Flow control in subterranean wells
A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a degradable body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.
1. A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
introducing a device into the well, the device comprising a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body, wherein the fibers are joined together and form one or more lines extending outwardly from the body;
conveying the device by flow in the well; and
a material of the body engaging an opening in the well and degrading in the well in response to at least one of the group consisting of: passage of a predetermined period of time in the well, exposure to a predetermined temperature in the well, exposure to a predetermined fluid in the well, exposure to radiation in the well and exposure to a predetermined chemical composition in the well.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a perforation.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body prevents flow through the opening.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lines comprise one or more ropes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one knot.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying the device into the well after fracturing a formation zone.
7. A system for use with a well, the system comprising:
a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string;
the flow conveyed device comprising a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body, wherein the fibers are joined together and form one or more lines extending outwardly from the body; and
wherein a material of the body engages an opening in the well and degrades in the well in response to at least one of the group consisting of: passage of a predetermined period of time in the well, exposure to a predetermined temperature in the well, exposure to a predetermined fluid in the well, exposure to radiation in the well and exposure to a predetermined chemical composition in the well.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the flow conveyed device engages the opening in a sidewall of the tubular string.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the fibers are conveyed into the opening by flow through the opening.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the body extends across and seals off the opening.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the opening comprises a perforation.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the body comprises at least one knot.
13. The system of claim 7 , wherein the lines comprise ropes.