Sealing gasket for electrical and pressure insulation

Abstract

A sealing gasket intended for use in hydrocarbon environments, comprising a core and a casing coupled to the core. The core is made of an elastomeric core material with a first modulus. The casing is made of a casing material with a second modulus that is smaller than the first modulus. The core and casing can be positioned to provide pressure and electrical insulation at the sealing interface.

Description

Title of the invention: Sealing gasket for electrical and pressure insulation. Technical field

[0001] The present description of the invention relates generally to drilling well operations and, more particularly (but not necessarily exclusively), to drilling well sealing devices and techniques. State of the art

[0002] A well device or tool deployable in boreholes may include electronic components that may be electrically insulated at an electrical coupling interface. The electrical coupling interface between two materials in such a device, particularly between machined metal surfaces, may create a fluid flow path that can provide an electrical path. A seal may be positioned at an interface to provide a pressure seal at the electrical coupling interface that prevents pressure leaks while retaining sufficient well fluids to complete an electrical circuit between the sides of the pressure seal. Brief description of the drawings

[0003] [Fig-1] is a cross-sectional side view of a borehole containing a connector of wet-stab type according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention.

[0004] [Fig.2] is an exploded view diagram of the wet-stab type connector of [Fig.1] with an elastomer sealing gasket according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention.

[0005] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the elastomer sealing gasket of the [Fig.2] in a sealing position according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention.

[0006] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of an example of the sealing joint in elastomer of the [Fig.2] according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention.

[0007] [Fig. 5] is a cross-sectional view of a further example of the joint elastomer sealing of the [Fig.2] according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention.

[0008] [Fig.6] is a flowchart describing a process for manufacturing the seal elastomer sealing of [Fig.4] and 5 according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention. Detailed Description

[0009] Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure of the invention relate to a sealing gasket with an elastomeric core material having a first modulus and a shell material having a second modulus, which, in combination, can provide electrical insulation and pressure insulation for components deployable in a borehole. The modulus of a substance can refer to an elastic modulus that characterizes the stiffness of a material. For example, a substance with a high modulus may deform less under a compressive force than another substance with a lower modulus. The first modulus of the elastomeric core material may be greater than the second modulus of the shell material. The shell material may partially or completely encapsulate the core material.In some examples, a component using the wellbore seal inside a borehole may be a stab-type connector that can be used to transmit power and data between surface equipment and a downhole tool.

[0010] In certain examples, a seal with an elastomeric core material having a first modulus and a casing material having a second modulus lower than the first modulus can provide high compressive strength, improved electrical insulation, and improved pressure insulation at the sealing interface. The sealing interface may include machined insulating materials such as thermoplastics and ceramics, which may have high surface roughness and may include sharp edges or micro-dentations. The low-modulus casing material may be able to conform to the high roughness of the sealing interface surface to prevent fluid flow paths that may form due to the high surface roughness.The high-modulus elastomer core material can provide the seal with structural reinforcement, enabling it to withstand high contact stresses and high compressive strength. The elastomer core material can also include compounds resistant to chemical corrosion and rapid gas decompression. Furthermore, the elastomer core material can provide additional electrical and pressure insulation by creating a pressure barrier between the inside of the wet-stab connector and the external environment.

[0011] In some examples, the casing material can be applied as a casing by modifying the surface of the elastomeric core material to improve electrical and pressure insulation at the sealing interface without altering the general properties of the core material. In some examples, the casing material can be a liquid polymer that can be applied to the core material by immersing the core in the material. The casing can be cured by co-extruding the core material with the casing material, or by allowing the core material to absorb the casing material. Applying the liquid polymer casing material to the core material may involve mixing the liquid polymer with a liquid peroxide, which can be the same type of liquid peroxide used in the elastomeric core material. Once mixed with the liquid peroxide, the casing material can be co-cured with the elastomeric core material. For applications where the casing is 125 microns or less, the liquid polymer can be diluted with solvents to achieve the desired casing thickness.The liquid polymer may include polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, polyvinylsiloxane, vinylsiloxane, Reprosil, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, nitrile-vinyl rubber, or any combination thereof.

