IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,738,565
Granted Patent B2
US 10,738,565 · App. 15/390,976 · 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.
E21B33/13E21B43/114E21B43/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,738,565
App. No.
15/390,976
Granted
Aug 11, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (11)

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

a body, wherein the body is configured to engage and seal off an opening in the subterranean well; and

a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as at least one of a film, tube, fabric and filament,

wherein the body comprises at least one knot.

2. The flow conveyed device of claim 1 , wherein the opening is in a sidewall of a tubular string.

3. The flow conveyed device of claim 1 , wherein the knot is formed from the degradable material.

4. The flow conveyed device of claim 1 , wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased temperature in the well.

5. The flow conveyed device of claim 1 , wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased pH in the well.

6. The flow conveyed device of claim 1 , wherein the degradable material is selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid.

7. The flow conveyed device of claim 1 , wherein the body is retained by a retainer.

8. The flow conveyed device of claim 7 , wherein the retainer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid.

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 040773/0118 →
Continuity (5)
Division 15138378 · 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 20170107785A1 · Apr 20, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,584,372