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`Patents
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`English
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`v
`
`Degradable, frangible components of
`downhole tools
`we Etlti’i‘tfittw M
`
`5. BST RA ("f
`
`Publication number
`Publication type
`Application number
`Publication date
`Filing date
`Priority date
`inventors
`
`W02017116407 At
`Application
`PCTlU82015/067783
`Jul 6. 2017
`Dec 29. 2015
`Dec 29. 2015
`
`vV‘
`iiiam Walton,
`Michael Liniey anp. Z
`
`
`Matthew James l‘tllerrors
`
`Frangible components like shear pins, rupture disks. retainer rings. and shear
`nngs of downhole tools (eg, frac plugs, slit
`1-31 sleeves, darts, packers~
`expansion joints. valves. and tooiaconveyance coupling apparatuses) may be
`composed of a degradable material that degrades in. a welloore environment at
`a desired time during the performance of a subterranean formation operation
`For example, a tool string may include a conveyance or top adapter sub
`threadably coupled to a first end of a stinger; a wellbore tool coupled to the
`stinger we a coupling at a second end opposing the first end of the stinger, wherein the coupling comprises a frangible, degradable shear pin and a frangible.
`degradable shear ring, wherein the frangible, degradable shear pin and the frangible, degradable shear ring independently comprise a degradabie metal alloy
`selected from the group conSisting of a magnesiun‘ alloy, an aluminum alloy, and any combination thereof.
`
`l-iailiburlori Energy Services, lrm.
`Applicant
`BiBTeK. Erin‘Note RelMan
`Export Citation
`Patent Citations Classifications {:31 Legal Events {it
`External Links: Patentscope, Espacenet
`
`DESCRIPTION ill-GR is):
`
`DEGRADABLE. FRANGIBLE COMPONENTS OF DOWNHOLE TOOLS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`(.‘I AIMS SCCS? “2:4: ma
`CLAlMS The invention claimed is:
`
`l. A method comprising '
`
`[0001} The present disclosure describes embodiments of frangible components
`of weilbore tools.
`
`[0002} :ri the drilling, completion, and stimulation of hydrocarbon~ producing
`wells. a variety of downhole tools are used Many of these wellbore tools and
`components thereof have multiple configurations that can be actuated between,
`For example. some wellbore tools like weilbore liners nave fluid ports that can
`be closed or opened by changing the position of a sleeve to cover or uncover
`the fluid ports Oftentimes, a wellbore tool is conveyed through a weilbore and
`placed in a desired location along the wellbore in a first configuration. Then.
`once placed, the wellbore tool or a portion thereof '5 actuated to a second
`configuration
`
`[0003} in some instances actuation of the wellbore tool is accomplished by
`breaking a frangible component like a shear pin by applying the requisrte shear
`stress Many of these frangible components completely break away from the
`wellbore tool after the shear stress is applied, The pieces of the frangible
`components then become debris in the wellbore that can interfere with the
`operation of the weiibore tool. impede the production of hydrocarbons, or both
`
`BRlEF DESCREPTlON OF THE DRAWWGS
`
`{0004} The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the
`embodiments. and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The
`subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations
`combinations. and equivalents in form and function as wrli occur to those skilled
`in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure,
`
`{Oil-05] FlG. 1 illustrates a tool string that includes a stinger that couples a top
`adapter sub to a wellbore too:.
`
`{0006] FlG 2 :iiustrates a wellbore stimulation assembly having a sliding sleeve
`assembly With degradable, frangible shear pins and degradable~ frangible shear
`
`introducrng a wellbore tool into a weilbore penetrating a subterranean
`formation. the weilbore tool comprising a frangible, degradable component,
`wherein the frangible, degradable component comprise a degradable metal
`alloy selected from the group consisting of a magnesium alloy, an
`aluminum alloy, and any combination thereof;
`
`applying a shear stress to the frangible, degradable component sufficient to
`break the frangible. degradable component, thereby producing pieces of
`the frangible, degradable component;
`
`contacting the degradable metal alloy with an electrolyte; and at least
`partially degrading the degradable metal alloy.
