool downhole in a well includes upper and lower sets of slip expandable radially outward from retracted positions into extended positions for engagement with the inside wall of a well casing when a mandrel attached to a tubing string casing, the anchoring mechanism is lifted to wedge upper and lower frustoconical heads between the mandrel and the slips. In releasing the slips from the well casing, the lower edge of a window in an upper slip cage first engages a primary release shoulder on the bottom of a first to release one of the slips to lift such slip through the application of compression forces from the casing well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 5014782
    Abstract: A venting packer tool for insertion into the open end of a pipe under repair and the like, characterized by telescoping body members hydraulically actuated to simultaneously operate an anchor to grip within the pipe and a packer to seal within the pipe, the body members having open communicating bores from the pipe interior to a vent tube for remote venting, and the tool inherently precluding accidental release when once set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Ronald A. Daspit
  • Patent number: 4862961
    Abstract: A retrievable tension-set packer, by itself, and in conjunction with retrievable tension-set bridge plug for use in field testing of oil well casings is disclosed. The retrievable tension-set packer is constructed to be set and sealed above an area of the oil well casing to be tested, while the retrievable tension-set bridge plug is constructed to be set and sealed in an area below the area of the casing to be tested. When used in conjunction with a retrievable tension-set bridge plug, the retrievable tension-set packer has a portion thereof which allows limited rotational movement for setting the bridge plug below the area to be tested, while the tension-set packer requires greater predetermined rotational movement to set the packer above the area to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: N.A.R.K. Properties
    Inventor: Cecil L. Neff
  • Patent number: 4844154
    Abstract: A well packer for sealing an annular space within a well bore around a tubing string including a tubular mandrel, an expandable seal assembly on the mandrel for sealing around the mandrel with a well bore wall, a slip assembly on the mandrel for releasably locking the packer with the well bore wall, a drag spring and slip carrier assembly around the slip assembly, and an interlock assembly for selectively coupling the drag spring and slip carrier assembly with the mandrel for operating the packer through running, set, and release modes. The packer also includes an emergency release feature for releasing the packer in the event that well obstructions or other problems prevent normal rotation of the tubing string and mandrel to operate the interlock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Colby M. Ross, Pat M. White
  • Patent number: 4836278
    Abstract: A plurality of packing elements are mounted in vertically spaced relationship on a tubing string with the spacing of the elements corresponding generally to the spacing of a plurality of sets of perforations in a well conduit. The lowermost packing unit is provided with radially expanding locking elements which engage a locking groove provided in the well conduit. All packing units incorporate expandable elastomeric sealing members and are set by the application of tension to the tubing string and are unset by the subsequent application of a higher degree of tension to the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick C. Stone, Mike A. Luke, Gary D. Ingram
  • Patent number: 4796698
    Abstract: A drilling template for multiple wells has a dummy post on the template associated with each wellhead position and a wellhead connector is transferable between the dummy post and wellhead during completion and workover operations. A subsea wellhead is provided with a guide frame on which a dummy post is supported permitting the wellhead connector to be transferred between the dummy post and the wellhead. The wellhead includes a landing nipple and tubing hanger which permit the tubing hanger to tilt relative to the casing head without breaking the seal between the hanger and nipple. The wellhead connector is latched and released from the tubing hanger by reciprocation of a control sleeve and the connector is held in the unlatched position by a releasable lock. The wellhead connector includes a plug having a metal seal held in compression together with a resilient seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 4709758
    Abstract: A packer for effecting steam treatment of a production formation of a subterranean well comprises an insulated mandrel which is slidably inserted within the bore of an inner tubular body assembly. An outer operative tubular assembly surrounds the inner assembly and mounts a plurality of drag blocks, upper and lower cone elements, a plurality of radially displaceable slips cooperating with the upper and lower cone elements, and an outer packing element fabricated by an assemblage of high temperature resistant, non-resilient seal elements formed primarily of graphite. An inner packing element is provided in the inner tubular body assembly, utilizing additional high temperature resistant, non-resilient seal elements formed primarily of graphite, which sealingly engages the insulated mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan C. Preston, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4671354
