Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Baker Hughes Corporation

Christopher J Limb

Frank J Maenza

Gary L Anderson

Nicholas S Conner

Stephen Henry Bisset

Robert J Taylor

Larry J Urban

A production sting has a premium thread preferably VAM or similar for threading into a packer extension without the need for a seal stack to engage a seal bore in the extension. The seal bore use becomes optional and a metal to metal seal is provided by the premium thread whether the string is in compression or tension. Another adjacent left hand square thread is provided in the packer extension to land accessory tools or for removal of the packer after the packer is released in a variety of known ways. Either the premium thread or the left hand thread can be in the uphole position on the packer extension.

Packer retrieval extension for metal to metal sealing in tension and compression

An articulated debris barrier folds on itself to extend radially to span a surrounding annular gap when the tool associated with it is set. The debris barrier can be used with a packer or bridge plug. The set position of the packer or plug is locked and another lock holds the extended position of the debris barrier. The debris barrier lock can be a snap ring that extends into a groove brought into alignment with it during the setting. Alternatively the lock for the debris barrier can be a body lock ring. In either case, release and retrieval of the packer or plug involves undermining of the locking feature for the debris barrier so that the debris barrier can extend while retracting from the borehole wall so that the barrier and the associated packer or plug can be removed together.

Releasably locked debris barrier for a subterranean tool

A string from the surface is connected to a packer extension with a thread to provide a metal to metal seal for production or injection through the packer. The thread provides a metal to metal seal. The initial string is released from the packer extension by a tubular cut made with a cutting tool above the thread that provides the metal to metal seal to the packer extension. An outer sleeve surrounds an expanded length of wall which is the target cut zone above the threaded connection. A cut through the tubular does not cut the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve features a left handed square thread to engage a known released tool run in on a string to connect to the packer release mechanism and release the packer for removal with the release tool suspended from a string.

Cut to release packer extension

A retrievable packer has its sealing system unloaded before the slip system is relaxed by separation of slip cones from slips that flank the seal assembly. The mandrel is cut so that the portion above the cut can be raised to take a cone up and away from collet heads which previously were trapped by the cone. The collet heads are disposed between opposed sloping surfaces so that the retraction of the cone from under the heads allows the residual rubber pressure to force the heads toward the mandrel into the space created by relative movement of the mandrel that took the wedge cone uphole. The heads are at ends of fingers having a radially inward bias to further assist retraction of the heads toward the mandrel. With the heads retracted the sealing element stretches out before slip cones are moved relative to the slips.

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Cypress, TX, United States of America

Christopher J Limb