Patent Publication Number: US-9845655-B2

Title: System and method for testing an insert packer assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Natural resources, such as oil and gas, are used as fuel to power vehicles, heat homes, and generate electricity, in addition to a myriad of other uses. Once a desired resource is discovered below the surface of the earth, drilling and production systems are often employed to access and extract the resource. A drilling system may include a riser that connects a drilling rig to a wellhead assembly through which the resource is extracted. A drill string can be run from the drilling rig through the riser to a well. Drilling mud can be directed into the well through the drill string and returns to the surface via an annulus between the drill string and the riser. A diverter may be provided to seal a return path through the riser and/or to redirect formation fluid away from the drilling rig, thereby protecting the equipment disposed above the diverter. It would be desirable to reliably and efficiently test the ability of the diverter to seal the return path through the riser. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an offshore system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly having an insert packer and a test packer that may be used in the offshore system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a diverter assembly having a one-piece insert packer assembly that may be used in the offshore system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a diverter assembly that may be used in the offshore system of  FIG. 1 , wherein a tool having an extension piece is disposed within the diverter assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a diverter assembly that may be used in the offshore system of  FIG. 1 , wherein a tool having a test tool packer is disposed within the diverter assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for testing an insert packer assembly of a diverter assembly that may be used in the offshore system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view schematic of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly, wherein a tool having a stepped outer wall is disposed within the diverter assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view schematic of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly, wherein a tool having an outer wall with a uniform diameter is disposed within the diverter assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view schematic of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly having multiple diverter packers, wherein a tool having a stepped outer wall is disposed within the diverter assembly; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view schematic of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly having multiple diverter packers, wherein a tool having an outer wall with a uniform diameter is disposed within the diverter assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view schematic of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly having a one-piece insert packer assembly, wherein a tool having a stepped outer wall is disposed within the diverter assembly; and 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view schematic of an embodiment of a portion of a diverter assembly having a one-piece insert packer assembly, wherein a tool having an outer wall with a uniform diameter is disposed within the diverter assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The present embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for testing an insert packer assembly (e.g., an assembly of one or more annular seals or annular insert packers) of a diverter assembly of a drilling system. During drilling operations, the insert packer assembly of the diverter assembly may be replaced at various times to accommodate a particular drill string extending through the diverter assembly (e.g., a new drill string having a different circumference), for example. When the insert packer assembly of the diverter assembly is replaced, it may be desirable to test a condition of the insert packer assembly (e.g., to monitor whether the insert packer assembly forms a seal about the drill string and adequately blocks a flow of fluid through an annulus of the diverter assembly). The disclosed embodiments help to improve the efficiency and reliability of testing insert packers. For example, without the disclosed embodiments, the insert packer may require removal following completion of the test in order to withdraw a testing tool from the diverter assembly, and thus the insert packer may require subsequent reinstallation in the diverter assembly prior to drilling operations. 
     With the foregoing in mind, certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having an insert packer assembly with multiple annular flexible components (e.g., elastomer sealing components) and/or a tool (e.g., an insert packer test tool) that is configured to enable reliable, efficient testing of the insert packer assembly. Certain exemplary embodiments include a method of using the tool to test the insert packer assembly. In certain embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may enable testing of the insert packer assembly without subsequent removal of the insert packer assembly from the diverter assembly (i.e., the tool may be withdrawn from the diverter assembly while the insert packer assembly remains in place within the diverter assembly). 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 1  is an embodiment of an offshore system  10 . The offshore system  10  includes an offshore vessel or platform  12  at a sea surface  14 . A diverter assembly  16  is positioned above a wellhead  18  at a sea floor  20 . A tubular drilling riser  22  may extend from the diverter assembly  16  toward the wellhead  18 , and the riser  22  may return drilling fluid or mud to the platform  12  during drilling operations. Downhole operations are carried out by a tubular string  24  (e.g., drill string, production tubing string, or the like) that extends from the platform  12 , through a bore  25  of the diverter assembly  16 , through the riser  22 , through a blowout preventer assembly  23 , and into a wellbore  26 . 
