Geothermal Packer for Servicing Geothermal Wellhead Valves

Abstract

The Tri-State Oil Too, Inc. Geothermal Packer was developed to safely and economically service geothermal wellheads in a minimal amount of time. Typical service operations include removing and replacing master valves and side outlet valves. The entire wellhead can be cut off and replaced, enabling wellhead elevations to be raised or lowered. It is not necessary to kill the well. A small crane is used to maneuver the Snubbing Unit so it can be attached to the well. The packer is inserted into the wellbore below the wellhead by hydraulically snubbing the packer through the master valves and wellhead. The packer is set using rotation. Standard packers can work in up to 200°C temperature and pressures up to 1200 psi. Higher temperatures packers are available. Side valves can be changed with this tool. However, a smaller version of this wellhead servicing tool has been developed specifically for changing side outlet valves. It is described in a separate paper.