Abstract:
Well systems for plugging and unplugging a flow path in a subterranean formation are provided. An example well system comprises a flow path comprising a two-part dissolvable flow-plug. The two-part dissolvable flow-plug comprises a retaining component and a plugging component adjacent to the retaining component. The retaining component comprises a dissolvable material. The flow path is in fluid communication with a tubing. The retaining component is configured to retain the plugging component in a fixed position
Abstract:
A method of removing two or more isolation devices comprising: introducing the two or more isolation devices into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore comprises at least two wellbore intervals, wherein each isolation device comprises a substance, wherein each of the substances degrades within the wellbore, and wherein the degradation rate of each of the substances causes fluid communication to be restored between the wellbore intervals in a desired amount of time; and causing or allowing each of the substances to degrade.
Abstract:
An acoustic transducer, such as a bender bar, having ferroelectric actuation elements that are designed to optimize a predetermined deflection mode shape.
Abstract:
A method of performing an operation in a wellbore using a device, the method comprises: introducing the device into the wellbore, wherein the device initially comprises a body and a weight; causing or allowing the weight to become disassociated from the body, wherein after disassociation, the device comprises the body, and wherein the specific gravity of the device decreases after the weight becomes disassociated from the body; and causing or allowing at least the body to move towards a wellhead of the wellbore after the weight is disassociated from the body.
Abstract:
Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.
Abstract:
At least a portion of a wellbore isolation device consists essentially of: a metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy: (A) comprises magnesium at a concentration of at least 50% by volume of the metal alloy; and (B) at least partially dissolves in the presence of an electrolyte. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with an electrolyte; and allowing at least a portion of the metal alloy to dissolve.
Abstract:
A well screen for use in a subterranean well can include a loose filter media, a sandstone, a square weave mesh material, a foam, and/or a nonmetal mesh material. A method of installing a well screen in a subterranean well can include dispersing a material in a filter media of the well screen, after the well screen has been installed in the well, thereby permitting a fluid to flow through the filter media. A method of constructing a well screen can include positioning a loose filter media in an annular space between a base pipe and a shroud, so that the filter media filters fluid which flows through a wall of the base pipe.
Abstract:
A device for opening or closing a fluid flow path comprises: a fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet comprises one end of the fluid flow path; an inlet covering, wherein the inlet covering is adjacent to the fluid inlet; and a material, wherein the material is capable of expanding or contracting via a change in temperature; wherein the expansion or contraction of the material causes movement to the inlet covering, and wherein the movement of the inlet covering either opens or closes the fluid flow path. A method for opening or closing a fluid flow path using the device comprises: allowing or causing a change in temperature to the material.
Abstract:
Provided are methods and systems for manufacturing and using heat-shrink elastomeric. An example method of manufacturing a heat-shrink elastomeric element comprises providing a thermoplastic elastomeric element having a first shape; modifying the thermoplastic elastomeric element to produce a thermoset elastomeric element having the first shape; heating the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element; adjusting the first shape of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce a second shape with at least one dimension greater than that of the first shape; and cooling the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature below that of the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce the heat-shrink elastomeric element.
Abstract:
A communication system comprises: (A) a first transmitter that is acoustically coupled to a column of fluid located within a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well, wherein the first transmitter transmits sound waves wirelessly through the column of fluid located within the wellbore, and wherein the sound waves are encoded with data; and (B) a first receiver that is acoustically coupled to the column of fluid located within the wellbore, wherein the first receiver receives the data-encoded sound waves, wherein the data-encoded sound waves communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore. A method of communicating information wirelessly in a wellbore of an oil, gas, or water well comprises: providing the communication system; and causing or allowing the first transmitter to communicate information about the well or a component of the wellbore to the first receiver via the data-encoded sound waves.