     To facilitate discussion, the diverter assembly  16  and its components may be described with reference to an axial axis or direction  30 , a radial axis or direction  32 , and a circumferential axis or direction  34 . As shown, the diverter assembly  16  includes one or more outlets  36  extending radially outward from the bore  25 . The diverter assembly  16  also includes an insert packer assembly  38  (e.g., an assembly of one or more annular seals or annular insert packers) configured to seal an annulus  40  between the tubular string  24  and an inner wall  42  of a body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 . When the insert packer assembly  38  seals the annulus  40  (i.e., when the insert packer assembly  38  is in a sealed position in which at least a portion of the insert packer assembly  38  contacts the tubular string  24 ), the drilling fluid or mud in the annulus  40  may be directed (e.g., diverted) away from the platform  12  through the one or more outlets  36 . 
     As noted above, it may be desirable to change the insert packer assembly  38  based on a circumference of the tubular string  24 , for example. Accordingly, at various times, an operator may remove one insert packer assembly  38  and install another insert packer assembly  38  having appropriate dimensions for the particular tubular string  24  that will be used during the drilling operations. Upon installation of a new insert packer assembly  38 , it may be desirable to efficiently and reliably test the insert packer assembly  38  to determine whether the insert packer assembly  38  effectively seals the annulus  40  and adequately blocks the flow of drilling fluid, mud, or other fluids. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments include a system having the insert packer assembly  38  and/or a tool (e.g., an insert packer test tool) to facilitate testing the insert packer assembly  38 , and a method of using the tool to test the insert packer assembly  38 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diverter assembly  16  having the insert packer assembly  38  and a tool  46  (e.g., an insert packer test tool) positioned within the bore  25  of the diverter assembly  16 . In particular,  FIG. 2  illustrates a split view of the portion of the diverter assembly  16  that is divided along a central axis  45  of the diverter assembly  16 . The portion of the diverter assembly  16  above the central axis  45  shows the insert packer assembly  38  in a sealed position  48  (e.g., closed position), and the portion of the diverter assembly  16  below the central axis  45  shows the insert packer assembly  38  in an unsealed position  50  (e.g., open position). As discussed in more detail below, in the sealed position  48 , annular flexible components  52  (e.g., elastic components) of the insert packer assembly  38  are in a first position and/or contact a shaft  54  of the tool  46 . In the unsealed position  50 , the flexible components  52  are in a second position and/or do not contact the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . 
     The insert packer assembly  38  and the tool  46  may be configured to facilitate efficient, reliable testing of the seal formed by the insert packer assembly  38 . As shown, the insert packer assembly  38  includes an insert packer  56  (e.g., an annular insert packer, a primary insert packer, or a primary annular seal) and a test packer  58  (e.g., an annular test packer, a secondary insert packer, or a secondary annular seal) that are each positioned within the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  and are configured to extend circumferentially about the shaft  54  of the tool  46  during testing procedures. The insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  may be coupled to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  via any suitable fastener. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the insert packer  54  is mounted to a support structure  60  disposed at a proximal end  62  (e.g., upper end) of the diverter assembly  16  via one or more threaded fasteners  59 , and the support structure  60  is coupled to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  via one or more threaded fasteners  64 . 
