System for sealing an annular space in a wellbore

Abstract

A system is disclosed for sealing an annular space between a tubular element ( 7 ) extending into a wellbore ( 1 ) and a cylindrical wall ( 1 b ) surrounding the tubular element, wherein a control line ( 18 ) for controlling a downhole device ( 12, 13, 14, 15 ) extends in longitudinal direction along the tubular element. The system comprises an annular seal layer ( 20 ) extending around the tubular element ( 7 ), the seal layer having an inner surface provided with a recess ( 40 ) for radially receiving the control line. The seal layer is provided with a longitudinal slit ( 31 ) defining a pair of opposite longitudinal edges ( 32, 34 ) which are movable relative to each other between an open position wherein the seal layer can be radially applied to the tubular element, and a closed position wherein the seal layer extends around the tubular element.

1 . A system for sealing an annular space between a tubular element extending into a wellbore and a cylindrical wall surrounding the tubular element, wherein a control line for controlling a downhole device extends in longitudinal direction along the tubular element, the system comprising an annular seal layer extending around the tubular element, the seal layer having an inner surface provided with a recess for radially receiving the control line, the seal layer being provided with a longitudinal slit defining a pair of opposite longitudinal edges which are movable relative to each other between an open position wherein the seal layer can be radially applied to the tubular element, and a closed position wherein the seal layer extends around the tubular element.  
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said downhole device is an inflow control device for controlling inflow of fluid from the earth formation into the tubular element.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of said seal layers and a plurality of said inflow control devices, the seal layers and the inflow control devices being arranged in alternating order along the tubular element.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular element is assembled from a plurality of tubular joints, and wherein the length of each seal layer substantially corresponds to the length of the respective tubular joint to which the seal layer is applied.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal layer is formed of a plurality of seal layer sections arranged adjacent each other.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical wall is the wall of the wellbore.  
     
     
         7 . The system o  claim 1 , wherein each seal layer comprises i a material susceptible of swelling upon contact with a selected fluid.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the seal layer comprises an elastomer material susceptible of swelling upon contact with water from the earth formation.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the seal layer comprises HNBR elastomer.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the seal layer comprises a plurality of annular recesses formed at the outer surface of the seal layer and regularly spaced in longitudinal direction.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising fastening means for fastening the seal layer in the closed position thereof to the tubular element.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a cover member covers the control line and wherein the recess is adapted to radially receive the cover member.  
     
     
         13 . (canceled)