Plugging device deployment in subterranean wells
A method of releasing plugging devices into a wellbore can include conveying a dispensing tool to a desired downhole location in the wellbore, the dispensing tool including a container, and then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the wellbore at the downhole location. A plugging device dispensing system for use with a subterranean well can include a dispensing tool having a container configured for containing multiple plugging devices, and an actuator operable to release the plugging devices from the container at a downhole location in the well.
1. A method of releasing plugging devices into a subterranean well, the method comprising:
conveying a dispensing tool to a desired downhole location in the well, the dispensing tool including a container which contains the plugging devices, wherein each of the plugging devices comprises a body, and wherein the body of each of the plugging devices comprises a knot which is configured to substantially block fluid from flowing outward through an opening in the well formed through a wall of a tubular string, the knot being too large to pass through the opening, whereby the knot can engage the opening but cannot pass through the opening; and
then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the well at the downhole location.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the releasing comprises operating an actuator of the dispensing tool.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operating comprises detonating at least one detonator.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operating comprises operating a motor.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operating comprises rotating an auger.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operating comprises displacing a barrier through a chamber in the container.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operating comprises operating a linear actuator.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operating comprises igniting a propellant.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting the dispensing tool between perforators.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting the dispensing tool between a perforator and a conveyance.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting a perforator between a conveyance and the dispensing tool.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plugging devices comprises, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of lines and fibers.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one of the group consisting of lines and fibers has a lateral dimension substantially less than a size of the body.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plugging devices comprises a degradable material.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the degradable material is selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate, poly-methacrylic acid, poly-lactic acid and poly-glycolic acid.
16. A plugging device dispensing system for use with a subterranean well, the dispensing system comprising:
a dispensing tool including:
a) a container containing multiple plugging devices, wherein each of the plugging devices comprises a body, and wherein the body of each of the plugging devices comprises a knot which is configured to substantially block fluid from flowing outward through an opening in the well formed through a wall of a tubular string, the knot being too large to pass through the opening, whereby the knot can engage the opening but cannot pass through the opening; and
b) an actuator operable to release the plugging devices from the container at a downhole location in the well.
17. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises at least one detonator.
18. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises a motor.
19. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises an auger.
20. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is configured to displace a barrier through a chamber in the container.
21. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator.
22. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises a propellant.
23. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the dispensing tool is connected between perforators.
24. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the dispensing tool is connected between a perforator and a conveyance.
25. The dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein each of the plugging devices comprises, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of lines and fibers.
26. The dispensing system of claim 25 , wherein the at least one of the group consisting of lines and fibers has a lateral dimension substantially less than a size of the body.
27. The dispensing system of claim 25 , wherein each of the plugging devices comprises a degradable material.
28. The dispensing system of claim 27 , wherein the degradable material is selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate, poly-methacrylic acid, poly-lactic acid and poly-glycolic acid.