Sealing assembly employing a cylindrical extrusion limiter

Abstract

Provided is a sealing assembly, a well system, and a method. The sealing assembly, in one aspect, includes a mandrel, and a sealing element positioned about the mandrel. The sealing element, in this aspect, includes a cylindrical extrusion limiter positioned radially about a centerpoint of the sealing element. The sealing assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a first collar sleeve coupled proximate a first end of the sealing element, and a second collar sleeve coupled proximate a second end of the sealing element, wherein the first and second collar sleeves are configured to axially translate along the mandrel to move the sealing element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state, and further wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is configured to break to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state as the sealing element moves from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sealing assembly, comprising:
 a mandrel;   a sealing element positioned about the mandrel;   a cylindrical extrusion limiter positioned radially about a centerpoint of the sealing element;   a first collar sleeve coupled proximate a first end of the sealing element; and   a second collar sleeve coupled proximate a second end of the sealing element, wherein the first and second collar sleeves are configured to axially translate relative to one another along the mandrel to move the sealing element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state, and further wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is configured to break to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state as the sealing element moves from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter includes an extrusion limiter body having a weakened region substantially proximate a midpoint thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter includes an extrusion limiter body having a weakened region ideally proximate a midpoint thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region is a circumferential notch located around an inside radial surface of the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region is a circumferential notch located around an outside radial surface of the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region is a series of holes extending entirely through a thickness of the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region is a series of slots extending entirely through a thickness of the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is located radially about an entirety of the sealing element. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is located radially about at least 60 percent of the sealing element. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is a three-piece cylindrical extrusion limiter located radially about a centerpoint of the sealing element, the three-piece cylindrical extrusion limiter including a central cylindrical extrusion limiter, and separate uphole and downhole retaining rings overlapping radially outside of the central cylindrical extrusion limiter. 
     
     
         11 . A well system, comprising:
 a wellbore located in a subterranean formation; and   a sealing assembly positioned in the wellbore, the sealing assembly including:
 a mandrel; 
 a sealing element positioned about the mandrel; 
 a cylindrical extrusion limiter positioned radially about a centerpoint of the sealing element; 
 a first collar sleeve coupled proximate a first end of the sealing element; and 
 a second collar sleeve coupled proximate a second end of the sealing element, wherein the first and second collar sleeves are configured to axially translate relative to one another along the mandrel to move the sealing element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state, and further wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is configured to break to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state as the sealing element moves from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state. 
   
     
     
         12 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter includes an extrusion limiter body having a weakened region substantially proximate a midpoint thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter includes an extrusion limiter body having a weakened region ideally proximate a midpoint thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the weakened region is a circumferential notch located around an inside radial surface of the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         15 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the weakened region is a circumferential notch located around an outside radial surface of the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         16 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the weakened region is a series of holes extending entirely through the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         17 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the weakened region is a series of slots extending entirely through the extrusion limiter body. 
     
     
         18 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is located radially about an entirety of the sealing element. 
     
     
         19 . The well system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is located radially about at least 60 percent of the sealing element. 
     
     
         20 . The well system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is a three-piece cylindrical extrusion limiter located radially about a centerpoint of the sealing element, the three-piece cylindrical extrusion limiter including a central cylindrical extrusion limiter, and separate uphole and downhole retaining rings overlapping radially outside of the central cylindrical extrusion limiter. 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a sealing assembly within a wellbore located in a subterranean formation, the sealing assembly including:
 a mandrel; 
 a sealing element positioned about the mandrel; 
 a cylindrical extrusion limiter positioned radially about a centerpoint of the sealing element; 
 a first collar sleeve coupled proximate a first end of the sealing element; and 
 a second collar sleeve coupled proximate a second end of the sealing element, wherein the first and second collar sleeves are configured to axially translate relative to one another along the mandrel to move the sealing element between a radially retracted state a radially expanded state, and further wherein the cylindrical extrusion limiter is configured to break to deploy from an undeployed state to a deployed state as the sealing element moves from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state; and 
   moving the sealing element from the radially retracted state to the radially expanded state, the moving causing the cylindrical extrusion limiter to break deploy from the undeployed state to the deployed state.