Hydrogel for use in downhole seal applications

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.

1 . A composition for forming a seal comprising: (a) a hydrogel and (b) a base material.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said base material is a polymer.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said polymer is an elastomer.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said elastomer is selected from the group consisting of nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, carboxyl nitrile rubber, silicon rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers, fluoroelastomers and perfluoroelastomers.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said polymer is a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of Teflon®, polyetheretherketone, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyphenylene sulfide.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said hydrogel is 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.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said 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.  
     
     
         9 . A seal for use in a wellbore comprising the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition forms a seal.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said seal is an o-ring.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said seal is a t-seal.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said seal is a chevron seal.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said seal is a spring seal.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said seal is a packer element.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said seal is a bridge plug.