Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Antonio C Ruffo

David S Bishop

Jeffery Scott Pray

Steve Rosenblatt

Douglas Julius Lehr

Philip M Gregurek

Graeme Michael Kelbie

Kent S Meyer

A tool equalizes a packer or bridge plug before it can release the slips and sealing element of the packer or bridge plug with a reconfigurable grip tool. In one configuration the grip tool is latched only into the equalizing mechanism for the packer or bridge plug. Having equalized the pressure and while still latched to the equalization mechanism the tool is reconfigured with a force and locked into a second configuration. From that position the grip tool can latch and move the release mechanism for total release and retrieval to the surface. Release force undermines a ratchet lock for the slips to allow extension as the sealing element extends axially and radially retracts. If the slips fail to release with undermining of the ratchet lock then a set down force can be applied to re-engage the lower slip cone to push it from the lower slips for a release.

Packer or bridge plug with sequential equalization then release movements

An apparatus and method for activating a downhole tool of a production system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first component, a first magnetic member coupled to the first component, a second component of movable with respect to the first component, and a second magnetic member attached to the second component. The first component is generally stationary with respect a work string of the production system. An electric current activates at least one of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to create a magnetic force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, thereby moving the movable component with respect to the stationary component to perform the action downhole. The produced motion of the movable component activates the downhole tool.

Apparatus to activate a downhole tool by way of electromagnets via wireline current

A backup ring design for a packer sealing element features a folding shape where opposed legs are pushed together for extension in a radial direction toward the surrounding tubular to span the extrusion gap. The design can use a V-shape where the vertex is toward the mandrel and the legs are oriented toward the surrounding tubular. The legs in that instance can be thicker than the vertex thickness to aid in folding while providing enhanced strength at the surrounding tubular where shear forces apply as a result of seal compression against the surrounding tubular. The design features a single or multiple vertices that are similarly aligned or alternatingly oppositely aligned to create a zigzag shape in cross-section. Material selection can vary with the expected service conditions.

Packer or plug element backup ring with folding feature

An annulus sealing arrangement includes, at least one member positionable within an annulus, a first radial dimension of the at least one member is initially less than a second radial dimension defined by the annulus, and a plurality of plates in operable communication with the at least one member initially positioned with surfaces of the plurality of plates forming acute angles relative to an axis defined by the annulus, at least a first portion of each of the plurality of plates perimetrically overlapping a second portion of at least one other of the plurality of plates positioned perimetrically adjacent thereto, the annulus sealing arrangement is configured such that increases in the first radial dimension cause the acute angles to increase.

Annulus sealing arrangement and method of sealing an annulus

Packer or bridge plug backup release system of forcing a lower slip cone from a slip assembly

A slip for a tangentially loaded retrievable slip system includes a frame including an interior having first and second sides; and, a key having a first portion within the interior of the frame. The first portion of the key movable within the interior of the frame; wherein the key is movable from a set condition with at least a contact point of first and second sides of the first portion of the key pushing against at least a portion of the first and second sides of the interior of the frame in the set condition to an unset condition with the first and second sides of the first portion of the key releasing pressure from the first and second sides of the interior of the frame. Also included is a method of managing a tangential load imparted by a tangential slip system.

Slip, tangential slip system having slip, and method thereof

Downhole tool packing element systems comprise a sealing element having a support system. The support system can include one or more of a first spacer ring, a second spacer ring, a third spacer ring, a mesh ring, and one or more petal rings. One or more of these components can be disposed at one or both of the upper end and/or lower end of the sealing element. When compressed, the sealing element is moved radially outward to engage an inner wall surface of a wellbore due to compressive forces of the one or more spacer ring(s), mesh ring, and/or petal ring(s). The lower end of one or more of the mesh ring(s) and/or petal ring(s) rotate outwardly toward the casing and engage the casing to facilitate creation of the seal.

Growing community of inventors

Cypress, TX, United States of America

Antonio C Ruffo