Isolation Barrier

Abstract

An apparatus and method for securing a tubular within another tubular or borehole, creating a seal across an annulus in a well bore, and centralising or anchoring tubing within a wellbore. A sleeve is arranged on a tubular body to create a chamber therebetween. A port provides fluid access through the body to the chamber. A support frame of bow springs on mounts is located within the chamber. When fluid is introduced into the chamber the sleeve is morphed to secure it to a well bore wall, an end of the sleeve will move along the body and compress the frame and bow springs. The compressed springs support the sleeve to maintain a seal between the sleeve and well bore wall to form an isolation barrier.

1 . An assembly, comprising:
 a tubular body arranged to be run in and secured within a larger diameter generally cylindrical structure;   a sleeve member positioned on the exterior of the tubular body, to create a chamber therebetween;   the sleeve member having a first end which is affixed and sealed to the tubular body and a second end which includes a sliding seal to permit longitudinal movement of the second end over the tubular body;   the tubular body including a port to permit the flow of fluid into the chamber to cause the sleeve member to move outwardly and morph against an inner surface of the larger diameter structure; and   characterised in that:   a support frame is located within the chamber;   the frame comprising a plurality of springs supported between a plurality of mounts; and   the frame being compressed by movement of the second end towards the first end as the sleeve member is moved outwardly by fluid pressure and the compressed springs supporting the morphed sleeve member against the inner surface of the larger diameter structure.   
     
     
         2 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the springs are bow springs, each arranged longitudinally on the frame. 
     
     
         3 . An assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the mounts are annular rings and wherein an end of a bow spring is affixed to a respective mount. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the plurality of bow springs are spaced circumferentially around the tubular body. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the plurality of bow springs are arranged end to end, longitudinally along the tubular body. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the plurality of bow springs are arranged in a staggered configuration around the tubular body. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly according to  claim 5  wherein one or more bow strings pass over one or more mounting rings. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a non-return mechanism is located between the second end of the sleeve member and the tubular body. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a non-return mechanism is located between at least one mount and the tubular body. 
     
     
         10 . An assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the non-return mechanism is a ratchet. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein at least one mount located towards the first end of the sleeve is fixed to the tubular body. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a stop is located on the tubular body, in the chamber, towards the first end. 
     
     
         13 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the large diameter structure is selected from the group consisting of: an open hole borehole, a borehole lined with a casing or liner string, a borehole lined with a casing or liner string which is cemented in place downhole, a pipeline within which another smaller diameter tubular section requires to be secured or a pipeline within which another smaller diameter tubular section requires to be centralised. 
     
     
         14 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the tubular body is located coaxially within the sleeve and is part of a tubular string used within a wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of ports arranged through the tubular body. 
     
     
         16 . A method of setting a morphed sleeve in a well bore, comprising the steps:
 (a) locating a sleeve member on the exterior of a tubular body and sealing it thereto to create a chamber therebetween,   (b) locating a support frame according to the first aspect in the chamber;   (c) running the tubular body on a tubular member into a wellbore and positioning the sleeve member at a desired location within a larger diameter structure;   (d) pumping fluid through the tubular member and through a port in the tubular body to access the chamber;   (e) causing the sleeve to move radially outwardly and morph against an inner surface of the larger diameter structure;   (f) causing a second end of the sleeve to move longitudinally over the tubular body towards a first end of the sleeve and compressing the support frame; and   (g) compressing springs of the support frame to contact with and support the morphed sleeve member.   
     
     
         17 . A method of setting a morphed sleeve in a well bore according to  claim 16  wherein step (g) creates an array of support points, each point from a separate bow spring, on the inner surface of the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . A method of setting a morphed sleeve in a well bore according to  claim 16  wherein step (f) includes the step of moving the second end over a ratchet and preventing the second end from moving away from the first end. 
     
     
         19 . A method of setting a morphed sleeve in a well bore according to  claim 16  wherein step (f) includes the step of moving a mount of the support frame over a ratchet on the exterior of the tool body and preventing the mount from moving away from the first end. 
     
     
         20 . A method of setting a morphed sleeve in a well bore according to  claim 16  wherein the method includes the steps of running in an activation fluid delivery tool, creating a temporary seal above and below the port and injecting fluid from the tool into the chamber via the port.