     The test packer  58  and the insert packer  56  may be coaxial and may be stacked relative to one another along the axial axis  30 . As shown, the insert packer  56  is positioned at the proximal end  62  of the diverter assembly  16 , and the test packer  58  is positioned between the insert packer  56  and a distal end  65  (e.g., lower end) of the diverter assembly  16  (e.g., between the insert packer  56  and the wellbore  26  during drilling operations), although in other embodiments, the test packer  58  may be positioned at the proximal end  62  and the insert packer  56  may be positioned between the test packer  58  and the distal end  65 . The tool  46  may include threads  67  or other attachment components at a distal end  68  of the tool  46  that are configured to receive or to attach to a variety of tubular members (e.g., customer-specific or well-specific tubular members), which may support the tool  46  within the diverter assembly  16  during testing procedures. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  include respective flexible components  52  (e.g., an annular flexible or elastic component) disposed axially between respective rigid components  70  (e.g., annular rigid components). The flexible components  52  may be formed from an elastomer, rubber, or any suitable elastic material, and the rigid components  70  may be formed from steel or any suitable metal or non-elastic material. 
     The rigid components  70  may be fixed relative to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 , and the flexible components  52  may be configured to move relative to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 . In some embodiments, a fluid source  70  may be configured to provide a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas) to directly or indirectly drive the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  radially inward (e.g., along the radial axis  32 ) away from the inner wall  42  of the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 . As discussed in detail below, during testing, the fluid may drive the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  radially inward toward the shaft  54  of the tool  46  to facilitate testing of a seal across the annulus  40  formed by the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58 . During drilling operations, the fluid may drive the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  radially inward toward the tubular string  24 , thereby sealing the annulus  40  of the diverter assembly  16  and blocking a flow of drilling fluid through the annulus  40 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a diverter packer  72  is coupled to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 . The diverter packer  72  includes a respective flexible component  52  and respective rigid components  70 , and the respective flexible component  52  of the diverter packer  72  is axially aligned with the respective flexible component  52  of the insert packer  56 . Thus, when fluid is applied to the respective flexible component  52  of the diverter packer  72  via a first line  74 , the respective flexible components  52  of the diverter packer  72  and the insert packer  56  are driven radially inward toward the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , as shown by arrow  75 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, a second line  76  may provide the fluid to the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58 , thereby directly driving the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58  radially inward toward the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , as shown by arrow  77 . As shown, the second line  76  branches from the first line  74 . However, the first line  74  and the second line  76  may separately extend from the fluid source  70  or have any suitable configuration for providing the fluid from the fluid source  70  to drive the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer assembly  38 . 
     It should be understood that in some embodiments, the first line  74  and/or the second line  76  may apply the fluid directly to the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  (i.e., the diverter packer  72  may not be provided). Furthermore, in some embodiments, a diverter packer may be aligned with the test packer  58 , and the first line  74  and/or the second line  76  may apply the fluid to respective diverter packers  72  to indirectly drive the flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  radially inward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  are in the sealed position  48 , an inner wall  82  (e.g., a radially-inner wall) of the flexible component  52  of the insert packer  56  and an inner wall  84  (e.g., a radially-inner wall) of the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58  each contact an outer wall  86  (e.g., a radially-outer wall) of the tool  46 , thereby forming a space  88  (e.g., an annular space, a sealed space, a chamber, a fluid chamber, or a hydraulic chamber). To test a condition of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  (e.g., to test whether the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  adequately seal the annulus  40 ), a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas) may be provided to increase a pressure within the space  88 . In some embodiments, the fluid may be provided via a third line  90 . In the illustrated embodiment, the third line  90  extends through the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  to the space  88 . In addition to or as an alternative to the third line  90 , a fourth line  92  may extend through the tool  46  to the space  88  to provide the fluid to the space  88 , in certain embodiments. Any of the various fluid lines (e.g., fluid lines  74 ,  76 ,  90 ,  92 ), the fluid source  70 , the flexible components  52 , and/or the space  88  disclosed herein may be part of a fluid actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator, or a fluid drive, such as a hydraulic drive, configured to facilitate testing of the insert packer assembly  38 . 
