Downhole tool with an acid pill

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11572753
  • Patent Number
    11,572,753
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, February 18, 2021
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 7, 2023
    a year ago
Abstract
A downhole tool includes a main body, and a setting member configured to press the main body radially outwards so as to set the main body with the surrounding tubular, made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in a well fluid, and defining a bore therein. The tool also includes an acid pill positioned in the bore of the setting member. The acid pill contains an acid therein, and is made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in the well fluid such that the acid mixes with the well fluid upon the acid pill at least partially dissolving. The acid mixed in the well fluid increases a rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid.
Description
BACKGROUND

In oil and gas wells, openings may be created in a production liner for injecting fluid into a formation. In a “plug and perf” frac job, for example, the production liner is made up from standard lengths of casing. Initially, the liner does not have any openings through its sidewalls. The liner is installed in the wellbore, either in an open bore using packers or by cementing the liner in place, and the liner walls are then perforated. The perforations are typically created by perforation guns that discharge shaped charges through the liner and, if present, adjacent cement.


The production liner is typically perforated first in a zone near the bottom of the well. Fluids then are pumped into the well to fracture the formation in the vicinity of the perforations. After the initial zone is fractured, a plug is installed in the liner at a position above the fractured zone to isolate the lower portion of the liner. The liner is then perforated above the plug in a second zone, and the second zone is fractured. This process is repeated until all zones in the well are fractured.


Plug and perf is widely practiced, but it has a number of drawbacks, including that it can be time consuming, because perforation guns and plugs are generally run into the well and operated individually. After the frac job is complete, the plugs are removed (e.g., drilled out) to allow production of hydrocarbons through the liner.


SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure include a downhole tool including a main body, and a setting member configured to press the main body radially outwards so as to set the main body with the surrounding tubular. The setting member is made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in a well fluid, and the setting member defines a bore therein. The tool also includes an acid pill positioned in the bore of the setting member. The acid pill contains an acid therein, the acid pill is at least partially made from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in the well fluid such that the acid mixes with the well fluid upon the acid pill at least partially dissolving, and the acid mixed in the well fluid increases a rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid in comparison to the rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid without the acid mixed therein.


Embodiments of the disclosure further include a downhole tool including a main body, a first cone received at least partially into a first end of the main body, and a second cone received at least partially into a second, opposite end of the main body. The first and second cones are configured to be advanced into the main body and adducted together so as to force the main body radially outward, and wherein the second cone comprises one or more bores therein. The tool further includes an acid pill received in one of the one or more bores, the acid pill containing an acid configured to mix with well fluid so as to increase a rate of dissolution of the second cone in the well fluid in comparison to a rate of dissolution of the second cone in the well fluid without the presence of the acid.


Embodiments of the disclosure also include a method including positioning an acid pill in a setting member of a downhole tool, deploying the downhole tool into a well, setting the downhole tool using the setting member to press at least a portion of the downhole tool radially outward, and exposing the downhole tool to a well fluid, wherein exposing the downhole tool to the well fluid causes at least a portion of the acid pill to dissolve, which exposes an acid contained within the acid pill to the well fluid such that that acid mixes with the well fluid, and wherein the acid mixed with the well fluid causes at least a portion of the downhole tool to dissolve.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:



FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a downhole tool with an acid pill, according to an embodiment.



FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views of the acid pill, according to an embodiment.



FIG. 3 illustrates side, cross-sectional view of the downhole tool in a run-in configuration, according to an embodiment.



FIG. 4 illustrates side, cross-sectional view of the downhole tool in a set configuration, according to an embodiment.



FIG. 5 illustrates side, cross-sectional view of the downhole tool after activation of the acid pill, according to an embodiment.



FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for using a downhole tool, according to an embodiment.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes several embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference characters (e.g., numerals) and/or letters in the various embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, e.g., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.


Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. In addition, unless otherwise provided herein, “or” statements are intended to be non-exclusive; for example, the statement “A or B” should be considered to mean “A, B, or both A and B.”



FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a downhole tool 100, according to an embodiment. The downhole tool 100 may, in some embodiments, be a frac plug or a frac diverter, but in other embodiments, may be other types of plugs or other downhole tools. The illustrated downhole tool 100 includes a main body 102, which may include a sleeve 104 and a slip assembly 106. The downhole tool 100 may also include a first or “upper” setting member 118 and a second or “lower” setting member 120. In at least one embodiment, as shown, the setting members 118, 120 may be cones, which are configured to be moved toward one another (“adducted”) within the main body 102, through operation of a setting assembly (not shown), so as to press the sleeve 104 and the slip assembly 106 radially outwards. In another embodiment, one or more of the members 118, 120 may not be conical, e.g., may be cylindrical and configured to press the sleeve 104 and/or the slip assembly 106 axially. In either embodiment (or others), the first and/or second setting members 118, 120 may remain in the well, e.g., in the main body 102, after the downhole tool 100 is set in position in the well. In another embodiment, the first and/or second setting member 118, 120 may be removed from or drop out of the main body 102 after the downhole tool 100 is set.


The downhole tool 100 may further include one or more acid pills 200 in the second setting member 120, e.g., in a bore 135 formed therethrough. As will be discussed herein, the acid pills 200 are configured to accelerate corrosion of the second setting member 120 and other components of the downhole tool 100. Although there are three acid pills 200 shown in FIG. 1, any number acid pills 200 may be used in the second setting member 120 without departing from the aspects of the current invention.



FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views of the acid pill 200, according to an embodiment. The acid pill 200 may be generally tubular, with a first axial end 210 that faces uphole when the downhole tool 100 is deployed, and a second axial end 215 that faces downhole. The acid pill 200 may also include a cap 220 and a shell 205, e.g., with the cap 220 connected to the shell 205 at the first axial end 210. The cap 220 and the shell 205 may be formed at least partially from a dissolvable material, such as magnesium, that is configured to dissolve in the wellbore after a certain amount of time, in the presence of well fluid (e.g., containing certain chemicals), or the like. As will be appreciated, the bore 135 formed through the second setting member 120 for placement of the acid pill 200 may weaken the second setting member 120. Thus, the shell 205 and cap 220 of the acid pill 200 may replace at least some of the lost strength when the acid pill 200 is installed into the second setting member 120.


An acid may be contained within the shell 205. For example, the acid may be an acid powder 230. Examples of acid powders 230 include Sulfamic acid and Citric acid. The acid powder 230 is packed inside the shell 205 and the cap 220, which are configured to keep the acid powder 230 dry for a set amount of time in a wellbore environment. The acid may mix with (e.g., dissolve in) the well fluid, and may be configured to increase a rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting members 118, 120, the main body 102, and/or any other component of the tool 100 dissolves.


The acid pill 200 may be designed to have a predetermined release time for the acid (e.g., the acid powder 230). For example, a wall 235 of the shell 205 may have a specific thickness, which can dissolve in fluid in a certain timeframe. In other words, the acid pill 200 may be custom designed to provide a predetermined time release of the acid powder 230 in the fluid environment. Upon exposure to the well fluid, the acid powder 230 mixes with the surrounding fluid to create an acidic solution which is configured to accelerate corrosion of the second setting member 120 and other components of the downhole tool 100. As shown, the acid pill 200 is placed in the second setting member 120. In another embodiment, the acid pill 200 may be placed in other components of the downhole tool 100.


In one embodiment, the cap 220 may include a bore 225 extending partially therethrough, leaving a relatively thin section between the end of the cap 220 and the bore 225. The bore 225 thus reduces the amount of material of the cap 220 to be dissolved in order to expose the acid powder 230 to the well fluid. As a result, the section between the bottom of the bore 225 and the end of the cap 220 may dissolve and form an initial flowpath for well fluid to reach the acid powder 230. Thus, the size (or even presence) of the bore 225 may be used to adjust the predetermined release time for the acid powder 230. In another embodiment, the cap 220 and/or the shell 205 may include one or more pin holes (not shown) to reduce the amount of material in the cap 220 and/or the shell 205, which may serve a similar function of reducing the dissolution time.



FIG. 3 illustrates side, cross-sectional view of the downhole tool 100 in a run-in configuration, according to an embodiment. The downhole tool 100 is shown within a surrounding tubular 150 (e.g., a liner, a casing, or the wellbore wall). The sleeve 104 may include a first or “upper” end 108 and a second or “lower” end 110. The slip assembly 106 may be coupled to the sleeve 104, proximal to the second end 110. For example, a connection member 112 may extend between and couple together the second end 110 of the sleeve 104 with an axial surface 114 of the slip assembly 106.


The sleeve 104, the slip assembly 106, and the connection member 112 may, in some embodiments, be integral to one another, or may be formed from two or more separate pieces that are connected. Either such example is within the scope of the term “coupled to” as it relates to the sleeve 104, the slip assembly 106, and/or the connection member 112.


The slip assembly 106 may include a plurality of slip segments 113, which may be positioned circumferentially adjacent to one another. For example, a plurality of axial slots 115 may be formed circumferentially between the slip segments 113. In some embodiments, the slots 115 may not extend across the entire axial extent of the slip assembly 106, and thus bridge portions may connect together the circumferentially adjacent slip segments 113 of the slip assembly 106, e.g., proximal to a lower end 119 thereof.


Further, in an embodiment, the sleeve 104, the slip assembly 106, and the connection member 112 may together form a bore 116 extending axially through the entirety of the main body 102. In other embodiments, the bore 116 may extend partially through the main body 102 and/or may be at least partially defined by other structures.


The first and second setting members 118, 120 may be positioned at least partially in the bore 116. The first setting member 118 may initially be positioned partially within the sleeve 104, proximal to the first end 108 thereof. The second setting member 120 may initially be positioned at least partially within the slip assembly 106, e.g., proximal to the lower end 119 thereof. The setting members 118, 120 may be configured to press a section of the sleeve 104 and a section of the slip assembly 106, respectively, radially outward when moved toward one another (e.g., adducted together). The setting members 118, 120 may be adducted together via a setting tool, pressure within the wellbore above the downhole tool 100, or both.


The first and second setting members 118, 120 may be annular, with each providing a through-bore 123, 125 extending axially therethrough, which communicates with the bore 116. The first setting member 118 may additionally include an uphole-facing valve seat 127 in communication with the through-bore 123, which may be configured to receive an obstructing member, and thus seal the bore 116. The through-bore 125 of the second setting member 120 may be configured to engage the setting tool, such that the second setting member 120 may be forced upwards, towards the first setting member 118, as will be described below.


