Packing element and method

Abstract

A packing element includes a mandrel, at least one seal member having a Chevron shape and composed of a metal material, and an energizer in operable communication with the at least one seal member and a method for packing a tubular.

1 . A packing element comprising:
 a mandrel;   at least one seal member having a Chevron shape and composed of a metal material; and   an energizer in operable communication with the at least one seal member.   
   
   
       2 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the element further comprises at least one slip and at least one ramp in operable communication with the mandrel. 
   
   
       3 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the at least one ramp is movable on the mandrel. 
   
   
       4 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the at least one slip and at least one ramp is two slips and two ramps, one of each operable as a set and responsive to axial compression along the mandrel to increase an outside diameter of each slip and ramp combination. 
   
   
       5 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one seal member comprises a stack of seal member elements. 
   
   
       6 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one seal member is two seal members having a direction of the Chevron shape of each member opposed. 
   
   
       7 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the energizer is a resilient member. 
   
   
       8 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the energizer is a spring member. 
   
   
       9 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one seal member when actuated creates a series of relatively narrow annular seals with a target tubular. 
   
   
       10 . The packing element as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the series of seals are at different relative diameters. 
   
   
       11 . A method of packing a tubular comprising:
 compressing a packing element as claimed in  claim 1 ;   splaying open at least one seal member to enlarge a radial dimension of the member; and   maintaining energy in the at least one seal member.   
   
   
       12 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the compression is axial. 
   
   
       13 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the splaying of at least one seal member is splaying open of a number of sealing elements to cause a number of relatively narrow annular seals to form against a target tubular. 
   
   
       14 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the relatively narrow annular seals have different diameters. 
   
   
       15 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the maintaining is by compressing an energizer to store energy that is automatically released upon a reduction in axial compression of the packing element. 
   
   
       16 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the maintaining is by setting a ratcheting assembly. 
   
   
       17 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the at least one seal member is a number of seal members, the members each including at least one sealing element. 
   
   
       18 . The method of packing a tubular as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the seal members are a mirror image of one another.