Abstract: A downhole apparatus and support assembly is described. The downhole apparatus has a radially expanding portion comprising a swellable elastomeric material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support assembly is operable to be deployed from a first retracted position to a second expanded condition. The support assembly comprises an inner surface arranged to face the radially expanding portion, and at least a portion of the inner surface is concave. In another aspect the support assembly is configured to direct a force from the swellable material to boost or energize a seal created between the radially expanding portion and a surrounding surface in use.

Abstract: A swellable apparatus for filling a space in oil or gas tool such as a wellbore packer is described. The swellable apparatus comprise a hydrocarbon swellable body which swells on exposure to a hydrocarbon fluid, and at least one water swellable body which swells on exposure to a second fluid comprising water. The hydrocarbon swellable body is interposed between the aqueous fluid and the water swellable body and comprises at least one access pathway configured to permit the passage of water to the water swellable body. The pathway may be formed by perforation, or by incorporating an additive into the hydrocarbon material, such as a foaming agent or polyoctenamer. Embodiments of the invention comprise variations in cross-linking in the hydrocarbon swellable body.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for a sand control completion in a wellbore. The apparatus has a body comprising a swellable material configured to surround a wellbore tubular which defines a primary flow path for wellbore fluids. The body is also configured to surround at least one secondary flow path disposed externally of the wellbore tubular. The secondary flow path is configured for a carrier fluid containing particulate matter for a gravel pack. The body also comprises a longitudinal discontinuity which permits a radial opening to be formed on the body, through which the body is operable to be applied to the tubular.

Abstract: A kit of parts which is assembled to form downhole apparatus comprises a swellable member, which expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid, and a connector. The swellable member has a first mating profile towards a first end and a second mating profile towards a second, opposing end. The connector has a mating profile configured to mate with each of the first and second mating profiles of the swellable member. The connector can therefore be connected to either the first and second ends of the swellable member. The connector may be an end connector, or may connect the swellable member to a second swellable member. In either case, the connector may define an arresting surface against which the swellable member abuts when expanding. The kit of parts can be adapted to and installed on any well tubular, and may form any of a variety of tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is described, the apparatus having a tubular body and a throughbore which defines a primary fluid path through the apparatus. An expanding element is disposed around the tubular body and is configured to provide an annular barrier in a space between the tubular body and a surrounding wall. A conduit defining a secondary flow path through the apparatus is provided, and is configured to be in fluid communication with at least one alternate path, such as a shunt tube. The conduit is arranged to vary the secondary flow path along a longitudinal direction of the apparatus, for example to redirect the flow path to a radial position closer to the tool body. The conduit is configured to have a reduced effect on the operation of the expanding element, while still allowing the conduit to be coupled to alternate flow paths of adjacent apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for use in testing the swell characteristics of swellable components used in downhole exploration or production equipment, such as swellable packers. A method of measuring a test piece using a testing apparatus with a fluid chamber and a transducer is described. Measured data can be compared with data measured from a sample section of a tool to determine a relationship between swell characteristics. The determined relationships can then be used to calculate or predict swelling characteristics of swellable components, for example particular packer designs, in specific fluid samples.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus, such as a wellbore packer, is provided with a swellable member and a fluid supply assembly. The fluid supply assembly is to receive fluid and expose the swellable member to the fluid to cause expansion of the swellable member, and comprises a support structure for supporting the swellable member on the body. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure defines a chamber and is configured to allow fluid to flow and access the swellable member. A method of use and method of sealing a wellbore is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and assembly for creating a seal in a wellbore around a cable or line. The assembly includes a longitudinal body and a swellable portion which comprises a material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The swellable portion has a formation open to the longitudinal surface which provides a pathway for a cable or line to extend through the swellable portion, and an insert of swellable material. In an embodiment of the invention, the insert partly or fully encloses or encapsulates the cable or line. An aspect of the invention is characterised by the provision of a formation which is open to an outer longitudinal surface of the body.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus having a radially expanding portion and a support structure are described. The support structure comprises an attachment means for coupling to the apparatus and a support portion configured to be deployed from a first unexpanded condition to a second expanded condition by expansion of the apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the downhole apparatus is expanded by exposing the swellable material to at least one predetermined fluid, and the support structure abuts the swellable material in its expanded form. A method of use and its application to a well packer, a hanging member, an anchor and a centralising apparatus are described.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for location on a tubular, an assembly, and a method of use are described. The apparatus comprising a body with a throughbore configured to receive a tubular, and at least one swellable member that comprises a material selected to expand upon exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. The swellable member is arranged to provide a seal between the body and a tubular on which it is located during use, for example in a micro-annulus between the body and the tubular. Advantageously, the apparatus may be configured such that the body is moveable on the tubular before expansion, which may permit the apparatus to be slipped or slid onto the tubular into its desired location. The apparatus may be configured to rotate on a tubular, or slide on the tubular.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus, for example a centraliser, comprises a swellable material which expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid. In a first aspect of the invention, a centraliser comprises a body and a plurality of formations upstanding from the body. In another aspect, a downhole apparatus comprises a throughbore configured to receive a tubular, a swellable member, and a rigid assembly integrally formed with the swellable member. The rigid assembly provides stand off to the apparatus in use. In a further aspect, the downhole apparatus has a first condition before expansion of the swellable member in which a rigid assembly defines a maximum outer diameter of the apparatus. In a second condition after expansion of the swellable member, the swellable member defines a maximum outer diameter of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid assembly is designed to flex or deform under an axial or radial load.

Abstract: A kit of parts which is assembled to form downhole apparatus comprises a swellable member, which expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid, and a connector. The swellable member has a first mating profile towards a first end and a second mating profile towards a second, opposing end. The connector has a mating profile configured to mate with each of the first and second mating profiles of the swellable member. The connector can therefore be connected to either the first and second ends of the swellable member. The connector may be an end connector, or may connect the swellable member to a second swellable member. In either case, the connector may define an arresting surface against which the swellable member abuts when expanding. The kit of parts can be adapted to and installed on any well tubular, and may form any of a variety of tools.

Abstract: A ring member for a downhole apparatus including a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid is described. The ring member is configured to cooperate with a swellable member disposed on a body of the apparatus, and may, for example, function as a gauge ring or a retaining member. The ring member is secured to the apparatus via a coupling arrangement which couples the body to an adjacent well string section. In one embodiment, the ring member is threaded into the well string. In another, it is disposed over an upstanding formation such as a coupling sleeve, for example, by clamping. An assembly and a method of assembly are also described.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus is described comprising a body and a sealing arrangement located on the body. The body has a longitudinal axis and the sealing arrangement comprises at least one elongated sealing member with an axis of elongation extending around the longitudinal axis. The sealing member comprises a material selected to expand on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, such as a hydrocarbon or aqueous fluid encountered in a wellbore. A method of forming the apparatus and methods of use are described. Embodiments of the invention relate to wellbore packers.

Abstract: A method of forming a downhole apparatus and an apparatus formed by the method is described. The method comprising the steps of providing a body having a longitudinal axis and forming an expanding portion on the body from multiple turns of a partially or substantially cured material around the longitudinal axis of the body. The material is selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one predetermined fluid, such as a wellbore fluid. Embodiments of the invention include wellbore packers formed by the method.