Abstract: A downhole tool includes a swellable core, and a coating that encapsulates the swellable core, wherein the coating is made of a material comprising a component soluble in a selected fluid and a component insoluble in the selected fluid. A method for controlling a downhole tool includes disposing a downhole tool in a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool includes a swellable core, and a coating that encapsulates the swellable core, wherein the coating is made of a material comprising a component soluble in a selected fluid and a component insoluble in the selected fluid; and exposing the swellable device to the selected fluid to increase the permeability of the coating to allow the swellable core to swell.

Abstract: A hydraulic regulating mechanism for disposal in a well. The mechanism includes a degradable metal based element and a swellable component for hydraulic regulation. The mechanism is configured for ease of setting and removal by allowing degrading of the metal based element upon exposure of certain downhole conditions to trigger shrinking of the swellable component. Further, the swellable component may be initially set by exposure to downhole conditions as well. Ultimately, a mechanism is provided which may effectively regulate high pressure applications downhole and yet, as a practical matter, be removed via a displacement or drill out that may take less than 15 to 30 minutes to achieve.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a casing and a sealing element that is retained in the casing. The sealing element has an unset state in which the sealing element has a first radial thickness and a set state in which the sealing element has a second radial thickness that is greater than the first radial thickness to form a seal between the casing and an inner tubular member.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for sealing a communication line within a device positioned in a wellbore. The communication line may be continuous and extends through a pass-through arranged generally longitudinally through the device. Swellable sealing material is positioned about and/or over the communication line which is placed in the pass-through of the device to form and maintain a secure seal once the device is submerged in a fluid that causes the swellable sealing material to expand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a completion device for a wellbore, that includes at least an elastomer circumferentially disposed around a tubular, the elastomer having a main sealing segment and at least one activation segment axially extending from the main sealing segment at opposing ends, wherein each activation segment has an exposed end; and an impermeable membrane circumferentially encasing the elastomer and configured to prevent an influx of wellbore fluids into the elastomer except at the exposed ends.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swellable packer having a support element. A portion of the support element is substantially adjacent to the base tubular. Another portion of the support element is separated from the base tubular and a portion of the area between the support element and the base tubular is filled with the swellable material. Also disclosed herein is a sealing system including a packer as described above and a method for sealing within a wellbore using a packer as describe above.

Abstract: Oilfield elements and assemblies are described comprising, in one embodiment, an elastomeric composition comprising the reaction product of a linear or branched polymer having residual ethylenic unsaturation with an ethylenically unsaturated organic monomer having at least one reactive moiety selected from acid, acid anhydride, and acid salt, the elastomeric composition formed into an oilfield element. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for packing off or choking a radial flow port through a tubular. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods comprise a support element and a polymeric element surrounding the support element. The polymeric element closes or chokes the radial flow port when contacted with the tubular.

Abstract: Oilfield elements and assemblies are described comprising a polymeric matrix formed into an oilfield element, and a plurality of expanded graphitic nanoflakes and/or nanoplatelets dispersed in the polymeric matrix. Methods of using the oilfield elements and assemblies including same in oilfield operations are also described.

Abstract: A swell packer includes a base tubular; a seal member encircling the base tubular, the seal member swelling radially to a seal equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid; and a disc positioned about the base tubular substantially abutting an end of the seal member but not physically connected to the seal member in a manner that limits the equilibrium swell of the seal member, the disc swelling radially to a first equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid.

Abstract: A sealing member. The sealing member can include a support member having an inner bore and a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. An outer swellable element can be disposed about an outer diameter of the support member, and an inner swellable element can be disposed about an inner diameter of the support member. The swellable elements can be unitized with one another through each aperture. A retainer can be disposed at each end of the support member.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for sealing a communication line within a device positioned in a wellbore. The communication line may be continuous and extends through a pass-through arranged generally longitudinally through the device. Swellable sealing material is positioned about and/or over the communication line which is placed in the pass-through of the device to form and maintain a secure seal once the device is submerged in a fluid that causes the swellable sealing material to expand.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a casing and a sealing element that is retained in the casing. The sealing element has an unset state in which the sealing element has a first radial thickness and a set state in which the sealing element has a second radial thickness that is greater than the first radial thickness to form a seal between the casing and an inner tubular member.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a swellable core, and a coating that encapsulates the swellable core, wherein the coating is made of a material comprising a component soluble in a selected fluid and a component insoluble in the selected fluid. A method for controlling a downhole tool includes disposing a downhole tool in a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool includes a swellable core, and a coating that encapsulates the swellable core, wherein the coating is made of a material comprising a component soluble in a selected fluid and a component insoluble in the selected fluid; and exposing the swellable device to the selected fluid to increase the permeability of the coating to allow the swellable core to swell.

Abstract: Oilfield elements and assemblies are described comprising, in one embodiment, an elastomeric composition comprising the reaction product of a linear or branched polymer having residual ethylenic unsaturation with an ethylenically unsaturated organic monomer having at least one reactive moiety selected from acid, acid anhydride, and acid salt, the elastomeric composition formed into an oilfield element. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A packer system ready for downhole use includes an elastomer member, wherein the elastomer member is swellable or inflatable; and a temporary containment enclosing the elastomer member, wherein the temporary containment comprises a degradable material A method for deploying a swellable packer includes running a packer system into a well to a predetermined location, wherein the packer system comprises a swellable packer or an inflatable packer that is enclosed by a temporary containment, wherein the temporary containment comprises a degradable material; and degrading the degradable material of the temporary containment to set the swellable packer.

Abstract: Oilfield apparatus and methods of use, the apparatus comprising an elastomeric composition comprising the reaction product of a linear or branched polymer having residual ethylenic unsaturation with an ethylenically unsaturated organic monomer having at least one reactive moiety selected from the group consisting of acid, acid anhydride, and acid salt.