Consumable downhole packer or plug
A packer or plug for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel made from a composite material including a pyrotechnic composition; an expandable seal disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel; and an igniter operable to initiate combustion of the mandrel.
1. A method of fracturing a production zone in a wellbore, comprising:
deploying a packer or plug into the wellbore, the packer or plug comprising a composite material made from a pyrotechnic composition;
perforating a casing of the wellbore adjacent the production zone;
fracturing the production zone; and
chemically reacting a charge of the packer or plug with a wellbore fluid so that the chemical reaction between the charge and the wellbore fluid ignites to ignite the packer or plug.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising exposing the charge of the packer or plug to the wellbore fluid after fracturing the production zone.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising exposing the charge of the packer or plug to the wellbore fluid after a predetermined time period.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating an igniter to expose the charge of the packer or plug to the wellbore fluid.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising closing a bore of the packer or plug before fracturing the production zone.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying a second packer or plug into the wellbore;
perforating the casing of the wellbore adjacent a second production zone; and
fracturing the second production zone.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second packer or plug comprises a composite material made from a pyrotechnic composition.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising exposing a charge of the second packer or plug to the wellbore fluid to ignite the second packer or plug.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the charge reacts with water in the wellbore fluid.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating combustion of a mandrel of the packer or plug.
11. A method of fracturing a production zone in a wellbore, comprising:
deploying a packer or plug into the wellbore, the packer or plug comprising a composite material made from a pyrotechnic composition;
perforating a casing of the wellbore adjacent the production zone;
fracturing the production zone;
exposing a charge of the packer or plug to a wellbore fluid to ignite the packer or plug; and
operating an igniter to expose the charge of the packer or plug to the wellbore fluid, wherein operating the igniter comprises:
opening a pressure port of the igniter;
releasing a solvent into an annular chamber of the packer or plug; and
dissolving at least one solute plug to expose the annular chamber to the wellbore fluid.
12. A method of fracturing a production zone in a wellbore, comprising:
deploying a packer or plug into the wellbore, the packer or plug comprising a composite material made from a pyrotechnic composition;
perforating a casing of the wellbore adjacent the production zone;
fracturing the production zone;
exposing a charge of the packer or plug to a wellbore fluid to ignite the packer or plug; and
operating an igniter to expose the charge of the packer or plug to the wellbore fluid, wherein operating the igniter comprises:
increasing a pressure in the wellbore to a predetermined pressure;
operating a switch in response to the predetermined pressure; and
opening a valve to expose an annular chamber of the packer or plug to the wellbore fluid.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the predetermined pressure corresponds to a fracturing pressure for the production zone.