Apparatus and method with hydrocarbon swellable and water swellable body
US8540032B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08L23/18
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.