Embodiments described herein provide a downhole tool (e.g., a retrievable bridge plug) that includes a sealing device and a load retention/equalization mechanism. The sealing device includes an elastomer seal component and an expansion device configured to radially expand outwardly to compress the elastomer seal component against a wellbore casing within which the downhole tool is located. The sealing device further includes lower and upper support barriers configured to radially expand outwardly against the wellbore. The sealing device also includes a seal energizing spring configured to maintain an initial setting force of the elastomer seal component against the wellbore casing. The load retention/equalization mechanism includes a spool/inflation valve configured to direct fluid into an internal volume to inflate the elastomer seal component radially outwardly based on a differential pressure between a first volume uphole relative to the downhole tool and a second volume downhole relative to the downhole tool.

A method of conveying materials or tools into a well, the well including a plurality of lengths of concentric tubing, comprising the step of permitting at least one cartridge to free-fall under gravity into the well. No line may be connected to the cartridge. The cartridge is selected from a group of cartridges which may comprise, a cartridge including thermite, hermetically sealed from well fluids, a cartridge including low temperature alloy, hermetically sealed from well fluids, a cartridge formed from low temperature alloy, a cartridge including a detonator triggered by impact, a cartridge including a detonator triggered by an electronic or mechanical clock, a cartridge formed from tungsten carbide, a bridge plug cartridge including slips to retain the bridge plug in a position against the wall of well tubing, a thermal barrier material, or a shock absorber that absorbs energy from subsequent cartridges being dropped.

The present invention relates to a downhole packer assembly for expansion of a metal sleeve, such as a metal patch, in a well downhole in a well tubular metal structure, comprising a body part and an expandable tubular element surrounding the body part and each end of the expandable tubular element being connected with the body part, providing an expandable space therebetween, the expandable space being fillable with liquid during expansion, the expandable tubular element having an outer face and an inner face, the expandable tubular element comprising an elastomeric or rubber material having a friction coefficient, wherein the expandable tubular element comprises a friction-enhancing material providing a higher friction coefficient of the outer face than the friction coefficient of the elastomeric or rubber material. The invention also relates to a downhole system comprising the downhole packer assembly and a positive displacement pump for expanding the expandable tubular element.

A packer for anchoring and sealing to a tubular in a well, the packer including a packer element, an anchoring arrangement, a setting mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism holds a thin-walled section of tubing in the packer in tension using a biasing mechanism. On severing the tubing, the bias releases an engagement mechanism which allows the anchor arrangement and the packing element to move relative to the body and thereby unset the packer. An embodiment of a dual bore packer is described. A method of well isolation is described, with an assembly including the dual bore packer. The primary bore forms the short string and a secondary bore forms the long string. By severing the short string the integrity of the long string is maintained to pull lower devices on the long string and the short string does not require tension below the packer to release.

A packer assembly includes a tubing string disposed in a wellbore and a packer releasably coupled to the tubing string. The packer includes a housing releasably coupled to the tubing string, a packer slip, a flexible sealing element, a piston coupled to the housing, a locking member, and a mandrel disposed inside the housing. The piston moves to activate the packer slip and the flexible sealing element to set the packer on a wall of the wellbore. The locking member engages the piston to constrain movement of the piston to keep the packer set on the wall of the wellbore. The mandrel connects to the tubing string when the tubing string is released from the housing. The locking member is collapsible to disengage the piston to unset the packer slip and the flexible sealing element responsive to shear force applied by the mandrel to the locking member.

A packer assembly includes a tubing string disposed in a wellbore and a packer releasably coupled to the tubing string. The packer includes a housing releasably coupled to the tubing string, a packer slip, a flexible sealing element, a piston coupled to the housing, a locking member, and a mandrel disposed inside the housing. The piston moves to activate the packer slip and the flexible sealing element to set the packer on a wall of the wellbore. The locking member engages the piston to constrain movement of the piston to keep the packer set on the wall of the wellbore. The mandrel connects to the tubing string when the tubing string is released from the housing. The locking member is collapsible to disengage the piston to unset the packer slip and the flexible sealing element responsive to shear force applied by the mandrel to the locking member.

A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly, a locking ring and a cup. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring and the cup. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with one or more untethered objects, the untethered objects having an outer surface adapted to couple with the cup, and the cup having an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The combination of cup and untethered objects is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the cup and untethered objects while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the cup contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.

A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly, a locking ring and a cup. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring and the cup. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with one or more untethered objects, the untethered objects having an outer surface adapted to couple with the cup, and the cup having an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The combination of cup and untethered objects is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the cup and untethered objects while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the cup contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.

A technique facilitates use of a liner hanger in a borehole. A port free hydraulic unibody system including an outer structure having a tubing hanger portion and a packer portion mounted about a mandrel may be constructed so as to avoid the creation of leak paths. A seal system may be employed between the mandrel and the surrounding outer structure to ensure sealing engagement therebetween. The mandrel has a port free section on the downhole side of the seal system, and this port free section is maintained during, for example, actuation of the tubing hanger portion so as to prevent formation of leak paths. An actuator may be located along the mandrel and may be configured to initiate actuation of hanger slips mounted along the tubing hanger portion. An anti-preset mechanism positioned along the mandrel works in cooperation with the actuator to prevent premature actuation of the hanger slips.

A technique facilitates use of a liner hanger in a borehole. A port free hydraulic unibody system including an outer structure having a tubing hanger portion and a packer portion mounted about a mandrel may be constructed so as to avoid the creation of leak paths. A seal system may be employed between the mandrel and the surrounding outer structure to ensure sealing engagement therebetween. The mandrel has a port free section on the downhole side of the seal system, and this port free section is maintained during, for example, actuation of the tubing hanger portion so as to prevent formation of leak paths. An actuator may be located along the mandrel and may be configured to initiate actuation of hanger slips mounted along the tubing hanger portion. An anti-preset mechanism positioned along the mandrel works in cooperation with the actuator to prevent premature actuation of the hanger slips.