Swell packer

Abstract

A swell packer includes a base tubular; a seal member encircling the base tubular, the seal member swelling radially to a seal equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid; and a disc positioned about the base tubular substantially abutting an end of the seal member but not physically connected to the seal member in a manner that limits the equilibrium swell of the seal member, the disc swelling radially to a first equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a radially swellable seal member of a swell packer, the apparatus comprising a radially swellable disc positioned at an end of the seal member. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disc has a modulus of elasticity greater than that of the seal member. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the disc includes an internal stiffening element. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further including a stiffening element operationally connected to the disc opposite from the seal member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the disc is not physically connected to the seal member. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further including a stiffening element operationally connected to the disc opposite from the seal member. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the disc is not physically connected to the seal member. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disc is radially less swellable than the seal member. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a stiffening element. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the stiffening element is operationally connected to the exterior of the disc opposite from the seal member 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a stiffening element operationally connected to the exterior of the disc opposite from the seal member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the stiffening element is an end-ring. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the disc is not physically connected to the seal member. 
   
   
       14 . An anti-extrusion device positionable at an end of a packer seal member that radially swells when contacted by a particular fluid to form an annular seal in a wellbore, the device comprising:
 a first disc for positioning adjacent the seal member, the first disc expandable to a first equilibrium swell upon contact with the particular fluid; and   a second disc positionable adjacent the first disc and opposite the seal member, the second disc expandable to a second equilibrium swell upon contact with the particular fluid, wherein the second equilibrium swell is less than the first equilibrium swell.   
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , further including a stiffening element. 
   
   
       16 . A swell packer comprising:
 a base tubular;   a seal member encircling the base tubular, the seal member swelling radially to a seal equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid; and   a disc positioned about the base tubular substantially abutting an end of the seal member but not physically connected to the seal member in a manner that limits the equilibrium swell of the seal member, the disc swelling radially to a first equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid.   
   
   
       17 . The swell packer of  claim 16 , further including a stiffening element operationally connected to the disc opposite the seal member. 
   
   
       18 . The swell packer of  claim 16 , wherein the first swell equilibrium is less than the seal swell equilibrium, and the disc is more rigid at the first swell equilibrium than the seal member is at the seal swell equilibrium. 
   
   
       19 . The swell packer of  claim 18 , further including a second disc positioned about the base tubular adjacent the disc opposite the seal member, the second disc swelling radially to a second equilibrium swell upon contact with a particular fluid, wherein the second equilibrium swell is less than the first equilibrium swell. 
   
   
       20 . The swell packer of  claim 19 , further including an external stiffening element positioned between the disc and the second disc.