Fmc Technologies, Inc.

Michael Hunt

David E Cain

Bashir M Koleilat

Qiu Shi Zheng

A mechanically energized annular packoff seal cartridge for metal-to-metal sealing with substantially concentrically arranged tubular members, such as the tubular wellhead housing and well casing of an oil and gas well. A tubular pressure responsive energizing mandrel having downwardly converging frusto-conical seal actuating surfaces is of a dimension for entry into the annulus between the wellhead seal bore and the rough outer surface of the well casing. Elastomer seals are carried by the energizing mandrel and establish sealing of the energizing mandrel with the wellhead housing and well casing A pair of soft metal seal rings are carried by the seal cartridge and are forced radially into metal-to-metal sealing with the wellhead housing and the rough outer surface of the well casing respectively by the double tapered seal actuating surfaces responsive to pressure induced downward force on the energizing mandrel. A locking mandrel and the seal actuating mechanism are restrained against actuating movement during running of the seal cartridge by a running tool by shear pins, thus enabling the cartridge to pass through various well equipment. The shear pin of the locking mandrel is sheared by downward force applied by the running tool to lock the seal cartridge within the wellhead housing. The shear pin of the seal actuating mechanism is sheared, after locking of the cartridge to the wellhead housing, by the force of pressure introduced into the wellhead above the seal cartridge which acts to develop a pressure differential across the elastomer seals of the cartridge.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Michael Hunt