# US 2014/0190705 A1 · Methods of removing a wellbore isolation device using galvanic corrossion of a metal alloy in solid solution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190705 A1 - Document ID: US20140190705A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/199,820 - Filed: 2014-03-06 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-08 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Michael L. FRIPP; Zachary W. WALTON; Zachary R. MURPHREE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190705A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 34/063: {Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc (E21B34/103 takes precedence)} - E21B 34/14: operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools {(E21B34/066 takes precedence)} - E21B 2200/06: Sleeve valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprising: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with an electrolyte, wherein at least a portion of the wellbore isolation device consists essentially of a metal alloy, wherein the ingredients making up the metal alloy are in solid solution, and 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 the electrolyte; and allowing at least a portion of the metal alloy to dissolve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the isolation device is capable of restricting or preventing fluid flow between a first wellbore interval and a second wellbore interval. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein isolation device is a ball and a seat, a plug, a bridge plug, a wiper plug, or a packer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal alloy is the mandrel of a packer or plug, a spacer ring, a slip, a wedge, a retainer ring, an extrusion limiter or backup shoe, a mule shoe, a ball, a flapper, a ball seat, a sleeve, or any other downhole tool or component of a downhole tool used for zonal isolation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnesium is at a concentration in the range of about 70% to about 98% by volume of the metal alloy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal alloy comprises at least one other ingredient in addition to the magnesium, and wherein the at least one other ingredient is selected from one or more metals, one or more non-metals, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the one or more metals is selected from the group consisting of lithium, beryllium, calcium, aluminum, tin, bismuth, scandium, chromium, manganese, thorium, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, praseodymium, silver, cadmium, terbium, neodymium, gadolinium, erbium, oxides of any of the foregoing, and any combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the one or more non-metals is selected from the group consisting of graphite, carbon, silicon, boron nitride, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the isolation device is capable of withstanding a specific pressure differential. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the metal alloy has a desired density, and wherein the at least one other ingredient is selected such that the metal alloy has the desired density. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the metal alloy has a desired standard state reduction potential, and wherein the at least one other ingredient is selected and for more than one other ingredient, the ingredient's relative concentrations or ratios are selected to provide the desired standard state reduction potential. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of solutions of an acid, a base, a salt, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein at least the portion of the metal alloy dissolves in a desired amount of time. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one other ingredient is selected such that the metal alloy has a desired rate of dissolution and dissolves in the desired amount of time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the pH of the electrolyte is selected such that at least the portion of the metal alloy dissolves in the desired amount of time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal alloy further comprises a coating, wherein the coating fully or partially envelops the outside of the metal alloy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the coating is a compound, such as a wax, thermoplastic, sugar, salt, or polymer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of contacting can include introducing the electrolyte into the wellbore. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing the isolation device into a portion of the wellbore, wherein the step of placing is performed prior to the step of contacting or allowing the isolation device to come in contact with the electrolyte. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of removing all or a portion of the dissolved metal alloy, wherein the step of removing is performed after the step of allowing at least the portion of the metal alloy to dissolve. ### Claim 21 At least a portion of a wellbore isolation device consists essentially of: a metal alloy, wherein the ingredients making up the metal alloy are in solid solution, and 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.