IP Library Granted Patent US 10,738,566
Granted Patent B2
US 10,738,566 · App. 15/391,014 · Granted Aug 11, 2020

Flow control in subterranean wells

Inventors: Roger L. Schultz (Newcastle, OK); Brock W. Watson (Sadler, TX); Andrew M. Ferguson (Moore, OK); Gary P. Funkhouser (Roman Forest, TX)
Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
E21B33/13E21B43/114E21B43/11E21B43/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,738,566
App. No.
15/391,014
Granted
Aug 11, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. 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 including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot.

Claims (13)

1. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:

a body; and

a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, wherein each of the lines comprise multiple fibers, and wherein the fibers are configured to increase fluid drag during conveyance of the device in the subterranean well.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lines are retained by a retainer.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the retainer degrades in response to passage of a predetermined period of time.

4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined fluid.

5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined chemical composition.

6. The device of claim 2 , wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined temperature.

7. The device of claim 2 , wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to radiation.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lines comprise ropes.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one knot.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a degradable material.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise a degradable material.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: SCHULTZ, ROGER L.; WATSON, BROCK W.; FERGUSON, ANDREW M.; FUNKHOUSER, GARY P.
To: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040773/0406 →
Continuity (5)
Division 15138408 · Apr 26, 2016
Continuation In Part 14698578 · Apr 28, 2015
Continuation In Part PCTUS2015038248 · Jun 29, 2015
Provisional Application 62252174 · Nov 6, 2015
Related Publication 20170107786A1 · Apr 20, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,584,372