Eutectic material-based seal element for packers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seal element for a wellbore which includes a support member, a bag positioned on the support member and a eutectic material positionable in the bag. The bag may be axially compressed and axially extended along the support member thereby permitting sealing and unsealing of an annulus in a wellbore. The eutectic material may be a phase changing salt.

1 . A seal element for a wellbore comprising:
 a support member;   a bag carried on the support member in a position encircling the support member and with at least some material of the bag hanging loosely on the support member and able to flex out from the support member, the at least some material being inelastic, unable to flex and stretch when held taut but able to flex when held loosely; and   a eutectic material in the bag, the eutectic material being liquefiable to flow to fill the at least some material.   
   
   
       2 . The seal element of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism to draw in the material toward the support member. 
   
   
       3 . The seal element of  claim 1  wherein the bag is mounted in a pleated configuration on the support member. 
   
   
       4 . The seal element of  claim 1  wherein the bag is mounted on the support member that moves the bag into a twisted configuration to draw the material in toward the support member.