     A sensor  94  (e.g., a pressure sensor) may be positioned in the space  88  and may be configured to monitor the pressure within the space  88 . The sensor  94  may be coupled to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 , the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , or any other suitable structure that enables the sensor  94  to monitor the pressure within the space  88 . If the insert packer assembly  38  adequately seals the annulus  40 , the pressure within the space  88  may be maintained (e.g., may not change significantly over a period of time, such as 1, 3, 5, 10, or more minutes). However, if the insert packer assembly  38  does not adequately seal the annulus  40 , the pressure may change over the period of time (e.g., may decrease by more than 3, 5, 10, or 15 percent within 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes). 
     As shown, a controller  100  (e.g., electronic controller) may be provided to receive and to process signals generated by the sensor  94 . In some embodiments, the controller  100  may be configured to determine whether the insert packer assembly  38  adequately seals the annulus  40  based on the signals received from the sensor  94 , and the controller  100  may be configured to provide an output to an output device  102  (e.g., a displayed output via a display and/or an audible output via a speaker) indicative of the condition (e.g., whether the seal formed by the insert packer assembly  38  is adequate) of the insert packer assembly  38 . In some embodiments, the controller  100  may be configured to provide control signals to one or more valve assemblies  104  to adjust a flow of the fluid to the first line  74 , the second line  76 , the third line  90 , and/or the fourth line  92 . For example, the controller  100  may be configured to direct the fluid to the first line  74  and the second line  76 , and then subsequently direct the fluid to the third line  90  and/or the fourth line  92  to facilitate testing the insert packer assembly  38 . In some embodiments, the controller  100  may be configured to initiate the testing procedure (i.e., control the one or more valve assemblies  104  to adjust the flow of the fluid, monitor the pressure within the space  88 , process signals from the sensor  94  to determine the condition of the insert packer assembly  38 , or the like) in response to a user input or upon insertion of the tool  46  within the diverter assembly  16 . 
     In certain embodiments, the controller  100  is an electronic controller having electrical circuitry configured to process data from various components of the diverter assembly  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the controller  100  includes a processor, such as the illustrated microprocessor  108 , and a memory device  110 . The controller  100  may also include one or more electronic data storage devices and/or other suitable components. The processor  108  may be used to execute software, such as software for controlling the one or more valve assemblies  104  to adjust a flow of the fluid, for processing signals from the sensor  94 , for providing an output indicative of the condition of the insert packer assembly  38 , and so forth. Moreover, the processor  108  may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor  108  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors. 
     The memory device  110  may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). The memory device  110  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device  110  may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor  108  to execute, such as instructions for controlling the one or more valve assemblies  104  or for processing signals from the sensor  94 . The storage device(s) (e.g., nonvolatile storage) may include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The storage device(s) may store data (e.g., pressure data, etc.), instructions (e.g., software or firmware for controlling the one or more valve assemblies  104 , processing signals from the sensor  94 , etc.), and any other suitable data. 
