EXPANDABLE METAL DISPLACEMENT PLUG

Abstract

This disclosure, in at least one aspect, provides a displacement plug for use in a well tubular, a method for running a well system, and a related well system. The displacement plug, in one aspect, includes a plug body for engagement in a well tubular, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the well tubular. The displacement plug, in one or more aspects, further includes one or more displacement accessories coupled to the plug body for displacing the plug body to the bottom of the well.

Description

EXPANDABLE METAL DISPLACEMENT PLUG CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to the U.S. application Serial No. 17 / 395,870, filed on August 6, 2021, entitled EXPANDABLE METAL DISPLACMENT PLUG, which claims the benefit of the U.S. provisional application Serial No. 63 / 065,248, filed on August 13, 2020, entitled SWELLABLE METAL WIPER PLUG, both customarily assigned with this application and incorporated herein in full by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In short cemented casings or casing strings (both hereafter referred to as casing) in wells (a process known as primary cementing), a cement slurry is pumped down the casing and then up into the annular space between the casing and the wellbore walls. After setting, the cement bonds the casing to the wellbore walls and restricts fluid movement between the formations or zones penetrated by the well. Before a primary cementing operation, the casing is suspended in a well, and drilling fluid is typically used to fill both the casing and the wellbore. To reduce contamination of the cement slurry at the interface between the slurry and the drilling fluid, a displacement plug is pumped in to seal the internal surfaces of the casing ahead of the cement slurry. This separates the cement slurry from the drilling fluid as the slurry and the drilling fluid ahead of it are displaced through the casing. The displacement plug cleans the drilling fluid from the casing walls and maintains separation between the cement slurry and the drilling fluid until the plug engages with a float collar attached near the bottom of the casing. The displacement plug, which precedes the cement slurry and separates it from the drilling fluid, is herein referred to as the lower plug. When the predetermined required amount of cement slurry has been pumped into the casing, a second displacement plug, herein referred to as the upper plug, is released into the casing to separate the cement slurry from additional drilling fluid or other displacement fluid used to displace the cement slurry. In certain cases, the lower plug is not used, but the upper plug is. When the lower plug engages with the float collar attached to the casing, a valve mechanism opens, allowing the cement slurry to continue through the plug and float collar upward into the annular space between the casing and the wellbore. MA.a.ZUZ Ó / UUU / ¿o The design of the top plug is such that when it engages with the bottom plug, it cuts off the flow of fluid through the cementing plugs, preventing the displacement fluid from entering the annular space. After the top plug is engaged, pumping of the displacement fluid into the casing often continues, so pressure is exerted on the casing, and the pressure of the casing and associated equipment, including the pump, is evaluated for leaks or other defects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a well system that includes an example operating environment where the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be employed; Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a displacement plug for use in a well tubular designed and manufactured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a displacement plug designed and manufactured in accordance with one or more embodiments of disclosure within a well tubular; Figure 4 illustrates the displacement plug of Figure 3 after it has expanded to form an expanded displacement plug; Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a displacement plug for use in a well tubular designed and manufactured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a displacement plug for use in a well tubular designed and manufactured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the displacement plug and wellbore tubing of Figure 6, clearly showing one or more plug members; and Figure 8 illustrates the displacement plug and wellbore tubular of Figure 7 after expanding one or more plug members to seal the flow path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings and descriptions that follow, similar parts are typically marked throughout the descriptive document and drawings with the same reference numbers, respectively. The figures drawn are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown in exaggerated scale or somewhat schematically, and some details of certain elements may be omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness. This disclosure may be implemented in various embodiments. The specific embodiments are described in detail and shown in the drawings, with the understanding that this disclosure should be considered an example of the principles of disclosure and is not intended to limit disclosure to what is illustrated and described herein. It should be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed herein may be employed separately or in any combination suitable for producing the desired results. Unless otherwise specified, the use of terms connect, mesh, couple, join, or any other similar term describing an interaction between elements is not intended to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the described elements. Unless otherwise specified, the use of the expressions above, upper, upward, upstream, upstream, or other similar expressions shall be interpreted generally as meaning toward the earth's surface; likewise, the use of the expressions below, lower, downward, at the bottom of the well, or other similar expressions shall be interpreted generally as meaning downstream of the well, the terminal end of a well, regardless of the well's orientation. The use of one or more of any of the foregoing expressions shall not be construed as denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis. Unless otherwise specified, the use of the expression "underground formation" shall be interpreted to encompass both areas below exposed earth and areas below earth covered by water, such as the ocean or freshwater. With reference to Figure 1, a well system 100 is illustrated, including an example operating environment where the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may be employed. For example, the well system 100 could include a displacement plug 180 before or after expansion, according to any of the embodiments, aspects, applications, variations, designs, etc., disclosed in the following paragraphs. As shown, the well system 100 comprises a workover and / or drilling platform 110 located above the earth's surface 115 and extending over and around a well 120 penetrating a subsurface formation 130 for the purpose of recovering hydrocarbons. The subsurface formation 130 may be located beneath exposed earth, as shown, as well as subsurface areas covered by water, such as the ocean or freshwater.As those of intermediate skill will appreciate, shaft 120 can be fully lined, partially lined, or an open shaft. