US3517743A - Selective interval packer - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1970 R. c. PUMPELLY E AL 5 SELECTIVE INTERVAL PACKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1968 v ii V"l'" IlEE-iAf l Erri EJ Pay/P51. L MAE/ON 0. K/

June 30, 1970 Filed Dec. 13, 1968 R. C. PUMPELLY ETA!- SELECTIVE INTERVAL PACKER 4 sheets sheet 2 June 30, 1970 R. c. PUMPELLY ET AL 3,517,743

SELECTIVE INTERVAL PAGKER Filed Dec. 13, 1968 4 Sh'ei's-Sheet s t N Q Q Q wve/vroes P05527- CL PUMPELL June 30, 1970 R. C- PUMPELLY E AL 5 3 SELECTIVE INTERVAL PACKER Filed Dec. 13, 1968 4 Sheets-$heet INVENTOPS 14 056-97 0., PUMPELL 1 MAE/bu 0 Kgaoee HARRY a S/MPsO/v zmue United States Patent Office 3,517,743 Patented June 30, 1970 ware Filed Dec. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 783,601 Int. Cl. EZIb 33/ 1 24 US. Cl. 166-127 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A selective interval packer for isolating a plurality of formations in a well bore or for isolating zones within a single formation and for selectively treating and/ or producing the isolated formations or zones. The selective interval packer includes a plurality of spaced packing elements that are deformable into sealing engagement with a well bore Wall to isolate the formations or zones, gripping means for retaining the packer in position when the packing elements are deformed, a tubular mandrel extending through the packer having a plurality of spaced seals thereon arranged to selectively isolate ports extending through the packer between the packing elements, and an indexing mechanism that permits a treating port located in the mandrel to be aligned with a selected one of the ports in the packer. The apparatus contemplates the use of a locating device such as a packer or anchor previously set in the well bore to which the selective interval packer can be releasably attached whereby the selective interval packer will be accurately positioned or located for treating the desired formations in the well bore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to packing apparatus for use in well bores. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an improved packer apparatus for isolating selected formations or intervals within a formation in the well bore and testing, treating and/ or producing the selected areas.

In the completion or servicing of an oil or gas Well or the like, it is frequently desirable to be able to isolate selected areas therein and to treat the isolated areas with chemical additives or the like. For example, where a formation intersected by the well bore is made up of a loose or unconsolidated sand, it is highly desirable to be able to inject a sand consolidation material into the formation to consolidate the sand and thus prevent production of sand with the oil and/or gas into the well bore.

As is well known to those in the art of drilling wells, a well bore may penetrate a number of producing formations and each formation will have different characteristics. Thus, it is frequently desirable to be able to treat the formations individually. Also, it is well known that a single formation may have different characteristics, such as varying permeability and porosity. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to treat different portions of the same formation differently.

In the past, straddle packer type devices and othe packers having a plurality of packing elements thereon have been utilized to isolate the various areas that are to be treated. While the isolation of the various formations or intervals has been successfully accomplished, the methods and apparatus for the selective treating of the formations has not been satisfactory.

