Sealing insert and method

Abstract

A method for sealing a side pocket of a downhole mandrel in a tubing string comprises retrieving a cartridge component from the side pocket of the downhole mandrel and then deploying a sealing insert into the side pocket of the downhole mandrel, wherein the sealing insert comprises a swellable sealing element on an outer surface thereof. The swellable sealing element swells to provide a seal within the side pocket. A sealing insert for use in sealing a side pocket of a downhole mandrel, includes a base member and a swellable sealing element mounted on the outer surface of the base member and configured to swell when exposed to an activator. The sealing insert is geometrically configured to permit insertion within a side pocket of a downhole mandrel such that when the sealing element is swollen the sealing element provides a seal within said side pocket.

1 . A method for sealing a side pocket of a downhole mandrel in a tubing string, comprising:
 retrieving a cartridge component from the side pocket of the downhole mandrel;   deploying a sealing insert into the side pocket of the downhole mandrel, wherein the sealing insert comprises a swellable sealing element on an outer surface thereof; and   swelling the swellable sealing element to provide a seal within the side pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element when swollen seals the side pocket of the downhole mandrel to substantially prevent fluid communication outwardly or inwardly of the downhole mandrel via said side pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  erg, comprising sealing a damaged side pocket of the downhole mandrel. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising sealing the side pocket of the downhole mandrel to disable said mandrel. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the downhole mandrel comprises a side port which communicates with the side pocket, wherein the sealing insert provides a seal within the side pocket of the mandrel to seal said side port. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , comprising sealing a side pocket which has become damaged in the region proximate or adjacent to the side port. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the side port of the downhole mandrel is arranged to communicate with an annulus surrounding the downhole mandrel, and wherein the sealing insert provides a seal within the side pocket of the downhole mandrel to substantially prevent fluid communication between the annulus and the downhole mandrel. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the side port of the downhole mandrel is arranged to communicate with a fluid conduit which extends externally of the tubing string, wherein the sealing insert provides a seal within the side pocket of the downhole mandrel to substantially prevent fluid communication between the fluid conduit and the downhole mandrel. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claims 5 , wherein the sealing insert is deployed into the side pocket such that the sealing element spans the side port. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the downhole mandrel comprises a gas lift mandrel. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the cartridge component comprises a gas lift valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claims 1 , wherein the downhole mandrel comprises a chemical injection mandrel. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the cartridge component comprises a chemical injection valve. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing insert is of a substantially similar geometrical form as the cartridge component being retrieved. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising retrieving the cartridge component through the tubing string. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising retrieving the cartridge component to surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising retrieving the cartridge component via a conveyance arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising deploying the sealing insert through the tubing string. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising deploying the sealing insert from surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising deploying the sealing insert via a conveyance arrangement. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising preventing or restricting flow along the tubing string prior to retrieving the cartridge component. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising setting a barrier downhole of the mandrel. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising setting a barrier within the tubing string downhole of the mandrel. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising installing a plug within the tubing string. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising removing the barrier after the sealing insert has been deployed within the side pocket of the mandrel. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to any preceding  claim 1 , comprising flowing or placing a fluid into the tubing string. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising setting a barrier within an annulus surrounding at least a portion of the tubing string. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising flowing or placing a fluid into the annulus. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising exposing the swellable sealing element to a swelling activator including at least one of oil and water. 
     
     
         30 . canceled 
     
     
         31 . A sealing insert for use in sealing a side pocket of a downhole mandrel, comprising:
 a base member; and   a swellable sealing element mounted on the outer surface of the base member and configured to swell when exposed to an activator,   wherein the sealing insert is geometrically configured to permit insertion within a side pocket of a downhole mandrel such that when the sealing element is swollen said sealing element provides a seal within said side pocket.   
     
     
         32 . The sealing insert according to  claim 31 , comprising a connector portion to permit connection to a conveyance arrangement. 
     
     
         33 . The sealing insert according to  claim 31 , wherein the sealing element is annular. 
     
     
         34 . The sealing insert according to  claim 31 , wherein the sealing element is configured to swell when exposed to a swelling activator including at least one of oil and water. 
     
     
         35 . The sealing insert according to  claims 31 , wherein the base member comprises a cylindrical rod. 
     
     
         36 . The sealing insert according to  claims 31 , wherein the base member comprises at least one annular recess, wherein the sealing element is received within said annular recess. 
     
     
         37 . The sealing element according to  claim 35 , wherein when the sealing element is in an unswollen state, the sealing element defines an outer diameter which is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the base member. 
     
     
         38 . A sealed downhole mandrel, comprising:
 a side pocket including a side port; and   a sealing insert sealingly mounted within the side pocket, wherein the sealing insert includes a swollen sealing element which extends at least over the side port of the side pocket.   
     
     
         39 . A method for performing a downhole intervention, comprising:
 retrieving a cartridge from a side pocket of a downhole mandrel, wherein the retrieved cartridge comprises at least one seal arrangement for providing a seal between the cartridge and the side pocket of the mandrel when located therein;   deploying a new cartridge which comprises at least one swellable seal arrangement into the side pocket mandrel of the downhole mandrel; and   swelling the at least one swellable seal arrangement to establish a seal between the new cartridge and the side pocket mandrel.   
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the new cartridge, once in place, performs substantially the same function as the retrieved cartridge prior to retrieval. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 39 , comprising replacing the at least one seal arrangement of the retrieved cartridge with at least one swellable seal element, and then deploying the retrieved cartridge as the new cartridge. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 39 , comprising deploying a new cartridge which is different from the retrieved cartridge. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the retrieved cartridge comprises at least one non-swelling seal arrangement. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the retrieved cartridge comprises at least one chevron seal arrangement.