single axial end wall 24 of the packer element 18 it should be understood that a similar to backup ring and setting arrangement could be used for the opposite axial end of the packer element 18 it will be understood that the invention provides an arrangement for preventing axial extrusion of a packer element that is set within a surrounding tubular this arrangement includes the anti extrusion backup ring 20 as well as the setting mechanism that is provided in certain embodiments by the slip assembly 28 in addition it should be understood that the invention provides methods for establishing an anti extrusion backup seal for a packer element 18 in a packer device 10 to be set within a surrounding tubular 38 in accordance with these methods an anti extrusion backup ring 20 is placed proximate an end wall 24 of the packer element 18 the backup ring 20 is then energized to prevent extrusion by a setting mechanism other than the packer element 18 in particular embodiments the setting mechanism is a slip assembly 28 and energizes the backup ring 20 by urging a slip element 34 radially outwardly to cause the backup ring 20 to be urged against the packer element 18 in certain embodiments the.