Annular fluid containment device

Abstract

An annular fluid containment device comprises one or more fluid seals disposed on a section of production string tubing, and a vent tubing extending along the section of production tubing from below the fluid seals to above the fluid seals. The fluid seals are sealed against the vent tubing and the production tubing, and configured to form a seal within an annular space between the production tubing and a well casing, with the vent tubing providing venting for pressure equalization between the annular space below the fluid containment device and the annular space above the fluid containment device. The fluid containment device placed in a production string below a leak in the casing prevents unwanted fluid from entering the production zone. An additional tubing may be provided similarly to the vent tubing to allow introduction of a fluid into the well below the fluid containment device.

1 . An annular fluid containment device, comprising:
 a production tubing having an outside diameter configured for placement within a well casing to define an annular space between an outside wall of the tubing and an inside wall of the well casing;   at least one generally cylindrical fluid seal, having upper and lower collar portions and an annularly protruding central sealing portion, the at least one generally cylindrical fluid seal being disposed about the length of tubing; and   a vent tubing extending from below said at least one generally cylindrical fluid seal to above said at least one generally cylindrical fluid seal.   
     
     
         2 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , wherein said vent tubing is disposed along said production tubing between said fluid seal and said production tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , wherein a channel is defined in an inner wall of said fluid seal, said vent tubing being disposed along said production tubing within said channel. 
     
     
         4 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve disposed between said fluid seal and said production tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 4 , wherein a channel is defined in said sleeve, said vent tubing being disposed within said channel. 
     
     
         6 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing material applied between said fluid seal and said production tubing. 
     
     
         7 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping strap disposed about each of the upper and lower collar portions of said fluid seal.