Patent ID: 8960277
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A packer for sealing against an inner cylindrical mandrel and a wellbore wall, comprising: a packer element comprising at least two annular segments coaxially and axially displaceably disposed on the mandrel, and an axially displaceable actuating piston connected with at least one segment, wherein each segment comprises an inner end having an inner seal against the mandrel and an outer end being able to expand radially and slide axially over the inner end of a neighboring segment when the two annular segments are pressed axially against each other, wherein the actuating piston is able to exert an axial force of sufficient magnitude to cause the outer end of the segment to slide over the inner end of the neighboring segment and to expand radially into sealing contact with the wellbore wall, and wherein different segments have different rigidities or rigidness such that the segments are softer with increasing distance from the actuating piston.