`
`x\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\“x\.\\\\\.\.\\\‘\“xxxxxxxxxxx\\.\\\\.\\\\\\.u.“xxxxxxxxuxxmuuum“\\\\~;~;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\‘
`
`2. The method of claim 1. wherein the frangible, degradable component is a first
`frangible, degradable component that is a shear pin and the wellbore tool
`further comprises a second frangible. degradable component that is a shear
`ring.
`'
`mmxxi.x\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\~3.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ux\\\\\\\\x\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`
`3. The method of claim 2, wherein the shear pin and the shear ring each
`comprise dissimilar metals that generate a galvanic coupling.
`
`xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\xxxxxxxxxx“xx«xxmm““\xxxxxxxxx\xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\xxxxxxxxxxxxxx““mum““\“xxxxxxxxxxxxv
`
`4. The method of claim 1, wherein the degradable metal alloy ti
`a reinforcing agent.
`
`
`'
`
`::' comprises
`
`
`
`5, The method of claim 4, wherein the reinforcing agent comprises fibers.
`\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\~.~.~.~.~.~\\\a\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\‘-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\3
`
`til?€lfis[‘i%‘iu7i3§§gi§ bgg‘éfi‘fiififiefiigfiifigéfiéfi .tleli‘é’é‘lili‘.'§l2?a’l‘“i§iuirs, and Japanese and South Korean patents.
`
`
`
`employ one or more principles of the present disclosure. according to one or
`more embodiments, DETAll.ED DESCRlPTlON
`
`[0008} The present distttorrure describes embodiments of frangible components
`of wellbore tools that are made of degrading materials. and their methods of use
`during a subterranean formation operation in particular. the present disclosure
`describes frangible components like shear pins. rupture disks. retainer rings.
`and shear rings that are composed of a degradable material (also referred to
`herein as "degradable, frangible components“) that degrades n a wellbore
`env:ronment at a desrred time during the performarce of a subterranean
`formation operation (or simply "formation operation") These degradable
`materials (also referred to collectively as "degradable substances") are
`discussed in greater detail below
`
`
`
`is disclosed herein are presented
`[0009] One or more illustrative amp
`below. Not all features of an actual implementation are described or shown in
`this application for the sake of clarity. it is understood that in the development of
`s."- actuai embodiment incorporating the embodiments disclosed herein.
`numerous implementationspecific decisions must be made to achieve the
`developer's goals. such as compliance with systemrelated, lithology-related.
`business-related. government—related. and other constraints. which vary by
`implementation and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be
`complex and timeconsuming. such efforts would be. nevertheless. a routine
`undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure,
`
`{0010] it should be noted that when "about" is provided herein at the beginning
`
`of a numerical list, the term modifies each number of the has: ‘ .iist. in some
`numerical listings of ranges. some lower limits listed may be greater than some
`upper limits listed. One skilled in the art Will recognize that the selected subset
`will requne the selection of an upper limit in excess of the selected lower :imit
`Unless otherwise indicated. all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients.
`properties such as molecular weight. reaction conditions. and so forth used in
`the present specification and associated claims are to be understood as being
`modified in all instances by the term "about.” As used herein. the term "about"
`encompasses +/- 5% of each numerical value For example. if the numerical
`value is "about 80%." then it can be 80% +f- 5%. equivalent to 76% to 84%.
`Accordingly. unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth
`in the following specification and attached claims are approxrmations that may
`vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the
`exemplary embodiments described herein. At the very least. and not as an
`attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the
`claim. each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the
`number of reported Significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding
`techniques
`
`{OOH} While compositions and methods are described herein in terms of
`"comprrsmg" various components or steps. the compositions and methods can
`also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the various components and steps
`When "comprising" iS used in a claim. it is open—ended.
`
`{001 2] As used herein the term "substantially" means largely. but not
`necessarily wholly.
`
`{0013] The use of directional terms such as above. below. upper. lower,
`upward. downward. left. right. uphole. downhole and the like are used in relation
`to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted ln the figures. the upward
`direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward
`direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. the uphoie
`
`direction being toward the surface of the well and the downhole er :a-on being
`toward the toe of the well.