In some of the previously utilized apparatus, flow control devices have been incorporated in each of the isolated zones whereby injected materials will be either more evenly distributed to all areas or else controlled whereby they are distributed in greater quantity to one formation than the other, but all have had the common disadvantage of having the treating materials distributed to all the formations or zones isolated. None of the previously used apparatus, insofar as is known, has had the capabil- 1ty of treating a single one of the isolated formations and then being movable to selectively treat each of the remaining isolated formations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides improved well apparatus for isolating, treating and producing selected zones in a cased well bore, the apparatus includes: a hollow body member having a plurality of spaced ports therein; a plurality of spaced packing members carried by the body that are arranged to sealingly engage the casing to isolate the ports; a hollow treating member having a lateral opening there in and being movable through the hollow body member; a plurality of spaced seal members forming fluid tight seals between the treating member and the body to isolate the ports; and, an indexing device for locating the lateral opening in the treating member in communication with the ports in the body member selectively.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved selective interval packer that affectively isolates a plurality of formations or zones within a single formation in the well base whereby they can be individually treated.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved Well apparatus wherein a packer having a plurality of packing elements thereon can be accurately loated within the Well bore to isolate desired areas therein and latched in the well bore against movement whereby each of the isolated areas can be separately treated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved well apparatus that can be releasably latched to a locating member previously set in the well bore whereby the ports in the well apparatus will be aligned with the desired formations or zones in the Well bore.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved well apparatus wherein a single one of a plurailty of isolated areas can be individually treated and the particular area being treated can be identified as to its location by the indexing mechanism contained within the apparatus.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, taken together, comprise a view, partly in elevation and partly in cross-section, of a selective interval packer constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, taken together, comprise a view partly in elevation and partly in cross-section, of the selective interval packer of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, but show ing the packer in the set position in the well bore.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the indexing mechanism utilized in the selective interval packer.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, taken together, comprise a view, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation, of another embodiment of the selective interval packer also constructed in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 1A, 1B AND 1C Referring to the drawings and to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C in particular, shown therein and generally designated by thereference character 10 is a selective interval packer 3 constructed in accordance with the invention. The packer is shown positioned in acasing 12 located in a well bore (not shown).

Thepacker 10 is suspended on atubing string 14 that is threadedly connected with a treatingmandrel 16 by a threadedcoupling 18. As shown most clearly in FIG, 1B, the treatingmandrel 16 has a plurality of spaced annular seals encircling the medial portion thereof. The seals are designated byreference characters 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 beginning with the lowermost of the seals.

A treatingport 32 extends laterally through the treatingmandrel 16 between theseals 24 and 26. The lower end of themandrel 16 is threadedly connected with anindex mechanism body 34.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, it can'be seen that thecollar 18 is connected by ashear pin 36 with aspring housing 38. The spring housing 38 encircles themandrel 16 and carries in its lower interior acoil spring 40. The upper end of thecoil spring 40 engages thespring housing 38 and the lower end thereof is in engagement with aslip sleeve 42.

Theslip sleeve 42 has aflange 44 on the upper end thereof that is engageable with aninner flange 46 on the lower end of thespring housing 38. Thespring 40 and theslip sleeve 42 encircle anupper portion 48 of a packer mandrel which is generally designated by thereference character 50.

Theupper portion 48 of thepacker mandrel 50 is threadedly connected with thespring housing 38 and the lower end thereof is threadedly connected with amedial portion 52 of thepacker mandrel 50. Themedial portion 52 includes an upper treatingport 54 located betweenseals 28 and 30 and a lower treatingport 56 located betweenseals 26 and 28. As clearly illustrated, theseals 24, 26, 28 and 30, with thepacker 10 in the running-in condition as illustrated, are disposed in sealing engagement with the interior of themedial portion 52 of thepacker mandrel 50. It will also be noted that theport 32 in the treatingmandrel 16 is blanked off due to its position betweenseals 24 and 26.

The lower end of themedial portion 52 of themandrel 50 is threadedly connected with a lower orlatch portion 58. Theportion 58 carries alatching device 60 near its lower end.

Thelatching device 60 includes anexpander 62 that is connected with thelower portion 58 byshear pin 64 and asplit ring slip 66 that is retained thereon between anexterior flange 68 and theexpander 62. Thesplit ring slip 66 is provided withexternal teeth 70 that are engageable with a locating mechanism that will be described I more fully hereinafter for positioning thepacker 10 at a preselected location in the well bore. As can be appreciated, theslip 66 need not be provided with theteeth 70, but may be of any configuration that will latch into the locating mechanism. At its lower end, thelower portion 58 of thepacker mandrel 50 is connected with atubular shell 72 that forms a portion of the indexing mechanism.

Returning again to FIG. 1A, it can be seen therein that theslip sleeve 42 carries aslip housing 74 thereon. The connection between theslip housing 74 and theslip sleeve 42 is provided by apin 76 that extends into and is movable in anelongated slot 78 formed in theslip sleeve 42. A plurality ofsegmented slips 80 are carried by theslip housing 74. Theslips 80 are urged inwardly, that is, toward theslipsleeve 42 by a plurality of slip springs 82.

