Swellable Member, Swell Controlling Arrangement and Method of Controlling Swelling of a Swellable Member

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-04-19
BAKER HUGHES INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This natural swell rate, however, can progress at unpredictable rates that can sometimes interfere with operations.

Method used

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  • Swellable Member, Swell Controlling Arrangement and Method of Controlling Swelling of a Swellable Member
  • Swellable Member, Swell Controlling Arrangement and Method of Controlling Swelling of a Swellable Member
  • Swellable Member, Swell Controlling Arrangement and Method of Controlling Swelling of a Swellable Member

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Embodiment Construction

[0011]A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed arrangement, apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

[0012]Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a swell controlling arrangement disclosed herein is illustrated generally at 10. The swell controlling arrangement 10 includes, a swellable member 14, disclosed in this embodiment as an acrylate polymer, and an acidic material 18. The acidic material 18 may be in the form of an acidic fluid, acidic crystals, or a chemical that reacts to form an acidic environment 20. The polymeric swellable member 14 is configured to swell in response to exposure to a swell inducing fluid 22. In this embodiment the swell controlling arrangement 10 is employed within a borehole 26 in an earth formation 30. The polymeric swellable member 14 is designed to occlude an annular space 34 defined between an outer surface 38 of a tubular 42 and an inner surface 46 o...

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Abstract

A swell controlling arrangement includes a swellable member configured to swell upon exposure to a swell inducing fluid, and an acidic material that is configured to form an acidic environment. The swell controlling arrangement is configured to preferentially expose the swellable member to the acidic environment when the swellable member and the acidic material are exposed to the swell inducing fluid.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Fluidic systems, such as, tubular systems employed in earth formation boreholes for purposes such as hydrocarbon recovery and carbon dioxide sequestration, for example, at times employ swellable members to create seals between tubulars. Such swellable members may swell in response to being exposed to fluids that induce swelling of the swellable member. Polymeric materials, including various elastomers, swell when exposed to water, oil, brine and natural gas, for example. The swellable material itself largely controls the rate of swelling of members made of the material once exposure to a swell inducing fluid has been initiated. This natural swell rate, however, can progress at unpredictable rates that can sometimes interfere with operations. Since greater control is always a goal for operators in the downhole industry, inventions providing such control are always well received.BRIEF DESCRIPTION[0002]Disclosed herein is a swell controlling arrangement that includes a ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E21B33/12
CPCE21B33/1208
InventorWELCH, JOHN C.GERRARD, DAVID PETER
OwnerBAKER HUGHES INC