Expandable well barrier

Abstract

A method of shutting in a well bore includes positioning a plug having a tubular portion in the well bore. At least a portion of the tubular portion is radially plastically deformed into substantially sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore to substantially block flow through the well bore.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 positioning a plug having a tubular portion in a well bore; and    radially plastically deforming at least a portion of the tubular portion into substantially sealing engagement with a wall of the well bore to substantially block flow through the well bore.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tubular portion further comprises one or more circumferential seals adapted to substantially sealingly engage with the wall of the well bore.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein one or more of the seals is adapted to form a substantially gas tight seal with the wall of the well bore.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wall of the well bore comprises at least one of a liner, a tubing and a casing.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein radially plastically deforming the tubular portion comprises applying a radial force to an interior of the tubular portion.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein radially plastically deforming the tubular portion comprises moving an expansion mandrel through at least a portion of the tubular portion.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plug comprises a tubular body with a transverse barrier member affixed thereto.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the transverse blocking member is a blind end.  
     
     
         9 . A method of shutting-in a well bore, comprising: 
 radially expanding at least a portion of a tubular body into contact with a wall of the well bore, the tubular body coupled to a transverse barrier member; and    substantially sealing against passage of flow through the well bore using the tubular body and transverse barrier member.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising moving a mandrel through the tubular body to radially expand at least a portion of the tubular body.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein moving the mandrel through the tubular body comprises plastically deforming at least a portion of the tubular body.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the tubular body comprises one or more circumferential seals about its exterior.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the wall of the well bore comprises at least one of a liner, a casing, and a tubing.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein moving a mandrel through the tubular body comprises moving the mandrel having a larger exterior transverse dimension than an interior transverse dimension of the at least a portion of the tubular body that is expanded.  
     
     
         15 . A device for installation in a well bore, comprising: 
 a tubular body adapted to be radially expanded into substantially sealing engagement with a wall of the well bore; and    a transverse barrier member coupled to the tubular body to substantially prevent passage of fluids through the tubular body.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  further comprising one or more circumferential seal members about the tubular body adapted to substantially seal against the wall of the well bore when the tubular body is expanded.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein one or more of the circumferential seal members are adapted to form a substantially gas tight seal with the wall of the well bore.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  further comprising one or more circumferential ring members adapted to prevent lateral extrusion of at least one of the seal members.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the transverse barrier member is affixed to the tubular body.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the tubular body is adapted to be plastically deformed into engagement with the wall of the well bore.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the tubular body is expandable into engagement with the wall of the well bore by moving an expansion mandrel in an interior of the tubular body.