Shape-change particle plug system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9587163-B2
Application number	US-201314096670-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2013
Priority date	Jan 7, 2013
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

A method of inhibiting an undesirable fluid flow path, including pumping a flow of fluid downhole, the flow of fluid containing a plurality of shape-change particles; depositing the shape-change particles in an undesirable fluid flow path in a downhole structure; transitioning the shape-change particles from a first shape to a second shape; forming a plug with the shape-change particles when in the second shape; and inhibiting the undesirable fluid flow path from fluid flow therethrough with the plug of shape-change particles.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for inhibiting a fluid flow path in a downhole structure, comprising:
a plurality of shape-change particles; and
a fluid containing the plurality of shape-change particles formed from a shape change material dispersed therein, the fluid configured to convey the shape-change particles to a downhole structure, the shape-change particles operatively arranged to transition between a first shape and a second shape upon exposure of the shape change material to a transition stimulus representing a change in at least one downhole condition defined by one or more of a change in temperature, a change in magnetic field, and a change in electric current, the shape-change particles operatively arranged to flow into a fluid flow path at least partially defined by the downhole structure when in the first shape, and operatively arranged to form a plug to inhibit fluid flow through the fluid flow path when at least a portion of the plurality of shape-change particles in the second shape are positioned in the fluid flow path.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the downhole structure includes a borehole.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the downhole structure includes a packer.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the downhole structure includes a tubular string, a casing, a liner, or a liner tieback.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the downhole structure includes a screen.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transition stimulus is a downhole fluid.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transition stimulus is a downhole condition.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transition stimulus is a controlled event.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the shape-change particles are shape memory foam particles.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second shape has greater dimensions than the first shape.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second shape is operatively arranged to cause the shape-change particles to interlock with each other during transition from the first shape.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second shape does not resemble the first shape.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first shape is circular or ellipsoidal, and the second shape is irregular, curved, protruding, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the shape-change particles include a core surrounded by a jacket, at least one of the core and the jacket being able to change shape.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow of fluid is drilling mud and the system is a borehole drilling system.

16. A method of inhibiting an undesirable fluid flow path, comprising:
pumping a flow of fluid downhole, the flow of fluid containing a plurality of shape-change particles;
depositing the shape-change particles formed from a shape change material in an undesirable fluid flow path in a downhole structure;
exposing the shape change material to a transitioning stimulus representing a change in at least one downhole condition defined by one or more of a change in temperature, a change in magnetic field, and a change in electric current causing the shape-change particles to transition from a first shape to a second shape;
forming a plug with the shape-change particles when in the second shape; and
inhibiting the undesirable fluid flow path from fluid flow therethrough with the plug of shape-change particles.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the downhole structure includes a borehole.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the flow of fluid is drilling mud.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein transitioning the shape-change particles includes increasing a size of the shape-change particles, the second shape being larger than the first shape.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second shape is operatively arranged to enable the shape-change particles to interlock together and forming the plug includes interlocking the shape-change particles together during the transitioning.

Assignees

• Gaudette Sean L
• Adam Mark Kendall
• Johnson Michael H
• Baker Hughes Inc

Inventors

• Gaudette Sean L
• Adam Mark Kendall
• Johnson Michael H

Classifications

• E21B33/138 Primary

  Plastering the borehole wall; Injecting into the formation · CPC title

• C09K8/50 Primary

  Compositions for plastering borehole walls, i.e. compositions for temporary consolidation of borehole walls (compositions for consolidating loose sand or the like around wells C09K8/56) · CPC title

• E21B21/003

  Means for stopping loss of drilling fluid (plastering the borehole wall E21B33/138) · CPC title

• C09K8/426 Primary

  for plugging · CPC title