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swellable packer

An isolation device that relies on elastomers to expand and form an annular seal when immersed in certain wellbore fluids. The elastomers used in these packers are either oil- or water-sensitive. Their expansion rates and pressure ratings are affected by a variety of factors. Oil-activated elastomers, which work on the principle of absorption and dissolution, are affected by fluid temperature as well as the concentration and specific gravity of hydrocarbons in a fluid. Water-activated elastomers are typically affected by water temperature and salinity. This type of elastomer works on the principle of osmosis, which allows movement of water particles across a semi-permeable membrane based on salinity differences in the water on either side of the membrane.

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