Additionally, as noted above, the second setting member 120 may include the bores 135 formed therein. The acid pills 200 may be inserted or otherwise installed in the bores 135. Some of the bores 135 may be empty during initial run-in, however, and thus the bores 135 without the acid pills may be used as bypass fluid ports, allowing fluid to flow past the second setting member 120 as the downhole tool 100 is lowered into a wellbore.


In some embodiments, the sleeve 104, at least a portion of the slip assembly 106, the connection member 112, and the setting members 118, 120 may be formed from a dissolvable material, such as magnesium, that is configured to dissolve in the wellbore after a certain amount of time, in the presence of certain chemicals, or the like.



FIG. 4 illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the downhole tool 100 in a set configuration, according to an embodiment. In this configuration, the downhole tool 100 may be configured to anchor to and seal within the surrounding tubular 150. To actuate the downhole tool 100 from the run-in configuration of FIG. 3 to the set configuration of FIG. 4, the first and second setting members 118, 120 are adducted toward one another, as mentioned above. In this embodiment, the first and second setting members 118, 120 are cones, and thus moving the first and second setting members 118, 120 together into the main body 102 causes the first and second setting members 118, 120 to progressively press a section of the sleeve 104 and a section of the slip assembly 106, respectively, radially outward.


In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, as the first setting member 118 advances in the bore 116, an outer surface thereof may force a section of the sleeve 104 outwards, in a generally constant radial orientation around the circumference of the sleeve 104. As such, the sleeve 104 may reduce in thickness and/or axial length, may be squeezed between the first setting member 118 and the surrounding tubular, and may form at least a partial seal therewith.


In contrast, when the second setting member 120 advances in the bore 116, the second setting member 120 may break the slip segments 113 apart. As the second setting member 120 continues into the bore 116, the connection member 112 may also yield or shear, thereby releasing the slip segments 113 not only from connection with one another, but also with connection with the sleeve 104. The wedge action of the second setting member 120 may thus continue forcing the slip segments 113 radially outward, as well as axially toward the second end 110 of the sleeve 104. At some point, the axial surface 114 of the slip assembly 106 (e.g., of the individual slip segments 113) may engage the second end 110, as shown. Further, the slip assembly 106 may be pushed radially outward and axially over the remaining connection member 112, as shown.


Further, the outward expansion of the slip assembly 106, e.g., by breaking the slip segments 113 apart from one another, may result in the slip segments 113 anchoring into the surrounding tubular 150. This may occur before, after, or at the same time that the sleeve 104 forms at least a partial seal with the surrounding tubular. As such, a two-part anchoring, provided by the sleeve 104 and the slip assembly 106, is employed. In some situations, sand may interfere with the holding force reachable by the anchoring of the surface of the sleeve 104 with the surrounding tubular. In such situations, the holding force offered by the slip assembly 106, which may be less prone to interference by sand, may serve to hold the downhole tool 100 in position relative to the surrounding tubular.


As shown, the slip segment 113 may include a thickness that increases as proceeding toward the axial surface 114, e.g., away from the lower end 119. Further, the slip segment 113 may include engaging structures on an outer surface 300 of the slip segment 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the engaging structures include a plurality of buttons or inserts 140, which may be at least partially embedded into the slip segment 113. The inserts 140 may be formed from a suitably hard material, such that the inserts 140 are capable of being pressed into the surrounding tubular, which may be made from steel. Accordingly, the inserts 140 may be made from a carbide or ceramic material. In some embodiments, the engaging structure may include a grit coating, such as WEARSOX®, which is commercially-available from Innovex Downhole Solutions, Inc., may be applied to the outer surface, and may provide increased holding forces. In some embodiments, the engaging structure may include both the inserts 140 and the grit coating, or any other suitable material.


The sleeve 104 may include a continuous outer diameter surface. When expanded, a section of the outer diameter surface may be pressed into engagement with the surrounding tubular 150, thereby forming a metal-metal seal therewith. However, as mentioned above, sand, irregularities of the surrounding tubular, or other conditions may interfere with a complete engagement therebetween. Thus, while at least a partial seal may be maintained between the sleeve 104 and the surrounding tubular, the slip assembly 106 may provide additional holding force to maintain a stationary position of the downhole tool 100 within the surrounding tubular.



FIG. 5 illustrates side, cross-sectional view of the downhole tool 100 after activation of the acid pill 200, according to an embodiment. After the downhole tool 100 is in the set position, an obstructing member 160 (e.g., a ball, dart, etc.) is dropped into the downhole tool 100 and lands in the valve seat 127 of the first setting member 118. The obstructing member 160 seals the bore 116. Additionally, the first setting member 118 is urged further in the bore 116 as shown.


As shown in FIG. 5, the cap 220 and the shell 205 have been dissolved and thus exposing the acid powder 230 to the surrounding fluid. The acid powder 230 interacts with the surrounding fluid to create an acid in solution, which accelerates corrosion of the second setting member 120 and other components of the downhole tool 100.



FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 600 for using a downhole tool, such as the downhole tool 100 discussed above, according to an embodiment. The method 600 may be executed using the downhole tool 100, and thus is described herein with reference thereto; however, at least some embodiments of the method 600 may use different structures. Further, it will be appreciated that various aspects of the method 600 may be performed in the order discussed below, or in a different order, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, some aspects of the method 600 may be combined, separated, or performed in parallel/simultaneously.


