Flow control in subterranean wells
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
- introducing a device into the well, the device being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body; and
engaging and preventing fluid flow outward through an opening formed through a wall of a casing, the body comprising a knot which is larger than the opening formed through the wall of the casing, whereby the knot engages but does not pass through the opening.
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Abstract
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 having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a degradable body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.
76 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
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introducing a device into the well, the device being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body; and engaging and preventing fluid flow outward through an opening formed through a wall of a casing, the body comprising a knot which is larger than the opening formed through the wall of the casing, whereby the knot engages but does not pass through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for use with a subterranean well, the system comprising:
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a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string to an opening formed through a wall of the tubular string; and the flow conveyed device comprising a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body, the fibers being joined together into at least one rope having first and second ends, and the body comprising at least one knot tied in the rope between the first and second ends, the rope extending outwardly from the knot in multiple directions, and wherein the knot is larger than the opening formed through the wall of the tubular string, whereby the knot engages but does not pass through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well including an opening formed through a wall of a tubular string, the device comprising:
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a degradable body; and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and the fibers comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of nylon, poly-lactic acid and poly-glycolic acid, wherein the fibers are joined together and form one or more ropes extending outwardly from the body in multiple directions, and wherein the body comprises a knot that is larger than the opening formed through the wall of the tubular string, the knot being configured to engage but not pass through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification