Well string tool and method for using the same

A tool for use within a subterranean well extending from a wellhead to a subterranean location, wherein the wellhead resides at a first temperature, and the subterranean well increases in temperature in a direction from the wellhead to the subterranean location, increasing from the first temperature to a higher second temperature, the tool comprising:

• a component comprising a meltable material, the meltable material configured to have a solid first state while the meltable material is at the first temperature, the meltable material in the solid first state having one or more mechanical properties sufficient to avoid mechanical failure of the component, and configured to have a second state when the meltable material is at the second temperature, the meltable material in the second state lacking the one or more mechanical properties necessary to avoid mechanical failure;
• and
• a chamber containing the component, the chamber configured to separate the component from a well environment exterior to the chamber;
• wherein the chamber contains a vacuum environment in an interior of the chamber.

A method of changing a state of a tool disposed within a subterranean well extending from a wellhead to a subterranean location, wherein the wellhead resides at a first temperature, and the subterranean well increases in temperature in a direction from the wellhead to the subterranean location, increasing from the first temperature to a higher second temperature, the method comprising:

• providing a first tool having a first component comprising a first meltable material, the first meltable material configured to have a solid first state while the first meltable material is at the first temperature, the first meltable material in the solid first state having one or more mechanical properties sufficient to avoid mechanical failure of the first component, and configured to have a second state when the first meltable material is at the second temperature, the first meltable material in the second state lacking the one or more mechanical properties necessary to avoid mechanical failure, wherein the first component is configured to change from the solid first state to the second state upon exposure to a well environment for a first predetermined period of time;
• and
• exposing the first component to the well environment for the first predetermined period of time;
• wherein the first tool includes a chamber containing the first component, the chamber configured to separate the first component from the well environment exterior to the chamber, the chamber including at least one port configured to provide fluid communication between the well environment exterior to the chamber and an interior of the chamber, and at least one sealing device configured to prevent fluid passage through the at least one port, the at least one sealing device being selectively actuable from a closed configuration to an open configuration;
• and
• actuating the at least one sealing device from the closed configuration to the open configuration.