Controlled timing of actuated plug element and method

A ball for sealing a plug in a well, the ball comprising:

• a body;
• an actuation mechanism located inside the body and configured to break the body into parts;
• a first sensor connected to the actuation mechanism and configured to measure a first value of a parameter outside the body;
• and
• a second sensor connected to the actuation mechanism and configured to measure a second value of the parameter outside the body,
• wherein the actuation mechanism includes a first timer that is triggered by the first sensor, and also includes a second timer that is triggered by the second sensor.

A method for breaking a ball, the method comprising:

• selecting up a hydrostatic pressure corresponding to a depth in a well where the ball is intended to be deployed;
• selecting up a trigger pressure, which is larger than a fracturing pressure to be applied to the ball while in the well;
• releasing the ball into the well;
• measuring a well pressure with a first sensor when the ball has reached a corresponding plug;
• actuating a first timer inside the ball when the measured pressure is equal to or larger than the hydrostatic pressure, the first timer counting a first time period;
• applying the trigger pressure to the well while the first timer is still counting;
• actuating a second timer inside the ball when the measured pressure is equal to or larger than the trigger pressure, the second timer counting a second time period;
• and
• actuating, at the end of the second time period, an energetic material located inside an internal chamber of the ball to break the ball into parts,
• wherein the hydrostatic pressure is a pressure exerted by a fluid in the well at a location of the ball, and the trigger pressure is a pre-determined pressure, higher than the hydrostatic pressure.