The method 600 may include positioning an acid pill 200 in a setting member 120 of a downhole tool 100, as at 602. For example, the acid pill 200 may be installed in a bore 135 formed axially through the setting member 120. One or more bores 135 may be empty, free from acid pills, and may thus provide a fluid path therethrough, which may assist in deploying the tool 100 to a depth in a well. Further, the acid pill 200 may be modified to adjust the time it takes to dissolve the acid pill 200 to such an extent that the acid 130 therein is exposed. For example, the bore 225 may be formed and extended to a depth configured to produce a desired time delay for the release of the acid powder 130. Additionally or alternatively, pin holes or other cutaways, etc., may be provided to produce a reduced-thickness in the cap 220 or in the shell 205, so as to reduce dissolution time.


The method 600 may then include deploying the downhole tool 100 into the well, as at 604. The downhole tool 100 may be deployed as part of a wireline, slickline, or any other type of workstring, e.g., into a cased hole, open hole, or any other type of well location. The downhole tool 100 may, for example, be a frac plug that is configured to selectively isolate sections of the well from one another, enabling fluid pressure to be targeted to particular formations. In other embodiments, the downhole tool 100 may be a bridge plug, a packer, or any other type of downhole tool.


The method 600 may then include setting the downhole tool 100 using the setting member 120 to press at least a portion of the downhole tool 100 radially outward, as at 606. For example, the setting member 120 may be a cone, which may be driven into a main body 102, e.g., a slip assembly 106 thereof, so as to drive the slip assembly 106 radially outward to engage a surrounding tubular (e.g., casing, liner, or wellbore wall). In some embodiments, the setting member 120, i.e., the “second” setting member 120 referenced above is adducted toward another setting member 118, i.e., the “fist” setting member 118 discussed above, such that the two setting members 118, 120 each drive a separate portion of the main boxy radially outward. In particular, the first setting member 118 may drive the sleeve 104 of the main body 102 radially outward, and the second setting member 120 may drive the slip assembly 106 of the main body 102 radially outward.


During and/or after deploying at 604 and/or setting at 606, the method 600 may include exposing the downhole tool 100, including the setting member 120 and the acid pill 200, to well fluid, as at 608. Exposing the downhole tool 100 to the well fluid causes at least a portion of the acid pill 200 to dissolve, which exposes an acid (e.g., acid powder 230) contained within the acid pill 200 to the well fluid such that that acid mixes with the well fluid. The acid mixed with the well fluid causes at least a portion of the downhole tool 100 (e.g., a dissolvable material of the setting member 120) to dissolve, e.g., at a rate that exceeds the rate of dissolution of the at least a portion of the downhole tool 100 in the presence of well fluid without the acid mixed therein. That is, the presence of the acid hastens the dissolution of the remainder of the dissolvable part(s) of the downhole tool 100.


In some embodiments, before, during, or after exposing the downhole tool 100 to the well fluid, the method 600 may also include deploying an obstructing member 160 into the well, as at 610. The obstructing member 160 may be caught by another setting member (e.g., the “first” setting member 118) of the downhole tool 100. The obstructing member 160 being caught by the first setting member 118 may prevent fluid flow through the downhole tool 100. As a result, the well fluid in contact with the tool 100, below the obstructing member 160, may be relatively stationary, and thus the acid, when released, may form an acidic concentration that contacts the dissolvable portion of the downhole tool 100 and increases the rate of dissolution thereof, as discussed above.


As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer”; “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upward” and “downward”; “above” and “below”; “inward” and “outward”; “uphole” and “downhole”; and other like terms as used herein refer to relative positions to one another and are not intended to denote a particular direction or spatial orientation. The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connection,” “connected,” “in connection with,” and “connecting” refer to “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via one or more intermediate elements or members.”