Theslips 80 are retained in the slip housing by T-shapedlugs 84 that fit into mating T-shaped slots 86 in theslip housing 74. The T-lug and slot arrangement permits the slips to move radially with respect to thehousing 74, but prevent longitudinal movement therebetween. Theslips 80 are provided with a taperedinner surface 88 and a toothedexterior surface 90. The toothedexterior surface 90 is provided for holdingly engaging the interior wall of thecasing 12 when thepacker 10 is in the set position.

A plurality of the segmentedexpanders 92 are carried by anupper head 94. As arranged, thesegmented expanders 92 can move radially relative to theupper head 94, but are prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of thepacker 10. Agarter spring 96 encircles theexpanders 92 biasing them rela tively inwardly toward theupper portion 48 of thepacker mandrel 50. Each of theexpanders 92 is provided with atapered surface 98 that is arranged to mate with the tapered surfaces 88 on theslips 80 as will be described hereinafter.

Theupper head 94 is connected by ashear pin 100 with themedial portion 52 of thepacker mandrel 50. The lower end of theupper head 94 engages the uppermost of three spaced packingelements 102, 104 and 106. Disposed between the packingelements 102 and 104 is aspacer member 108 having aperforation 110 extending therethrough. Asimilar spacer 112 extends between the packingelements 104 and 106 and has aport 114 extending therethrough.

Alower sleeve 116 slidingly encircles thelowermost portion 58 of thepacker mandrel 50. Thesleeve 116 has a downwardly facingshoulder 118 thereon that is arranged to engage a locating device which will be described hereinafter. Thesleeve 116 has a downwardly facingshoulder 120 near the upper end thereof that is engageable with aflange 122 carried by thepacker mandrel 50.

As previously mentioned, theindex mechanism body 34 is connected with the lower end of the treatingmandrel 16 and thetubular shell 72 is connected with the lower end of thepacker mandrel 50. These parts, along with others to be described, comprise an indexing mechanism generally designated by thereference character 124.

For convenience in manufacturing, thetubular shell 72 consists of anouter sleeve 126, a plurality of spaced annular rings orabutments 128, 130, 132, 134 and 136. The abutments are retained in the spaced relationship by a plurality ofspacers 138 located therebetween.

Preferably, and as may be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, each of the abutments has an upperannular surface 140 that is disposed at an angle of approximately 45 with the horizontal and a lowerannular surface 142 that is disposed at an angle of approximately 45 to the horizontal. In FIG. 3, the abutments are shown as forming an integral portion of theshell 72.

As shown in FIG. 1C, theindex mechanism body 34 includes an upperannular recess 144 on the exterior thereof and a lowerannular recess 146 on the exterior thereof spaced below theannular recess 144. Anindexing collet 148 encircles thebody 34 and has a plurality ofresilient fingers 150 formed on the upper end thereof that are located in the upperannular recess 144 when thepacker 10 is being lowered into the well bore. If desired, thefingers 150 could be replaced by a suitable equivalent mechanism, such as spring-loaded dogs.

The medial portion of thecollet 148 is provided with a plurality of elongated slots providingresilient portions 152. Each of theresilient portions 152 is provided with an outwardly projectinglug 154. Anupper surface 153 on eachlug 154 is preferably disposed at an angle of approxi mately 60 to the horizontal and alower surface 155 on eachlug 154 is preferably disposed at an angle of approximately 45 to the horizontal.

The downward travel of thecollet 148 on thebody 34 is limited by ashear ring 156 that is threadedly attached to thebody 34. Theshear ring 156 is arranged to part upon the application of a predetermined load for reasons that will become more apparent hereinafter. In the event that theshear ring 156 parts, thecollet 148 is retained on thebody 34 by anenlargement 158 that is threadedly attached to the lower end of thebody 34.

Connected with the lower end of thesleeve 72 is avalve assembly 160. Thevalve assembly 160 may be of any suitable type wherein the passageway through thepacker 10 may be closed when desired.