[0012] In another example, the elastomeric core material may be partially cured. The partial curing of the elastomeric core material may be followed by chemical exposure or exposure to a diffusion-controlled reactive gas to remove surface peroxides that did not react during the partial curing process. The removed surface peroxides may not contribute to crosslinking in the elastomeric core material, thus forming a shell material with a reduced modulus. In some examples, this may be accomplished by exposing the shell material to an O2-rich post-curing, by exposing the shell material to an acidic chemical treatment, or by exposing the shell material to a substance containing a sulfur-donating chemical. The shell material may be exposed to the peroxide-absorbing substance by means of a coating of the peroxide-absorbing substance on a mold for the shell.In one example, the modulus of the outer casing material can gradually increase from an outer surface of the seal towards the elastomer core material. This gradual change in modulus can generate a modulus gradient in the seal.

[0013] In another example, the elastomeric core material can be hardened by diffusion-limited chemical treatments to form the shell material from a portion of the elastomeric core material. In some examples, diffusion-limited chemical treatments can promote polymer reversion. The polymer reversion process can decrease the molecular weight of the shell material, thereby reducing the modulus of the shell material. The shell material may comprise a halogenated polymer that may exhibit reversion upon exposure to zinc-containing compounds. The halogenated polymer may also exhibit sensitivity to vulcanization upon exposure to zinc-containing compounds. Vulcanization sensitivity may allow the halogenated polymer to cure when treated at high temperatures. Alternatively, the casing material may comprise a fluoropolymer that can defluorinate, releasing hydrogen fluoride and leading to cleavage of a polymer backbone. Cleavage of the polymer backbone may reduce the polymer modulus. Alternatively, the casing material may comprise an unsaturated diene polymer that may revert to high temperatures upon exposure to sustained elevated temperatures.

[0014] In some examples, the casing material may have a thickness of 50 microns or less. The thickness of the casing material may be adjusted to match the surface finish of a material at the sealing interface to which the sealant is to be applied. In some examples, the casing material may include a low-solubility wax that may bloom on a surface of the casing. In some examples, the casing material may be sensitive to volumetric swelling, such as a water-inflatable elastomer. Volumetric swelling may reduce the modulus of the casing material.

[0015] Illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter addressed in this document and are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts presented. The following sections describe various additional features and examples by referring to the drawings in which similar numbers indicate similar elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but like the illustrative aspects, these should not be used to limit this disclosure of the invention.

[0016] [Fig. 1] is a cross-sectional side view of a well system 100 containing a wet-stab connector 102, which may include an elastomeric seal according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention. The well system 100 comprises a borehole 102. In some examples, the borehole 102 may be cased and cemented as shown in [Fig. 1]. In other examples, the borehole 102 may be uncased or the casing may not be cemented. The borehole 102 may include a data or power cable 104, for example, as part of a downhole completion column (not shown). The data or power cable 104 may be positioned in a downhole portion 112 of the borehole 102 relative to a wet-stab connector 109.In some examples, the cable 104 may be positioned in an annular space 110 between the downhole completion column and a wellbore wall 102. The wellbore 102 may further include a tubular column 106, for example, a top-of-hole completion column. The tubular column 106 may be positioned in a portion of the top of the hole 114 of the . The borehole 102 is shown in relation to the wet-stab connector 109. The wet-stab connector 109 provides an electrical and communication connection between the top-of-hole cable 106 and the down-hole cable 104. In this way, the wet-stab connector 109 establishes an electrical connection between equipment that can be positioned on the surface of the borehole 102 and a tool that can be positioned at the bottom of the borehole 102, such as a sensor component. The wet-stab connector 109 may include an elastomeric seal to provide pressure and electrical insulation for the connection. The elastomeric seal may consist of an elastomeric core material with a first modulus and an outer shell material with a second modulus. In one example, the second modulus may be smaller than the first modulus.This multi-module arrangement allows the elastomer seal to conform to the surface roughness of the machined parts of the wet-stab type 109 connector, thereby improving the electrical insulation properties of the elastomer seal.

[0017] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of a wet-stab type 200 connector which can The wet-stab connector 200 includes a sealing gasket 207 made of elastomer, as described in certain examples in the present description of the invention. The connector 200 may include a male portion 202 capable of receiving a female portion 204. The male portion 202 may include male electrical conductors 206 sized to couple with female electrical conductors 208 of the female portion 204 during a wet-stab coupling. Once coupled, the male electrical conductors 206 and the female electrical conductors 208 form an electrical connection between the male portion 202 and the female portion 204. This electrical connection can be used to transmit power or data between surface equipment and a down-the-hole tool or device that can be electrically coupled and communicated with the wet-stab connector 200.

