Isolation apparatus and isolation methods

Abstract

There is described an apparatus ( 14 ) for isolating a well bore ( 12 ). The apparatus ( 14 ) includes a sealing element ( 20 ) which is axially and transversely moveable relative to a sealing element seat ( 21 ). An actuator ( 30 ) is provided to axially and/or transversely move the sealing element ( 20 ) into sealing engagement with the sealing element seat ( 21 ) so as to isolate the well bore ( 12 ).

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus for isolating a well bore, comprising:
 a sealing element moveable between a first position, in which the sealing element is in sealing engagement with a sealing element seat disposed in a bore, and a second position, in which the sealing element is axially and transversely displaced from the first position; and   an actuator for moving the sealing element between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the sealing element is configured to be inserted into an internal bore defined by the sealing element seat. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of:
 the sealing element is shaped to correspond to the inner surface of the internal bore defined by the sealing element seat; or   an outer surface of the sealing element comprises a tapered portion, a stepped portion, or a flat bottomed portion.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the sealing element comprises a recess on a surface of the sealing element. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the recess is shaped to permit the sealing element to provide sealing engagement with correspondingly shaped equipment when, in use, the equipment is disposed in the internal bore. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein an intermediate position is defined between the first position and the second position, the intermediate position being axially displaced from the first position. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of:
 the sealing element is pivotable between the intermediate position and the second position; or   in the second position, the sealing element is provided in a transverse orientation and is disposed in a side pocket adjacent the bore, and when, in use, the sealing element is in the first or intermediate position, the sealing element is provided in a longitudinal orientation and is disposed in the bore.   
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the actuator comprises at least one sleeve for moving the sealing element between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of:
 the actuator comprises concentric sleeves configured for moving the sealing element;   a first sleeve is axially moveable between a deploy position in which the first sleeve provides the sealing element in one of the first and intermediate positions, and a retract position in which the first sleeve provides the sealing element in the second position;   a second sleeve is axially moveable between a sealing element unsealed position in which the sealing element is provided in the second position and in fluid communication with the well bore, and a sealing element sealed position in which the sealing element is in the second position and isolated from the well bore;   a retract chamber provided between the first sleeve and a housing for the first and second sleeves, the retract chamber being fillable with fluid so as to apply fluid pressure on a first sleeve piston element provided on the first sleeve;   the apparatus comprises a deploy chamber provided between the second sleeve and the housing, the deploy chamber being fillable with fluid so as to apply fluid pressure on the first sleeve piston element provided on the first sleeve and a second sleeve piston element provided on the second sleeve; or   a well isolation chamber provided between the second sleeve and the housing, the well isolation chamber being fillable with fluid so as to apply fluid pressure on the second sleeve piston element.   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , comprising a plurality of sealing elements. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , comprising a guide for locating the sealing element with respect to a portion of equipment when, in use, the equipment is disposed in the bore. 
     
     
         52 . Apparatus for isolating a well bore, comprising:
 a well bore isolation device comprising a moveable isolation element, the moveable isolation element comprising a sealing element seat,   wherein:
 in a first isolation device position the sealing element seat is axially aligned with a bore and is configured to be sealingly engaged by a sealing element in accordance with  claim 41 , and 
 in a second isolation device position the moveable isolation element is moved out of axial alignment with the bore. 
   
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein at least one of:
 the moveable isolation element comprises an internal bore shaped to correspond to an outer surface of the sealing element;   the internal bore comprises a tapered portion, a stepped portion, or a flat bottomed portion;   the apparatus comprises a cutting element for severing a portion of equipment disposed in the well bore isolation device; or   the moveable isolation element comprises a rotatable ball.   
     
     
         54 . An assembly for isolating a well bore, comprising:
 a sealing element in accordance with  claim 41 ; and   a well bore isolation device comprising a moveable isolation element, the moveable isolation element comprising a sealing element seat,   wherein:
 in a first isolation device position the sealing element seat is axially aligned with a bore and is configured to be sealingly engaged by the sealing element, and 
 in a second isolation device position the moveable isolation element is moved out of axial alignment with the bore. 
   
     
     
         55 . A method of unsealing a well bore, comprising:
 providing a sealing element in a first position in which the sealing element is in sealing engagement with a sealing element seat disposed in a bore; and   moving the sealing element axially and transversely to a second position in which the sealing element is axially and transversely displaced from the first position.   
     
     
         56 . A method of isolating a well bore, comprising:
 providing a sealing element in a second position in which the sealing element is axially and transversely displaced from a first position; and   moving the sealing element to the first position in which the sealing element is in sealing engagement with a sealing element seat disposed in a bore.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , comprising at least one of the following steps:
 moving the sealing element to the first position by inserting the sealing element in an internal bore defined by the sealing element seat;   moving the sealing element between the second position in which the sealing element is axially and transversely displaced from the first position and transversely moving the sealing element to an intermediate position in which the sealing element is axially displaced from the first position;   transversely moving the sealing element from the intermediate position to the second position;   axially moving the sealing element from the intermediate position to the first position;   axially moving the sealing element from the first position to the second position;   providing the sealing element in the second position within a side pocket adjacent the bore and isolating the side pocket from the bore; or   accessing the sealing element in the side pocket for at least one of: inspection, repair, installation, removal and replacement of the sealing element.   
     
     
         58 . A method of isolating a well bore, comprising:
 providing a well bore isolation device comprising a moveable isolation element, the moveable isolation element comprising a sealing element seat for providing fluid communication with the well bore;   providing the well bore isolation device in a first well isolation device position in which the sealing element seat is in fluid communication with the well bore and is adapted to be sealingly engaged by a sealing element in accordance with  claim 41 ; and   moving the well bore isolation device to a second well isolation device position by moving the well bore isolation device to prevent fluid communication with the well bore.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein at least one of:
 the moveable isolation element comprises an internal bore shaped to correspond to an outer surface of the sealing element;   moving the sealing element from the sealing element seat to unseal the well bore before the well bore isolation device is moved to the second well isolation device position;   providing the sealing element in sealing engagement with the sealing element seat such that the sealing element remains sealingly engaged with the sealing element seat, and moving the well bore isolation device to the second well isolation device position;   severing a portion of equipment disposed in the well bore isolation device.   
     
     
         60 . A method of isolating a well bore, comprising:
 providing a sealing element in a first position in which the sealing element is in sealing engagement with a sealing element seat disposed in a bore;   providing a well bore isolation device comprising a moveable isolation element, the moveable isolation element comprising a sealing element seat for providing fluid communication with the well bore;   positioning the well bore isolation device in a first well isolation device position in which the sealing element seat is in fluid communication with the well bore and is adapted to be sealingly engaged by a sealing element in accordance with  claim 41 ;   moving the sealing element axially and transversely to a second position in which the sealing element is axially and transversely displaced from the first position; and   moving the well bore isolation device to a second well isolation device position by moving the well bore isolation device to prevent fluid communication with the well bore.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56 , comprising at least one of the following steps:
 moving the sealing element to the first position by inserting the sealing element in an internal bore defined by the sealing element seat;   moving the sealing element between the second position in which the sealing element is axially and transversely displaced from the first position and transversely moving the sealing element to an intermediate position in which the sealing element is axially displaced from the first position;   transversely moving the sealing element from the intermediate position to the second position;   axially moving the sealing element from the intermediate position to the first position;   axially moving the sealing element from the first position to the second position;   providing the sealing element in the second position within a side pocket adjacent the bore and isolating the side pocket from the bore; or   accessing the sealing element in the side pocket for at least one of: inspection, repair, installation, removal and replacement of the sealing element.