As illustrated, thevalve assembly 160 includes a portedretainer 162 and anannular valve seat 164 located in spaced relationship to theretainer 162. Avalve ball 166 is located in theassembly 160 between theretainer 162 and theseat 164. As can be appreciated, downward movement of the packer into the well bore moves thevalve ball 166 upwardly up off of theseat 164, permitting fluid to flow upwardly therethrough. However, when an attempt is made to pump fluid through thepacker 10 in the downward direction, thevalve ball 166 engages theseat 164, preventing flow downwardly therethrough.

OPERATION EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 1A, 1B AND 1C FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, taken together, illustrate the position of the various components of thepacker 10 as the packer is being lowered through thecasing 12 into the well bore. As illustrated therein, theshear pin 36 prevents relative movement between the treatingmandrel 16 and thespring housing 38.

Thecoil spring 40 exerts a downward force on theflange 44 on the upper end of theslip sleeve 42 maintaining theslip sleeve 42 in the position illustrated. Theslip housing 74 will normally be in the position shown, that is, with thepin 76 located in the upper end of theslot 78 due to the resistance of liquid in the well bore as thepacker 10 is lowered therethrough. However, theslot 78 is sized so that even though theslip housing 74 moves downwardly positioning thepin 76 in the lower end thereof, theslips 80 cannot engage the segmentedexpanders 92. Thus, theslips 80 cannot become engaged with thecasing 12 and prematurely set thepacker 10 as thepacker 10 is lowered.

As previously described, theupper head 94 and packer mandrel are held together by theshear pin 100. Thepin 100 prevents relative movement between thepacker mandrel 50 and theupper head 94 which relative movement would move theexpanders 92 into engagement with theslips 80.

It should also be pointed out that theindexing mechanism 124 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1C, that is, with thelugs 154 on thecollet 148 in engagement with theabutment 134 or 136. Thus, theport 32 in the treatingmandrel 16 is positioned and retained in the imperforate portion of thepacker mandrel 50 while lowering thepacker 10 into the well bore.

Also, thevalve ball 166, due to the presence of liquid in the well bore, rides upwardly off theseat 164, permitting fluid flow upwardly through thepacker 10. Since thevalve assembly 160 is open, thepacker 10 and thetubing string 14 on which thepacker 10 is being lowered, automatically fill with liquid as thepacker 10 is lowered into the well bore.

The lowering of thepacker 10 is continued until the downwardly facingshoulder 118 on thelower sleeve 116 engages the upper end of alocating device 167 that has been previously set in thecasing 12. In FIG. 2B, the locatingdevice 167 is illustrated as being a relatively large bore packing device of conventional construction. The

locatingdevice 167 may be of any suitabe configuration such as an anchor or landing collar (not shown) having a bore therein and an upper end upon which the downwardly facingshoulder 118 can land.

In thelocating device 167 illustrated in FIG. 2B, the lower end of the bore is provided with downwardly facingteeth 168 that are arranged to mate with the upwardly facingteeth 70 on the exterior of the latching device carried by thepacker 10.

The teeth and theteeth 168 are sized dimensionally so that as the latchingdevice 60 enters theteeth 168 there is some interference therebetween. The arrangement of the teeth permits thesplit ring slip 66 to ratchet downwardly until theshoulder 118 lands on the upper end of the locatingdevice 167. When this occurs, it can be appreciated that a slight upward pull will move theexpander 62 under thesplit ring slip 66 moving theslip 66 outwardly into firm holding engagement with theteeth 168 in thelocating device 167. When theteeth 70 and 168 are engaged, thepacker 10 is positively retained in thelocating device 167.

It should also be pointed out that prior to running thepacker 10 into thecasing 12, a conventional perforating apparatus has been run therein and landed on thelocating device 167. The perforating device is then actuated to form a plurality of vertically spacedperforations 170 and 172 in thecasing 12. Theperforations 170 and 172 (and as many other perforations as desired) extend into the formations that are to be treated. Since the formations are perforated using thelocating device 167 as a reference, their precise location as related to thelocating device 167 is positively known. Thus, when thepacker 10 is landed on the locating 167, the packingelements 102, 104 and 106 will be in the proper locations to isolate the formations and theperforations 170 and 172.

