Swellable choke packer

Abstract

There is provided a swellable choke having a tubular component and at least one swelling element. Each swelling element has a swelling material carried by the tubular component, the swelling material swelling in reaction to contact with a triggering substance, such as a fluid. Each swelling element also has a ring carried by the tubular component, the ring having an outer surface that moves from a first diameter to an expanded diameter as the swelling material increases in size.

1 . A swellable choke comprising:
 a tubular component;   at least one swelling element, each swelling element comprising:
 a swelling material carried by the tubular component, the swelling material increasing in size as the tubular component encounters a triggering substance; and 
 a ring carried by the tubular component, the outer ring having an outer surface that moves from a first diameter to an expanded diameter as the swelling material swells. 
   
     
     
         2 . The swellable choke of  claim 1  wherein the triggering substance comprises water. 
     
     
         3 . The swellable choke of  claim 1  wherein the triggering substance comprises a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         4 . The swellable choke of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is a split ring. 
     
     
         5 . The swellable choke of  claim 4 , wherein the ring is made from spring steel or a composite, resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . The swellable choke of  claim 1  wherein the ring is configured to protect the swelling element from wear. 
     
     
         7 . The swellable choke of  claim 1  wherein the swelling material is in thermal contact with the tubular component. 
     
     
         8 . The swellable choke of  claim 7 , wherein the swelling material further swells as a result of a change in temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The swellable choke of  claim 1 , further comprising two or more swelling elements axially spaced along the tubular component. 
     
     
         10 . The swellable choke of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer element positioned axially adjacent to each side of the swelling material. 
     
     
         11 . The swellable choke of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer elements restricts expansion of the swelling material to a radial direction. 
     
     
         12 . The swellable choke of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular component is a mandrel. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a hydrocarbon-producing well, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a swellable choke as claimed in  claim 1 ;   attaching the swellable choke in line with a tubing string;   inserting the tubing string into the hydrocarbon-producing well;   changing at least one downhole condition to cause the swellable choke to swell and engage an inner surface of the hydrocarbon-producing well.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the downhole condition is changed by causing at least one of water and hydrocarbons to come into contact with the swellable choke. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the downhole condition is changed by changing the temperature to which the swellable choke is exposed. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of allowing the ring to slide along an inner surface of the hydrocarbon-producing well as the swellable choke moves along the hydrocarbon-producing well. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the downhole condition is changed by changing the temperature to which the swellable choke is exposed.