`
`[0014} The errlbodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward
`degradable. frangible components of wellbore tools. As used herein. the term
`“degradable" and all of its grammatical variants (eg. "degrade." "degradation."
`
`6. The method of claim 1. wherein the wellbore tool is a sliding sleeve and the
`method further comprises . actuating the sliding sleeve after applying the shear
`stress to the frangible. degradable component sufficient to break the frangible.
`degradable component
`
`.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\‘-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\‘0.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\*
`
`7 The method of claim 1. wherein the wellbore tool is a stinger coupling a
`conveyance to a second wellbore tool and the method further comprises .
`separating the stinger and the conveyance from the second wellbore tool after
`applying the shear stress to the frangible. degradable component sufficient to
`break the frangible. degradable component.
`
`A“.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\a\\\\,.\\\5-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`
`8. The method of claim 1, wherein the frangible. degradable component is a
`rupture disk
`
`.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\‘\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\\\\\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`
`9. The method of claim 1. wherein the frangible. degradable component is a
`shear thread.
` \\.'\.'\.\.\.\\.'\.'\.\.'\.'\.'\.
`
`10. A wellbore tool comprising .
`
`a housing;
`
`a port formed through a wall of the housing.
`
`a sliding sleeve disposed within the housing. the sliding sleeve having (1} a
`shut position in which an interior portion of the housing is fluidly isolated
`from the port and (2) an open position in which the interior portion of the
`housing is in fluid communication with the port;
`
`a frangible. degradable shear pin and a frangible. degradable shear ring
`operativeiy coupled between the sliding sleeve and the housmg so as to fix
`the sliding sleeve in the shut position. wherein the frangible. degradable
`shear pin and the frangible. degradable shear ring independently comprise
`a degradable metal alloy selected from the group consisting of a
`magnesium alloy. an aluminum alloy. and any combination thereof.
`
`xx“\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\x\\\\\\\\\.“xv.xv.““3““\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\“maximum“x“
`
`11. The wellbore tool of claim 10. wherein degradable metal alloy of the shear
`pin is dissimilar from and generates a galvanic coupling with the degradable
`metal alloy of the shear ring.
`
`.\\\\\\\\\\\'.'.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\u“\-ax\\\\\\\\‘l-N\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`
`12. The wellbore tool of claim 10, wherein the degradable metal alloy of the
`frangible. degradable shear pin further comprises a reinforcmg agent.
`\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\xxxxx\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.“\\\\‘
`
`13‘ The wellbore tool of claim 12. wherein the reinforcing agent comprises
`fibers.
`
`\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.k\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\.\\.\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\\\\\\\\\\.\\
`
`14. A tool string comprising ;
`
`a conveyance or top adapter sub threadably coupled to a first end of a
`stinger;
`
`a wellbore tool coupled to the stinger Via a coupling at a second and
`opposing the first end of the stinger. wherein the coupling comprises a
`frangible. degradable shear pin and a frangible. degradable shear ring.
`wherein the frangible. degradable shear pin and the frangible, degradable
`shear ring independently comprise a degradable metal alloy selected from
`
`R‘Wfillléltl:‘fiéfifi‘fiwfiflwmimfififilfihffislflwmfieci’ififllfipmgbiw. and Japanese and Sleuth Korean patents.
`
`
`
`the group consisting of a magnesium alloy. an aluminum alloy, and any
`combination thereof.
`
`\\\\\\\\\\\K\.\.\\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\.\\\.\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`
`15. The tool string of claim 14. wherein degradable metal alloy of the shear pin
`is dissimilar from and generates a galvanic coupling with the degradable metal
`alloy of the shear ring.
`
`\\\\\\\\\\\\xvan-‘-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\.\\\\\\\\\\‘
`
`16. The tool string of claim 14. wherein the degradable metal alloy of the
`frangible, degradable shear pin further comprises a reinforcing agent.
