A tool with a deformable element that is configured to flex across an annulus based on a force being applied to an inner surface of the deformable element. The deformable element may be configured to be positioned within a chamber that is covered by a first rupture disc. The deformable element may include seals, flex joints, and a body.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for securing a component, such as a sealing element, to a tubular member, such as a mandrel, of a downhole tool. In at least one example, a retaining ring is used to secure the component to a mandrel. The retaining ring is secured to the mandrel with a plurality of discrete retention segments disposed within a channel at least partially defined by an internal groove on the retaining ring and an external groove on the mandrel. The retention segments are individually insertable into the channel through an access opening on the retaining ring. A compression spring may be provided in the channel to provide compressive engagement of the retention segments. Various closure configurations are also disclosed for closing the access opening once the retention segments have been inserted.

A packer protection system is disclosed. The packer protection system includes a swellable packer disposed along a tubular and a packer protection apparatus disposed around the swellable packer. The packer protection apparatus includes a shell body, a first connection mechanism provided on the shell body, and a second connection mechanism provided on the shell body, where the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism interlock. The packer protection apparatus also includes a shear pin removably fitted through the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism and at least one fluid port provided in the shell body. The shell body extends entirely around the swellable packer to create a sealed chamber between an inner surface of the shell body and an outer surface of the swellable packer.

An expansion apparatus and a method of manufacturing an expansion apparatus are provided. The expansion apparatus comprises an expandable element having a monolithic wall structure circumscribing a longitudinal axis and enclosing a space for receiving a pressurised fluid for use in inflating the expandable element between a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The wall structure is formed by additive manufacturing to have an initial non-expanded profile in which a perimeter length of the wall structure is greater than an outer gauge perimeter of the wall structure. Expansion during inflation is achieved by reforming the initial non-expanded profile of the wall structure to increase the outer gauge perimeter.

A well plugging technique that includes a downhole plug system to be disposed downhole in a well and including a plug bladder system including an inflatable bladder (to be inflated with a resin) and a check valve (to facilitate flow of the resin into, and inhibit back flow of the resin out of, the bladder), and a plug deployment system including a resin chamber to house the resin and a resin deployment system to urge the resin to flow from the resin chamber, through the check valve and into the inflatable bladder while the downhole plug system is disposed downhole in the well, to inflate the plug bladder system into sealing contact with a surrounding downhole portion of the well. The resin including a hardening resin adapted to harden inside of the inflatable bladder to form a hardened plug downhole in the well.

A packer apparatus is disclosed. Packer apparatus comprises a body configured to be disposed in a wellbore and a deformable packer element disposed on the body. The deformable packer element comprises a deformable metallic outer cover. An actuation apparatus is configured to move relative to the body to deform said deformable packer element outwardly from the body to cause the deformable metallic outer cover to contact the surface of the wellbore or casing in which the apparatus is located. Deactivation of the actuation apparatus causes the deformable packer element and deformable metallic outer cover to return to a retracted condition.

A method to provide support within a wellbore includes underreaming a section of the wellbore at a depth spanning a layer of an unstable formation. The method also includes deploying a bistable structure within the wellbore at the depth of the layer of the unstable formation. Additionally, the method includes actuating an expandable packer within the bistable structure to expand the bistable structure in a radially outward direction from a longitudinal axis of the bistable structure. The bistable structure is in contact with walls of the underreamed section of the wellbore upon expanding in the radially outward direction.

Included are bridge plugs and methods and systems for the use and deployment of the bridge plugs. An example bridge plug comprises a first sealing element, a second sealing element, and a spacer; wherein the spacer is disposed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element; wherein the first sealing element and the second sealing element are not adjacent to one another.

A downhole tool including an insertion member arranged to insert into and form an annular seal with a receiving member using an annular seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a compliant metal spring and a separate metal cover overlapping at least a portion of an outside of the spring, wherein the cover and spring extend radially outward from the downhole tool so as to be compressed when the insertion member is inserted within the receiving member to form an annular metal-to-metal seal between the insertion member and the receiving member. A method of coupling the downhole tool and the receiving member in a well includes inserting the insertion member of the downhole tool into the receiving member and energizing and forming an annular metal-to-metal seal by compressing the seal assembly between the insertion member and the receiving member when inserting the insertion member into the receiving member.

An expandable, hardening seal for downhole use in a wellbore includes a heat-hardening material and a heat-stable material. The heat-hardening material has a stiffness that increases after exposure to a downhole temperature and the heat-stable material has a stiffness that does not increase or increases to a lesser degree than that the heat-hardening material at the downhole temperature.