[0018] An elastomeric seal 207 can be positioned on the wet-stab connector to provide a pressure seal and an electrical seal for the electrical connection. For example, the elastomeric seal 207 can be an O-ring that can be positioned around the male conductors 206 to fill a gap between the male portion 202 and the female portion 204. The elastomeric seal 207 can comprise an elastomeric core material with a first modulus and an outer casing material with a second modulus. In some examples, the second modulus may be smaller than the first modulus. This multi-module arrangement can allow the outer casing material to conform to a surface roughness of machined parts at a sealing interface formed by the male portion 202 and the female portion 204 in order to prevent unwanted flow paths. of fluid or the passage of electrical current at the sealing interface. Preventing unwanted flow paths at the elastomer seal 207 can improve pressure and electrical insulation at the sealing interface.

[0019] [Fig. 3] is a cross-sectional view of an elastomeric seal 207a intended for use in a wellbore environment according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention. The elastomeric seal 207a may comprise a core 302 and a casing 304, where the core 302 may be encapsulated by the casing 304. The elastomeric seal 207a may be positioned between a surface of a male portion 306 and a surface of a female portion 308 of a wet-stab connector, such as the wet-stab connector 200 of [Fig. 2], to form a sealing interface. The surface of the male part 306, the surface of the female part 308, or both surfaces may include micro-irregularities such as serrated edges, peaks, valleys, and micro-serrations. In some examples, the surfaces may be smooth.Surfaces exhibiting micro-irregularities can be characterized by a roughness parameter that defines the surface roughness. An example of a roughness parameter might include a maximum peak-to-valley height of 307. Other examples of roughness parameters include the mean deviation of the profile height from a mean line, the root mean square deviation of the profile height from the mean line, the maximum valley depth below a mean line, the maximum peak height above the mean line, the profile asymmetry about the mean line, the profile flattening, or the mean distance between the highest peak and lowest valley over a sampling length. Other roughness parameters may also be used.

[0020] In some examples, the core 302 may comprise an elastomeric core material with a first modulus, and the casing 304 may comprise a casing material with a second modulus. The second modulus may be smaller than the first modulus to allow the casing material to conform to the microirregularities of the sealing interface. A thickness of the casing 304 may be adjusted according to one or more roughness parameters associated with one of the surfaces (for example, associated with the roughest surface of the sealing interface). For example, the thickness of the casing 304 may be chosen to be approximately equal to the maximum peak-to-valley height 307 of the roughest surface of the sealing interface, such as the female portion 308 in [Fig. 3]. Other roughness parameters may also be used to select the thickness of the casing 304. The deployment of the sealing joint 207 The elastomer at the sealing interface can provide electrical and pressure insulation.

[0021] [Fig. 4] is a cross-sectional view of an elastomeric seal 207b with a co-cured liquid polymer casing 402 for use in a wellbore environment according to certain examples in this disclosure of the invention. The elastomeric seal 207b may comprise a core 402 which may be encapsulated by the casing 404. In some examples, the core 402 may comprise an elastomeric core material with a first modulus, and the casing 404 may comprise a casing material with a second modulus. The second modulus may be smaller than the first modulus to allow the casing material to conform to a surface roughness of a sealing interface.

[0022] In some examples, the casing material can be applied as a casing by modifying the surface of the elastomeric core material to improve electrical and pressure insulation at the sealing interface without altering the general properties of the core material. In some examples, the casing material can be applied to the core 402 by immersing the core 402 in the casing material, by co-extruding the core material with the casing material, or by allowing the core material to absorb the casing material. Applying the liquid polymer casing 404 to the core 402 may involve mixing the liquid polymer with a liquid peroxide, which may be the same type of liquid peroxide used in the elastomeric core material.Once mixed with liquid peroxide and applied to the core material, the shell material can be co-cured with the elastomeric core material. For applications where the shell thickness is 125 microns or less, the liquid polymer can be diluted with solvents to achieve the desired shell thickness. The liquid polymer may include polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, polyvinyl siloxane, vinyl siloxane, Reprosil, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, nitrile vinyl rubber, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the shell material may include a low-solubility wax that can bloom on a surface of the 404 shell. The low-solubility wax may form the 404 shell or may be included with the 404 shell and may have a lower modulus than the 402 core.