     In some embodiments, the test packer  58  may only be utilized for testing the sealing ability of the insert packer  56  (i.e., the test packer  58  may not be driven radially inwardly to contact the tubular string  24  and/or fluid may not be applied to the test packer  58  during drilling operations). However, in some embodiments, both the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  are utilized for testing and for sealing the annulus  40  during drilling operations. Accordingly, certain disclosed embodiments may advantageously include the insert packer assembly  38  having two physically separate insert packers (e.g., the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58 ) and/or two distinct axially-spaced (e.g., non-contacting and separated from one another along the axial axis  30 ) flexible components  52  to form the space  88  to facilitate testing and/or to seal the annulus  40  during drilling operations. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  have different lengths. For example, the flexible component  52  of the insert packer  56  has a first length  120  and the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58  has a second length  122 , less than the first length  120 . In some embodiments, the second length  122  may be less than approximately 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percent of the first length  120 . In some embodiments, the second length  122  may be between approximately 10-90, 20-80, 30-70, or 40-60 percent of the first length  120 . In some embodiments, the first length  120  may be less than the second length  122 , or the first length  120  and the second length  122  may be approximately equal to one another. The insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  may be sized to enable use of the disclosed insert packer assembly  38  within existing diverter assemblies  16  and/or within a limited length available within diverter assemblies  16 . In some embodiments, the second length  122  may be small enough to enable use of the test packer  58  in conjunction with typical or existing insert packers  56  (i.e., to fit within the limited length available within diverter assemblies  16 ). Such lengths and sizes may enable the insert packer assembly  38  to provide an adequate seal and to facilitate testing the seal formed by the insert packer assembly  38 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the shaft  54  of the tool  46  has a stepped outer wall  86  (e.g., a first portion  126  of the shaft  54  has a first diameter  128  greater than a second portion  130  of the shaft  54  that has a second diameter  132 , greater than the first diameter  128 ). The stepped outer wall  86  may facilitate testing the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  having respective flexible components  52  of different sizes, as discussed above. For example, the relatively large first length  120  of the flexible component  52  of the insert packer  56  may enable the flexible component  52  to flex (e.g., move) radially inward a first distance  134 , while the relatively small second length  122  of the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58  may enable the flexible component  52  to flex radially inwardly a second distance  136 , smaller than the first distance  134 . Thus, the stepped outer wall  86  may facilitate contact between the flexible components  52  and the shaft  54  for testing the sealing ability of the insert packer assembly  38 . 
     While  FIG. 2  illustrates the stepped outer wall  86 , in some embodiments, the first and second portions  126 ,  130  of the shaft  54  (e.g., the portions of the shaft  54  disposed within the insert packer assembly  38  during testing) may be generally cylindrical and have a substantially constant diameter. In some such cases, a relatively greater pressure may be applied to the shorter flexible component  52  (e.g., the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58 ) than to the longer flexible component  52  (e.g., the flexible component  52  of the insert packer  56 ) such that the flexible components  52  of both the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  are urged radially inward to contact the shaft  54  for testing. 
     The configuration of the insert packer assembly  38  and the tool  46  enable efficient, reliable testing of the insert packer assembly  38  by monitoring pressure changes between multiple axially-spaced flexible components  52 . Additionally, the configuration of these components advantageously enables insertion and withdrawal of the tool  46  into the diverter assembly  16  without disturbing the installed insert packer assembly  38 . For example, because a largest diameter (e.g., diameter  132 ) of the shaft  54  of the tool  46  that passes through the insert packer assembly  38  is smaller than an inner diameter  133  of an opening  135  (e.g., annulus) of the insert packer assembly  38  when the insert packer assembly  38  is in the open position  50  (e.g., the flexible components  52  are in the second position), the tool  46  may be inserted into and withdrawn from the diverter assembly  16  without removing the insert packer assembly  38 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diverter assembly  16  having a one-piece insert packer assembly  38 . As shown, the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  are coupled to one another (e.g., fixed to one another) or are integrally formed into a single structure. For example, the one-piece insert packer assembly  38  includes two physically separate and distinct axially-spaced flexible components  52  (e.g., non-contacting and separated from one another along the axial axis  30 ). As shown, the flexible components  52  are separated from one another by a single rigid component  70  that extends between and contacts the two flexible components  52 . 
     As discussed above, the fluid may be provided to drive the flexible components  52  radially inward to contact the shaft  54  of the tool  46  and to form the space  88 . Thus, as shown, the space  88  is formed between the flexible components  52 , the outer wall  86  of the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , and the intermediate rigid component  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tool  46  may include a conduit (e.g., the fourth line  90 ) configured to provide a pressurized fluid to the space  88 . The sensor  94  may be disposed within the space  88 . In some embodiments, the sensor  94  may be coupled to the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . The sensor  94  may monitor the pressure within the space  88 , and the processor  108  of the controller  100  may be configured to receive and to process signals from the sensor  94 , as discussed above. As discussed above, the flexible components  52  may have any of a variety of lengths and the shaft  54  may have any suitable geometry (e.g., a stepped outer wall  86  or a constant diameter) to enable testing the insert packer assembly  38 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diverter assembly  16  having the tool  46  with an extension piece  150  (e.g., an annular extension piece). The extension piece  150  may be fixed (e.g., welded) to the shaft  54  of the tool  46  or removably coupled to the shaft  54  via any suitable fastener (e.g., a threaded fastener  152 ). When the flexible components  52  are driven into the sealed position  48  (e.g., first position) in which the flexible components  52  contact an outer wall  151  of the extension piece  150 , the space  88  is formed between the insert packer  56 , the test packer  58 , the body  44 , and the extension piece  150 . 
