Patent ID: 7647980
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of conducting a wellbore operation, the method comprising the steps of: connecting an inflatable packer assembly to a tubing to form a wellbore tool, the inflatable packer assembly comprising first and second inflatable packers spaced apart from one another by a spacer member, and a slip joint; positioning the wellbore tool in a wellbore; inflating the first packer to fully engage a wall of the wellbore; actuating the spacer member to adjust an axial distance between the first and second inflatable packers only after the first packer has been expanded to the fully engaged position; inflating the second inflatable packer to engage the wall of the wellbore after the spacer has been actuated to adjust the axial distance between the first and second inflatable packers; and conducting a wellbore operation, wherein the slip joint compensates for axial movements of the tubing when the packers are expanded to engage the wall of the wellbore.