The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an
annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing.
Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run
into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is
deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on
the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced
into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive
chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to
react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden
into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the
tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its
radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form
an annular isolator.