Functions & Key Components of Packer

Functions of Packer: 

• In addition to providing a seal between the tubing and casing, other functions of a packer are as follows:
• Prevent downhole movement of the tubing string, generating considerable axial tension or compression loads on the tubing string.
• Support some of the weight of the tubing where there is significant compressive load on the tubing string.
• Allows the optimum size of well flow conduit (the tubing string) to meet the designed production or injection flow rates.
• Protect the production casing (inner casing string) from corrosion from produced fluids and high pressures.
• Can provide a means of separating multiple producing zones.
• Hold well-servicing fluid (kill fluids, packer fluids) in the casing annulus.
• Facilitate artificial lift, such as continuous gas lifting through the A-annulus.

Packer’s Key Components: 

• Body or mandrel:

Mandrel is a main component of a packer that contains the end connections and provides a conduit through the packer. It is subjected to direct exposure to flowing fluid hence its material selection is a very vital decision. Primarily used materials are L80 Type 1, 9CR, 13CR, 9CR1Mo. For more corrosive and sour services Duplex, Super Duplex, Inconel are also used as per the requirement.

• Slips:

The slip is a wedge-shaped device with wickers (or teeth) on its face, which penetrate and grip the casing wall when the packer is set. There are different types of slips designs are available in packers like dovetail slips, rocker type slips bidirectional slips depending upon packer assembly requirements.

• Cone:

The cone is beveled to match the back of the slip and forms a ramp that drives the slip outward and into the casing wall when setting force is applied to the packer.

• Packing-element system

Packing element is the most important part of any packer and it provides the primary sealing purpose. Once the slips have anchored into the casing wall, additional applied setting force energizes the packing-element system and creates a seal between the packer body and the inside diameter of the casing. The primarily used element materials are NBR, HNBR or HSN, Viton, AFLAS, EPDM etc. Most popular element system are permanent single element system with expansion ring, three piece element system with spacer ring, ECNER element system, Spring loaded element system, Fold back ring element system. 

• Lock ring:

Lock ring play a vital role in packer’s function. The purpose of a lock ring is to transmit axial loads and allow unidirectional motion of packer components. The lock ring is installed into the lock ring housing and both move together over the lock ring mandrel. All setting force generated due to tubing pressure is locked into packer by lock ring.

Vigor as the most professional packer manufacturer in the oil and gas industry, Vigor always insists on the continuous development of new products, at present Vigor can provide you with six different purpose packers, at present, the packer from Vigor has been used in many large oil fields in the Americas, Europe, etc., the good use results of the packer at the customer's site prove the reliability and advancement of Vigor packer. Vigor's team will also be committed to providing our customers with a wider variety of packer products to meet the ever-changing needs of the field. If you are interested in cooperating with Vigor, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Vigor's technical team to get the most professional products and the best quality service.

For more information, you can write to our mailbox info@vigorpetroleum.com & marketing@vigordrilling.com