Expandable sealing apparatus

A sealing apparatus for isolating a tubular, comprising:

• a tubular body;
• at least one swelling elastomer disposed around the tubular body in a manner whereby an outer diameter of the tubular body in the area of the at least one swelling elastomer is no greater than the outer diameter of the remainder of the tubular body;
• and
• at least one non-swelling element having a flexible member capable of creating a pressurized seal upon activation of the sealing apparatus.

A method for isolating a wellbore, comprising:

• running a sealing apparatus into the wellbore, the sealing apparatus including a tubular body, a swelling element disposed on the tubular body and at least one non-swelling element disposed adjacent to the swelling element;
• expanding the tubular body with an expander tool having at least one radially extendable member disposed thereupon;
• causing the swelling element to swell and contact the wellbore;
• and
• creating a pressurized seal upon expansion of the at least one non-swelling element.

A sealing apparatus for isolating a tubular, comprising:

• a tubular body;
• at least one swelling elastomer disposed around the tubular body in a manner whereby an outer diameter of the tubular body in the area of the at least one swelling elastomer is no greater than the outer diameter of the remainder of the tubular body;
• and
• a second swelling elastomer disposed around an outer surface of the tubular body adjacent the at least one swelling elastomer, wherein the at least one swelling elastomer is activated by a first activating agent and the second swelling elastomer is activated by a second activating agent.

A sealing apparatus for isolating a downhole tubular, comprising:

• a tubular body;
• one or more swelling elastomers disposed around an outer surface of the tubular body;
• and
• a cover at least partially disposed on a portion of the one or more swelling elastomers, wherein expanding the tubular body causes the cover to split apart and become more penetrable to an activating agent.

A method for isolating a portion of a well, comprising:

• running a sealing apparatus into a wellbore, the sealing apparatus including:
• a tubular body;
• at least one swelling element disposed around an outer surface of the tubular body;
• and
• a protective layer disposed on at least a portion of the swelling element;
• expanding the tubular body thereby causing the protective layer to split apart and become more penetrable to an activating agent;
• and
• causing the swelling element to swell and contact the wellbore.