[0023] [Fig. 5] is a cross-sectional view of another example of an elastomeric seal 207c with a chemically treated base material to create a lower modulus "shell" 504 for use in a borehole environment according to certain examples in the present disclosure of the invention. The elastomeric seal 207c may comprise a core 502 and the shell 504, where the core 502 can be encapsulated by the casing 504. In some examples, the core 502 may comprise an elastomeric core material with a first modulus, and the casing 504 may comprise a casing material with a second modulus. The second modulus may be lower than the first modulus to allow the casing material to conform to a surface roughness of a sealing interface.

[0024] The core 502 may be partially cured to form the casing 504. The partial curing of the core 502 may be followed by exposure to a reactive gas or a diffusion-controlled chemical to remove any surface peroxides that did not react during the partial curing process. The removed surface peroxides cannot contribute to crosslinking in the polymer, thus reducing the modulus of the casing material of the casing 504.In some examples, this can be accomplished by exposing the casing material to an O2-rich post-curing, by exposing the casing material to an acidic chemical treatment, or by exposing the casing material to a substance containing a sulfur-donating chemical. The casing material can be exposed to the substance by coating a mold with the substance for casing 504.

[0025] In one example, the core 502 can be hardened with limited-diffusion chemical treatments that can promote polymer reversion to form the shell 504. The polymer reversion process can decrease the molecular weight of the shell 504, thereby reducing the modulus of the shell material. The shell material may comprise a halogenated polymer that may exhibit reversion upon exposure to zinc-containing compounds. The halogenated polymer may also exhibit sensitivity to vulcanization upon exposure to zinc-containing compounds. This sensitivity to vulcanization may allow the halogenated polymer to be hardened when treated at high temperatures.

[0026] In addition, or alternatively, the shell material may comprise a fluoropolymer that can defluorinate, thereby releasing hydrogen fluoride and leading to the cleavage of a polymer backbone. Cleavage of the polymer backbone can reduce the polymer modulus. Alternatively, the shell material may comprise an unsaturated diene polymer that may exhibit reversion upon exposure to persistently elevated temperatures. In some examples, the shell material may comprise a low-solubility wax that can bloom on a surface of the shell 404. The low-solubility wax may form the shell 504 or may be part of the shell 404 and may have a lower modulus than the core 502.

[0027] [Fig.6] is a flowchart describing a process 600 for manufacturing the seal 207 elastomer sealing according to certain examples in this presentation The invention. In Block 602, the process 600 includes supplying the core 302, which comprises an elastomeric core material. The elastomeric core material may have a first modulus and may be made of an elastomer, such as a natural rubber, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, a polyisoprene, a polybutadiene, an ethylene-propylene rubber, an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, a silicone elastomer, a fluoroelastomer, a polyurethane elastomer, a nitrile rubber, or any combination thereof. The elastomeric core material 302 may have sufficient strength to create a level of stress under deflection to ensure sealing while resisting damage under high pressure differentials.

[0028] In block 604, the process 600 comprises encapsulating the core 302 in a sheath 304 comprising a sheath material to form the elastomeric seal 207. The elastomeric seal 207 is capable of providing pressure and electrical insulation to a sealing interface. The sheath layer 304 may comprise a sheath material with a second modulus that may be lower than the first modulus of the elastomeric core material. The lower modulus of the sheath material may allow the sheath to conform to a surface roughness at a sealing interface. Although the sheath 304 is described as encapsulating the core 302, in some examples, the sheath 304 may be applied to only one surface of the core 302. For example, the sheath 304 may be applied to a surface of the core 302 that provides a sealing interface with another surface.

[0029] In some examples, the casing material may comprise a liquid polymer. The casing 304 may be applied by surface modification to the elastomeric core material to improve electrical insulation and pressure insulation at the sealing interface without altering the general properties of the core material. In some examples, the casing 304 may be applied to the core 302 by immersing the core 302 in the casing material, by co-extruding the core material with the casing material, or by allowing the core material to absorb the casing material. Applying the liquid polymer casing 304 to the core 302 may involve mixing the liquid polymer with a liquid peroxide, which may be the same type of liquid peroxide used in the elastomeric core material. Once mixed with the liquid peroxide, the casing material may be co-cured with the elastomeric core material.For applications where the 304 envelope thickness is 125 microns or less, the liquid polymer can be diluted with solvents until the desired 304 envelope thickness is achieved. The liquid polymer may include polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber monomer, etc. polyvinylsiloxane, vinylsiloxane, reprosil, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, nitrile-vinyl rubber, or any combination thereof.