The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims
  • 1. A downhole tool, comprising: a main body;a setting member configured to press the main body radially outwards so as to set the main body with a surrounding tubular, wherein the setting member is made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in a well fluid, and wherein the setting member defines a bore therein; andan acid pill positioned in the bore of the setting member, wherein the acid pill comprises a cap defining a bore therein, wherein the acid pill contains an acid therein, wherein the cap is configured to dissolve such that the cap bore provides at least a partial communication path to the acid to allow the acid to mix with the well fluid, and wherein the acid mixed in the well fluid increases a rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid in comparison to the rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid without the acid mixed therein.
  • 2. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a sleeve and a slip assembly, and wherein the setting member is configured to press the slip assembly radially outward, so as to at least partially set the main boy in the surrounding tubular.
  • 3. The downhole tool of claim 2, wherein the setting member is a second setting member, and wherein the downhole tool further comprises a first setting member that engages the sleeve, such that the first setting member is configured to press the sleeve radially outward into engagement with the surrounding tubular.
  • 4. The downhole tool of claim 3, wherein the first setting member comprises a first cone, and the second setting member comprises a second cone, and wherein the first and second cones are configured to be adducted within the main body to press at least a portion of the main body radially outward.
  • 5. The downhole tool of claim 4, wherein the acid pill further comprises a shell, wherein the shell, the cap, or both are configured to dissolve and permit communication of the well fluid with the acid after the first and second cones are adducted together to set the main body in the surrounding tubular.
  • 6. The downhole tool of claim 3, wherein the first setting member comprises an upwardly-facing valve seat configured to receive an obstruction member, to block fluid flow through the downhole tool.
  • 7. The downhole tool of claim 6, wherein the acid pill further comprises a shell and the cap connected to the shell, the acid being contained within the shell and the cap, and wherein the cap is configured to dissolve such that the bore provides at least a partial communication path to the acid within the shell.
  • 8. The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the cap is located closer to a first end of the shell than to a second end of the shell, and wherein the first end and the cap are located closer to the first setting member than the second end.
  • 9. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the setting member comprises a plurality of bores including the bore, and wherein at least one of the plurality of bores provides a through-port for communication of well fluid past the setting member.
  • 10. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the acid within the acid pill comprises an acid powder.
  • 11. The downhole tool of claim 1, further comprising a shell connected to the cap, wherein the shell and the cap form a solid insert that is configured to be inserted into or removed from the bore in the setting member, and wherein the acid is contained within the solid insert.
  • 12. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the bore in the setting member comprises a first bore and a second bore that are both radially offset from a central longitudinal axis through the setting member, wherein the acid pill is positioned in the first bore, and wherein the second bore is empty and provides a path of fluid communication through the setting member.
  • 13. A downhole tool, comprising: a main body;a first cone received at least partially into a first end of the main body;a second cone received at least partially into a second, opposite end of the main body, wherein the first and second cones are configured to be advanced into the main body and adducted together so as to force the main body radially outward, and wherein the second cone comprises one or more bores therein; andan acid pill received in one of the one or more bores, wherein the acid pill comprises a cap defining one or more bores therein, wherein the cap is configured to dissolve such that the cap bore provides at least a partial communication path to an acid in the acid pill to allow the acid configured to mix with well fluid so as to increase a rate of dissolution of the second cone in the well fluid in comparison to a rate of dissolution of the second cone in the well fluid without the presence of the acid.
  • 14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the main body comprises a sleeve extending from the first end and configured to be pressed outward by advancement of the first cone therein, and a slip assembly extending from the second end and configured to be pressed outward by advancement of the second cone therein.
  • 15. The tool of claim 13, wherein the acid pill comprises a shell in which the acid is contained that is configured to dissolve in the well fluid.
  • 16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the is coupled to an uphole end of the shell, and wherein the cap is configured to dissolve at least at a bottom of the one or more bores, so as to expose the acid to the well fluid.
  • 17. The tool of claim 13, wherein the acid comprises an acid powder.
