Permanent packer using a slurry inflation medium

Abstract

A system for forming a seal in a wellbore includes a slurry source, an expandable inflatable element, and a filter. The slurry may contain particles entrained in a fluid carrier. The filter may be configured to separate the particles from the fluid carrier to form a relatively solid body in the inflatable element. The system may include a pump configured to pressurize the slurry. The pump may flow the slurry from a surface location or from a location in the wellbore. The source may be a bailer configured to receive a pressurized fluid from the pump. The system may use a hydraulic disconnect that conveys the slurry from the source to the inflatable element. The hydraulic disconnect may be configured to disconnect the source from the inflatable element upon a predetermined pressure being reached in the inflatable element. The particles may be formed of a compressible material.

1 . A system for forming a seal in a wellbore, comprising:
 (a) a body of compressible elements configured to apply a biasing force, the compressible elements being a component of a slurry;   (b) an expandable inflatable element configured to apply the biasing force to an adjacent object, the inflatable element having an inlet for receiving the slurry and an outlet; and   (c) a filter positioned at the inflatable element outlet, the filter configured to separate the particles from the fluid carrier.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a pump configured to pressurize the slurry, and wherein the inflatable element includes a plurality of layers, at least one layer of which is formed at least partially of a metal. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pump is configured to flow the slurry from a surface location. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pump is positioned in the wellbore. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a bailer configured to receive a pressurized fluid from the pump and supply the slurry to the inflatable element. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a hydraulic disconnect conveying the slurry to the inflatable element, the hydraulic disconnect being configured to disconnect the source from the inflatable element upon a predetermined pressure being reached in the inflatable element, wherein the adjacent body is a wall of a wellbore tubular on which the inflatable element applies the biasing force of the body of compressible elements. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the particles are formed of an elastomeric material configured to apply the biasing force. 
   
   
       8 . A method for forming a seal in a wellbore, comprising:
 positioning a sealing device having an inflatable element in the wellbore;   flowing a slurry into the inflatable element, the slurry having compressible particles entrained in a fluid carrier;   flowing the fluid carrier out of the inflatable element while retaining the particles in the inflatable element; and   applying a biasing force to an adjacent body using the compressible particles.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising pressurizing the particles retained in the inflatable element to form a body of rarticles that apply the biasing force. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising flowing the slurry from a surface location. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising flowing the slurry from a downhole location. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , supplying the slurry from a bailer. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising terminating the flow of slurry into the inflatable element upon a predetermined pressure being reached in the inflatable element. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the particles are formed of a an elastomeric material that generate a biasing force when compressed. 
   
   
       15 . A method for forming a seal in a wellbore, comprising:
 expanding an inflatable element into sealing engagement with a wellbore tubular using a mass of compressible particles.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising pressurizing the particles. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising flowing a slurry containing the compressible particles from a surface location. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising flowing a slurry containing the compressible particles from a downhole location. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , supplying the slurry from a bailer. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising terminating a flow of slurry containing the compressible particles into the inflatable element upon a predetermined pressure being reached in the inflatable element.