System for sealing a space in a wellbore

摘要

A system is provided for sealing a space in a wellbore formed in an earth formation. The system has a swellable body arranged in the wellbore in a manner so as to seal the space upon swelling of the swellable body, the swellable body being susceptible of being in contact with formation water flowing into the wellbore, the swellable body including a matrix material provided with a compound soluble in the formation water. The matrix material substantially prevents or restricts migration of the compound out of the swellable body and allows migration of the formation water into the swellable body by osmosis so as to induce swelling of the swellable body upon migration of the formation water into the swellable body.