Application of degradable polymers in sand control
OwnerClaude E. Cooke, Jr.inventor
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Abstract
Degradable polylactic or polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers may be used to viscosify aqueous fluids for use in wells. Sand control screen or liner can be coated with a solid degradable polymer during placement in a well. Mechanical changes or flow changes in a well can be caused by solid degradable polymer that changes physical properties after it is placed in a well. Parts of devices or entire devices can be made of solid degradable polymer that converts to a fluid after selected times in an aqueous environment in a well.
Claims17
A sand control screen having a solid hydrolytically degradable polymeric coating, the polymer comprising a polyester, the coating covering the screen to initially prevent entry of particles or fluid flow into or out of the screen.
A sand control screen or slotted well liner having a base pipe or mandrel with apertures therein plugged with a solid hydrolytically degradable polymer, the polymer comprising a polyester.
A slotted well liner having a solid hydrolytically degradable polymeric coating, the polymer comprising a polyester, the coating covering the slotted well liner to initially prevent entry of particles or fluid flow into or out of the slotted well liner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.