Permanent Production Packers
A permanent production packer is a downhole sealing device designed to be set once and remain in place for the producing life of the well. Unlike a retrievable packer, a permanent packer cannot be released and pulled with the tubing string — it is milled or drilled out when the well is abandoned or reperforated. In exchange for this limitation, permanent packers offer higher pressure ratings, more robust zone isolation, and greater long-term reliability than retrievable designs.
What a Permanent Production Packer Does
The permanent packer is set at the required depth, either by wireline-deployed setting tool or tubing-conveyed methods. Once set, the packing element expands against the casing wall and the slips anchor permanently. The packer cannot be released by any tubing manipulation — it remains in place regardless of wellbore conditions.
Production tubing is then run into the permanent packer using a seal assembly (seal bore and seal assembly) that allows the tubing string to move thermally and mechanically without affecting the packer’s set condition.
Permanent vs Retrievable — When to Choose Each
| Factor | Permanent Packer | Retrievable Packer |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | — |
| Pressure rating | Higher | Moderate |
| Zone isolation reliability | Highest — designed for life of well | Good — suitable for most applications |
| Workover flexibility | Low — requires milling to remove | High — pull with tubing |
| Cost | Lower upfront | Higher due to retrievability mechanism |
| Best for | Long-life single-zone completions | Wells expecting future recompletions |
Product Range
Quickset-F
The MAP Oil Tools Quickset-F is a wireline-set permanent production packer. It is set using a standard wireline setting tool, making it fast and cost-effective to deploy without a workover rig. The Quickset-F is designed for single-zone production completions where the zone will produce for the life of the well.
Key features:
- Wireline set — no rig required for installation
- Permanent anchor — high resistance to upward and downward loads
- Available in standard casing sizes from 4½” to 9⅝”
- Seal bore for production tubing seal assembly
Quickset-D
The Quickset-D is a tubing-conveyed permanent packer offering higher pressure and temperature ratings than the wireline-set Quickset-F. It is run on the tubing string and set by hydraulic pressure or mechanical manipulation, providing a robust permanent barrier for higher-demand well conditions.
DGXL
The MAP Oil Tools DGXL is a high-performance permanent packer for demanding applications — higher pressures, elevated temperatures, and aggressive fluid environments. The DGXL provides maximum anchor force and sealing integrity for wells where standard permanent packer performance is insufficient.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Quickset-F | Quickset-D | DGXL |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — |
| Setting method | Wireline | Tubing-conveyed | Tubing-conveyed |
| Casing sizes | 4½” – 9⅝” | 4½” – 9⅝” | 4½” – 9⅝” |
| Pressure rating | Standard | Higher | Highest |
| Temperature | Standard | Elevated | High |
| Standard | API 11D1 | API 11D1 | API 11D1 |
Why Source Through Proxima
Proxima supplies MAP Oil Tools permanent packers with local completion engineering support for tool selection, seal assembly sizing, and tubing string design. We maintain stock of Quickset-F in standard casing sizes for fast delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a permanent packer be retrieved if I need to recomplete the well?
No. A permanent packer must be milled out to remove it — a rig operation. If future recompletion is anticipated, a retrievable packer (MAPSET®) is the better choice. For wells planned as single-zone producers for life, a permanent packer provides more reliable zone isolation.
Q: How is the Quickset-F set without a rig?
The Quickset-F is set using a standard wireline electric line setting tool. The packer is run on wireline to the required depth, the setting tool fires a gas cartridge that applies hydraulic force to set the slips and expand the packing element, and the setting tool is then released and pulled to surface. No workover rig is required.
Q: What seal assembly is used with a permanent packer?
A seal assembly (polished bore receptacle / seal bore) is run on the production tubing and stabs into the permanent packer’s seal bore. The seal assembly allows the tubing to move thermally without affecting the packer. Proxima supplies matched seal assemblies with permanent packer orders.
Q: When should I choose DGXL over Quickset-D?
Choose the DGXL for wells with higher differential pressures, elevated temperatures, or aggressive fluids (high H₂S, CO₂) where standard permanent packer ratings are insufficient. Proxima engineers confirm the correct model from your well conditions.
