BI-DIRECTIONAL AND INTERNAL PRESSURE TRAPPING PACKING ELEMENT SYSTEM

摘要

A packer (100) for sealing an annular region in a wellbore is provided. The packer (100) includes a packing element (150) which is held through bi-directional forces. The packer first comprises an inner mandrel (110). Disposed around the inner mandrel are three tubulars: a top sleeve (120), a bottom sleeve (130), and a booster sleeve (140). A packing element (150) is disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the booster sleeve (140). The top sleeve (120) and bottom sleeve (130) each include an upper compression member (124,134) which rides across the booster sleeve (140) in order to compress the packing element (150). The packing element is expanded outward from the packer to engage a surrounding string of casing (10) through compressive forces provided by the top and bottom sleeves (120,130). Thereafter, differential pressure applied above or below the packer acting on the packer element (150) and booster sleeve (140) may provide additional compression of the packer element (150).