US Patent 11519239 Running lines through expandable metal sealing elements

Methods for traversing an expandable metal sealing element. An example method includes positioning an expandable metal sealing element in a wellbore; wherein the expandable metal sealing element includes a reactive metal and a void extending axially through at least a portion of the expandable metal sealing element. The method further includes disposing a line in the void and contacting the expandable metal sealing element with a fluid that reacts with the reactive metal to produce a reaction product having a volume greater than the reactive metal, wherein the reaction product seals around the line while it is disposed in the void.