Collapsible shell packer for metal-to-metal sealing

Abstract

Collapsible shell packers and methods of use. An example method introduces a collapsible shell packer into a wellbore; wherein the collapsible shell packer comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell. The method further includes collapsing the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially to expand the collapsible hollow, metal shell radially, wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is collapsed until a portion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell contacts an adjacent surface thereby isolating a zone.

1 . A method for performing zonal isolation comprising:
 introducing a collapsible shell packer into a wellbore; wherein the collapsible shell packer comprises a collapsible hollow, metal shell,   collapsing the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially to only expand the collapsible hollow, metal shell radially outward, wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is collapsed until a portion of the collapsible hollow, metal shell contacts an adjacent surface thereby isolating a zone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsing the collapsible hollow, metal shell by compressing the collapsible hollow, metal shell axially is performed by applying pressure to the collapsible hollow, metal shell with a piston in the axial direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible shell packer comprises a pointed tip contact surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible shell packer is trapezoidal in shape and comprises a flat contact surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible shell packer is corrugated in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is hollow without openings. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible shell packer further comprises a piston on one end and a piston housing on the opposing end. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein there are a plurality of collapsible shell packers interconnected such that the piston of one collapsible shell packer is housed in the piston housing of an adjacent collapsible shell packer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible shell packer further comprises a sealing element disposed on a contact surface of the collapsible shell packer. 
     
     
         10 . A collapsible shell packer comprising:
 a collapsible hollow, metal shell configured to collapse in the axial direction and expand only outwardly in the radial direction.   
     
     
         11 . The collapsible shell packer of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible shell packer comprises a pointed tip contact surface. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible shell packer of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible shell packer is trapezoidal in shape and comprises a flat contact surface. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible shell packer of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible shell packer is corrugated in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible shell packer of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is hollow without openings. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible shell packer of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible shell packer further comprises a piston on one end and a piston housing on the opposing end. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible shell packer of  claim 10 , wherein the collapsible shell packer further comprises a sealing element disposed on a contact surface of the collapsible shell packer. 
     
     
         17 . A system for performing zonal isolation in a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a collapsible shell packer comprising a collapsible hollow, metal shell, and   a piston to collapse the collapsible metal shell in the axial direction thereby only expanding the collapsible metal shell in the outward radial direction.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a conduit comprising a groove in the exterior of the conduit; wherein the piston comprises a locking ring; and wherein the locking ring is configured to lock into the groove after actuation of the piston. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the piston is a component of the collapsible shell packer and is disposed on one end of the collapsible shell packer; wherein the collapsible shell packer further comprises a piston housing on the opposing end; and further wherein there are a plurality of collapsible shell packers interconnected such that the piston of one collapsible shell packer is housed in the piston housing of an adjacent collapsible shell packer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the collapsible hollow, metal shell is hollow without openings.