     The extension piece  150  may expand a diameter  153  of the shaft  54 , thereby enabling testing insert packer assemblies  38  of any of a variety of corresponding thicknesses  154 . In some embodiments, multiple extension pieces  150  of various dimensions may be provided to facilitate testing various insert packer assemblies  38 . Although the fluid source  70  and controller  100  are not depicted, these components and other components illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  may be provided to facilitate testing of the insert packer assembly  38 , as discussed above. Additionally, as discussed above, the flexible components  52  may have any of a variety of lengths and the extension piece  150  may have any suitable geometry (e.g., a stepped outer wall  151  or a constant diameter) to enable testing of the insert packer assembly  38 . Additionally, the extension piece  150  may be utilized in conjunction with the one-piece insert packer assembly  38  discussed above with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diverter assembly  16  having the tool  46  with a test tool packer  160  (e.g., an annular test tool packer or an annular seal). The insert packer assembly  38  includes the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58 , and the tool  46  may facilitate testing of the sealing ability of the insert packer assembly  38 . As shown, a respective flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160  is axially aligned with a portion of the insert packer assembly  38 . In some embodiments, the respective flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160  is axially aligned with the test packer  58  (e.g., with the respective flexible component  52  of the test packer  58 ). The flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160  is supported by rigid components  70  that are rigidly fixed to the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . A fluid line  162  (e.g., conduit) may extend from a fluid source (e.g., the fluid source  70 ) to the flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160 , and may be configured to provide the fluid to drive the flexible component  52  of the test tool insert packer  160  radially outward from the outer wall  86  of the tool  46  toward the insert packer assembly  38 . 
     To test the insert packer assembly  38 , the fluid may be provided via the fluid line  162  to drive the flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160  radially outward to contact the insert packer assembly  38 . As shown, the flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160  is driven radially outward to contact the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58 . In some embodiments, the fluid may also be provided via the second line  76  to drive the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58  radially outward to contact the flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160 . The fluid may also be provided via the first line  74  to drive the flexible component  52  of the insert packer  56  radially outward to contact the outer wall  86  of the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , thereby forming the space  88 . In the illustrated embodiment, the space  88  is defined between the intermediate rigid component  70 , the outer wall  86  of the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , and the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56 , the test packer  58 , and the test tool packer  160 . In some embodiments, the test packer  58  may not be provided (e.g., the insert packer assembly  38  may include only a single flexible component  52 ), and the flexible component  52  of the test tool packer  160  may be driven radially outward to contact a portion of the rigid component  70  of the insert packer  38  or other suitable portion of the insert packer assembly  38  to facilitate formation of the space  88  between the rigid component  70 , the outer wall  86  of the shaft  54  of the tool  46 , and the respective flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and the test tool packer  160 . 