  • 18. The tool of claim 13, wherein the one or more bores of the second cone comprises a plurality of bores, and wherein at least one of the plurality of bores is empty so as to provide fluid communication through the second cone.
  • 19. The tool of claim 18, wherein the first cone comprises an upwardly facing valve seat configured to catch an obstructing member, so as to prevent fluid flow in in at least one direction through the main body.
  • 20. A method, comprising: positioning an acid pill in a setting member of a downhole tool, wherein the acid pill comprises a cap defining a bore therein;deploying the downhole tool into a well;setting the downhole tool using the setting member to press at least a portion of the downhole tool radially outward; andexposing the downhole tool to a well fluid, wherein exposing the downhole tool to the well fluid causes at least a portion of the cap to dissolve such that the bore provides at least a partial communication path to, an acid contained within the acid pill to allow the acid to mix with the well fluid, and wherein the acid mixed with the well fluid causes at least a portion of the downhole tool to dissolve.
  • 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising deploying an obstructing member into the well, the obstructing member being caught by another setting member of the downhole tool.
  • 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the setting member comprises a second setting member, and the downhole tool comprises a first setting member, and wherein setting the downhole tool comprises adducting the first and second setting members together within a main body of the downhole tool, so as to press a sleeve of the main body and a slips assembly of the main body radially outwards.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 62/978,022, which was filed on Feb. 18, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (266)
Number Name Date Kind
2189697 Baker Feb 1940 A
2222233 Mize Nov 1940 A
2225143 Baker et al. Dec 1940 A
3127198 Orund Mar 1964 A
3746093 Mullins Jul 1973 A
3860067 Rodgers Jan 1975 A
4155404 Hollingsworth May 1979 A
4483399 Colgate Nov 1984 A
4901794 Baugh et al. Feb 1990 A
5064164 Le Nov 1991 A
5131468 Lane et al. Jul 1992 A
5325923 Surjaatmadja et al. Jul 1994 A
5396957 Surjaatmadja et al. Mar 1995 A
5479986 Gano et al. Jan 1996 A
5542473 Pringle Aug 1996 A
5623993 Buskirk et al. Apr 1997 A
5701959 Hushbeck et al. Dec 1997 A
5709269 Head Jan 1998 A
5984007 Yuan et al. Nov 1999 A
6167963 McMahan et al. Jan 2001 B1
6220349 Vargus et al. Apr 2001 B1
6296054 Kunz et al. Oct 2001 B1
6354372 Carisella et al. Mar 2002 B1
6354373 Vercaemer et al. Mar 2002 B1
6446323 Metcalfe et al. Sep 2002 B1
6581681 Zimmerman et al. Jun 2003 B1
6662876 Lauilzen Dec 2003 B2
6684958 Williams et al. Feb 2004 B2
6695050 Winslow et al. Feb 2004 B2
6702029 Metcalfe et al. Mar 2004 B2
6712153 Turley et al. Mar 2004 B2
6722437 Vercaemer et al. Apr 2004 B2
6793022 Vick et al. Sep 2004 B2
6796376 Frazier Sep 2004 B2
6796534 Beyer et al. Sep 2004 B2
7048065 Badrak et al. May 2006 B2
7093656 Maguire Aug 2006 B2
7096938 Carmody et al. Aug 2006 B2
7104322 Whanger et al. Sep 2006 B2
7150318 Freeman Dec 2006 B2
7168494 Starr et al. Jan 2007 B2
7168499 Cook et al. Jan 2007 B2
7172025 Eckerlin Feb 2007 B2
7195073 Fraser, III Mar 2007 B2
7255178 Slup et al. Aug 2007 B2
7273110 Pedersen et al. Sep 2007 B2
7322416 Burris, II et al. Jan 2008 B2
7350582 McKeachnie et al. Apr 2008 B2
7350588 Abercrombie Simpson et al. Apr 2008 B2
7363967 Burris, II et al. Apr 2008 B2
7367389 Duggan et al. May 2008 B2
7367391 Stuart et al. May 2008 B1
7373990 Harrall et al. May 2008 B2
7395856 Murray Jul 2008 B2
7422060 Hammami et al. Sep 2008 B2
7451815 Hailey, Jr. Nov 2008 B2
7464764 Xu Dec 2008 B2
7475736 Lehr et al. Jan 2009 B2
7503392 King et al. Mar 2009 B2
7520335 Richard et al. Apr 2009 B2
7527095 Bloess et al. May 2009 B2
7530582 Truchsess et al. May 2009 B2
7552766 Gazewood Jun 2009 B2
7562704 Wood et al. Jul 2009 B2
7584790 Johnson Sep 2009 B2
7603758 Cook et al. Oct 2009 B2
7607476 Tom et al. Oct 2009 B2
7614448 Swagerty et al. Nov 2009 B2
7647964 Akbar et al. Jan 2010 B2
7661481 Todd et al. Feb 2010 B2
7665537 Patel et al. Feb 2010 B2
7665538 Robisson et al. Feb 2010 B2
7690436 Turley et al. Apr 2010 B2
7757758 O'Malley et al. Jul 2010 B2
7798236 McKeachnie et al. Sep 2010 B2
7814978 Steele et al. Oct 2010 B2
7832477 Cavender et al. Nov 2010 B2
7861744 Fly et al. Jan 2011 B2
7861774 Fehr et al. Jan 2011 B2
7921925 Maguire et al. Apr 2011 B2
7980300 Roberts et al. Jul 2011 B2
8016032 Mandrell et al. Sep 2011 B2
8047279 Barlow et al. Nov 2011 B2
8079413 Frazier Dec 2011 B2
8267177 Vogel et al. Sep 2012 B1
8276670 Patel Oct 2012 B2
8291982 Murray et al. Oct 2012 B2
8307892 Frazier Nov 2012 B2
8327931 Agrawal et al. Dec 2012 B2
8336616 McClinton Dec 2012 B1
8397820 Fehr et al. Mar 2013 B2
8403037 Agrawal et al. Mar 2013 B2
8425651 Xu et al. Apr 2013 B2
8459347 Stout Jun 2013 B2
8567494 Rytlewski et al. Oct 2013 B2
8573295 Johnson et al. Nov 2013 B2
8579024 Mailand et al. Nov 2013 B2
8584746 Marya Nov 2013 B2
8631876 Xu et al. Jan 2014 B2
8636074 Nutley et al. Jan 2014 B2
8684096 Harris et al. Apr 2014 B2
8776884 Xu et al. Jul 2014 B2
8887818 Carr et al. Nov 2014 B1
8905149 Bailey et al. Dec 2014 B2
8936085 Boney et al. Jan 2015 B2
8950504 Xu et al. Feb 2015 B2
8978776 Spray Mar 2015 B2
8991485 Chenault et al. Mar 2015 B2
9010416 Xu et al. Apr 2015 B2
9016363 Xu et al. Apr 2015 B2
9033041 Baihly et al. May 2015 B2
9033060 Xu et al. May 2015 B2
9057260 Kelbie et al. Jun 2015 B2
9080403 Xu et al. Jul 2015 B2
9080439 O'Malley et al. Jul 2015 B2
