System for downhole packing

Abstract

An apparatus and method of forming a barrier to fluid flow behind a liner are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes the steps of conveying a tool to a position within a wellbore having a liner, the tool carrying a seal material, and injecting the seal material from the tool through the liner to form a barrier to fluid flow behind the liner. In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a housing having a chamber carrying a seal material, and a means for injecting the seal material through the wellbore liner.

1 . A tool for creating a barrier to fluid flow behind a wellbore liner, the tool comprising:
 a housing having a chamber carrying a seal material; and   a means for injecting the seal material through the wellbore liner.   
   
   
       2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the injecting means includes a motivation mechanism in communication with the chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the motivation mechanism comprises a pressurized fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the injecting means includes spaced sealing members, the opposed sealing members actuatable to a position engaging the wellbore liner to form a channel between the housing and the wellbore liner for injecting the seal material behind the wellbore liner. 
   
   
       5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the seal material is a liquid when disposed in the housing. 
   
   
       6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the seal material is a foam when disposed within the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the seal material forms a barrier to fluid flow in reaction to contact with hydrocarbons. 
   
   
       8 . A method for creating a barrier to fluid flow behind a wellbore liner, the method comprising the steps of:
 conveying a tool to a position within a wellbore having a liner, the tool carrying a seal material; and   injecting the seal material from the tool through the liner to form a barrier to fluid flow behind the liner.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the seal material is liquid when disposed in the housing. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the seal material is a foam when disposed in the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further including the step of forming a channel between the housing and an inner surface of the liner for injecting the seal material behind the liner. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of forming a channel includes extending a seal mechanism from the tool into engagement with the liner. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of forming an opening in the liner. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of injecting the seal material through the liner comprises the step of injecting the seal material through the opening. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of conveying the tool from a first region of the wellbore with a first bore to a second region of the wellbore with a second bore, wherein the second bore is larger than the first bore and the liner is positioned within the second region. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of extending the seal mechanism from the tool to position the tool within the second region. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the seal material is swellable. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the seal material swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state when the seal material contacts hydrocarbons. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the seal material is thixotropic. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of selecting a viscosity of the seal material based on a desired length of the barrier.