US 11,814,923 B2
Degradable deformable diverters and seals
Andrew Sherman, Mentor, OH (US); Nicholas Farkas, Euclid, OH (US); and Raghu Meesala, Euclid, OH (US)
Assigned to TERVES LLC, Euclid, OH (US)
Filed by Terves LLC, Euclid, OH (US)
Filed on Oct. 16, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/654,099.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/747,358, filed on Oct. 18, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0123873 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. E21B 33/12 (2006.01); C22C 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 33/1208 (2013.01) [C22C 23/00 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a temporary seal in a well formation that includes:
a. providing a variable stiffness or deformable degradable component capable of forming a fluid seal; said degradable component is formed of a degradable metal and a stiffness component; said degradable metal forms a continuous phase in said degradable component; said stiffness component forms a discontinuous second phase in said degradable component; a stiffness or yield strength of said degradable component changes when said degradable component deforms; said degradable metal includes degradable magnesium alloy; said stiffness component includes non-degradable material; said non-degradable material includes micro balloons; said microballoons have a crush strength of 500-10,000 psi; said non-degradable material constitutes 20-60 vol. % of said degradable component; said degradable metal constitutes 40-80 vol. % of said degradable component;
b. combining said degradable component with a fluid to be inserted into said well formation;
c. inserting said fluid that includes said degradable component into said well formation to cause said degradable component to be positioned at or at least partially in an opening located in the well formation that is to be partially or fully sealed;
d. causing said degradable component that is located at or at least partially in said opening to deform so as to at least partially form a seal in said opening so as to partially or fully block or divert a flow of said fluid from flowing into and/or through said opening, said degradable component caused to be at least partially deformed by fluid pressure of said fluid;
e. performing operations such as drilling, circulating, pumping, and/or hydraulic fracturing in said well formation for a period of time after said degradable component has deformed and at least partially sealed said opening; and,
f. causing said degradable component to partially degrade to cause said degradable component to be partially or fully removed from said opening to thereby allow 80-100% of fluid flow rates into said opening that existed prior to said degradable component partially or fully sealing said opening.