     As discussed above, a fluid may be provided to the space  88  via a conduit in the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  (e.g., the third line  90 ) and/or a conduit in the shaft  54  of the tool  46  (e.g., the fourth line  92 ). A pressure in the space  88  may be monitored by the sensor  94 , and signals indicative of the pressure may be provided to and processed by the processor  108  of the controller  100 . Additionally, as discussed above, the flexible components  52  may have any of a variety of lengths and the shaft  54  of the tool  46  may have any suitable geometry (e.g., a stepped outer wall  86  or a constant diameter) to enable testing the insert packer assembly  38 . Additionally, the test tool packer  160  may be utilized in conjunction with the two-piece insert packer assembly  38  (e.g., the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  are physically separate and each include a respective flexible component  52  supported by two rigid components  70 ), discussed above with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method  200  for testing the insert packer assembly  38  of the diverter assembly  16 . The method  200  includes various steps represented by blocks. It should be noted that at least some of the steps of the method  200  may be performed as an automated procedure controlled by a control system. Although the flow chart illustrates the steps in a certain sequence, it should be understood that the steps may be performed in any suitable order, and that certain steps may be omitted. Further, certain steps or portions of the methods may be performed by separate devices. For example, a first portion of the method may be performed an operator, while a second portion of the method may be performed by the processor  108  of the controller  100 . 
     The method  200  may begin with installing the insert packer assembly  38  within the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 , in step  202 . In some embodiments, the insert packer assembly  38  may be installed (e.g., fixed to the body  44  via one or more threaded fasteners  58 ,  64 ) by an operator and/or suitable installation equipment. In step  204 , the tool  46  may be inserted through the opening  135  of the insert packer assembly  38 . As discussed above, the diameter  132  of the portion of the shaft  54  of the tool  46  that is configured to pass through the opening  135  is less than the diameter  133  of the opening  135  of the insert packer assembly  38  when the insert packer assembly  38  is in the open position  50 . Thus, the tool  46  may be inserted through the opening  135  of the insert packer assembly  38  and into the bore  25  of the diverter assembly  16  to test the insert packer assembly  38  without disturbing the installed insert packer assembly  38 . 
     In step  206 , the flexible components  52  of the insert packer assembly may be driven radially inward to contact the outer wall  86  of the tool  46 , thereby forming the space  88  between the flexible components  52 , the outer wall  86  of the tool  46 , the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16 , and/or the rigid components  70  of the insert packer assembly  38 . In certain embodiments, a fluid may be provided from the fluid source  70  to directly or indirectly drive the flexible components  52 . For example, the fluid may be provided via various lines  74 ,  76  to directly drive to the flexible components  52  of the insert packer  38  and/or the test packer  58  or the fluid may be provided to indirectly drive the flexible components  52  of the insert packer  38  and/or the test packer  58  via the flexible component  52  of the diverter packer  72 . As discussed above, the insert packer assembly  38  and/or the tool  46  may have any of a variety of geometries or configurations to facilitate testing the seal formed by the insert packer assembly  38 , and the method  200  may be adapted for use with the various disclosed embodiments. 
     In step  208 , a fluid may be applied to the space  88  to cause an increase in a pressure within the space  88 . For example, the fluid may be provided from the fluid source  70  to the space  88  via the third line  90  disposed in the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  and/or via the fourth line  92  disposed in the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . In step  210 , the pressure within the space  88  may be monitored, such as by the sensor  94 . The signal from the sensor  94  may be provided to the processor  108  of the controller  100 , which may process the signal to determine a condition of the insert packer assembly  38 , in step  212 . For example, the processor  108  may determine that the seal formed by the insert packer assembly  38  is adequate if the pressure within the space  88  is maintained over a period of time or that the seal is inadequate if the pressure within the space  88  decreases over the period of time (e.g., decreases by more than 3, 5, 10, or 15 percent within 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes). In step  214 , the processor  108  may be configured to provide a displayed or an audible output indicative of the condition of the insert packer assembly  38 . For example, the processor  108  may cause display of the pressure within the space  88  over the time period or display of a message indicating that the insert packer assembly  38  is or is not functioning properly. 
