Design and Experimental Research on Sealing Structure for a Retrievable Packer

Abstract

In order to reduce the failure accidents of conventional packers, a kind of sealing structure of retrievable packers is designed, which can provide reference for optimizing the sealing performance and pressure capacity of packers. And theoretical calculation and experimental research on their sealing performance and pressure capacity are carried out through the finite element analysis on the contact with large deformation based on Abaqus and experimental study. The results show that the upper packer is subjected to greater stress and mainly plays a sealing role in the sealing process. In order to improve the sealing performance of the packer, the height of the upper and lower packer should be preferentially selected about 60 mm, the height of the middle rubber cylinders should be about 50 mm, and the thickness of the packer should be about 21 mm. The newly designed rubber cylinders can meet 150°C. The newly designed rubber cylinders can meet the sealing function and pressure bearing function under the condition of 10,000 Psi and 150°C. The newly designed rubber cylinder can satisfy the function of sealing and pressure-bearing under 140°C and 10,000 Psi. The whole experiment shows that the capacity of bearing pressure and sealing is stable, which can better meet the requirements of field use.

Experimental and thermal‐structure coupling analysis for oil and water‐swellable packer

“…This area contacts with the upregulating ring and the mantle ring, followed by the connection with the well wall or casing, forming a seal with the well wall or casing. As shown in Figure 1, plastic deformation will occur in the contact part between the indenter and the first rubber ring because of excessive stress and elastic deformation will be lost in the sealing process 30 . The chamfer position of the pressure ring and the support ring can lead to the protrusion of the rubber cylinder.…”

“…As shown in Figure 1, plastic deformation will occur in the contact part between the indenter and the first rubber ring because of excessive stress and elastic deformation will be lost in the sealing process. 30 The chamfer position of the pressure ring and the support ring can lead to the protrusion of the rubber cylinder.…”

The impact of thermal ageing on sealing performance of HNBR packing elements in downhole installations in oilfield wellhead applications

“…This can lead the packing elements to be seated in tension, compression or medium state (e.g. shear) with the potential to withstand pressure difference from top to bottom [37], and failure of the seals could result in pressure drop, leakage, and causes damage to the equipment and installation. Hu et al [31] found out that the stresses concentrated at the shoulder and inner vertex of the sealing ring can have a direct impact on the damage or failure (e.g., cracks and rupture, elastic failure, and extrusion) of the sealing ring under effective operational conditions.…”

Influence of viscous-elastic properties of a cylindrical sealing element on its sealing ability

“…Achieving tightness with the least external load by sealers and improving their efficiency and determination of sealing parameters has an important scientific value. Some scholars have done relevant research on cylindrical sealers used in oil and gas production (Lan et al, 2019;Liu et al, 2020). Liu et al (2020) carried out theoretical calculation and experimental research through the finite element analysis on the contact with large deformation according to the design of the new seal structure.…”

“…Some scholars have done relevant research on cylindrical sealers used in oil and gas production (Lan et al, 2019;Liu et al, 2020). Liu et al (2020) carried out theoretical calculation and experimental research through the finite element analysis on the contact with large deformation according to the design of the new seal structure. Lan et al (2019) investigated the packer rubber with a conventional structure and optimized the materials and the structure of the packer rubber by ABAQUS software simulation and experimental research.…”