초록 ▼

A set of inflatable well packing elements are separated by a variable length of tubing and are set in a well to isolate a segment of the annulus by applying fluid under pressure through a tubing string to the well packing elements. The flow of the fluid under pressure to the inflatable packing eleme

A set of inflatable well packing elements are separated by a variable length of tubing and are set in a well to isolate a segment of the annulus by applying fluid under pressure through a tubing string to the well packing elements. The flow of the fluid under pressure to the inflatable packing elements is regulated by a flow control valve which automatically cuts off the fluid flow at a predetermined tubing to annulus pressure differential and opens communication between the tubing string and the isolated well zone. Fluid may thereafter be pumped into or swabbed from the isolated zone. Upon completing the zone servicing, pulling the tubing string up slightly will both equalize the pressure across the inflatable packing elements, and deflate the packing elements. Thereafter, the tubing string may be retrieved from the well or, if desired, moved to another location which can be serviced in the same manner.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A removable packer device for isolating a segment of a well bore comprising:(a) a housing for attachment to a tubing string, said housing carrying a pair of axially spaced inflatable packing elements;(b) a first fluid path through said housing for delivering fluid under pressure fro

[ I claim:] [1.] A removable packer device for isolating a segment of a well bore comprising:(a) a housing for attachment to a tubing string, said housing carrying a pair of axially spaced inflatable packing elements;(b) a first fluid path through said housing for delivering fluid under pressure from the tubing string to the inflatable packing elements to cause them to expand and sealingly engage with the well bore to isolate the segment of the well bore that lies between the packing elements;(c) a first valve controlling said first fluid path;(d) a pressure responsive sensor coupled to actuate said first valve for automatically sealing said inflatable packing elements after the latter have been inflated to a pressure sufficient to ensure their sealing engagement with the well bore, said first valve when so actuated opening a second fluid path from the tubing string to the isolated segment of the well bore; and(e) an actuator in said housing selectively operable to close said second fluid path and to open a third fluid path through said housing to equalize pressure in the isolated well bore segment with the adjacent regions of the well bore above and below the packing elements, said actuator being coupled for operation in response to a short axial movement of said tubing string.