Flow control in subterranean wells
A method of restoring flow through an opening in a well, the opening being blocked by a plugging device, can include conveying a well tool into the well, contacting the plugging device with the well tool, and permitting flow through the opening as a result of the contacting step. Another method of restoring flow through an opening blocked by a plugging device in a well can include conveying a well tool into the well, reducing pressure in the well with the well tool, and permitting flow through the opening as a result of the pressure reducing step.
1. A method of restoring flow through an opening blocked by a plugging device in a well, the method comprising:
conveying a well tool into the well;
contacting the plugging device with the well tool; and
permitting flow through the opening as a result of the contacting,
wherein, prior to insertion of the plugging device into the well, the plugging device comprises a body,
wherein the body prevents flow through the opening after the insertion of the plugging device into the well and prior to the contacting, and
wherein the body comprises a knot.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises contacting the plugging device with a fluid jet.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a degradable material.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plugging device further comprises, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of fibers and lines.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the group consisting of fibers and lines extends through the opening prior to the contacting.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the group consisting of fibers and lines extends into a perforation prior to the contacting.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plugging device further comprises, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of film, tube, filament, fabric and sheet material.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one of the group consisting of film, tube, filament, fabric and sheet material extends through the opening prior to the contacting.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one of the group consisting of film, tube, filament, fabric and sheet material extends into a perforation prior to the contacting.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises cutting into the plugging device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cutting comprises exposing a degradable material of the plugging device to fluid in the well.
12. The method of claim 11 , 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.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises dislodging the plugging device from the opening.