System and method for forming an insulating void between a pipe and borehole

"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING AN INSULATOR VOID BETWEEN A PIPE AND A SURVEY OF HOLE". The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to form an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. The annular sealing device is brought in the production tubing, or inside it, as it develops within a borehole. In combination with the expansion of the pipe, 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 pipe. 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. A shirt, elastomeric ring or band carried on the tubing may extend up to contact with the borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.