[0030] In some examples, the core 302 can be partially cured to form a shell 304. The partial curing of the core 302 can be followed by exposure to a reactive gas or a diffusion-controlled chemical to remove any surface peroxides that did not react during the partial curing process. The removed surface peroxides cannot contribute to crosslinking in the liquid polymer, thus reducing the modulus of the shell 304. In some examples, this can be accomplished by exposing the shell material to an O2-rich post-cure, by exposing the shell material to an acidic chemical treatment, or by exposing the shell material to a substance containing a sulfur-donating chemical. The shell material can be exposed to the substance by means of coating a mold for the shell 304 with the substance.

[0031] The core 302 can be hardened by limited-diffusion chemical treatments to form the shell 304. Limited-diffusion chemical treatments can promote polymer reversion. The polymer reversion process can decrease the molecular weight of the shell material, thereby reducing the modulus of the shell material. The shell material may comprise a halogenated polymer that can undergo reversion upon exposure to zinc-containing compounds. The halogenated polymer may also exhibit sensitivity to vulcanization upon exposure to zinc-containing compounds. This sensitivity to vulcanization can allow the halogenated polymer to be hardened when treated at high temperature. Alternatively, the shell material may comprise a fluorinated polymer that can defluorinate, thereby releasing hydrogen fluoride and leading to the cleavage of a polymer backbone.Cleavage of the polymer backbone can reduce the polymer modulus. Alternatively, the casing material may comprise an unsaturated diene polymer that may revert to its original state upon exposure to persistently high temperatures.

[0032] In some examples, the envelope material may have a thickness of 50 microns or less. The thickness of the envelope material may be adjusted to match the surface finish of a material at the sealing interface to which the sealant is to be applied. In some examples, the envelope material may include a low-solubility wax that may bloom on a surface of the envelope. The low-solubility wax may form the envelope 304 and may have a lower modulus than the core 302.

[0033] In certain aspects, systems, methods and assemblies for improving electrical insulation and pressure insulation at a sealing interface are provided according to one or more of the following examples:

[0034] In this document, any reference to a series of examples should be understood as a reference to each of those examples in a disjunctive manner (for example, "Examples 1-4" should be understood as "Examples 1, 2, 3 or 4").

[0035] Example 1 is a seal intended for use in a hydrocarbon environment comprising: a core comprising an elastomeric core material with a first modulus; and a casing coupled to the core and comprising a casing material with a second modulus which is less than the first modulus, the core and the casing being able to be positioned to generate pressure and electrical insulation at the level of a sealing interface.

[0036] Example 2 is the joint of Example 1, in which the envelope material comprises a liquid polymer material that is co-cured with the elastomer core material.

[0037] Example 3 is the joint of Example 2, in which the liquid polymer material comprises at least one of the following: polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, polyvinylsiloxane, vinylsiloxane, reprosil, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, nitrile-vinyl rubber, or any combination thereof.

[0038] Example 4 is the joint of examples 1 to 3, in which the encapsulating material comprises a wax with low solubility.

[0039] Example 5 is the joint of examples 1 to 4, in which the envelope has a thickness of 50 microns or less.

[0040] Example 6 is a method comprising: supplying a core which includes an elastomeric core material with a first modulus; and encapsulating the core in a shell layer comprising a shell material with a second modulus lower than the first modulus to form a sealing component capable of generating pressure and electrical insulation at a sealing interface.

[0041] Example 7 is the process of Example 6, further comprising: co-curing of the shell material with the elastomer core material.

[0042] Example 8 is the process of Example 7, in which the co-curing of the shell material and the elastomer core material is carried out using a peroxide.

[0043] Example 9 is the process of Example 8, further comprising: the application of a peroxide-absorbing fluid to the shell material at the end of the co-curing of the shell material and the elastomer core material, in in which the peroxide-absorbing fluid comprises at least one of the following: a sulfur-donating chemical, an oxygen-donating chemical, a hydrogen-donating chemical, or any combination thereof.

[0044] Example 10 is the process of Examples 6 to 9, in which the encapsulation of the core with the envelope layer to form the sealing component includes immersing the core in a bath of envelope material or applying the envelope material to a mold.