`«\x\\\\\\\\\\\\xxxxxxxx\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\xxx.““xxx“x\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\x.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\‘
`
`chemical conversion of solid materials such that reduced- mass solid end
`products result or reduced structural integrity results by at least one of
`solubilization hydrolytic degradation. biologically formed entities (e.g._. bacteria
`or enzymes). chemical reactions {including electrochemical and galvanic
`reactions). thermal reactions. reactions induced by radiation, or combinations
`thereof. in complete degradation. no solid and products result, or structural
`shape is lost. in some instances the degradation of the material may be
`sufficient for the mechanical properties of the materia! to be reduced to a point
`that the material no longer maintains its integrity and. in essence, falls apart or
`
`sicughs off into its six:
`lngs. The conditions for degradation are generally
`weilbore conditions where an external stimulus may be used to initiate or effect
`the rate of degradation where the external stimulus is naturally occurring in the
`wellbore leg. . pressure. temperature} or introduced into the welibore (e.g. .
`fluids. chemicals). For example. the pH of the fluid that interacts with the
`
`set may be changed by introduction of an acid or a base, or an electrolyte
`may be introduced or naturally occurring to induce galvanic corrosion, The term
`"welibore environment,“ and grammatical variants thereof. includes both
`naturally occurring welibore environments and materials or flurds introduced into the wellbore. The term "at least a portion.“
`and grammatical variants thereof. with reference to a component havrng at least a portion composed thereof of a
`degradable material or substance (eg. . "at least a portion of a component is degradable” and variants thereof) refers to at
`least about 80% of the volume of that part being formed of the degradable material or substance.
`
`17. The tool string of claim 16. wherein the reinforcing agent comprises fibers.
`.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\.\.\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
`
`[0015] Exemplary degradable, frangible components may include. but are not limited to. shear pins. rupture disks, retainer
`rings. and shear rings that may be used an welibore tools including, but not limited to. frac plugs. sliding sleeves. darts.
`packers, expansion joints, valves. tool-conveyance coupling apparatuses, and the like. Such welibore tools may be
`actuated from one position or configuration to another. Actuation may be achieved mechanically. electricaliy. hydrauliwily‘.
`or other by any other suitable mode. For example. a wireiine or coiled tubing may be used to send an electrical signal to
`the weilbore tool that causes the wellbore tool to actuate in another exampie. a dart or ball may be sent through the
`wellbore and mechanically actuate the wellbore tool.
`
`[0016} As used herein. the term “shear pin“ refers to an elongated component that inserts in apertures of a wellbore tool so
`as to retain sliding components of the wellbore tool in a fixed position until a force sufficient is applied to break the shear
`pin or a component thereof and actuate the wellbore tool. The "shear pin" may be smooth. threaded. or partially threaded
`and as used herein. encompasses shear rods and shear screws. in some instances. the shear pin may be partially
`threaded where the amount and configuration of threads provides sufficient tensile strength or sufficient shear strength to
`maintain the fixed position of the wellbore tool and the force applied to actuate the too! shears the threads. {0017} FlG. 1
`illustrates a tool string 100 that includes a stinger 102 {an example of a tool~conveyance coupling apparatus) that couples
`a top adapter sub 104 {sometimes referred to as a power mandrel) to a welibore tool {iilustrated as a packer 106). More
`specrtically, the stinger 102 is threadably mated at its upper end to the top adapter sub 1.04 at a threaded coupling 108 and
`threadabiy mated at its lower end to the packer 106 at two threaded couplings 110, 112, in addition. the threaded
`couplings 110,112, the mating mechanism between the packer 106 and the stinger 102 includes a degradable. frangible
`shear ring 114 having an internal bore 11 .
`
`
`“lie, frangible shear ring 114 terminates at a chamfered
`{0018] The upper portion of the internal bore 116 of the e'e
`surface 118 that is complimentary to the angle of an abutting collet finger member 120, At the point where the internal bore
`116 and the outlet finger member 120 abut. the load is concentrated on the chamfered surface 118
`
`[0019] The upper portion of the internal bore 116 of the degradable, frangible shear ring 114 terminates at a chamfered
`surface 122. The degradabte. frangible shear ring 114 has bored therethrough a plurality of degradable, frangible shear pin
`apertures 124. Degradable frangible shear pins 126, 128 are inserted therethrough and into the apertures 130.132 of the
`stinger 102.
