Downhole sealing
View Patent ↗A method of providing a downhole seal, such as a packer, in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing comprises: providing an intermediate tubing section defining a seal arrangement for engaging with the inner tubing; and radially plastically deforming the intermediate tubing section downhole to form an annular extension. The extension creates a sealing contact with the outer tubing.
1. A method of forming a profile in a section of tubing within a wellbore, comprising:
providing an expander device having at least one radially extendable expander member, wherein the expander member is extended by application of fluid pressure;
positioning the expander device in the wellbore at a predetermined location in the section of tubing; and
extending the expander member to deform the tubing at said location to create the profile in an internal face of the tubing.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the profile is in the form of at least one annular recess.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubing is deformed by rolling expansion, the expander member being rotated within the tubing with a face in rolling contact with the internal face of the tubing.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubing is deformed by compressive plastic deformation, producing a localised reduction in wall thickness and a subsequent increase in tubing diameter.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tubing is deformed by compressive plastic deformation, producing flow of wall material to create the profile.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expander member is in the form of a roller.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of radially extendable expander members are provided.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expander member is rotated to create the profile.