Annular fluid containment device

Abstract

An annular fluid containment device includes a mandrel, and packing assembly disposed about the mandrel to form a seal between the mandrel and the well casing. A sleeve disposed within the mandrel defines a space between the mandrel and the sleeve. Seals are disposed between the mandrel and sleeve at upper and lower ends, wherein the upper seal is located above a location of the packing assembly, and the lower seal is located below the packing assembly. Upper and lower passages are defined in the wall of the mandrel, in communication with the annular space, wherein the upper fluid passage is located above the packing assembly and below the upper seal, while the lower fluid is located below the position of the packing assembly and above the lower seal. Hence, a fluid passage is formed bypassing the packing assembly within the mandrel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An annular fluid containment device adapted for placement into a well casing, comprising:
 a tubular main body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and upper and lower ends;   at least one sealing assembly disposed about said main body and adapted to form a seal between the outer surface of said main body and an inner wall surface of said well casing;   a tubular inner sleeve disposed within said main body, the inner sleeve having an outer surface, an inner surface, and upper and lower ends, wherein the outer surface of the inner sleeve is spaced apart from the inner surface of the main body to define an annular space therebetween;   at least one upper seal disposed between the inner surface of the main body and the outer surface of the inner sleeve proximate to the upper end of the inner sleeve and above a location of said sealing assembly;   at least one lower seal disposed between the inner surface of the main body and the outer surface of the inner sleeve proximate to the lower end of the inner sleeve and below the location of said sealing assembly;   an upper fluid passage defined through said main body in communication with said annular space, the upper fluid passage being located above the position of said sealing assembly and below said upper seal; and   a lower fluid passage defined through said main body in communication with said passage, the lower fluid passage being located below the position of said sealing assembly and above said lower seal.   
     
     
         2 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid conduit connected to and extending from said upper fluid passage. 
     
     
         3 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sealing assembly comprises a rubber seal. 
     
     
         4 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sealing assembly comprises a plurality of rubber seals. 
     
     
         5 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper collar disposed at an upper end of said main body, the upper collar being configured for connection to a production tubing element. 
     
     
         6 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 5 , wherein a gas passage is formed in said upper collar in communication with said upper fluid passage. 
     
     
         7 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 5 , further comprising a lower collar disposed at an upper end of said main body, the lower collar being configured for connection to a production tubing element. 
     
     
         8 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sealing assembly comprises at least one upper sealing assembly disposed proximate to the upper end of said main body, and at least one lower sealing element disposed proximate to the lower end of said main body. 
     
     
         9 . The annular fluid containment device of  claim 6 , further comprising a fitting in communication with said gas passage and configured for connection to a tubing.