Wrap-On Reactive Element Barrier Packer and Method of Creating Same

Abstract

Systems and methods for installing an elastomeric element onto a packer mandrel or other existing oil field tubular equipment. In particular aspects, the packer device has a swellable elastomeric packer element.

1 . A method of forming a packer for a wellbore comprising the steps of:
 disposing an uncured elastomer onto a curing mandrel, the elastomer being swellable in response to contact with wellbore fluids;   curing the swellable elastomer;   removing the cured swellable elastomer from the curing mandrel;   wrapping the cured swellable elastomer onto a generally cylindrical packer mandrel.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of securing the swellable elastomer to the packer mandrel with a bonding agent. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cured swellable elastomer is wrapped onto the packer mandrel in a substantially helical pattern. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of removing the removing the cured swellable elastomer from the curing mandrel comprises:
 cutting through the cured elastomer in a substantially helical pattern; and   unwrapping the cut cured elastomer from the curing mandrel.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of retaining the cured elastomeric material upon the packer mandrel with a clamp and allowing the bonding agent to set. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the bonding agent comprises epoxy. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the bonding agent comprises molten elastomer. 
   
   
       8 . A method of assembling a packer device comprising:
 disposing a section of uncured elastomer upon a packer mandrel, the elastomer being swellable in response to wellbore fluids; and   curing the elastomer.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of curing the elastomer comprises wrapping the uncured elastomer with curing wraps. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of curing the elastomer comprises applying heat to the uncured elastomer from a heat source. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the heat source comprises a band heater. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of securing the elastomer to the packer mandrel with a bonding agent. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the heat source is a mobile molding unit. 
   
   
       14 . A packer device comprising:
 a generally cylindrical packer mandrel; and   a cured strip of swellable elastomer deposited onto the packer mandrel by wrapping.   
   
   
       15 . The packer device of  claim 14  wherein the swellable elastomer is secured in place upon the packer mandrel by a bonding agent. 
   
   
       16 . The packer device of  claim 15  wherein the bonding agent comprises epoxy. 
   
   
       17 . The packer device of  claim 15  wherein the bonding agent comprises elastomer. 
   
   
       18 . The packer device of  claim 14  wherein the cured strip of elastomer is wrapped onto the packer mandrel in a generally helical pattern.