TECHNIQUE AND APPARATUS FOR USING AN UNTETHERED OBJECT TO FORM A SEAL IN A WELL

• US 20160251930A1
• Filed: 02/03/2016
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Roy, Indranil, Dardis, Michael, Jacob, Gregoire, Aviles Cadena, Isaac
• Granted Patent: US 10,415,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1208 characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means E21B33/1277 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/134 Bridging plugs

Abstract

An embodiment may take the form of a method usable with a well including communicating an untethered object downhole in the well to land the object in a restriction to form a fluid barrier, and using an agent carried by the untethered object to seal at least one gap in the fluid barrier. Another embodiment may take the form of an apparatus usable with a well having a solid component to be deployed and be communicated downhole as an untethered object to land in a restriction in the well to form a fluid barrier and an agent attached to the solid component to seal at least one gap in the fluid barrier.

Claims

1. A method usable with a well, comprising:

communicating an untethered object downhole in the well to land the object in a restriction to form a fluid barrier; and

using an agent carried by the untethered object to seal at least one gap in the fluid barrier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using the agent to seal that at least one gap comprises deforming the agent.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein deforming the agent comprises deforming an outer coating of the untethered object in response to the untethered object landing in the restriction such that the deformed coating fills at least one gap between an undeformed footprint of the untethered object and a seat of the restriction.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein deforming the agent comprises deforming an elastomer or a foam.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein deforming the agent comprises deforming an agent comprising fibers or particles held together by a binding agent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein using the agent to seal the at least one gap comprises using a flow created by the at least one gap to distribute the agent.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein using the agent further comprises removing an outer protective coating of the untethered object.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein using the agent further comprises removing an agent attached to a solid object of the untethered object through hot hydrostatic pressing (HIPing), overmolding, dipping or spraying.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein using the agent comprises using a coagulating agent.

10. An apparatus usable with a well, comprising:

a solid component to be deployed and be communicated downhole as an untethered object to land in a restriction in the well to form a fluid barrier; and

an agent attached to the solid component to seal at least one gap in the fluid barrier.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the agent is adapted to deform to seal the at least one gap.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the agent is adapted to be released in response to the solid part landing in the restriction and use a flow created by the at least one gap to seal the at least one gap.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the solid component comprises a ball, a dart or a bar.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a protective layer to cover the agent such that the agent is protected by the protective layer while the untethered object is communicated downhole.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the protective layer is adapted to be removed to release the agent.

16. An apparatus usable with a well, comprising:

a string comprising a passageway and having a restriction in the passageway; and

an untethered object to be deployed in the passageway, the untethered object comprising;

a solid component to be deployed and be communicated downhole as an untethered object to land in a restriction in the well to form a fluid barrier; and

an agent attached to the solid component to seal at least one gap in the fluid barrier.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the restriction comprises a plug assembly, a valve assembly or a seat assembly.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

the restriction comprises a seat on which the untethered object lands; and

the gap comprises a gap in a region other than a region between the seat and the untethered object when the untethered object lands in the restriction.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the solid component comprises a degradable material.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the restriction comprises a degradable material.