Packer apparatus

Abstract

A packer apparatus is disclosed. Packer apparatus comprises a body configured to be disposed in a wellbore and a deformable packer element disposed on the body. The deformable packer element comprises a deformable metallic outer cover. An actuation apparatus is configured to move relative to the body to deform said deformable packer element outwardly from the body to cause the deformable metallic outer cover to contact the surface of the wellbore or casing in which the apparatus is located. Deactivation of the actuation apparatus causes the deformable packer element and deformable metallic outer cover to return to a retracted condition.

1 . A packer apparatus for engaging a surface of a wellbore or wellbore casing to create an annular seal or deform the wellbore casing, the apparatus comprising:
 a body configured to be disposed in a wellbore;   a deformable packer element disposed on the body, the deformable packer element comprising a deformable metallic outer cover; and   actuation apparatus configured to move relative to the body to deform said deformable packer element outwardly from the body to cause said deformable metallic outer cover to contact the surface of the wellbore or casing in which the apparatus is located;   wherein deactivation of the actuation apparatus causes the deformable packer element and deformable metallic outer cover to return to a retracted condition.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said deformable packer element further comprises a chamber configured to contain fluid, such that when the actuation apparatus is activated, said fluid is pressurised to deform said deformable metallic outer cover outwardly. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one floating piston disposed at an end of said chamber, wherein said actuation apparatus is configured to move said floating piston to pressurise said fluid disposed in the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said fluid is compressible such that when the actuation apparatus is deactivated, said fluid expands to return the deformable packer element to a retracted condition. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said fluid is incompressible and said deformable packer element further comprises a return spring or elastomeric element disposed in said chamber such that deactivation of the actuation apparatus causes the return spring or elastomeric element to expand to return the deformable packer element to a retracted condition. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said deformable packer element further comprises an elastomeric element such that when the actuation apparatus is activated, said elastomeric deforms said deformable metallic outer cover outwardly, and when said actuation apparatus is deactivated, said elastomeric element expands to return the deformable packer element to a retracted condition. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said elastomeric element is disposed in a chamber having a floating piston disposed at an end of said chamber, and wherein said actuation apparatus is configured to move said floating piston to compress said elastomeric element disposed in the chamber. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising fluid disposed in said chamber. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein deformable packer element is rotatably mounted on said body. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuation apparatus comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders configured to compress said deformable packer element in response to an increase in fluid pressure in each of said hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said actuation apparatus further comprises at least one mandrel element at least partially defining a longitudinal bore of the apparatus, said at least one hydraulic cylinder slidably disposed on said at least one mandrel element and being in fluid communication with said longitudinal bore. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a locking apparatus configured to prevent said at least one hydraulic cylinder moving relative to said at least one mandrel element, the locking apparatus comprising:
 at least one shear pin configured to prevent relative movement between said at least one hydraulic cylinder and said at least one mandrel element; and   a restriction disposed in said longitudinal bore for engaging a ball or dart dropped into the longitudinal bore to block the longitudinal bore to enable fluid pressure to increase to shear said at least one shear pin and enable relative movement between said at least one hydraulic cylinder and said at least one mandrel element.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said body portion at least partially defines a longitudinal bore of the apparatus, and wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one valve assembly disposed in said longitudinal bore, said at least one valve assembly configured to permit fluid to enter said longitudinal bore when the apparatus is moved into a wellbore containing fluid. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one valve assembly is configured to close when fluid is pumped into the longitudinal bore to enable fluid pressure to increase in the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . A workstring comprising:
 a first packer apparatus according to  claim 1 ;   a second packer apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   a ported sub comprising ports, the ported sub connected between said first and second packer apparatuses.