System for delayed dissolution of downhole balls
AssigneeTenax Energy Systems, LLC
InventorKevin Dewayne Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for delaying the dissolution of dissolvable balls in downhole applications. A dissolvable ball is encapsulated within a protective sleeve which shields the ball from well fluids during deployment and until it reaches its intended location within the wellbore. The sleeve is designed to rupture upon arriving at the location due to differential pressure and/or mechanical abrasion, exposing the ball to well fluids and initiating its controlled dissolution process. The protective sleeve can be tailored to different well conditions by adjusting sleeve thickness, material composition, and rupture characteristics.
Claims14
A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a dissolvable ball formed of a degradable material;
- and
- a protective sleeve encapsulating the dissolvable ball prior to deployment in a wellbore, wherein:
- the protective sleeve defines a substantially impermeable barrier that inhibits contact between the dissolvable ball and well fluids during conveyance through the wellbore;
- and
- the protective sleeve comprises a frangible structure configured to rupture in response to at least one predetermined rupture condition occurring in the wellbore, the at least one predetermined rupture condition including at least one of:
- seating of the dissolvable ball on a seat;
- application of a differential pressure threshold across the dissolvable ball;
- and
- mechanical interaction between the protective sleeve and a downhole structure.
A method for selectively exposing a dissolvable ball to well fluids, comprising:
- encapsulating a dissolvable ball formed of a degradable material within a protective sleeve, the protective sleeve defining a substantially impermeable barrier that inhibits contact between the dissolvable ball and well fluids;
- thereafter, conveying the dissolvable ball and the protective sleeve through a wellbore;
- and
- thereafter, rupturing the protective sleeve in the wellbore in response to at least one predetermined rupture condition, the at least one predetermined rupture condition including at least one of:
- seating the dissolvable ball on a seat;
- applying a differential pressure threshold across the dissolvable ball;
- and
- mechanically interacting the protective sleeve with a downhole structure;
- thereby exposing the dissolvable ball to the well fluids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.