    Abstract: A well packer adapted to be set and reset in a well bore without removal of the packer from the well bore including a packer mandrel adapted to be connected with a tubing string, an interlocking segment assembly on the packer mandrel for releasable connection with the mandrel, a drag spring assembly connected with the interlocking segment assembly for frictional engagement with a well bore wall, a locking slip assembly coupled with the drag spring assembly for locking the packer with the well bore wall, a seal element package assembly connected with slip assembly for sealing around the packer mandrel with the well bore wall, and a detent ring between the slip assembly and the seal element package permitting initial setting of the upper ends of the slips and preloading of the seal element package preliminary to final setting of the slips and expansion of the seal element package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Henderson, Dhirajlal C. Patel, Dennis D. Rood, Richard M. Sproul
  • Patent number: 4665977
    Abstract: A seal bore packer comprising a packer subassembly which can be employed with either wireline or tubing manipulatable packer setting subassemblies is disclosed. Packing elements and slips on a packer subassembly are expanded when relative axial forces are applied to the packer by wireline or mechanical setting forces. The packer has an inner mandrel and intermediate mandrel connected by a shear pin. A collapsible ring holds the outer packer assembly, including slips and packing elements, normally secured to the intermediate mandrel. Relative movement between the intermediate mandrel and the inner mandrel releases the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert A. Mullins
  • Patent number: 4651818
    Abstract: A plug is disclosed for sealing off in a tubing having a sealing surface. A housing contains an annular metal seal means and two sets of segmented expanding lockdown rings that react with three solid rings to provide a downward motion. The expanding lockdown rings consist of a solid tapered ring that has been cut into a number of arcs. When a tapered mandrel is forced down inside the arcs, the arcs are expanded to the outside diameter of the mandrel. As the arcs expand, they are wedged between the solid rings that have matching tapers. The solid rings react between locking dogs and a shoulder in the housing to provide the downward movement. By using several expanding lockdown rings and solid rings, a relatively great deal of vertical motion can be obtained through the combined wedging action of each ring. Means on the housing and the tubing may be used to limit the locking load on the annular seal means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Dale V. Johnson, Thomas W. Childers
  • Patent number: 4646829
    Abstract: A bridge plug apparatus includes a mandrel assembly having an operating fluid passageway disposed therein. A releasable coupling assembly has an upper end adapted to be connected to a tubing string and has a lower portion adapted to be releasably connected to the mandrel assembly. An annular packer is disposed about the mandrel assembly. A mechanical first slip assembly is connected to the mandrel assembly below the packer. A hydraulic second slip assembly is connected to the mandrel assembly above the packer. A power piston is disposed about the mandrel assembly for longitudinally compressing and radially expanding the packer to seal the packer in response to an increase in fluid pressure within the operating fluid passageway of the mandrel assembly. A hydraulically actuatable releasing device is provided for releasing a latched connection between the coupling assembly and the mandrel assembly. This releasing device is defined upon a power sleeve slidably disposed about the mandrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Burchus Q. Barrington, Robert T. Evans, Bernard L. Hackney
  • Patent number: 4610300
    Abstract: A packer apparatus for use in a subterranean well comprises an inner mandrel and means for applying tension to the inner mandrel to set radially expandable slips and packing elements. The mandrel can be releasably positioned in a first position to secure the slips and packing element in the retracted position and can be shifted to a second position in which engagable lock segments secure the slips and packing element in expanded configuration. The packer can be released by rotational manipulation or by axial force. The packer apparatus can be used with rotationally manipulatable well tools positioned either above or below the packer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert A. Mullins, II, Patrick C. Stone, Gary D. Ingram
  • Patent number: 4583590
    Abstract: The slip releasing apparatus described herein includes a unitary slip member having wall engaging teeth located in diagonally opposite upper and lower ends and carries a pair of releasing pins mounted therein that project inwardly therefrom. The pins are disposed in recesses or holes formed in a slip carrier member that extends through the slip member. The recesses are configured in the carrier member so that an upward pull on the carrier member moves a release surface onto the carrier member into engagement with the pins in the slip member to cause pivotal or rotational movement of the slip member about a fulcrum formed by the engagement between the teeth on the lower end of this slip member and the pipe in which the slip member is run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, David G. Dearing, Andrew J. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4573537
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: L'Garde, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Hirasuna, Gordon R. Veal
  • Patent number: 4548265
    Abstract: A steam or thermal packer for use in subterranean wells having an integral expansion joint is disclosed. The packer has a multi-component, nonresilient, nonenergizing packing element, as well as a multi-component, nonenergizing, nonresilient sealing element engaging the expansion joint. Energy is stored in elements of the packer housing and in the dynamic seal assembly to maintain the sealing integrity establishing by the nonresilient sealing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Baker Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike A. Luke
  • Patent number: 4524825
