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, and each of the plugging devices comprising at least one outwardly extending line;
then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the wellbore at the downhole location; and
then the plugging device lines degrading in the well,
wherein each of the plugging devices comprises a body, the at least one line extending outwardly from the body, and
wherein the body of each of the plugging devices comprises a knot.
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 the at least one line has a lateral dimension substantially less than a size of the body.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plugging devices comprises a degradable material.
14. The method of claim 13 , 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.
15. 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, each of the plugging devices comprising multiple lines extending outwardly from a body, and each of the bodies and the lines comprising a degradable material that degrades in the well; and
b) an actuator operable to release the plugging devices from the container at a downhole location in the well,
wherein the body of each of the plugging devices comprises a knot.
16. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises at least one detonator.
17. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises a motor.
18. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises an auger.
19. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator is configured to displace a barrier through a chamber in the container.
20. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator.
21. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises a propellant.
22. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the dispensing tool is connected between perforators.
23. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the dispensing tool is connected between a perforator and a conveyance.
24. The dispensing system of claim 15 , wherein the lines each have a lateral dimension substantially less than a size of the respective body.
25. The dispensing system of claim 15 , 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.