     In step  216 , the tool  46  may be removed from the diverter assembly  16  through the opening  135  of the insert packer assembly  38 , while the insert packer assembly  38  remains in place within the diverter assembly  16  (e.g., remains installed within or coupled to the body  44  of the diverter assembly  16  and/or without removing the one or more threaded fasteners  58 ,  64  that couple the insert packer assembly  38  to the body  44 ). Thus, the tested insert packer assembly  38  may remain in place within the diverter assembly  16  for use during drilling operations without removal of the insert packer assembly  38  after completion of testing (e.g., steps  204 - 210 ) in order to withdraw the tool  46 , for example. 
       FIGS. 7-12  are schematic diagrams of various embodiments of a portion of the diverter assembly  16  having the insert packer assembly  38  and the tool  46  positioned within the bore  25  of the diverter assembly  16 . In particular,  FIGS. 7-12  illustrate a portion of the diverter assembly  16  above the central axis  45  with the insert packer assembly  38  in the unsealed position  50  in which the flexible components  52  do not contact the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . It should be understood that the features of the embodiments of  FIGS. 7-12  may be utilized in combination with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the diverter assembly  16  similar to that depicted in  FIG. 2 . In particular, the insert packer assembly  38  includes the separate test packer  58  and the insert packer  56 . The diverter packer  72  is coupled to the body  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, fluid may be applied to the respective flexible component  52  of the diverter packer  72  via the first line  74 , causing the respective flexible components  52  of the diverter packer  72  and the insert packer  56  to be driven radially inward toward the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the second line  76  may provide the fluid to the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58 , thereby directly driving the flexible component  52  of the test packer  58  radially inward toward the shaft  54  of the tool  46 . The shaft  54  of the tool  46  has the stepped outer wall  86 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the diverter assembly  16  similar to that of  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , the shaft  54  of the tool  46  does not have the stepped outer wall  86  of  FIG. 7 , but rather, the shaft  54  (e.g., the portions of the shaft  54  disposed within and/or axially aligned with the flexible components  52  of the insert packer assembly  38  during testing) are generally cylindrical and have a substantially constant diameter  220 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the diverter assembly  16  similar to that of  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 9 , two diverter packers  70  are provided. One diverter packer  70  is aligned with the test packer  58 , and one diverter packer is aligned with the insert packer  56 . The first line  74  and/or the second line  76  may apply the fluid to respective diverter packers  72  to indirectly drive the flexible components  52  of the insert packer  56  and/or the test packer  58  radially inward. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the diverter assembly  16  similar to that of  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 10 , the shaft  54  of the tool  46  does not have the stepped outer wall  86  of  FIG. 9 , but rather, the shaft  54  (e.g., the portions of the shaft  54  disposed within and/or axially aligned with the flexible components  52  of the insert packer assembly  38  during testing) are generally cylindrical and have a substantially constant diameter  220 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the diverter assembly  16  similar to that of  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 11 , the insert packer assembly  38  is a one-piece insert packer assembly  38  in which the insert packer  56  and the test packer  58  are coupled to one another (e.g., fixed to one another) or are integrally formed into a single structure. For example, the one-piece insert packer assembly  38  includes two physically separate and distinct axially-spaced flexible components  52  (e.g., non-contacting and separated from one another along the axial axis  30 ). As shown, the flexible components  52  are separated from one another by a single rigid component  70  that extends between and contacts the two flexible components  52 . It should be understood the one-piece insert packer assembly  38  may be utilized in conjunction with two diverter packers  72 , as shown, or one or both lines  74 ,  76  may provide fluid directly to the flexible components  52  of the one-piece insert packer assembly  38  in the manner described above with respect to  FIG. 7 , for example. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the diverter assembly  16  similar to that of  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 12 , the shaft  54  of the tool  46  does not have the stepped outer wall  86  of  FIG. 12 , but rather, the shaft  54  (e.g., the portions of the shaft  54  disposed within and/or axially aligned with the flexible components  52  of the insert packer assembly  38  during testing) are generally cylindrical and have a substantially constant diameter  220 . 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.