Temperature compensator for improved sealing

A method for performing a wellbore operation:

• introducing a thermal compensator into a wellbore having a temperature;
• wherein the thermal compensator comprises:
• an outer layer comprising a first material;
• an inner layer comprising a second material;
• a core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;
• wherein the core comprises a third material;
• wherein the third material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the second material;
• wherein the core contracts when the wellbore temperature is decreasing;
• wherein the contraction of the core moves the outer layer such that it applies a force to a structure adjacent to the outer layer.

A system for performing a wellbore operation, the system comprising:

• a thermal compensator comprising:
• an outer layer comprising a first material;
• an inner layer comprising a second material;
• a core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;
• wherein the core comprises a third material;
• wherein the third material has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material and the second material;
• wherein the core is configured to contract when a temperature of the wellbore is decreasing;
• wherein the contraction of the core moves the outer layer such that it applies a force to a sealing element;
• and
• the sealing element;
• wherein the sealing element is adjacent to the outer layer.