FLOW CONTROL IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1-11. -11. (canceled)
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12. A method of plugging an opening in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
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deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of;
a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines;the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21-30. -30. (canceled)
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31. A plugging device for use in a subterranean well, the plugging device comprising:
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a body configured to engage and substantially block flow through an opening in the well; and a retainer containing the body, the retainer being flexible. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of plugging an opening, the method comprising:
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releasing a plugging device into a fluid flow, thereby causing the plugging device to be carried by the fluid flow to the opening, the plugging device comprising a body enclosed by a retainer, and the retainer being flexible; and the plugging device engaging the opening and thereby blocking the opening. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of plugging an opening, the method comprising:
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deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into a fluid flow, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body contained within a retainer and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of;
a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines;the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by the fluid flow into sealing engagement with the opening. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification