Completion tools with fluid diffusion control layer

1. A completion tool comprising:

a mandrel;

a swellable element disposed about the mandrel; and

a protective layer disposed on a surface of the swellable element and configured to inhibit diffusion of a downhole fluid to the swellable element; the protective layer comprising a degradable textile-based composite,

wherein the degradable textile-based composite comprises a polymeric binder and a textile substrate;

the polymeric binder comprises one or more of the following: an epoxy; a cured cyanate ester; a bismaleimide resin; or a polyimide, and

the textile substrate comprises phosphate glass fibers,

wherein the textile substrate is in the form of a continuous filament, a short fiber, a fibrous strand, a sheet, a tape, a mat, a web, or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing.

2. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the protective layer has an average thickness of about 1.5 mm to about 15 mm.

3. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is chemically bonded to the swellable element.

4. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the polymeric binder relative to the textile substrate is about 1:9 to about 9:1.

5. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric binder comprises the epoxy and an epoxidized natural oil.

6. The completion tool of claim 5 , wherein the epoxidized natural oil comprises one or more of epoxidized soybean oil or epoxidized linseed oil.

7. The completion tool of claim 5 , wherein the weight ratio of the epoxidized natural oil relative to the epoxy is about 1:100 to 1:50.

8. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the textile substrate further comprises cellulose based fibers.

9. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the swellable element comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer, styrene butadiene rubber, synthetic rubber based on polychloroprene, fluorosilicone rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, isobutylene-isoprene rubber, natural rubber, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

10. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the protective layer further comprises carbon black.

11. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric binder, the textile substrate, and the swellable element are selected such that a diameter of the swellable element increases less than about 25% after the completion tool is exposed to a downhole fluid for greater than 14 days at about 100° C.

12. The completion tool of claim 1 , wherein the completion tool is a packer or a sand screen.

13. A method of sealing, the method comprising:

disposing the completion tool of claim 1 in a wellbore;

degrading the protective layer; and

allowing the swellable element to swell upon contact with a downhole fluid permeated through the protective layer.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the downhole fluid comprises a hydrocarbon, water, brine, an acid, a base, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the downhole fluid is generated downhole.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the downhole fluid is introduced into a wellbore.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the downhole fluid is an oil based fluid comprising hydrocarbons.