Method and apparatus for isolating and treating discrete zones within a wellbore

摘要

Methods and apparatus for conducting fracturing operations using a wellbore fracturing assembly are described. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string. The assembly may include a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. At least one of the packers includes a pressure balanced mandrel. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.

主权项

1. A packer, comprising:
an outer housing; an inner mandrel movable relative to the outer housing; and a packing element actuatable by the relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel, wherein the inner mandrel includes a first piston surface opposed to a second piston surface to prevent relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure, wherein a surface area of the first piston surface is provided to move the inner mandrel relative to the outer housing in a first direction and a surface area of the second piston surface is provided to move the inner mandrel relative to the outer housing in a second direction, and wherein the surface areas of the first and second piston surfaces are effectively equivalent to prevent relative movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure.