Technology & Innovation

IPI Packer Inflatable Technology

An inflatable element is a hydro-mechanical sealing device to be conveyed on a wide range of tool configurations. Servicing the oil & gas, mining, water resource, and geotechnical industries IPI’s unique inflatable packer element technology incorporates elastomers, reinforcement layers, and external anchoring surface finishes (DuraGRIP®) within a single, vulcanised composite unit. This innovative contrawound design eliminates more typical inflatable packer components such as non-reinforced inflation bladders, exposed reinforcement layers, and separate rubber covers. IPI’s true composite design eliminates issues commonly associated with alternatives available in the market while increasing reliability and operational envelopes. Typically, IPI uses high tensile, steel wire for reinforcement but non-metallic materials, such as Carbon Fibre, Polyester and Kevlar™, are also available.

 

 

Unmatched Benefits of IPI’s Technology

IPI’s contra-wound inflatable element design, allows our element to exhibit the greatest recovery to original diameter over any other inflatable element available in the marketplace. This performance KPI allows our customers to achieve several operational and performance advantages including the deployment of larger OD packers through tighter annular clearances resulting in higher differential pressure ratings and increased puncture resistance. Not having metal ribs or slats eliminates plastic deformation issues seen in competitive products, maximizing retrieval through tight annular clearance restrictions, and all but eliminating the chances of leaving element seals within the restriction or wellbore.

Robust, Composite Design Enables Several Demonstrable Advantages

  • Maximised number of sets. Multi-set capability exceeding 150 sets within a single trip, which can be reliably increased to several hundred cycles in certain applications. Case histories from Drill Stem Test (DST) operations have confirmed IPI inflatable packers to have up to 30 times the durability in comparison to conventional braided wire or slat reinforced inflatable packer elements.
  • Optimal conformity in irregular borehole geometries, which is possible due to high density wire reinforcement embedded within the packer elastomer matrix and the composite rather than layered construction.
    • Open hole, swaging operations, perforations, milled windows, slotted liner, deformed tubulars, ovalities etc.
  • True cased hole sealing and anchoring performance. Our DuraGRIP™ anchoring technology eliminates the need to use exposed reinforcing slats to enable anchoring in pipe. This means IPI’s inflatable element has a full-length element maintaining full bi-directional sealing and anchoring across the isolation unlike competitors whose products seal in only one direction.

 

Other Advantages

  • Fastest development for custom-made applications in the market and packer element sizes can easily be adjusted for customized applications.
  • In-house designing, machining, and production eliminates 3rd party dependency
  • Wide variety of elastomers available for complex downhole conditions (NR, NBR, HNBR)
  • Shortest industry delivery times due to stocking and two strategically located manufacturing facilities

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Our mission is to become the world’s first choice inflatable packer company. Learn more about our commitment to designing and manufacturing the best inflatable packers in the world.

 

Stay Up to Date with Our Latest News

Groundwater Week | 10 – 12 December 2024
The Mining Show - IPI Packers
IPI Packers exhibits at The Mining Show | 26 – 27 November 2024
Stuart Brown appointed as Director Oil and Gas

Stuart Brown

Director

Stuart recently joined IPI as the Director of Oil and Gas, bringing with him 15 years of diverse experience in the industry, with a strong focus on inflatable packers. His extensive background encompasses a variety of roles, including field engineering, operations management, sales, and business development. This breadth of expertise, coupled with his international experience in markets across North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, positions Stuart to effectively lead and expand IPI’s oil and gas operations on a global scale. Stuart holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and a Master’s degree in Finance from City University of London. His robust technical foundation and financial acumen uniquely empower him to drive strategic initiatives and foster growth within the company.

Masoud Jangani

Director

Masoud joined IPI Packers in 2022 as the Oil & Gas Region Manager for the Asia Pacific, bringing over 20 years of experience across operations management, technical sales, and business development in the resources sector. His diverse career spans both the mining and oil & gas industries, where he has held key leadership roles at global companies. In 2024, Masoud was appointed Director of the Mining, Water, and Geotech product lines (MWG), driving strategic growth and expansion across these sectors. Masoud holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and graduate certificates in finance and business law.

Garry Taylor

Dave Knell

Director

David (Dave) Knell has been involved with the manufacture and application of inflatable packers for over 35 years. He started his career as an apprentice aged 15, and within a year, was running packers offshore, in Western Australia. Dave was the first employee of IPI and has been instrumental in the development of IPI’s manufacturing facility and capabilities. His knowledge of building packers is backed by extensive experience in the field, an innate understanding of real-world applications, and a fierce attention to detail. Dave is currently focused on expanding IPI’s ISO9001 certified manufacturing operations on a global scale, to better serve customers and to foster the continued growth of the company.

Francis Ford

Director

Francis joined IPI in 2005, based in Perth, Western Australia, as an apprentice. He developed his skills in manufacturing, tool and packer design and field operations across multiple industries – mining, water, civil/construction and oil & gas. His level of expertise and understanding enabled him to progress into leading IPI’s R&D efforts as manager. This included leading key custom / OEM designs and their practical developments, for multiple clients as well as continuing to progress the design and development of IPI’s unique systems. Now as engineering director, he is developing IPI’s engineering team to better support clients by improving our predictive packer modelling and fostering the continuous improvement of our packer tools and technology. A member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and author of several technical papers, he is credited in several industry patents.

Joel Adams

Director

Joel Adams is a hydrogeologist, turned packer expert who has spent 30 years applying inflatable packer technology to complex downhole problems. His experience includes well testing for nuclear waste site characterization, water resources, water rights, rock stress testing, water well rehabilitation, and plug and abandonment (P&A). Joel has been leading the team as Director – North America since 2007 and has been associated with IPI, either as a key customer, agent or employee, since its founding in 1999. He led the introduction of IPI packer technology to P&A work, offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, and the establishment of DuraFRAC® packers as the market leader in the water well hydrofrac market. With numerous publications and presentations, Joel is a recognized expert in well testing and custom packer system design.

Howard Kenworthy

Director

Howard joined IPI in 2005 as commercial manager when IPI had 5 staff and was making customized product to order. His prior career was with UK public companies in retailing and financial services, leading operating companies. He holds an MBA which he took a few years after his degree from Oxford (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). He has led IPI’s distribution development with standard products and established most of IPI’s international operations as part of his role in business planning, finance and strategy. This included joint ventures in the USA, Chile and Indonesia. He was based in South East Asia 2015 to 2022, prior to relocating to Sharjah in the UAE, from where, as Commercial Director, he continues to develop and co-ordinate planning and strategy, the group’s global distribution and financial operations.

Clem Rowe

Founder and Executive Chair

Born and bred in Western Australia, Clem is a Curtin University graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering. Early in his career, Clem worked on offshore engineering projects in Western Australia and France. While working offshore, Clem was first exposed to inflatable packers, manufactured by a small Australian company that he subsequently joined in 1988 as Engineering Director. Clem established IPI in 1999 and has grown it from a small Western Australian manufacturing operation, to the world-wide manufacturing and distribution organization that it is today, by carefully selecting a competent team, that shares his values of quality, innovation and customer service. Clem is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Institute of Hydrogeologists and the Institution of Engineers, Australia. He is the author of multiple articles and papers on inflatable packers and their application and has several international patents to his credit.

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