Abstract
A novel openhole packer system was developed and successfully field deployed following an extensive development and testing program. A gap within the industry was identified by two operators who determined that assured zonal isolation was a key requirement for future field developments. A design study was undertaken to determine possible sealing solutions. The intial concepts were adaptations of cased-hole technology that were confirmed to be inappropriate. A cup seal element system actuated by an innovative deployment system capable of handling variances in hole size and hole irregularities without excessively stressing the near well bore region was found to offer a robust sealing solution. A qualification program was developed and the packer has been field deployed successfully in a number of geographic locations.