| 摘要 |
Apparatus and methods are described that are particularly suited for creatin g a seal in a borehole annulus. In one embodiment, an outer surface of an expandable condu it is provided with a formation that includes an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can expand and/or swell when the material comes into contact with an actuating agent (e.g. water, brine, drilling fluid etc.). The expandable conduit is located inside a second conduit (e.g. a pre-installed casing, liner or open borehole) and radially expanded. The actuating agent can be naturally occurring in the borehole or can be injected or pumpe d therein to expand or swell the elastomeric material to create the seal.
|