    Abstract: The packer of the present invention includes mandrel means having first ratchet means and lug means disposed thereon, second ratchet means and drag spring means associated with tubular housing means surrounding said mandrel means, said housing means including slot means on the interior thereof, radially expandable slip means disposed about said mandrel means, a compressible packer element disposed about the lower end of said mandrel means, and packer element compression means associated with said mandrel means and said housing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: William M. Fore
  • Patent number: 4496162
    Abstract: A well annulus sealing assembly having a body with a seal ring assembly including a resilient ring with thin metal end caps, and radial energizing means including a body with a first outer surface and an enlarged outer surface with means for moving the seal ring assembly from the first outer surface to the enlarged outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. McEver, James Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 4441553
    Abstract: A packer utilizing a C-slip in which, during release of the packer, the upper expander pulls the C-slip off of the lower expander. If a packer is stuck in the well, the upper expander is keyed to the slip to prevent rotation of the upper expander during milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Setterberg, Jr., Dhirajlal C. Patel
  • Patent number: 4406324
    Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed including first and second annular members mutually movable longitudinally to effect a first configuration in which the seal assembly is releasably anchored to a cylindrical body circumscribed by the seal assembly, and a second configuration in which the seal assembly is releasably anchored to a surrounding conduit. Sealing members are carried by the seal assembly to engage the enclosed cylindrical body as well as the circumscribing conduit. Operation of the seal assembly for movement between the first and second configurations is accomplished by manipulation of the cylindrical body which, with the seal assembly anchored to the conduit, is permitted limited longitudinal movement relative to the conduit and seal assembly while maintaining sealing engagement with the seal assembly. A disclosed embodiment includes a well seal assembly, or packer, for sealing a pipe string to a well conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Hughes Tool Company
    Inventors: John L. Baugh, James W. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4296806
    Abstract: A well packer for use in geothermal wells or stem injection wells. The packer can be anchored to the inner wall of a casing string to resist differential pressure in either direction. The anchoring means includes a single set of slip elements which are hydraulically or mechanically set. The packer includes a sealing unit with packing elements especially adapted for high temperature wells. The packer can be simply released from the casing by upward tension on the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Donald F. Taylor, James H. Bostock
  • Patent number: 4176715
    Abstract: A well packer has a casing engaging slip mechanism and a packing element carried on a tubular body which is released from the slip assembly enabling setting of the slips and packing by an upward pull on a running in string of pipe. The body and the expander for the slips are locked to hold the packer set. A length of tubing extends through a seal in the body and is released to be slideable in the body enabling temperatue change responsive elongation and contraction of the running pipe, without affecting the packer. A shearable release enables retrieval of the packer assembly by pulling on the running pipe. An emergency release of the running pipe is accomplished by releasing a guide on the end of the slideable tubing.Well bore packers are frequently used in well casings, with a tubular string of running and retrieving pipe or tubing associated with the packer and held in tension. In the presence of high temperatures, the resultant expansion of the tubing tends to relieve the tubing tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Baker International Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene H. Bigelow, Burton J. Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 4083405
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for drilling a well bore and setting a liner therein in which the drill string with a bit and underreamers thereon also includes a liner supported thereon which has a gripping assembly with two sets of gripping elements and a pair of external tapers on the liner each of which coacts with one of the sets of gripping elements, one of which wedges one set of gripping elements into set position responsive to the liner weight and the other of which is spaced from said one a sufficient distance that said one is removed from wedging engagement when said other wedges the other set of gripping elements into set position responsive to upward forces on said liner, and a normally closed bypass around the sealing means on the liner which may be opened responsive to manipulation of the liner to allow cementing of the liner in position within the well bore and the steps of lowering the liner on the drill string as the well bore is being formed, setting the liner, gripping assembly and sealing means,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: A-Z International Tool Company
    Inventor: Kirk R. Shirley
  • Patent number: RE31933
    Abstract: A well packer for use in geothermal wells or .[.stem.]. .Iadd.steam .Iaddend.injection wells. The packer can be anchored to the inner wall of a casing string to resist differential pressure in either direction. The anchoring means includes a single set of slip elements which are hydraulically or mechanically set. The packer includes a sealing unit with packing elements especially adapted for high temperature wells. The packer can be simply released from the casing by upward tension on the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Donald F. Taylor, James H. Bostock