When theshoulder 118 on thelower sleeve 116 engages the locatingdevice 167, continued downward movement of thetubing string 14 shears theshear pin 36, moving thecollar 18 downwardly until it engages thespring housing 38 which, as previously described, is threadedly connected with thepacker mandrel 50. Continued downward movement of thepacker mandrel 10 andspring housing 38, shears theshear pin 100 so that thepacker mandrel 50 moves downwardly relative to thepacking elements 102, 104 and 106 and relative to the (upper head 94 and lower sleeve 116) until thepacker mandrel 50 engages theupper head 94 as shown in FIG. 2B. When this occurs, the packingelements 102 and 104 and the spacers therebetween, are moved downwardly deforming the packing elements outwardly into sealing engagement with thecasing 12. At this time, the packingelements 102, 104 and 106 straddle and isolate theperforations 170 and 172 formed in thecasing 12.

Simultaneously, theslip sleeve 42 is moved downwardly carrying theslip housing 74 downwardly therewith. The slips 80, which are mounted in thehousing 74, also move downwardly toward thesegmented expanders 92.

Prior to engagement of the slips with theexpanders 92, theslip sleeve 42 moves between theexpanders 92 and thepacker mandrel 50, forcing the segmentedexpanders 92 radially outwardly positioning the segmentedexpanders 92 for engagement with theslips 80. When the tapered surfaces 88 on theslips 80 engage the mating taperedsurfaces 98 on theexpanders 92, the slips 80' are moved radially outwardly forcing the teeth thereon into holding engagement with thecasing 12. At this time, thepacker 10 is set in the well bore with theperforations 170 and 172 isolated. It will also be noted that theports 54 and 56 and theports 110 and 114 in thepacker 10 are in alignment with theperforations 170 and 172 in thecasing 12. The treatingport 32 remains in the imperforate portion of themandrel 50.

After thepacker 10 has been set, thetubing string 14 is raised, moving theupper surface 153 on thelugs 154 of thecollet 148 into engagement with thelower surface 142 on theabutment 134 as shown in FIG. 3. As continued upward movement of thetubing string 14 and theindexing device body 34 continues, theshear ring 156 moves up into engagement with the lower end of thecollet 148 as shown in FIG. 4. Also as shown therein, the collet fingers on thecollet 148 are moved out of theupper recess 144 and are deformed outwardly. In this position, the outside diameter of thecollet fingers 150 is greater than the inner diameter of the abutments carried by thetubular shell 72.

Continued upward movement of thetubing string 14 andbody 34 forces theresilient portions 152, carrying thelugs 154, inwardly into thelower recess 146 in thebody 34 so that thecollet 148 snaps by theabutment 134. When thecollet 148 moves past theabutment 134, the

collet fingers 150, in their expanded position, engage the lower surface of theabutment 132. Since the expandedcollet fingers 150 have an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of theabutment 132, farther upward movement of thetubing string 14 andbody 34 is prohibited. The treatingmandrel 16 and theindexing mechanism 124 is now in the position illustrated in FIG. 2C and in FIG. 5.

As may be seen in FIG. 2B, theport 32 is now in alignment with thelower port 56 in thepacker mandrel 50 and is in position to inject treating material through the alignedports 32, 56, 114 and the perforations i170 into the formation isolated between the packingelements 104 and 106.

When it is desired to bring theport 32 into alignment with theports 54, 110 and theperforations 172, thetubing string 14 is lowered slightly, lowering thecollet 148 moves thelower surfaces 155 of thelugs 154 into engagement with theupper surface 140 of theabutment 134 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Continued downward movement of thebody 34 relative to thecollet 148 moves the upper recess '144 on thebody 34 under thecollet fingers 150 thereby permitting thecollet fingers 150 to move into theupper recess 144. Thecollet 148 with the retractedfingers 150 will then pass theabutment 132 until thesurfaces 153 on thelugs 154 engage thelower surface 142 of theabutment 132. At this time, the indexing process is performed as previously described in connection with movement past theabutment 134 so that thecollet fingers 150 Will then engage thenext abutment 130 bringing the treatingport 32 into alignment with theports 54, 110 and with theperforation 172. The foregoing procedure can be repeated until all of the desired formations have been treated.

