Production string activated wellbore sealing apparatus and method for sealing a wellbore using a production string

Abstract

A wellbore sealing apparatus positioned along production string tubing is provided to allow for sealing of a wellbore without needing to use a work string. The sealing apparatus includes an outer sleeve, an inner mandrel telescopically received within the outer sleeve, a sealing element positioned on the inner mandrel, an actuator interaction assembly and top and bottom seal pushers. An actuator positioned along the production rod string is also provided. The wellbore sealing apparatus has a sealed or engaged position and a disengaged position. To seal the wellbore, the actuator is pulled upwardly via the production rod string and couples to the actuator interaction assembly of the sealing apparatus. The continued upward movement of the actuator results in the inner mandrel moving further into the outer sleeve and the top and bottom pushers exerting opposing forces on the sealing element. The sealing element compresses and expands to seal the wellbore.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wellbore sealing apparatus positioned along production string tubing, the apparatus comprising,
 an outer sleeve, having an uphole end, a downhole end and a slot positioned between both ends;   an inner mandrel telescopically received within the downhole end of the outer sleeve, a downhole end and a midsection, the midsection having a peg positioned to interact with the slot in the outer sleeve;   a compressible and horizontally expanding sealing element disposed on the midsection of the inner mandrel;   an actuator interaction assembly, disposed on the downhole end of the inner mandrel, having a means to couple to an actuator;   a top seal pusher disposed on the inner mandrel positioned between the outer sleeve and the sealing element; and   a bottom seal pusher disposed on the inner mandrel positioned between the sealing element and the actuator interaction assembly;   wherein when the actuator interaction assembly couples to the actuator, the inner mandrel is pushed into the outer sleeve and the top and bottom seal pushers exert pressure on the sealing element such that it compresses and expands to form a seal with the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator interaction assembly comprises an assembly body having at least one slot. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one slot is J-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator interaction assembly comprises an assembly body having a least one connector. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator interaction assembly further comprises a top assembly sleeve and a bottom assembly sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal piston disposed on the uphole end of the inner mandrel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator interaction assembly comprises an assembly body having a first section and a second section with at least one gap between the first and section sections. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing means disposed on the inner mandrel between the top pusher and the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . An actuator positioned along a production rod string, for interacting with a sealing apparatus, the actuator comprising a coupling means wherein when the production rod string is pulled upwardly the actuator couples to the sealing apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The actuator of  claim 9 , wherein the coupling means is at least one connector. 
     
     
         11 . The actuator of  claim 9 , wherein the coupling means is at least one slot. 
     
     
         12 . The actuator of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one slot is J-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The actuator of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one by-pass gap extending longitudinally along the length of the actuator. 
     
     
         14 . A method of sealing a wellbore using a production string, the method comprising,
 providing a sealing apparatus having a sealing element and an actuator interaction assembly positioned along a production string tubing;   providing an actuator positioned along a production rod string;   coupling the actuator with the actuator interaction assembly;   compressing and expanding the sealing element of the sealing apparatus; and   forming a seal between the sealing apparatus and the wellbore casing.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising disengaging the sealing apparatus from the wellbore by lowering the actuator and uncoupling the actuator from the actuator interaction assembly.