9101978 Xu et al. Aug 2015 B2
9206659 Zhang et al. Dec 2015 B2
9228404 Jackson et al. Jan 2016 B1
9309733 Xu et al. Apr 2016 B2
9334702 Allen et al. May 2016 B2
9382790 Bertoja et al. Jul 2016 B2
D762737 Fitzhugh Aug 2016 S
D763324 Fitzhugh Aug 2016 S
9470060 Young Oct 2016 B2
9574415 Xu et al. Feb 2017 B2
9605508 Xu et al. Mar 2017 B2
D783133 Fitzhugh Apr 2017 S
9752423 Lynk Sep 2017 B2
9835003 Harris Dec 2017 B2
9835016 Zhang Dec 2017 B2
D807991 Fitzhugh Jan 2018 S
9909384 Chauffe et al. Mar 2018 B2
9915116 Jacob Mar 2018 B2
9927058 Sue Mar 2018 B2
9976379 Schmidt May 2018 B2
9976381 Martin et al. May 2018 B2
D827000 Van Lue Aug 2018 S
10156119 Martin et al. Dec 2018 B2
10400531 Jackson et al. Sep 2019 B2
10408012 Martin et al. Sep 2019 B2
10415336 Benzie Sep 2019 B2
10533392 Walton Jan 2020 B2
10605018 Schmidt Mar 2020 B2
10648275 Dirocco May 2020 B2
10920523 Kellner et al. Feb 2021 B2
20030062171 Maguire et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030099506 Mosing May 2003 A1
20030188876 Vick et al. Oct 2003 A1
20040060700 Vert et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040069485 Ringgengberg et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040177952 Turley et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040244968 Cook et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050011650 Harrall et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050139359 Maurer et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050189103 Roberts et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050199401 Patel et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050205266 Todd et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050211446 Ricalton et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050217866 Watson et al. Oct 2005 A1
20060185855 Jordan et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060272828 Manson Dec 2006 A1
20070000664 Ring et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070044958 Rytlewski et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070272418 Corre et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080066923 Xu Mar 2008 A1
20080073074 Frazier Mar 2008 A1
20080135248 Talley et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080135261 McGilvray et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080142223 Xu et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080190600 Shkurti et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080264627 Roberts et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080308266 Roberts et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090044949 King et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090065192 Lucas Mar 2009 A1
20090065196 Holland et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090205843 Gandikota et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090242213 Braddick Oct 2009 A1
20090266560 Ring et al. Oct 2009 A1
20100032167 Adam et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100038072 Akselberg Feb 2010 A1
20100116489 Nelson May 2010 A1
20100132960 Shkurti et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100170682 Brennan, III Jul 2010 A1
20100263857 Frazier Oct 2010 A1
20100270031 Patel Oct 2010 A1
20100270035 Ring et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100276159 Mailand et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100314127 Swor et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100319427 Lohbeck Dec 2010 A1
20100319927 Yokley et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110005779 Lembcke Jan 2011 A1
20110048743 Stafford et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110088891 Stout Apr 2011 A1
20110132143 Xu et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132619 Agrawal et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132621 Agrawal et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132623 Moeller Jun 2011 A1
20110232899 Porter Sep 2011 A1
20110240295 Porter et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110266004 Hallundbaek et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110284232 Huang Nov 2011 A1
20120024109 Xu et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120055669 Levin et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120067583 Zimmerman et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120097384 Valencia Apr 2012 A1
20120111566 Sherman et al. May 2012 A1
20120118583 Johnson et al. May 2012 A1
20120132426 Xu et al. May 2012 A1
20120168163 Bertoja et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120199341 Kellner et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120205873 Turley Aug 2012 A1
20120247767 Themig et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120273199 Cresswell et al. Nov 2012 A1
20130008671 Booth Jan 2013 A1
20130062063 Baihly et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130081825 Lynde et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130186615 Hallubaek et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130186616 Xu et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130192853 Themig Aug 2013 A1
20130299185 Xu et al. Nov 2013 A1
20140014339 O'Malley et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140076571 Frazier et al. Mar 2014 A1
20140131054 Raynal May 2014 A1
20140209325 Dockweiler Jul 2014 A1
20140224477 Wiese Aug 2014 A1
20140238700 Williamson Aug 2014 A1
20140262214 Mhaskar Sep 2014 A1
20140352970 Kristoffer Dec 2014 A1
20150027737 Rochen Jan 2015 A1
20150068757 Hofman et al. Mar 2015 A1
20150075774 Raggio Mar 2015 A1
20150129215 Xu et al. May 2015 A1
20150159462 Cutler Jun 2015 A1
20150184485 Xu et al. Jul 2015 A1
20150218904 Chauffe et al. Aug 2015 A1
20160160591 Xu Jun 2016 A1
20160186511 Coronado et al. Jun 2016 A1
20160290096 Tse Oct 2016 A1
20160305215 Harris et al. Oct 2016 A1
20160312557 Kitzman Oct 2016 A1
20160333655 Fripp Nov 2016 A1
20160376869 Rochen Dec 2016 A1
20170022781 Martin Jan 2017 A1
20170067328 Chauffe Mar 2017 A1
20170101843 Waterhouse et al. Apr 2017 A1
20170130553 Harris May 2017 A1
20170146177 Sue May 2017 A1
20170218711 Kash Aug 2017 A1
20170260824 Kellner Sep 2017 A1
20170370176 Frazier Dec 2017 A1
20180030807 Martin Feb 2018 A1
20180073325 Dolog Mar 2018 A1
20180087345 Xu Mar 2018 A1
20180266205 Martin Sep 2018 A1
20180363409 Frazier Dec 2018 A1
20190063179 Murphy Feb 2019 A1
20190106961 Hardesty Apr 2019 A1
20190203556 Powers Jul 2019 A1
20190264513 Kosel Aug 2019 A1
20190292874 Saeed Sep 2019 A1
20200072019 Tonti Mar 2020 A1
20200080396 Subbaraman Mar 2020 A1
20200131882 Tonti Apr 2020 A1
20200173246 Kellner Jun 2020 A1
20200248521 Southard Aug 2020 A1
20200256150 Kellner Aug 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (14)
Number Date Country
091776 Feb 2015 AR
2010214651 Mar 2012 AU
2251525 Nov 2010 EP
2345308 Jul 2000 GB
2448449 Oct 2008 GB
2448449 Dec 2008 GB
2482078 Jan 2012 GB
2010039131 Apr 2010 WO
2011023743 Nov 2011 WO
2011137112 Nov 2011 WO
2014014591 Jan 2014 WO
2014100072 Jun 2014 WO
2016160003 Oct 2016 WO
2017151384 Sep 2017 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (31)
Entry
Non-Final Office Action dated Apr. 15, 2021, U.S. Appl. No. 16/804,765, 13 pages.
Non-Final Office Action dated May 12, 2021, U.S. Appl. No. 16/818,502, 7 pages.
Anjum et al., Solid Expandable Tubular Combined with Swellable Elastomers Facilitate Multizonal Isolation and Fracturing, with Nothing Left in the Well Bore to Drill for Efficient Development of Tight Gas Reservoirs in Cost Effective Way, SPE International Oil & Gas Conference, Jun. 8-10, 2010, pp. 1-16.
Chakraborty et al., Drilling and Completions Services and Capabilities Presentation, Jan. 2018, Virtual Integrated Analytic Solutions, Inc., 33 pages.
Gorra et al., Expandable Zonal Isolation Barrier (ZIB) Provides a Long-Term Well Solution as a High Differential Pressure Metal Barrier to Flow, Brazilian Petroleum Technical Papers, 2010, Abstract only, 1 page.
Hinkie et al., Multizone Completion with Accurately Placed Stimulation Through Casing Wall, SPE Production and Operations Symposium, Mar. 13-Apr. 3, 2007, pp. 1-4.
Jackson et al., Slip Assembly, U.S. Appl. No. 13/361,477, filed Jan. 30, 2012.
Jackson et al., Slip Assembly, U.S. Appl. No. 14/987,255, filed Jan. 4, 2016.
Kellner et al., Downhole Tool Including a Swage, U.S. Appl. No. 29/689,996, filed May 3, 2019.
Kellner et al., Slip Segment for a Downhole Tool, U.S. Appl. No. 15/064,312, filed Mar. 8, 2016.
Kellner et al., Ball Drop Wireline Adapter Kit, U.S. Appl. No. 16/131,802, filed Sep. 14, 2018.
Kellner et al., Downhole Tool With Ball-In-Place Setting Assembly and Asymmetric Sleeve, U.S. Appl. No. 16/366,470, filed Mar. 27, 2019.
Kellner et al., Downhole Tool With Sleeve and Slip, U.S. Appl. No. 16/804,765, filed Feb. 28, 2020.
Kellner et al., Downhole Tool With Sealing Ring, U.S. Appl. No. 16/695,316, filed Nov. 11, 2019.
King et al., A Methodology for Selecting Interventionless Packer Setting Techniques, SPE-90678-MS, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2004, pp. 1-3.
Larimore et al., Overcoming Completion Challenges with Intervention less Devices—Case Study—The “Disappearing Plug”, SPE 63111, SPE International 2000, pp. 1-13.
Mailand et al., Non-Damaging Slips and Drillable Bridge Plug, U.S. Appl. No. 12/836,333, filed Jul. 14, 2010.
Martin et al., Downhole Tool With an Expandable Sleeve, U.S. Appl. No. 15/217,090, filed Jul. 22, 2016.
Martin et al., Downhole Tool With an Expandable Sleeve, U.S. Appl. No. 15/727,390, filed Oct. 6, 2017.
Martin et al., Downhole Tool With an Expandable Sleeve, U.S. Appl. No. 15/985,637, filed May 21, 2018.
Kellner et al., Deformable Downhole Tool With Dissolvable Element and Brittle Protective Layer, U.S. Appl. No. 16/677,993, filed Nov. 8, 2019.
Tonti et al., Downhole Tool With an Expandable Sleeve, Grit Material, and Button Inserts, U.S. Appl. No. 16/117,089, filed Aug. 30, 2018.
Tonti et al., Downhole Tool With Recessed Buttons, U.S. Appl. No. 16/662,792, filed Oct. 24, 2019.
Martin et al., Dowhnhole Tool and Methods, U.S. Appl. No. 16/818,502, filed Mar. 13, 2020.
Vargus et al., Completion System Allows for Interventionless Stimulation Treatments in Horizontal Wells with Multiple Shale Pay Zones, Annual SPE Technical Conference, Sep. 2008, Abstract only, 1 page.
Vargus et al., Completion System Allows for Interventionless Stimulation Treatments in Horizontal Wells with Multiple Shale Pay Zones, SPE Annual Technical Conference, Sep. 2008, pp. 1-8.
Vargus et al., System Enables Multizone Completions, The American Oil & Gas Reporter, 2009, Abstract only, 1 page.
World Oil, Slotted Liner Design for SAGD Wells ///, Jun. 2007, WorldOil.Com, https://www.worldoil.com/magazine/2007/June-2007/special-focus/slotted-liner-design-for-sagd-wells, 1 page.
Xu et al., Declaration Under 37 CFR 1.132, U.S. Appl. No. 14/605,365, filed Jan. 26, 2015, pp. 1-4.
Xu et al., Smart Nanostructured Materials Deliver High Reliability Completion Tools for Gas Shale Fracturing, SPE 146586, SPE International, 2011, pp. 1-6.
Zhang et al., High Strength Nanostructured Materials and Their Oil Field Applications, SPE 157092, SPE International, 2012, pp. 1-6.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20210254421 A1 Aug 2021 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62978022 Feb 2020 US