Inflatable Packers and Grouting Procedures Injection Grouting

Inflatable Packers and Grouting
Grouting with inflatable packers is an important part of the water well, oil & gas
industries with a wide variety of uses including but not limited to cement grouting
for structural reasons, to prevent exterior casing corrosion, well abandonment or to
stabilise rock or soil formations.
Cement is the most common type of grout used however other types are used such
as bentonite, epoxy and other special agents used for waterproofing and greater
penetrability etc. Grout may be pumped at low, medium or high pressures also other
factors such as fluid used, ground conditions, injection pth will determine the
pressure required and the type of grout used.
Deployment is verylUnple through the use of drill ro s with an appropriate
packer. A wireline or a e may be used in conjunction with
crossover thread to
a grout hose fin ad of rods) however you are lim ed to shallow depths, grouting
pressures, how self supportive the hose/ fittings are. ing drill rods or rigid pipe is a
slower process but offers support for the running gear, push down force on the
packers, support for the inflation tube and in most cases tis is the most suitable
inflation m
e via water or gas and equires the following
option. Grout pa
ancillary equipent for reliable operation: (See fig.1).
1. Inflation gauge board: S4itable press r ragge for accur t packer inflation.
rr
trogen regulator (g s inflation only
a r pump/ hand pump (water infla ion only).
3.
4. P c e inflation line: Working pressure m t exceed that of the packer.
5G
g uge saver: Ruir-lin e\with the gr ut line to prevent gauge damage.
Fig.!
INFLATION
GAUGE BOARD
HOSE REEL
1.
1111
I.
Ii
Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700

. .
Replacement Inflatable Packers and Elements Pty Ltd

29 Wheeler St Belmont 6104, Perth Western Australia
Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770
i njection grout packer, grouting inflatable packers equipment, systems
and services.

Fixed end packer systems and sliding end packer systems (moving end) are both
used though more commonly fixed end packer systems. Sliding end packers become
very useful when large diameters need to be achieved and where there may be
restrictions downhole. Sliding end packers can support extreme pressure up to
12,000psi and are used for hydraulic fracturing world wide. (See fig.2).
Fig.2
Fixed End
Sliding End
ions including tremie

a cer systems arelitised for a multitu of ap
tub5 maiit*tte, relining bores, pile grouting and well abandonment.
Single acker systems are easilyleployed on rods or wireli e, lowered to the desired
depth,, d inflated. Groutjs then iDumped t rough the ce re of the packer and exits
out the ottom with no restriction or thro gh a TAM valve (explained below). The
packer is then retrieved or abandoned d wnhole completely application specific.
!Li,
11111111
High press
wing borehol
List be approached differently. The use of sliding
end packer a
ause
es where the slidiipee
pushed up by the water
becom ' i g
pressure cau ing the
- d end packers do not have this
problem and recen
's fixeend cker ere used to plug and decommission
boreholes flowing at ove 37 litre
c nd.
Decommissioning boreholes through the use of cost effective fixed end grout
packers which incorporate the use of a TAM valve at the base of the packer. The TAM
valve works as a rubber one way check valve preventing back flow of grout. These
packers are usually cemented in and abandoned downhole, though retrieval is
simple and required sometimes. TAM valves also allow the rods and lines to be
flushed before retrieval for easy redeployment.
Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700 Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770
packers@ripe-packers.com
www.ripe-packers.com
Australian supplier and Manufacturers of Inflatable cement grouting packers, pressure injection grout packer, grouting inflatable packers equipment, systems
and services.

Similar packer constructions without a TAM valve do not allow sufficient flushing
before retrieval. If undesired conditions after drilling arise a packer made from drillable material is used, the hole is grout injected and redrilled with the packer decommissioned down hole. (See fig.3).
Fig. 3
TOP CONNECT ION
NFLAT I ON LINE
ACKER ELEMENT
ROUTING TAM
EMENT GROUT
(
Straddle Packterms
Straddle packer systems sometimes referr

uble packer' are a useful tool
suitable for targertinTspecific zones dow o Gesing installation at depth, high
pressure grouting applications and casing installation in medium to deep bores. The
zone between two packers is known as the straddle, the straddle is typically lm in
length ranging up to 6m, however all lengths may be manufactured for specific applications or on request.
Straddle packer systems are generally manufactured to be as close to hole size as possible to prevent grout build up around the packers and straddle sub (where grout
passes out into the zone) which could impede injection of grout and affect removal
or redeployment of the packer system.
Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700 Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770
Australian supplier and manufacturers of Inflatable cement grouting packers, pressure injection grout packer, grouting inflatable packers equipment, systems and services.

Fixed or sliding end packers may be employed with either one common inflation line
or two separate inflation lines. Two inflation lines allow grout to be pumped into a
specific zone (determined where the packer straddle is set), the top packer is deflated
and the hole can be flushed while the bottom packer remains inflated preventing
any grout or fluids passing which may contaminate aquifers. If multiple areas are to
be treated start at the lowest zone and raise the packe stem towards the surface
as grouting is completed at a lower zone.
Tube a Manchette (TAM) grouting involves the use of a stra e packer system
lowered inside casing to straddle a TAM valve built on the casing itself. As mentioned
earlier a TAM valve is one way valve which prevents backflow of the pumped fluid.
Used extensively for foundation improvement as TAM valves can be placed on casing
packer defined to inflate and form a seal
at any select interval/s.
formation is installe elow the lowest TAM valve and
between the casing a
inflated, this pr
nts grout from passing by. A st die packer system is lowered
downhole with the packer straddle zone placed over
e TAM valve. The packers are
then inflated and grout injected. This method allows m tiple levels of treatment and
is suited for medium depth holes (See fig.4, 5 & 6 for exa
les).
r-C AS ING
PACKER
INFLATION
GAUGE
BORD
TREMIE
CEMENT
GROUT LINE
ACKER
INFLAT ION
LINE
Asing installation (Shallow)

