Hydrogel for use in downhole seal applications
First Claim
1. A method for forming a seal in a wellbore comprising:
- a. providing a composition comprising;
(a) a hydrogel and (b) a base material;
b. deploying the composition into a wellbore; and
,c. exposing the composition to a first environmental parameter, thereby forming a seal in the wellbore, the seal in a first configuration;
whereby the seal isolates a particular wellbore zone from another wellbore zone or region of a subterranean formation and wherein the seal formed is an o-ring, a t-seal body, a chevron seal body, a spring seal body, a packer element, a gasket, or a bridge plug.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a composition for forming seals. The composition includes a base material and a hydrogel. The base materials is preferably an elastomer or a thermoplastic. Seals formed with the composition are particularly suited for use in a wellbore environment. The inclusion of hydrogel in the seals allows the seals to be manipulated or altered through certain environmental factors. For instance, temperature, oil/water ratio, pH and the electronic field may all be used to alter the characteristics of the hydrogel. In this way, the seal may be caused to swell in response to a specific stimulus, thereby preventing or sealing a leak without requiring additional work or input from the operator.
35 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for forming a seal in a wellbore comprising:
-
a. providing a composition comprising;
(a) a hydrogel and (b) a base material;b. deploying the composition into a wellbore; and
,c. exposing the composition to a first environmental parameter, thereby forming a seal in the wellbore, the seal in a first configuration; whereby the seal isolates a particular wellbore zone from another wellbore zone or region of a subterranean formation and wherein the seal formed is an o-ring, a t-seal body, a chevron seal body, a spring seal body, a packer element, a gasket, or a bridge plug. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for forming a seal in a wellbore comprising:
-
a. providing a composition comprising;
(a) a hydrogel and (b) a base material;b. deploying the composition into a wellbore; and
,c. exposing the composition to a first environmental parameter, thereby forming a seal in the wellbore, the seal in a first configuration; whereby the seal isolates a particular wellbore zone from another wellbore zone or region of a subterranean formation and wherein the hydrogel is a metal complex of a polymer selected from the group consisting of;
methylcellulose, cellulose acetate pthalate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymers, poly (ethylene oxide) polymers, guar, derivatized guar, polyacrylamide, silicon-based polymers and fluorosilicone-based polymers.
-
Specification