Expandable seal with conforming ribs

摘要

Expandable seals have one or more conforming ribs to facilitate creation of a seal to a sealing surface disposed in the well. The conforming ribs comprise a core of material either capped, partially covered by, or entirely covered by a ring. The ring can be formed of a metal that is softer than the metallic core material of each rib. Suitable metals forming the rings include copper formed by metal spun methods. Disposed adjacent to the rings are one or more sealing elements. By moving the rings into the sealing surface during expansion of the expandable seals, the rings close the extrusion gaps between the internal surface of the casing and the expanded tubular member ribs. The rings better conform to the sealing surface of the casing, thereby facilitating the creation of the seal between this sealing surface and each of the sealing elements.