Finite element analysis and structure improvements of packer slip in horizontal wells

Abstract：Packer slips prone to fracture under tremendous pressure during drilling,it will affect the sealing performance of the packer directly, and affect the process of mining and safety in production wells. The slip was analysised using the finite element analysis software.When the applied load is 140 kN, the slip’s maximum stress is 230.11 MPa, which exceeding the maximum compressive strength of this material.The slip packer test mode was undergo a fracturing test, slip fractured when the test pressure is 186.33 kN, the compressive strength is measured 233 MPa. Slip structure was designed, the spacing sizes of slip tooth were 15 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm. According to the results of finite element analysis, when the spacing size of slip tooth is 30 mm, the distribution of the slip’s stress and strain tends to uniform. When 240 kN load is applied, the maximum stress exceeds the maximum compressive strength of slip’s material, and the slip’s maximum stress is 230.66 MPa, the maximum deformation is 0.058 mm,and provides the slip structure size is reasonable.