Degradable isolation devices with embedded tracers
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael Linley Fripp, John Todd Broome, Zachary William Walton
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Abstract
The disclosed embodiments include a wellbore isolation device, a method to form the wellbore isolation device, and a downhole, device-tracking system. In one embodiment, the system includes a wellbore isolation device having a first identification tag and a dissolvable component. The first identification tag is operable to travel along a fluid flow path toward the surface of a well upon dissolution of the dissolvable component. The system also includes a detector disposed along the fluid flow path, where the detector is operable to detect the first identification tag when the first identification tag is proximate to the detector.
Claims19
A wellbore isolation device comprising:
- a first dissolvable component,
- wherein the first dissolvable component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polyglycolic acid (PGA), a polylatic acid (PLA), thiol, and polyurethane;
- and
- a first identification tag identifying the wellbore isolation device and disposed at a first location within the wellbore isolation device,
- wherein the first identification tag is releasable from the wellbore isolation device upon dissolution of the first dissolvable component.
A method for forming a wellbore isolation device, the method comprising:
- forming a first dissolvable portion of the wellbore isolation device
- wherein the first dissolvable portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polyglycolic acid (PGA), a polylatic acid (PLA), thiol, and polyurethane;
- and
- disposing a first identification tag at a first location within the wellbore isolation device, the first identification tag identifying the wellbore isolation device,
- wherein the first dissolvable portion is configured to dissolve after being exposed to a wellbore fluid for a first time period, and
- wherein the first identification tag is releasable from the wellbore isolation device upon dissolution of the first dissolvable portion.
The method claim of 12, further comprising enclosing the first identification tag within a portion of the wellbore isolation device, the portion being not dissolvable when exposed to a wellbore fluid.
A downhole, device-tracking system comprising:
- a wellbore isolation device comprising a first identification tag, a first dissolvable component, wherein the first identification tag is operable to travel along a fluid flow path toward the surface of a well upon dissolution of the dissolvable component,
- wherein the first dissolvable component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polyglycolic acid (PGA), a polylatic acid (PLA), thiol, and polyurethane;
- and
- a detector disposed along the fluid flow path, wherein the detector is operable to detect the first identification tag when the identification tag is proximate the detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.