Theupper surfaces 153 on thelugs 154 have been provided with a greater angle relative to the horizontal than thelower surfaces 155 so that upward movement of thecollet 148 past the abutments can be accomplished with less force and therefore with less chance of thecollet 148 being jerked through or past more than one of the abutments at a time. The movement of thecollet 148 upwardly and downwardly past the various abutments gives a positive indication at the surface of the well of the position of theindexing mechanism 124 and, thus, of the position of the treatingport 32. The various indexing movements can be counted so that the precise location of the treatingport 32 can be ascertained readily. In the event that the location of theport 32 is questioned, theindexing mechanism 124 can be actuated in a downward direction until the lowermost abutment has been reached and then moved upwardly while counting the steps so that it is a relatively simple matter to determine the location of theport 32.

Also, it is possible to treat any of the isolated formations when and as desired on an individual basis. While the abutments have been illustrated as being located in evenly spaced increments, the device could be provided with any desired length between abutments.

After the treating operation has been completed, theindexing mechanism 124 can be actuated to obtain a test of each of the intervals treated. For example, if the treatment performed was injecting a sand consolidation chemical, each of the intervals could be individually produced to determine whether or not sand is being produced with the oil and/or gas. Thus, thepacker 10 can also be utilized in evaluating the results of the treatment performed therethrough.

After the treating operation has been performed and the intervals have been tested as desired, thetubing 14 and the treatingmandrel 16 are raised upwardly until thecollet 148 of theindexing mechanism 124 passes the uppermost abutment 1128. After passing theabutment 128, thetubing string 14 and treatingmandrel 16 can be removed from thepacker 10 and pulled to the surface o 8 the well. The remainder of thepacker 10 can be left in the well bore to serve as a production packer.

If all of the formations treated are to be produced, theindexing mechanism body 34 andcollet 148 are removed from the lower end of the treatingmandrel 16. The treatingmandrel 16 is then drilled to provide ports corresponding to each of the producing zones. A latching mechanism (not illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B or 1C) is connected to the lowerend tubing string 14 so that when the treatingmandrel 16 is replaced in the bore of thepacker 10, the ports are aligned with the formations. Manifestly, if less than all of the treated formations are to be produced, the treatingmandrel 16 is drilled to provide ports only in positions corresponding to the zones to be produced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 7A, 7B AND 7C FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, taken together, illustrate another embodiment of the selective interval packer that is generally designated by thereference character 200. It will be appreciated from comparing FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C with FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C that the basic components of thepacker 200 are identical to those previously described in connection with thepacker 10. For this reason, identical parts in thepacker 200 have been designated by the same reference characters previously used in the description of thepacker 10.

One of the basic dilferences between thepackers 10 and 200 is in the treatingmandrel 16. In thepacker 200, the treatingmandrel 16 is connected to a second tubing string that is disposed concentrically within thetubing string 14. It will be noted in FIG. 7B and in FIG. 7C that theshell 72 of theindexing mechanism 124 is connected to thelower portion 58 of thepacker mandrel 50 in thepacker 200. Also, theindex mechanism body 34 of theindexing mechanism 124 is connected with the lower end of the treatingmandrel 16 as it was in thepacker 10.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the lower end of thetubing string 14 is connected with alatching device 202 that is threadedly connected at its lower end to thecollar 18. Thecollar 18 is connected with the upper end of aproduction tube 204. Theproduction tube 204 extends into thepacker 200 and is disposed concentrically between thepacker mandrel 50 and the treatingmandrel 16.

Thelatching mechanism 202 includes a splitring latch member 206 that is disposed in anannular recess 208 formed in thespring housing 38. With thelatching mechanism 202 connected with thespring housing 38, theproduction tube 204 is positioned in thepacker 200 withports 210 and 212 therein located in alignment with theports 54 and 56, respectively, in thepacker mandrel 50.

Theport 210 is isolated by anannular seal 214 and anannular seal 216. Theseals 214 and 216 are located on each side of theport 210 in sealing relationship between thepacker shell 50 and theproduction tube 204. Similarly, theport 212 is isolated between theannular seal 216 and anannular seal 218. Theannular seal 218 is also disposed in sealing relationship between thepacker shell 50 and theproduction tube 204.