,
wouting refers tcasing installation. A

fixed end inflatable p ack r is built on the same
casing s the borehole casing and installed to t
desired epth, a tremie grout line is run down with
the casi g. Once the casing has been installed the
actrer I then inflated reventing concrete
passing between the sing and formation, grout
is pumped and rises the surface to complete a
shallow depth casing installation. Bore relining is
performed the same way however instead of the
acker inflati
o open hole it is inflaternside
the existing
(See fig.4).
External Casing
Inflatable Packers
STA INLESS
SCREEN
Shallow
Fig. 4

Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700 Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770 packers@ripe-packers.com

Casing Installation (Medium)
Casing installation into medium depth boreholes is a simple process. Firstly a casing
packer is built on the same casing as the borehole, just above the packer built into
the casing is a TAM valve. The casing packer is inflated from the surface to form a
seal between the casing and formation. A straddle packer system is lowered downhole with the straddle assembly located over the TAM valve. The straddle packers are
inflated (common line or two separate lines) which allows direct access to the TAM
valve. Grout is then pumped where it will directed thr ugh the TAM valve and to
the surface. (See fig.5).
Casing Installation (Deep)

Deep borehol
a problem where it becomes inefficient to run down packer
inflation tub
stead a spin off from the above installation method is implemented.
A casing packer much like the above method is installe with some minor alterations
to the valve to allow inflation of the packer and grout in ction through a common
line. Another implementation in deep boreholMis the use f a mechanical packer
system that seal
a reduced sectiof
43.%,1
casing that straddl s the packer inflation/
valve. Water is pumps, 'IlAtnhol(inflating t e casing packer (seals
grout inject'
een c sing and formation) when a pre-determ ined pres re is reached a pin wi
allowing flow into the annulus, grout can then be injected. Casing packer
res ur is maintained through the use of two in-line check valves preventing
efl
n. A wiper tool below the mechanical packers is used for sufficient flushing
ith t ontamination. (See fig.14.
Fig. 6
Fig.5
UNDUE TOR
SURFACE
CASING
ASING CENTRAL ISER
ROUT INJECTION
TAM VALVE
STRADLE
GROUT
INJECTION
PACKER INFLATION
GROUTING TOOL
ACKER INFLATION
CKECK VALVE
BOTTOM
STRADLE
PACKER
Medium
Deep

Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700 Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770 packers@ripe-packers.com

Other Grouting Applications
The history of grouting is an extensive one, with different techniques utilised in each
and every country some of which are more developed that others, for example grout
injection techniques for tunneling in Europe is far more advanced than Australia.
Tunnel grouting is extensively use t ro hout the world for consolidation of rock
mass, waterproofing and to provide a co act between the tunnel lining and rock
mass. Pre-treatment may be required in some situations before tunneling can
proceed. Many applications exist for post tunnel trc ialwent including permeation
grouting which involves
res and any cavities within the rock or
9o
soil formation, helps i ground stability #K1 co olidation and when properly
executed, soil structure is not disturbed.
Compensation grouting for adjusting ground levels in sivations where soil ma
need to be consolidated, this is a very specific process invaving an array of drille
horizontal holes
e surface
small quantities of gro injected at defined
locations.
1161\
Roc gro ting is a ighly
uAd application Mcally to de
e rock permeability to
wat r
Iso serves to fill in void
the stallation of tunnels and dam Rock groutin
rti s which increase the strength of r ck formations and consolidates the
nd
ro
eneath structures.
,
se
it is
routing is often carried out prior to am development to limit water

e underground. Curtain grouting does not provide a 100% water tight barr
wever a highly effective method.
Jet Grouting is frequent!

very high pressure r
ground conclti
the soil with high pr
properties than the
used in underground construction and is also known as

Desi ned to form stabile anivreduced permeability
mg or supporting strut res. This teer7F.9 lue erodes
rout leavi
jet grouted column with better
Earth nails or soil nails are implemented for additional strength and structural
support of slopes and walls. Earth nails are installed through the use of a reinforced
bar which is grouted into place at specific intervals, installation may be temporary or
permanent.

Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700 Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770

Fixed End vs. Sliding End for Grouting
Fixed end inflatable packers do not move or shrink in length on inflation they simply
radially expand, this creates a problem when encountering large diameter boreholes.
Inflatable packers enjoy a balanced trade off between inflation pressure and the
amount the packer can inflate before rupture. Incorporating a fully reinforced packer
element with a sliding end design pern
'ileturther expansion and higher pressures.
Whilst pumping grout below a sliding end packer the rnning
mandrel becomes
li
exposed to the cement possibly causing damage to the mandrel or the o-rings/ seals.
Factors such as high inflation ratios, small run in diame e s, borehole specifics and
the application itself will determine a suitable syste
Borehole conditions/ criteri
ed en
Sliding end
Flowing high pressure bore

High prcsiiire inflations
all On-in diameters
ghifnflation ratio
a houts
I lbandonmen
rievable
Even though these factor do contribute a choice between fixed and sliding e
packers it is possible to push engineerin extremes for each type and almost
anything is possible! Consult your inflatable packer
plier for a custom made
solution.

Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700 Fax: +61 (08) 9475 0770

Inflatable Packers and Grouting Procedures Injection Grouting

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Inflatable Packers and Grouting

Tel: (+61 (08) 9475 0700

Replacement Inflatable Packers and Elements Pty Ltd