USE OF SWELLABLE MATERIAL IN AN ANNULAR SEAL ELEMENT TO PREVENT LEAKAGE IN A SUBTERRANEAN WELL

摘要

A method of sealing an annulus formed between a casing string (12) and a surface in a well includes: positioning a seal element (36) in the annulus, a swellable material (42) of the seal element being positioned between the casing string and the surface; and flowing cement (16) through a channel formed between the swellable material and the casing string. A method of sealing in a well includes the steps of : positioning an annular seal element comprising a swellable material in the well; and flowing cement into at least one channel (38) formed longitudinally through the seal element. A method of sealing an annulus between two casing strings includes: providing multiple arcuate segments (60), each of the segments comprising a swellable material; and installing the segments in the annulus, each of the segments thereby- occupying a respective circumferential portion of the annulus. Fig. 11