A fourthannular seal 220 is carried by theproduction tube 204 and is positioned in sealing engagement with thepacker mandrel 50 relatively below the imperforate portion of thepacker mandrel 50 to provide for sealing the treatingport 32 in the treatingmandrel 16 as thepacker 200 is lowered into the well bore.

Another dilference between thepacker 200 and thepacker 10 is in the position of the latchingdevice 60. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 10, the latchingdevice 60 is located on the lower portion of thepacker mandrel 58 in a position wherein it engages theteeth 160 on thelocating mechanism 167. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 70 thelatching device 60 is located wholly within thelower sleeve 116 of thepacker 200. As shown therein, the latchingdevice 60 is pinned to thelower portion 58 of thepacker mandrel 50 by theshear pin 64, but in a location within thelower sleeve 116.

With the arrangement shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 70, the entire setting operation of thepacker 200 is self contained and does not depend upon a connection with thelocating mechanism 167 to retain thepacker mandrel 50 against upward movement. Also, it can be appreciated that if it is desired to retrieve thepacker 200, an upward pull exerted thereon sufiicient to shear thepin 64 will not drop thelatching device 60 into the well bore, as is true of the latchingdevice 60 shown in the FIG. 2B location, but it will be retrieved with thelower sleeve 116.

With regard to the operation of thepacker 200, the concentric tubing strings are run into the well bore with thepacker 200 connected thereto until the shoulder 1-18 on the sleeve 1'16 engages the upper end of the locatingdevice 167. When this occurs, thepacker 200 is set described in connection with thepacker 10. As can be appreciated by comparing FIG. 70 with FIGS. 1C and 2C, theindexing device 124 functions as previously described in connection with thepacker 10.

After the treating operation has been performed, the inner tubing string, which is connected to the treatingmandrel 16, is pulled upwardly from within thetubing string 14 removing the treatingmandrel 16 from within thepacker 200. As will be noted, theproduction tubing 204 is left in thepacker 200 is sealed relationship to thepacker mandrel 50 as previously described and thepacker 200 is in condition for the well to be put into production immediately.

By providing theproduction tubing 204 in the construction illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 70, it is not necessary to return the modified treatingmandrel 16 into thepacker 200 to put the well on production as was true of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 10. Thus, thepacker 200 eliminates the necessity for rerunning the modified treatingmandrel 16 which is a relatively expensive and time consuming process.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Well apparatus for isolating, treating and producing selected zones in a cased well bore, said apparatus comprising:

hollow body means having a plurality of spaced ports therein;

packing means including a plurality of spaced packing members carried by said body means, said packing members being arranged to sealingly engage the casing to isolate said ports;

a hollow treating member having a lateral opening therein, said treating member being movable through said hollow body means;

a plurality of spaced seal members forming fluid-tight seals between said treating member and body means isolating said ports; and,

index means for locating said lateral opening in said treating member in communication with the ports in said body means selectively.

2. The well apparatus of claim 1 and also including:

an elongated, tubular member disposed between said hollow body means and said treating member, said tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings therein in communication with said ports;

spaced seal members forming fluid-tight seals between said tubular member and hollow body means to isolate said ports and openings; and,

tubular member with said ports and openings in communication.

3. The well apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said hollow body means has a plurality of spaced inwardly projecting abutments; and,

said index means includes a body member connected with the lower end of said treating member and having an annular recess therein, and

a collet member slidingly encircling said body member, said collet member having resilient collet fingers movable into and out of said annular recess, said collet member engaging one of said abutments when out of said recess to position the lateral port in said treating member in communication with one of said ports.

4. The well apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said body member has a second annular recess spaced from said first-mentioned annular recess; and,

said collet member has a resilient medial portion and at least one lug projecting outwardly from said medial portion engageable with said spaced abutments to move said fingers out of said first-mentioned recess for engagement with said another of said abutments upon upward movement of said treating member relative to said hollow body means.

5. The well apparatus of claim 1 and also including holding means carried by said hollow body means, said holding means being movable into holding engagement with the casing to prevent movement of said apparatus relative to the casing.

6. The well apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hollow body means includes:

a first member engageable with said holding means and with said packing means; and,

a second member engageable with said packing means.

and movable with respect to said first member to deform said packing members into sealing engagement with the casing.

