# US 2021/0340868 A1 · Method for predicting behavior of a degradable device, downhole system and test mass > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0340868 A1 - Document ID: US20210340868A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/864,368 - Filed: 2020-05-01 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-01 - Assignees: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC - Inventors: Aaron Edward Young; Ricardo Arturo Barker Gomez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210340868A1 ## CPC - E21B 34/063: {Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc (E21B34/103 takes precedence)} - E21B 49/0875: {determining specific fluid parameters} - E21B 41/00: Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 - E21B 49/081: {with down-hole means for trapping a fluid sample (E21B49/10 takes precedence)} - E21B 49/088: {combined with sampling} - E21B 2200/08: Down-hole devices using materials which decompose under well-bore conditions - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A method of predicting behavior or a degradable device of a borehole tool when deployed downhole including introducing a test mass of material identical to the material of the degradable device to the same general location and at a time near to when the degradable device is deployed, removing the test mass from downhole, determining characteristics related to degradation of the test mass, and predicting degradation behavior of the degradable device based on the determined characteristics. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of predicting behavior or a degradable device of a borehole tool when deployed downhole comprising: introducing a test mass of material identical to the material of the degradable device to the same general location and at a time near to when the degradable device is deployed; removing the test mass from downhole; determining characteristics related to degradation of the test mass; and predicting degradation behavior of the degradable device based on the determined characteristics. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the introducing the test mass is performed simultaneously with the deployment of the degradable device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the introducing the test mass is performed before the deployment of the degradable device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the introducing the test mass is performed after the deployment of the degradable device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising estimating when flow through an opening in a portion of the borehole tool, plugged by the degradable device, begins based on the predicted degradation behavior. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising planning downhole operations based on the estimating. ### Claim 7 A downhole system comprising: a degradable device made of a degradable material configured to be deployed downhole in a borehole tool; and a test mass of material identical to the material of the degradable device configured to be run downhole to the same general location and at a time near to when the degradable device is deployed, the test mass being retrievable from downhole for analysis of degradation of the test mass for use in predicting degradation behavior of the degradable device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The downhole system of claim 7 wherein the system is configured to deploy the degradable device and the test mass during a single run. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The downhole system of claim 7 wherein the degradable device is configured to block flow through an opening in a portion of the borehole tool until the degradable device is sufficiently degraded to allow flow through the opening in the portion of the borehole tool. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The downhole system of claim 7 wherein the test mass is mountable to a wireline adapter kit that can be easily run and retrieved from downhole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The downhole system of claim 10 wherein the wireline adapter kit is configured to position the test mass at the same general location as the degradable device while allowing exposure of the test mass to fluid downhole near the degradable device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The downhole system of claim 10 wherein the wireline adapter kit includes a cage that retains the test mass until its removal is desired. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The downhole system of claim 10 wherein the test mass it attached directly to the wireline adapter kit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The downhole system of claim 13 wherein the attachment is via threads. ### Claim 15 A test mass comprising material identical to a material of a degradable device, the test mass being configured to be run downhole to the same general location to where and a time near to when the degradable device is to be positioned, the test mass being configured to be more easily retrieved from downhole than the degradable device after being exposed to an environment similar to or the same as the environment the degradable device is exposed to while downhole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The test mass of claim 15 wherein the test mass is attached to and removable from a wireline adapter kit that can be easily run and retrieved from downhole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The test mass of claim 15 wherein the test mass is configured to be run downhole simultaneously with the degradable device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The test mass of claim 15 wherein the test mass is configured to be easily analyzed for determining characteristics of degradation behavior.