`
`[0020} During operation. the tool string 100 rs conveyed through a weilbore by a conveyance (not illustrated) (eg. a
`wireline, a corled tubing. 3 work string. and the like) coupled to the top adapter sub 104. Once the packer 106 is actuated
`to engage the weilbore. tension is applied to stinger 102 For example. tension may be applied to the conveyance and
`transmitted through the top adapter sub 104 to the sturger 102 where the pellet finger member 120 applies pressure to the
`chamfered surface 118 of the degradable. frangible shear ring 114. Once a predetermined force has been applied the
`degradable. frangible shear pins 126. 128. located In the degradable. frangible shear ring 114. Will shear. thereby releasrng
`the stinger 102 and the top adapter sub 104 from the packer 10s?-
`
`{0021} The degradable, frangible shear ring 1 14. the degradable, frangible shear pins 126. 128, or portions thereof may
`break completely free from the stinger 102 and be left in the wellbore. Fluids from the formation or introduced to the
`wellbore may then degrade the degradable, frangible shear ring 114. the degradable, frangible shear pins 126. 128. or
`portions thereof to reduce the amount of debris or large debris in the wellbore that may interfere with the operation of other
`iretbaeawmeehfaterrte mghdilfiémtfigfimmwlfifimdfi§flsa Wmeersbffiwth K6033“ PREWW
`
`
`
`[0022] HS. 2 illustrates a wellbore stimulation assembly 200 having a sliding sleeve assembly 202 With degradable,
`frangible shear pins 204,206 and degradable. frangible shear rings 232.234 More specrticaily. the illustrated sliding sleeve
`assembly 202 is pressure-activated that is actuated when the degradable. frangible shear pins 202.204 shear.
`
`{0023] The wellbore stimulation assembly 200 has a pin end section 214. The box and section 212 and pin end section
`214 are threaded to central section 208 with O~rings 216,218 providing a seal between the respective sections Box end
`section 212 terminates in a box fitting 220 and pin and section terminates in a pin fitting 222 for connection to other casing
`sections, as is known in the art. Housmg 208 defines a central longitudinal bore 224 through which hydrocarbons can flow
`and tooling can be run.
`
`{0024} The sliding sleeve 100 includes a radial array of ports 226 formed through central section 222 of housing 208 that
`allow for hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore from the production zone or wellbore fluids to flow into the production
`zone
`
`[0025] The pressure-activated sliding sleeve assembly 202 is coaxially positioned within the central section 210 and pin
`end section 21.4 of housing 208. FEE: 2 lllustrates the sliding sleeve assembly 202 located in an initial "shut" position. A
`ring—shaped shear pin assembly 230 and a Caste: locking mechanism 236 hold the wellbore stimulation assembly
`200 in the shut position. Once pressure has reached a certain high pressure threshold. for example a hydrostatic test
`pressure. and the pressure is subsequently reduced below a second lower opening pressure, the wellbore stimulation
`assembly 200 opens so that the ports 226 are in fluid communication with central bore 224
`
`{0026} The shear pin assembly 230 includes an outer degradable, frangible shear ring 232 that abuts and is slideably
`engaged about an inner degradable, frangible shear ring 234. One or more holes are formed radially through outer and
`=nner degradable. frangible shear rings 232.234, and the degradable frangible shear pins 204,206 are received by these
`holes. Wl'ien an axial force on inner degradable, frangible shear ring 234 With respect to outer degradable. frangible shear
`
`neg 232 exceeds the shear force of and the shear pins 204.206 ~1”‘aclivation press ‘ Hi
`the degradable, frangible shear
`pins 204,206 will shear so as to actuate the sit-t.
` sleeve assembly 202.
`
`{0027] The degradable. frangible shear rings 232,234. the degradable frangible shear pins 204206. or portions thereof
`may break completely free from the wellbore stimulation assembly 200 and be left in the wellbore. Fluids from the
`formation or :ntroduced to the wellbore may then degrade the degradable, frangible shear rings 232.234. the degradable.
