Wellbore tool with disintegratable components
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsW. McKeachnie, Michael McKeachnie, Scott Williamson, Rocky Turley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally provides a pressure isolation plug for managing a wellbore with multiple zones. The pressure isolation plug generally includes a body with a bore extending therethrough, a first disintegratable ball sized and positioned to restrict upward fluid flow through the bore, wherein the disintegratable ball disintegrates when exposed to wellbore conditions for a first amount of time. The plug also includes a second ball sized and positioned to restrict downward fluid flow through the bore.
Claims17
A method of operating a downhole tool, comprising:
- providing the tool having at least one disintegratable ball seatable in the toot to block a flow of fluid therethrough in at least one direction;
- causing the ball to seat and block the fluid;
- permitting the ball to disintegrate after a predetermined time period, thereby reopening the tool to the flow of fluid.
A method of isolating one section of a wellbore from another, comprising:
- providing a pressure isolation plug;
- utilizing a first disintegratable ball to restrict upward flow and isolate pressure below the pressure isolation plug;
- utilizing a second disintegratable ball to restrict downward flow and isolate pressure above the pressure isolation plug;
- exposing the first disintegratable ball and the second disintegratable ball to wellbore conditions for a first amount of time, causing the first disintegratable ball to disintegrate;
- and
- allowing upward flow to resume through the pressure isolation plug.
A method of isolating one section of a wellbore from another, comprising:
- providing a pressure isolation plug;
- utilizing a disintegratable ball to restrict upward fluid flow and isolate pressure below the pressure isolation plug;
- exposing the ball to wellbore conditions including water and heat, thereby allowing the ball to disintegrate;
- and
- allowing upward fluid flow to resume through the pressure isolation plug.
An apparatus for isolating one section of a wellbore from another, comprising:
- a body with a bore extending therethrough;
- and
- a disintegratable ball sized to fluid flow through the bore, wherein the disintegratable ball disintegrates when exposed to wellbore conditions for a given amount of time.
An apparatus for isolating one section of a wellbore from another, comprising:
- a body with a bore extending therethrough;
- a first disintegratable ball sized and positioned to restrict upward fluid flow through the bore, wherein the disintegratable ball disintegrates when exposed to wellbore conditions for a first amount of time;
- and
- a second ball sized and positioned to restrict downward fluid flow through the bore.
An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprising:
- a body;
- a slip assembly for fixing the body at a predetermined location in a wellbore, F the slip assembly arranged to frictionally contact the wellbore walls;
- whereby at least one portion of the slip assembly is made of a disintegratable material constructed and arranged to lose its structural integrity after a predetermined amount of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.