7. The well apparatus of claim 6 and also including locating means positioned in the well casing, said locating means engaging the second member of said packing means to permit the relative movement between said first and second members.

'8. The well apparatus of claim 7 and also including connecting means for operably connecting said first member to said locating means.

9. The well apparatus of claim 8 wherein said connecting means includes:

an expander member releasably connected to said first member; and,

gripping means carried by said first member and engageable 'with said expander member for radial movement into holding engagement with said locating means.

10. The well apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

a frangible member connects said expander member and first member, said frangible member being arranged to part when a predetermined force is exerted thereon releasing said expander member from said first member; and,

said gripping means is sized to frictionally engage said locating means prior to the radial expansion of said gripping means.

11. The well apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein:

said locating means has downwardly facing teeth therein; and

said gripping means has upwardly facing teeth adapted to mate with the teeth in said locating means to prevent upward movement of said first member relative to said locating means.

12. The well apparatus of claim 7 and also including connecting means for operably connecting said first and second member after deformation of said packing memlatch means connecting said hollow body means and bers.

'1 1 13. The well apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein said connecting means includes:

an expander member releasably connected to said first member; and,

gripping means carried by said first member and engageable with said expander member for radial movement into holding engagement with said second member.

14. The well apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

a frangible member connects said expander member and first member, said frangible member being arranged to part when a predetermined force is exerted thereon releasing said expander from said first member; and,

said gripping means is sized to frictionally engage said second member prior to the radial expansion of said gripping means.

15. The well apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein:

said second member has downwardly facing teeth therein and an interior flange closely encircling said first member; and,

said first member has upwardly facing teeth adapted to mate with the teeth in said first member to prevent upward movement of said first member relative to said second member.

16. In well apparatus, indexing means comprising:

a tubular member having a plurality of spaced inwardly projecting abutments;

a body member movable through said tubular member and having a recess in the exterior thereof; and

a collet member carried by said body member, said collet member including at least one resilient collet finger movable into and out of said recess, said finger engaging one of said abutments when out of said recess, and said collet member including at least one lug engageable with another of said abutments to move said finger into and out of said recess.

17. The indexing means ofclaim 16 wherein:

said body member has a second recess in the exterior thereof; and,

said collet member includes a resilient portion carrying said lug and positioned adjacent said second recess to permit said lug and resilient portion to move into said second recess when said finger is in said first-mentioned recess whereby said collet member can move past said first-mentioned abutment for engagement with. another of said abutments.

18. The indexing means ofclaim 16 wherein:

said recess is of annular configuration and said body member has a second annular recess on the exterior thereof spaced from said first-mentioned annular recess; and, wherein said collet member encircles said body member and includes a plurality of said collet fingers, each having a radially thickened end portion, said collet member also including a resilient medial portion disposed adjacent said second annular recess and having a plurality of outwardly projecting lug portions thereon arranged to sequentially engage said abutments to move said collet fingers into and out of said first-mentioned annular recess.

19. The indexing means ofclaim 18 wherein said resilient medial portion is provided by a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots in said collet member.

20. The indexing means ofclaim 18 wherein:

each said abutment has an upwardly and outwardly tapering surface and a downwardly and outwardly tapering surface; and,

each said lug portion has a downwardly and outwardly tapering surface mating with said downwardly and outwardly tapering surface on said abutments to move said collet fingers out of said first-mentioned annular recess, and an upwardly and outwardly tapering surface mating with said upwardly and outwardly tapering surface on said abutments to move said collet member to a position wherein said fingers are disposed in said first-mentioned annular recess.

21. The indexing mechanism ofclaim 20 wherein said upwardly and outwardly tapering surfaces on said abutments and lug portions are at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member greater than the angle of said downwardly and outwardly tapering surfaces, whereby a greater force is required to move said lug portions past said abutments in a downward direction than in an, upward direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,182,726 5/1965 Stone 166-147 X 3,211,230 10/1965 Stone 166147 X 3,424,246 1/1969 Myers 166-l 27 ERNEST R. PURSER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 166224

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