Flow control in subterranean wells
A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament.
1. A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
introducing a device into the well, the device comprising a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid;
conveying the device by flow in the well; and
sealingly engaging the device with an opening formed through a wall of a tubular string in the well, thereby preventing flow through the opening, the device comprising a knot that engages the opening but is too large to pass through the opening.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a perforation.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises fibers and the fibers of the material extend outwardly from the knot.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the knot comprises a tube formed from the material.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing the material to degrade in the well.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the device degrades in response to increased temperature in the well.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the device degrades in response to increased pH in the well.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow comprises an acid treatment.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a film, tube, fabric or filament formed from the material.
10. A system for use with a well, the system comprising:
a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string to an opening formed through a wall of the tubular string, and
the flow conveyed device comprising a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid, and the flow conveyed device further comprising a knot that sealingly engages the opening but is too large to pass through the opening.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the opening comprises a perforation.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the knot comprises the material formed as a film, tube or filament.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the material extends outwardly from the knot.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the device degrades in response to increased temperature in the well.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the device degrades in response to increased pH in the well.
16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the device comprises a film, tube, fabric or filament formed of the material.