Dual Bore Swell Packer

Abstract

Two or more bores are machined from a block of material with opposing end connections. The outer surface is rounded and a reactive element is mounted to the mandrel exterior with gauge rings at opposed ends to contain the element when it moves to the set position. Well fluids present or added to the well will trigger the swelling material to extend radially to contact a surrounding tubular for a seal. The small profile of this dual bore barrier allows insertion into smaller casing sizes while maximizing the bore dimension for a reduction in flow resistance. The bores can be evenly spaced about a central axis and can be the same size or different sizes within a range of 20%. The bores can be eccentric to a center axis while being at the same or different radial dimensions from a central axis.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A borehole barrier assembly, comprising:
 a one piece multiple bore mandrel surrounded by a sealing element movable from a run in configuration to a set configuration against a surrounding borehole wall in response to exposure to well conditions, said bores comprising end connections, said strings having diameters within 20% of each other.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 discrete tubular strings connected to said end connection of said bores and extending to discrete zones in the borehole for treatment, production or injection service.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said bores are aligned with a central axis of said mandrel.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said bores are offset from a central axis of said mandrel.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing element comprises an annular shape made of at least one piece.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing element has a seam.   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing element responds to fluids present or added to the borehole.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing element responds to thermal input from the borehole or from within said sealing element.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said end connections are threaded.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a valve in each said bore to allow through bore flow when removing said mandrel.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sealing element swells or changes shape to contact the surrounding borehole wall.   
     
     
         12 . A borehole treatment, production or injection method, comprising:
 connecting the assembly of  claim 1  to discrete strings terminating in discrete zones in a borehole;   performing at least one of treatment, production or injection in each of said strings at the same or at different times.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 aligning said bores with a central axis of said mandrel.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 offsetting said bores from a central axis of said mandrel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 providing said sealing element in an annular shape made of at least one piece.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 providing a seam in said sealing element.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 making said sealing element responsive to fluids present or added to the borehole.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 making said sealing element responsive to thermal input from the borehole or from within said sealing element.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 providing threaded end connections on said bores.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 providing a valve in each said bore to allow through bore flow when removing said mandrel.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 making said sealing element swell or change shape to contact the surrounding borehole wall.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 removing the mandrel with cutting at least one of said strings or with an applied pulling force.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 supporting said mandrel with a production packer in the borehole.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 providing a polish finish in at least one of said bores for selective closure thereof with a plug assembly engaging said polish finish.