Flow control in subterranean wells

A plugging device for use in a subterranean well, the plugging device comprising:

• a body comprising a first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave, in which the first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave is wound in different patterns and orientations about at least one of the group consisting of itself and a core, thereby forming multiple overlapping windings, and in which the body conforms to an opening in the well in response to engagement of the multiple overlapping windings with the opening, thereby substantially blocking flow through the opening;
• and
• an enclosure containing the body, relative motion being permitted between the body and the enclosure.

A method of plugging an opening, the method comprising:

• 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 configured to engage and substantially block the fluid flow through the opening, the body having an outermost surface comprising a first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave, in which the first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave is wound in different patterns and orientations about at least one of the group consisting of itself and a core, thereby forming multiple overlapping windings;
• and
• the body conforming to the opening in response to the multiple overlapping windings engaging the opening, thereby substantially blocking flow through the opening.

A system for use in a subterranean well, comprising:

• a plugging device conveyed through a tubular string by fluid flow to an opening in the well, the plugging device comprising a body configured to engage and substantially block the fluid flow through the opening, the body having an outermost surface comprising a first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave, in which the first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave is wound in different patterns and orientations about at least one of the group consisting of itself and a core, thereby forming multiple overlapping windings, and in which the body conforms to the opening in response to engagement of the multiple overlapping windings with the opening, thereby substantially blocking the fluid flow through the opening.

A system for use in a subterranean well, comprising:

• a plugging device conveyed through a tubular string by fluid flow to an opening in the well, the plugging device comprising a body, the body comprising a first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave, in which the first at least one of the group consisting of fiber, line, rope, tube, filament, film, fabric, mesh and weave is wound in different patterns and orientations about at least one of the group consisting of itself and a core, thereby forming multiple overlapping windings, and in which the body conforms to the opening in response to engagement of the multiple overlapping windings with the opening, thereby substantially blocking the fluid flow through the opening
• in which the body is enclosed within an enclosure, and
• in which relative movement is permitted between the body and the enclosure.