[0045] Example 11 is the process of Examples 6 to 10, further comprising: the thinning of the envelope material to a desired thickness using a solvent.

[0046] Example 12 is the process of Examples 6 to 11, in which the envelope layer has a thickness of 50 microns or less.

[0047] Example 13 is the process of Examples 6 to 12, in which the encapsulating material comprises a wax with low solubility.

[0048] Example 14 is the process of Examples 6 to 13, in which the encapsulation of the core in the envelope layer to form the sealing component includes the co-extrusion of the core with the envelope layer.

[0049] Example 15 is the process of Examples 6 to 14, in which the envelope material is capable of swelling volumetrically and softening when in contact with a fluid.

[0050] Example 16 is the method of Examples 6 to 15, further comprising: positioning the sealing component on a wet-stab type connector such that the wet-stab type connector provides pressure and electrical insulation at the sealing interface during the operation of the stab type connector.

[0051] Example 17 is a wet-stab type connector assembly comprising: a male part; a female part that can be positioned to receive the male part in order to form an electrical connection with the male part; and an elastomeric seal that can be positioned to provide an electrical and pressure seal at a meeting area of ​​the male and female parts, the elastomeric seal comprising: a core comprising an elastomeric core material with a first modulus; and a sheath encapsulating the core and comprising a sheath material with a second modulus that is smaller than the first modulus.

[0052] Example 18 is the wet-stab type connector assembly of Example 17, in which the casing material comprises at least one of the following: polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, the polyvinylsiloxane, vinylsiloxane, reprosil, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, nitrile-vinyl rubber, or any combination thereof.

[0053] Example 19 is the wet-stab type connector assembly of Examples 17 to 18, in which the envelope material comprises a liquid polymer material that is co-cured with the elastomeric core material.

[0054] Example 20 is the wet-stab type connector assembly of Examples 17 to 19, in which the envelope material is capable of expanding volumetrically when in contact with a fluid.

[0055] The preceding description of certain examples, including the illustrated examples, has been given solely for illustrative and descriptive purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure of the invention to the precise forms described. Many modifications, adaptations, and uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Sealing gasket (207) for use in a hydrocarbon environment comprising: a core (302) comprising an elastomeric core material with a first modulus; and a casing (304) coupled to the core and comprising a casing material co-cured with the elastomeric core material with a second modulus that is smaller than the first modulus, the core and casing being able to be positioned to generate pressure and electrical insulation at a sealing interface.

2. Joint (207) according to claim 1, wherein the envelope material comprises a liquid polymer material.

3. Sealing gasket (207) according to claim 2, wherein the liquid polymer material comprises at least one of the following: polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, polyvinylsiloxane, vinylsiloxane, reprosil, epoxy, polyurethane, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, nitrile-vinyl rubber, or any combination thereof.

4. Sealing gasket (207) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the envelope material comprises a low-solubility wax.

5. Sealing gasket (207) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the envelope (304) comprises a thickness of 50 microns or less.

6. Sealing gasket (207) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing gasket can be positioned at the sealing interface between a male part (202) and a female part (204) of a wet-stab type connector to provide electrical and pressure insulation at the sealing interface.

7. A method comprising: supplying a core (302) comprising an elastomeric core material with a first modulus; encapsulating the core in a shell layer comprising a shell material with a second modulus lower than the first modulus to form a sealing component capable of generating pressure and electrical insulation at a sealing interface; and co-curing of the envelope material with the elastomer core material.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising: co-curing the shell material and the elastomer core material using a peroxide.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising: the application of a peroxide-absorbing fluid to the shell material at the end of the co-curing of the shell material and the elastomer core material, wherein the peroxide-absorbing fluid comprises at least one of the following: a sulfur-donating chemical, an oxygen-donating chemical, a hydrogen-donating chemical, or any combination thereof.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein the encapsulation of the core (302) with the envelope layer to form the sealing component comprises immersing the core in a bath of envelope material or applying the envelope material to a mold.

11. A method according to claim 7, further comprising: diluting the envelope material to the desired thickness using a solvent.

12. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the envelope layer has a thickness of 50 microns or less.

13. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the encapsulating material comprises a low-solubility wax.

14. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the encapsulation of the core (302) in the envelope layer to form the sealing component comprises the co-extrusion of the core with the envelope layer.

15. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the envelope material is capable of expanding volumetrically and softening when in contact with a fluid.

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