Analysis of pressure-bearing performance and optimization of structural parameters of the slip in a compression packer

Abstract

In drilling and completion operations, a packer is a downhole tool to seal the annular space between various sizes of string and borehole. As a key component of packer, slip plays a role of fixed support in the process of setting, thus ensuring a long-term stable sealing of the packer. Aiming at the problem of damage caused by casing pressure on the slip after setting, based on the stress analysis of slip during setting, the slip material with hardness lower than casing was selected, and its finite element analysis model was established. Then, the pressure-bearing law of the slip teeth under three tooth parameters was analyzed. The results of analysis were as follows. With the increase of the number of slips or the distance between teeth or tooth top angle, the strain of slips decreased, but the bending moment of slips increased. At the same time, orthogonal test method was used to optimize the parameters of the slips. The conclusion is that the tooth top angle is 90 degrees, the distance between teeth is 6 mm and the number of teeth is 16, which is the best combination of compressive effect. It will provide a reference for improving the long-term effectiveness of the packer seal in drilling and completion engineering.