Passive downhole chemical release packages

• US 9,528,338 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Hall, Lee J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DiTrani, Angela M
• Assistant Examiner(s): SKAIST, AVI T.
• Application Number:
  US13/656,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20140110102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2103/0077 Packaging material remaining in the mixture after the mixing step, e.g. soluble bags containing active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 28/02 containing hydraulic cements other than calcium sulfates
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 40/0633 Chemical separation of ingredients, e.g. slowly soluble activator
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/03 Specific additives for general use in well-drilling compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/467 containing additives for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 27/02 Dump bailers, i.e. containers for depositing substances, e.g. cement or acids

Abstract

An apparatus for releasing chemical agents in a well bore, comprising: a packaging material; a chemical agent, wherein the chemical agent is contained within the packaging material; and an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is attached to the packaging material and associated methods.

Claims

1. An apparatus for releasing chemical agents in a well bore, comprising:

a downhole chemical release package, wherein the downhole chemical release package is directly coupled to a tubular and comprises;

a packaging material, wherein the packaging material defines a top surface of the downhole chemical release package extending away from the tubular;

a chemical agent, wherein the chemical agent is contained within the packaging material;

an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is attached to the packaging material, wherein the adhesive defines a bottom surface of the downhole chemical release package opposite the top surface, and wherein the adhesive directly couples the downhole chemical release package to the tubular; and

a pressure activated release mechanism, wherein the pressure activated release mechanism comprises;

a flexible ring disposed between the packaging material and the adhesive such that, at atmospheric conditions, an air gap is formed between the packaging material and the adhesive; and

a plurality of puncture points disposed between the packaging material and the adhesive such that, at a selected pressure, the air gap compresses to allow the plurality of puncture points to pierce the packaging material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packaging material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

silicones, nanocelluloses, natural and synthetic sponges, pumice, wood, partially pyrolyzed wood, aerogels and hydrogels, fritted and/or sintered metals, ceramics, composite cardboard, paper compositions and combinations thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a magnet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing which encases at least a portion of the packaging material and at least a portion of the adhesive.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the housing comprises a perforated top section disposed over the top surface of the downhole chemical release package.

6. A method of delivering a chemical agent comprising:

providing a downhole chemical release package, the downhole chemical release package comprising a packaging material defining a top surface of the downhole chemical release package, a chemical agent contained within the packaging material, an adhesive attached to the packaging material and defining a bottom surface of the downhole chemical release package opposite the top surface, and a pressure activated release mechanism, wherein the pressure activated release mechanism comprises;

a flexible ring disposed between the packaging material and the adhesive such that, at atmospheric conditions, an air gap is formed between the packaging material and the adhesive; and

a plurality of puncture points disposed between the packaging material and the adhesive;

coupling the downhole chemical release package to a tubular such that the top surface of the downhole chemical release package extends from the tubular, by directly coupling the adhesive to the tubular;

introducing the downhole chemical agent into a subterranean formation; and

allowing the downhole chemical release package to release the chemical agent.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the packaging material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of:

silicones, nanocelluloses, natural and synthetic sponges, pumice, wood, partially pyrolyzed wood, aerogels and hydrogels, fritted and/or sintered metals, ceramics, composite cardboard, paper compositions and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the adhesive comprises a magnet.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the downhole chemical release package further comprises a housing, wherein the housing at least partially encases the packaging material and at least partially encases the adhesive.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a perforated top section disposed over the top surface of the downhole chemical release package.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein allowing the downhole chemical package to release the chemical agent comprises:

compressing the air gap at a selected pressure; and

allowing the downhole chemical release package to be punctured by the plurality of puncture points.

12. A method comprising:

providing a tubular;

attaching a downhole chemical release package directly to the tubular, the downhole chemical release package comprising a packaging material defining a top surface of the downhole chemical release package, a chemical agent contained within the packaging material, and an adhesive attached to the packaging material and defining a bottom surface of the downhole chemical release package opposite the top surface, wherein the adhesive directly attaches the downhole chemical release package to the tubular such that the top surface of the downhole chemical release package extends from the tubular, wherein the downhole chemical release package further comprises a pressure activated release mechanism, the pressure activated release mechanism comprising;

a flexible ring disposed between the packaging material and the adhesive such that, at atmospheric conditions, an air gap is formed between the packaging material and the adhesive; and

a plurality of puncture points disposed between the packaging material and the adhesive;

introducing the tubular into a subterranean formation; and

allowing the downhole chemical release package to release the chemical agent.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the packaging material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of:

silicones, nanocelluloses, natural and synthetic sponges, pumice, wood, partially pyrolyzed wood, aerogels and hydrogels, fritted and/or sintered metals, ceramics, composite cardboard, paper compositions and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein allowing the downhole chemical release package to release the chemical agent comprises allowing the downhole chemical release package to be punctured by a pressure activated release mechanism.