# US 11,078,743 B2 · System and methodology for providing bypass through a swellable packer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,078,743 B2 - Document ID: US11078743B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/414,514 - Filed: 2019-05-16 - Published: 2020-11-19 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-16 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Saikumar Mani; Nabil Batita; Nikhil Nair; Joao Mendonca; Oloruntoba Ogunsanwo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078743B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 17/18: Pipes provided with plural fluid passages {(E21B17/203 takes precedence)} - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A swellable packer comprises an elastomeric element and a mandrel extending through the elastomeric element. The elastomeric element is formed of an elastomer which undergoes swelling following contact with certain types of well fluids. The elastomeric element is sealed with respect to the mandrel and may be located along an undercut region of the mandrel. Additionally, the mandrel has an interior passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and offset with respect to an external geometry of the mandrel. Accordingly, the mandrel is effectively constructed with relatively thicker and thinner wall sections. The thicker wall section or sections accommodates at least one bypass conduit which extends longitudinally through the mandrel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for use in a well, comprising: a swellable packer having a mandrel and an elastomeric element bonded to the mandrel, the elastomeric element undergoing swelling and radial expansion following contact with certain types of fluid in a borehole; the mandrel having a mandrel wall with an internal geometry in the form of a longitudinal passage of circular cross-section, the mandrel wall being thicker along a portion of a circumference of the mandrel to provide an external geometry having a cross-sectional center offset from an internal geometry cross-sectional center, the mandrel wall having a plurality of bypass conduits extending longitudinally through the portion, the mandrel further comprising an undercut region along an exterior of the mandrel wall to enable increased radial thickness of the elastomeric element, wherein the elastomeric element abuts a transition of the exterior of the mandrel wall to the undercut region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the undercut region extends around the entire circumference of the mandrel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the swellable packer is mounted along a well string deployed in the borehole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electrical line extending through at least one bypass conduit of the plurality of bypass conduits. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic control line extending through at least one bypass conduit of the plurality of bypass conduits. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a shunt tube extending through at least one bypass conduit of the plurality of bypass conduits. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bypass conduits comprises two bypass conduits. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bypass conduits comprises three bypass conduits. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bypass conduits comprises four bypass conduits. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bypass conduits comprises at least five bypass conduits. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the undercut region does not extend around the entire circumference of the mandrel. ### Claim 12 A system for use in a well, comprising: a swellable packer having: an elastomeric element formed of an elastomer which undergoes swelling following contact with certain types of well fluid; and a mandrel extending through the elastomeric element and sealed with respect to the elastomeric element, the mandrel having an interior passage which is offset with respect to an external geometry of the mandrel such that the mandrel has a thicker wall section on one side of the mandrel relative to the other side of the mandrel, the thicker wall section containing a plurality of bypass conduits extending longitudinally through the mandrel, wherein the mandrel comprises an undercut region along an exterior of the mandrel and located between longitudinal ends of the elastomeric element, and wherein the elastomeric element abuts a transition of the exterior of the mandrel to the undercut region. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the undercut region extends around the entire circumference of the mandrel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising an electrical line engaging at least one bypass conduit of the plurality of bypass conduits to enable transmission of electrical signals past the swellable packer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a hydraulic line engaging at least one bypass conduit of the plurality of bypass conduits to enable transmission of hydraulic fluid past the swellable packer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a shunt tube engaging at least one bypass conduit of the plurality of bypass conduits to enable transmission of fluid past the swellable packer. ### Claim 17 A method, comprising: forming a mandrel with an internal geometry and an external geometry such that an internal geometry cross-sectional center is offset from an external geometry cross-sectional center; providing the mandrel with an undercut region disposed along its exterior; positioning a swellable elastomeric element around the mandrel and along the undercut region, wherein the swellable elastomeric element abuts a transition of the exterior of the mandrel to the undercut region; sealing the swellable elastomeric element to the mandrel; and routing a bypass conduit longitudinally through the mandrel externally of the internal geometry and radially inside of the swellable elastomeric element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein routing the bypass conduit comprises routing a plurality of bypass conduits. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein forming comprises forming the internal geometry with a circular cross-section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as recited in claim 19, wherein forming the internal geometry with a circular cross-section comprises maintaining a constant diameter of the circular cross-section along a longitudinal length of the mandrel.