FLOW CONTROL IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS

• US 20160319631A1
• Filed: 04/26/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: THRU Tubing Solutions Incorporated (Estate of R Randall Rollins)
• Original Assignee: THRU Tubing Solutions Incorporated (Estate of R Randall Rollins)
• Inventors: SCHULTZ, Roger L., WATSON, Brock W., FERGUSON, Andrew M., FUNKHOUSER, Gary P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,567,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/13 Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/114 Perforators using direct fluid action on the wall to be perforated, e.g. abrasive jets
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/26 by forming crevices or fractures

Abstract

A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament.

Claims

1. A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well, the method comprising:

a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the device engaging and preventing flow through an opening in the well.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the opening comprises a perforation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one knot.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein fibers of the material extend outwardly from the knot.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the knot comprises a tube formed from the material.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the material degrading in the well.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the device degrades in response to increased temperature in the well.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the device degrades in response to increased pH in the well.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow comprises an acid treatment.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a film, tube, fabric or filament formed from the material.

12. A system for use with a well, the system comprising:

a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and

the flow conveyed device comprising a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the flow conveyed device engages an opening in a sidewall of the tubular string.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the opening comprises a perforation.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the device comprises at least one knot.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the knot comprises the material formed as a film, tube or filament.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the material extends outwardly from the knot.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the device degrades in response to increased temperature in the well.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the device degrades in response to increased pH in the well.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a film, tube, fabric or filament formed of the material.

21. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:

a body; and

a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as at least one of a film, tube, fabric and filament.

22. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body is configured to engage an opening in a sidewall of a tubular string.

23. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body comprises at least one knot.

24. The flow conveyed device of claim 23, wherein the knot is formed from the degradable material.

25. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased temperature in the well.

26. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased pH in the well.

27. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material is selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid.

28. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body is retained by a retainer.

29. The flow conveyed device of claim 28, wherein the retainer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid.