IP Library Granted Patent US 7,594,544
Granted Patent B2
US 7,594,544 · App. 11/874,438 · Granted Sep 29, 2009

Downhole tubular sealing system

Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,594,544
App. No.
11/874,438
Granted
Sep 29, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed herein is a downhole disconnectable and length compensatable tubular sealing system. The system includes, a seal connector having a first metal seal receptive of a separate seal nipple and pressure sealably engagable therewith and at least one expansion joint sealingly connected to the seal connector. The expansion joint includes, a section of metal tubing having a sealing surface thereon and a metal-to-metal seal slidably sealingly engaged with the sealing surface.

Claims (29)

1. A downhole disconnectable and length compensatable tubular sealing system, comprising:

a seal connector having a first metal seal receptive of a separate seal nipple and pressure sealably engagable therewith; and

at least one expansion joint sealingly connected to the seal connector, including:

a section of metal tubing having a sealing surface thereon; and

a metal-to-metal seal slidably sealingly engaged with the sealing surface.

2. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the metal seal of the seal connector is selectively actuatable.

3. The downhole sealing system of claim 2 , wherein the selective actuation is by way of axial compression thereof.

4. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the seal nipple is metal.

5. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the first metal seal actuates radially inwardly.

6. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the first metal seal is disconnectable from the nipple when deformation of the first metal seal is retracted.

7. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the nipple is sealably connectable to a downhole structure with a second metal seal.

8. The downhole sealing system of claim 7 , wherein the second metal seal is actuatable through axial compression thereof.

9. The downhole sealing system of claim 7 , wherein the second metal seal is part of a packer.

10. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the first metal seal includes at least one area of weakness.

11. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the first metal seal retains elasticity when deformed through a shape thereof.

12. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the slidable sealing engagement of the at least one expansion joint accommodates temperature related length changes of tubulars.

13. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one expansion joint further comprises at least one stop to limit longitudinal travel thereof.

14. The downhole sealing system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one expansion joint includes two stops to bi-directionally limit travel thereof.

15. The downhole sealing system of claim 1 , wherein sealing integrity of the first metal seal, the second metal seal and the metal-to-metal seal are maintained during injection of steam therethrough.

16. A method of length compensatingly sealably connecting a tubular to a downhole structure, comprising:

positioning a metal nipple sealingly engaged to an actuatable first metal seal within a downhole structure;

actuating the first metal seal to thereby sealingly engage the first metal seal to the downhole structure;

positioning a metal seal connector having a second metal seal at the metal nipple;

radially deforming the second metal seal to sealingly engage the metal seal connector to the metal nipple; and

slidably sealingly engaging at least one first metal tubular to at least one second metal tubular with a metal-to-metal seal, the at least one second metal tubular being sealingly engaged to the metal seal connector.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the actuating of the first metal seal further comprises axially compressing the first metal seal.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the radially deforming of the second metal seal further comprises axially compressing the second metal seal.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the positioning the second metal seal further comprises hanging the second metal seal from a surface by the at least one first metal tubular and the at least one second metal tubular.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising radially retracting the second metal seal to sealingly disengage the metal seal connector from the metal nipple.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2007
From: RUDDOCK, DAVID B.
To: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 020211/0921 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090102133A1 · Apr 23, 2009