Development of a hydrostatically set packer for hydrocarbon production

Since December 2020, AO Engineering Center of Shipbuilding has been a Grantee for the implementation of an innovative project from the Federal State-Funded Institution “Fund for the Promotion of Development of Small Businesses in the Field of Science and Technology” (briefly - the Innovation Promotion Fund, the Fund's website: http: //fasie. ru/ ) on this topic:

Development of a hydrostatically set packer for hydrocarbon production

Purpose of R&D:

•    creation of the first domestic equipment complex (hydrostatically set packer + dividing valve), which contributes to the development of hydrocarbon production technologies on the shelf of the Russian Federation, the development of the domestic system of underwater oil and gas production, the use of the developed complex, both on offshore and onshore wells;

•    localization of domestic production;

•    to ensure that there is no dependence on the purchase of foreign equipment and components;

•    reducing the cost of production and operation of equipment;

•    to enter mass production and supply of a complex of downhole equipment that has not previously been used in wells.

Purpose of a scientific and technical product (item, etc. ) *

The developed hydrostatic storm packer is intended for testing, isolation of tube side and annular space in wells under conditions of high pressure and high voltage.

The packer must ensure hermetic separation of the casing string and isolation of the production string during well operation, excluding crossflows in the annulus. The packer is brought into working position by means of hydraulic action and pressurization in the tube side.

In the event of an emergency due to weather conditions, the top of the subsea equipment is isolated for replacement, repair or departure of the semi-submersible floating drilling rig from the site. A storm valve is lowered over the storm packer for isolation above the packer for shutdown due to a weather emergency or ground equipment repair. The storm valve allows you to isolate the pipe near the surface without shutting down the entire string. It is intended for use in situations where the installation must be quickly abandoned. It can also be used to change ground equipment without shutting down the drill string. And it will remain closed to ensure a secure grummet until the drill pipe or tubing is reconnected.

Storm packer consisting of the following components: by-pass valve, hydraulic block with pistons, spacing bushes, sizing rings, anchor, mechanical block (centering element, slips, mechanical hull)

The product under development is a storm packer with an upper hydraulic block. The packer will include a by-pass valve, which operates under the action of hydrostatic forces and prevents the packer from breaking during technological operations.

The valve is opened by pulling the drill string, where the tubing and annular pressures are equalized under the action of hydrostatic forces.

The pistons of the hydraulic block are set in the transport position by the action of the hydrostatic forces of the fluid. Then the packer is ready to be lifted. Due to the hydrostatic action of the working elements of the packer, the packer is safely lifted and brought into the transport position.

The storm packer has a built-in by-pass valve that assists in setting the packer at high bottom-hole pressure. By-pass packer equalizes pressure from below and above the packer, making it easier to strip the packer.

Thus, the scope of the developed product is oil and gas wells.

Potential consumers are domestic oil and gas companies that own licensed areas both offshore and onshore. In particular, PAO Gazprom, PAO NK Rosneft, Eurasia Drilling Company, PAO Novatek. 

Main characteristics