Packer assembly having barrel slips that divert axial loading to the wellbore

摘要

A barrel slip for a packer assembly operable for use in a wellbore. The barrel slip includes a radially expandable barrel slip body having a first end and a second end. A substantially cylindrical directional gripping surface is disposed on an exterior of the barrel slip body proximate the first end. A substantially cylindrical non directional contact surface is disposed on the exterior of the barrel slip body proximate the second end. In a set configuration, radial expansion of the barrel slip body creates a gripping engagement between the directional gripping surface and the wellbore that opposes movement of the barrel slip body in a first direction. Also, in the set configuration, radial expansion of the barrel slip body creates a contact engagement between the non directional contact surface and the wellbore that diverts force acting on the barrel slip body in a second direction to the wellbore.