FLOW CONTROL IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS

• US 20160319632A1
• 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 9,567,826 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 43/11 Perforators; Permeators
• 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 flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot.

Claims

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

a body; and

a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines comprising fibers.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines are retained by a retainer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to passage of a predetermined period of time.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined fluid.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined chemical composition.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined temperature.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to radiation.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines comprise ropes.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one knot.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a degradable material.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a degradable material.

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

a plugging device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well; and

the plugging device comprising a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a retainer retaining the lines.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the retainer comprises a degradable material.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the material degrades between the plugging device being introduced into the well and the plugging device engaging an opening in the well.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein a material of the retainer melts or dissolves in the well.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the lines comprises fibers.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the body engages and prevents flow through an opening in the well.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the lines comprise one or more ropes.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the body comprises at least one knot.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the lines has a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.

22. 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;

the flow conveyed device comprising a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body comprising at least one knot.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the flow conveyed device further comprises a retainer at least partially enclosing the flow conveyed device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the retainer releases the lines in the well.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the retainer comprises a degradable material.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the retainer comprises a material that dissolves in the well.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the retainer comprises a material that melts in the well.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the flow conveyed device engages an opening in a sidewall of the tubular string.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of the lines are conveyed into the opening by flow through the opening.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein each of the lines comprises fibers.