Protective layer over swellable compound

A wellbore packer assembly comprising:

• a protective material;
• a swellable material;
• and
• a tubular;
• wherein the swellable material is disposed on the tubular, wherein the protective material is disposed on the swellable material, wherein the protective material covers at least a portion of the swellable material, and wherein the protective material and the swellable material are clamped together with a clamp, and wherein the swellable material is configured to expand the protective material against a wellbore wall to form a seal therewith.

A method comprising:

• inserting into a wellbore a packer assembly comprising:
• a protective material;
• a swellable material;
• and
• a tubular;
• wherein the swellable material is disposed on the tubular, wherein the protective material is disposed on the swellable material and at least partially covering a portion of the swellable material, and wherein the protective material and the swellable material are clamped together, with a clamp;
• contacting the swellable material with a swelling fluid;
• swelling the swellable material to expand the protective material against a wellbore wall;
• and
• forming a seal between the protective material and the wellbore wall.