Inserts with Swellable Elastomer Seals for Side Pocket Mandrels

Abstract

Improved inserts for use in side pocket mandrels which include one or more annular sealing elements that are formed of an elastomeric material that swell in response to heat or fluid saturation. When the insert is emplaced within a side pocket mandrel, the swellable elastomer can then be swelled, using either heat or fluid saturation, to cause the sealing element(s) to expand and seal against the seal bore of the side pocket mandrel.

1 . An insert for placement within a side pocket mandrel in a wellbore production string, the gas lift insert comprising:
 an insert body;   a sealing element disposed upon the insert body, the sealing element being substantially formed of an elastomeric material that is swellable from a first, reduced-size, condition to a second, enlarged-size condition.   
   
   
       2 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises a dummy gas lift valve. 
   
   
       3 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises a gas lift valve that is operable to transmit gas. 
   
   
       4 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the sealing element is swellable from the first condition to the second condition in response to fluid saturation by a swelling fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The insert of  claim 4  wherein the sealing element is swellable from the first condition to the second condition in response to fluid saturation by water. 
   
   
       6 . The insert of  claim 4  wherein the sealing element is swellable from the first condition to the second condition in response to fluid saturation by hydrocarbon fluid. 
   
   
       7 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the sealing element is swellable from the first condition to the second condition in response to heating. 
   
   
       8 . An assembly for incorporation within a production tubing string, the assembly comprising:
 a side pocket mandrel for incorporation into a wellbore production string, the side pocket mandrel comprising:
 a mandrel body; 
 a primary flowbore defined within the mandrel body; 
 a side pocket defined within the mandrel body, the side pocket being in fluid communication with the primary flowbore; 
   an insert that is removably disposed within the side pocket, the insert comprising:
 an insert body that is shaped and sized to reside within the side pocket; and 
 a sealing element disposed upon the insert body, the sealing element being substantially formed of an elastomeric material that is swellable from a first, reduced-size, condition to a second, enlarged-size condition. 
   
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the insert comprises a dummy gas lift valve. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the sealing element is swellable from the first condition to the second condition in response to fluid saturation. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the sealing element is swellable from the first condition to the second condition in response to fluid saturation by water. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the insert comprises a dummy gas lift valve. 
   
   
       13 . A method of sealing an insert within a seal bore of a side pocket mandrel, the method comprising the steps of:
 disposing the insert within the seal bore; and   expanding a swellable elastomeric sealing element to form a seal between the insert and the seal bore.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the sealing element is expanded by application of heat and a swelling fluid to the sealing element. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the swelling fluid comprises water. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the swelling fluid comprises hydrocarbon fluid. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the sealing element is expanded by application of heat.