Downhole tools having controlled degradation and method
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsZhihui Zhang, Zhiyue Xu, Goang-Ding Shyu, Juan Carlos Flores Perez, James Doane, Yingqing Xu
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Abstract
A downhole assembly includes a matrix material and a unit in contact with the matrix material. The unit includes a core having an energetic material, an activator disposed in direct contact with the core, and at least one layer disposed on the core. The activator includes a triggering system having an igniter and a pre-set timer connected in an electrical circuit. The igniter is inactive in an open condition of the electrical circuit, and, after a pre-set time period, the pre-set timer closes the electrical circuit and the igniter is activated.
Claims22
A downhole assembly comprising:
- a matrix material;
- and,
- a unit in contact with the matrix material and embedded in the matrix material, the unit including:
- a core comprising an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate degradation of the matrix material;
- an activator disposed in direct contact with the core, the activator including a triggering system having an igniter and a pre-set timer connected in an electrical circuit;
- and,
- at least one layer disposed on the core;
- wherein the igniter is inactive in an open condition of the electrical circuit, and, after a pre-set time period, the pre-set timer closes the electrical circuit and the igniter is activated.
A method of controllably removing a downhole article of a downhole assembly, the method comprising:
- setting a timer of the downhole article for a first time period, the downhole article including a degradable-on-demand material having a matrix material and a unit in contact with the matrix material and embedded in the matrix material, the unit including a core formed of an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate degradation of the downhole tool, a triggering system in direct contact with the core, and at least one layer on the core, the energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate the degradation of the downhole article;
- disposing the downhole assembly in a downhole environment;
- performing a downhole operation using the downhole article during a second time period shorter than the first time period;
- activating the energetic material at the end of the first time period using an igniter of the triggering system;
- and
- facilitating degradation of the matrix material of the downhole article when the energetic material is activated.
A downhole assembly comprising:
- a tubing string having a flowbore;
- and,
- a fluid loss control flapper pivotally connected to the tubing string at a hinge, the flapper formed of a degradable-on-demand material including:
- a matrix material;
- and,
- a unit in contact with the matrix material and embedded within the matrix material, the unit including:
- a core comprising an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate degradation of the downhole tool;
- and,
- an activator disposed in direct contact with the core, the activator including a triggering system having an igniter and a pre-set timer connected in an electrical circuit;
- wherein the igniter is inactive in an open condition of the electrical circuit, and, after a pre-set time period, the pre-set timer closes the electrical circuit and the igniter is activated.
A frac plug comprising:
- at least one component formed of a degradable-on-demand material including:
- a matrix material;
- and,
- a unit in contact with the matrix material and embedded within the matrix material, the unit including:
- a core comprising an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate degradation of the downhole tool;
- and,
- an activator disposed in direct contact with the core, the activator including a triggering system having an igniter and a pre-set timer connected in an electrical circuit;
- wherein the igniter is inactive in an open condition of the electrical circuit, and, after a pre-set time period, the pre-set timer closes the electrical circuit and the igniter is activated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.