`
`in the wellbore that may
`frangible shear pins 204,206, or portions thereof to reduce the amount of debris or large-o‘er
`interfere with the operation of other wellbore tools. stimulation of the formation, the production of hydrocarbons, or a
`combination thereof.
`
`[0028] in some instances, one or more of the degradable. frangible shear pins 126.128.204.206 of Fle. 1 and 2 may be
`degradable frangible shear rods, degradable, frangible shear screws, or the like. One skilled in the art would recognize the
`modifications to stinger 102 and the sliding sleeve assembly 202 for such substitutions.
`
`[0029] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of using or implementing a wellbore tool with one or
`more degradable. frangible components. The degradable materials of the degradable. frangible components may be
`chosen to allow for sufficient time between placement of the wellbore tool and when a particular downhole operation is
`
`undertaken. such as a hydraulic ng operation. Moreover, the degradable materials described herein allow for acid
`treatments and acidified stimulation of a wellbore.
`
`[0030} The degradable, frangible components described herein (eg. . shear pins. shear screws. rupture disks. retainer
`rings. and shear rings) are degraded at least partially in the wellbore environment. As used herein. the term “at least
`partially degrading.“ and grammatical variants thereof leg. . "degrading at least partially,“ “partially degrades." and the
`like) with reference to degradation of a component thereof of a wellbore tool refers to the component degrading at least to
`the poxnt wherein about 20% or more of the mass of the component degrades. For instance, the degradable metal alloy
`forming the degradable, frangible components described herein is at least partially degraded in the presence of an
`electrolyte lit the wellbore environment. The production of a hydrocarbon ii.e._ oil and/or gas) from the subterranean
`form“
`" may proceed in some instances. degradation of the degradable material and production of a hydrocarbon may
`occur Simultaneously. or alternatively in series. without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. That
`the
`order. if any, of degradation and production may depend on selection of the particular degradable material (eg. the
`degradable metal alloy or alloy combination). the degradation stimuli reg , the electrolyte or other stimulus). and the like,
`and any combination thereof in some embodiments. accordingly, production may begin before degradation. or
`degradation may begin before production Although degradation may begin and end before production begins, it is
`contemplated that both degradation and production wall occur simultaneously during at least some point in time (or
`duration). regardless of which process is initiated first,
`
`{0031] FIG 3 illustrates a well system 300 that may embody or otherWlse employ one or more principles of the present
`disclosure, according to one or more embodiments. As illustrated, the well system 300 may include a service rig 302 {also
`referred to as a Merrick") that is positioned on the earth's surface 304 and extends over and around a wellbore 306 that
`penetrates a subterranean formation 308. The service rig 302 may be a drilling rig. a completion rig. a workover rig. or the
`“livelier semmmsmiwsemmmmmeemmWlmmlmmmewmeaampm.
`
`
`
`or installation, without departing from the scope of the disclosure While the well system 300 is depicted as e land-based
`operation, it will be appreciated that the principles of the present disclosure could equally be applied in any sea-based or
`sub—sea application where the service rig 302 may be a floating platform or subsurface wellhead installation, as generally
`known in the art
`
`{0032] The weiibore 306 may be drilled into the subterranean formation 308 using any suitable drilling technique and may
`extend in a substantially verticai direction away from the earth's surface 304 over a vertical weiibore portion 310 At some
`point in the weiibore 306. the vertical weiibore portion 310 may deviate from vertical relative to the earth‘s surface 304 and
`transition :nto a substantially horizontal weiibore portion 312, although such deviation is not required. That is_ the wellbore
`306 may be vertical, horizontal, or devtated, with-cot departing from the scope of the present disclosure. in some
`embodiments. the wellbore 306 may be completed by cementing a string of casing 314 within the weiibore: 306 along all or
`a portion thereof. As used herein, the term "casing' refers not only to casing as generally known in the art, but also to
`borehole liner. wnich comprises tubular sections coupled end to end but not extending to a surface location ln other
`embodiments. however, the string of casing 314 may be omitted from all or a portion of the weiibore 306 and the principles
`of the present disclosure may equally apply to an "open—hole" environment.
`
`{0033] The well system 300 may further include a weiibore tool 316 comprising one or more degradable, frangible
`components The weiibore tool 316 may be conveyed into the wellbore 306 on a conveyance 318 that extends from the
`service rig 302 The conveyance 318 may include or othenivtse compnse any type of conveyance Known to those skilled in
`the art including. but not limited to. a wireline, a coiled tubing, drill pipe, production tubing. silckiine, an electric line, and the
`like The weiibore tool 316 may include or otherwise comprise any type of weiibore tool known to those skilled in the art
`including but not limited to, frac plugs. sl:ding sleeves. darts, packers, expansmn joints, valves, tool~conveyance coupling
`apparatuses, and the like.
`
`{0034] The conveyance 318 delivers or otherwrse conveys the wellbore tool 316 downhole to a target location (not shown;
`within the wellbore 306. At the target location, the weiibore tool 316 may be actuated or "set" to sea: the wellbore 306 and
`otherwise prowde a point of fluid isolation within the weiibore 306. in some embodiments. the wellbore tool 316 is pumped
`to the target location using hydraulic pressure applied from the service rig 302 at the surface 304. in such embodiments,
`the conveyance 318 serves to maintain control of the weiibore tool 316 as it traverses the wellbore 306 and provides the
`necessary power to actuate and set the weiibore tool 316 upon reaching the target location , in other embodiments, the
`wellbore tool 316 freely falls to the target location under the force of gravity to traverse all or part of the wellbore 306.
`
`[0035] Actuation of the weiibore tool 316 may be by triggered by the breaking of the degradable. frangible components
`thereof. For example, as described above relative to FlG 2, degradable, frangible shear pin and degradable, frangible
`shear rings may break from an applied shear stress to actuate the weiibore tool 316. Breaking the shear rings, shear pins,
`or other components producing pieces of the component (eg , at least two pieces and often a multitude of pieces like 10
`or greater: Some or all of the pieces may dissociate from the wellbore tool 316 and become debris in the wellbore. [0036]
`in some embodiments that may be in combination with or alternative to the wellbore tool 316 comprise one or more
`degradable frangible components, the coupling between the wellbore tool 316 and the conveyance 318 may comprise one
`or more degradable. frangible components. For example the coupling may include shear pins or the like comprising a
`degradable material, as described in FIG 1 The shear pins may be broken once the weiibore tool 316 is properly placed
`in the wellbore 306, thereby decoupling the conveyance 318 and the wellbore tool 306.
`
`[0037] it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that even though FlG. 3 depicts the weiibore tool 316 as being
`arranged and operating in the horizontal portion 312 of the wellbore 306, the embodiments described herein are equally
`apphcabie for use in poitions of the weiibore 306 that are vertical, deviated. or otherwrse slanted. it should also be noted
`that a plurality of weiibore tools 316 may be placed in the wellbore 306. in some embodiments, for example, several (eg.
`six or more) weiibore tools 316 may be arranged in the wellbore 306 to divide the weiibore 306 into smaller intervals or
`"zones" for hydraulic stimulation .
`
`{0038] in some embodiments, the wellbore tool 316 includes not only one or more degradable, frangible components
`described herein but may also include other components that are formed. at least in part, by a degradable material Such
`weiibore tools 316 may be designed to decompose over time while operating in a weiibore environment, thereby
`eliminating the need to mill or drill the wellbore tool 316 out of the wellbore 306. whether such degradation begins before
`or after production of hydrocarbons therefrom.
`
`[0039] The degradable materials that compose the degradable, frangible components described herein are preferably
`degradable metals, degradable meta: alloys, or a combination thereof Further, these degradable materials may preferably
`be degraded With exposure to aqueous fluids comprising electrolytes ljalso referred to herein as "electrolyte aqueous
`soiution"} More generally. the aqueous fluid that may degrade the degradable materials when exposed thereto may
`include. but is not limited to, fresh water. saltwater leg. water containing one or more salts dissolved therein), brine (e g ,
`saturated saltwater). seawater. or combinations thereof. Accordingly. the aqueous fluid may comprise ionic salts, which
`form an electrolyte aqueous solution particularly