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, shaft 120 is partially lined and therefore includes a lined region 140 and an open shaft region 145. MA / a / 2U2 Ó / UUU / 20 Well 120 can be drilled into underground formation 130 using any suitable drilling technique. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, well 120 extends substantially vertically away from the earth surface 115. However, in other embodiments, well 120 could include a vertical well portion, deviate vertically to the earth surface 115 with respect to a deviated well portion, and then transition to a horizontal well portion. In alternative operating environments, all or portions of well 120 may be vertical, deviated at any suitable angle, horizontal, and / or curved. Well 120 may be a new well, an existing well, a straight well, an extended-reach well, a deviated well, a multilateral well, or any other type of well for drilling, completing, and / or producing one or more zones. Furthermore, well 120 can be used for both production and injection wells. According to the disclosure, well 120 may include a well tubular 150 (for example, well tubulars 150a, 150b). Well tubular 150a, in the illustrated embodiment, is a well casing. Well tubular 150b, in the illustrated embodiment, is a short casing string. However, this disclosure should not be limited to any specific well tubular. In particular, a well tubular may include any tubular that has an annular space surrounding it, as might be the case with a concentric set of well tubulars. Well tubular 150a, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, is held in place by cement 160a in the casing region 140. Well tubular 150b, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, is held in place by cement 160b in the open-hole region 145. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a shoe rail 170 was placed at a lower end of the wellbore tubular 150. The shoe rail 170, in one embodiment, includes a coupling collar 172, a float collar 174, and a float shoe 176. However, other shoe rail designs are within the scope of disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the displacement plug 180 is coupled to the shoe rail 170 and, more specifically, to the shoe rail coupling collar 172. The displacement plug 180, before expansion, includes a plug body for engagement in the wellbore tubular, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the wellbore tubular, and one or more displacement fittings coupled to the plug body for displacing the plug body toward the bottom of the well. The displacement plug 180, after expansion, includes a cement plug body locked in the wellbore tubular, and one or more displacement fittings coupled to the cement plug body. MA.a.ZUZ Ó / UUU / ¿o As briefly stated above, the expandable metal (for example, in at least one embodiment) expands automatically, without intervention, in response to hydrolysis to lock the displacement plug 180 in place. Consequently, one or more sections of expanded metal arise from the displacement plug 180. As used herein, the term "expandable metal" refers to the expandable metal in a form prior to expansion. Similarly, as used herein, the term "expanded metal" refers to the resulting expanded metal after subjecting the expandable metal to a reactive fluid, as discussed below. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "partially expanded metal" refers to the resulting expanded metal after a portion of the expandable metal has been subjected to a reactive fluid, as discussed below. Expanded metal, according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, comprises metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In certain embodiments, the expanded metal includes unreacted residual metal, such as when it is partially expanded metal. For example, in certain embodiments, the expanded metal is deliberately designed to include unreacted residual metal. The unreacted residual metal has the benefit of allowing the expanded metal to self-heal if cracks or other defects arise, or, for example, to accommodate changes in the diameter of the tube or mandrel due to variations in temperature and / or pressure. However, other embodiments may exist where there is no unreacted residual metal in the expanded metal. In some embodiments, the expandable metal can be described as expanding into a cement-like material. In other words, the expandable metal transforms from metal into microscopic particles, which then expand and lock together to essentially seal two or more surfaces together. In certain embodiments, the reaction can occur in less than two days in a reactive fluid at specific temperatures. However, the reaction time can vary depending on the reactive fluid, the expandable metal used, the downhole temperature, and the surface area to volume (SA:V) ratio of the expandable metal. In some embodiments, the reactive fluid may be a brine solution such as that produced during well completion activities, and in other embodiments, the reactive fluid may be one of the additional solutions discussed herein, including drilling fluid and / or cement slurry. The metal, prior to expansion, is an electrically conductive material in certain embodiments. The metal may be fabricated into any specific size / shape by extrusion, forming, casting, or other conventional methods of obtaining the desired shape from a metal, as will be discussed in more detail later. In certain embodiments, the metal, prior to expansion, has a yield strength greater than approximately 8,000 psi, for example, 8,000 psi + / - 50%.The 180 displacement plug, after expansion, was measured to withstand over 3,000 psi in a 4.5-inch tube with an 18-inch long plug, which has a pressure of approximately 160 psi per inch. In certain other embodiments, the 180 displacement plug can withstand at least 300 psi per inch of plug length. The hydrolysis of any expanding metal can create a metal hydroxide. The formative properties of alkaline earth metals (Mg - magnesium, Ca - calcium, etc.) and transition metals (Zn - zinc, Al - aluminum, etc.) in hydrolysis reactions demonstrate structural characteristics that are favorable for use with this disclosure. Hydration results in an increase in size from the hydration reaction and produces a metal hydroxide that can precipitate from the fluid. The hydration reaction for magnesium is: Mg + 2H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + H₂, where Mg(OH)₂ is also called brucite. Another hydration reaction uses the hydrolysis of aluminum. The reaction forms a material called gibbsite, bayerite, boehmite, aluminum oxide, and norstrandite, depending on the form. The possible hydration reactions for aluminum are as follows: Al + 3H2O Al(OH)3+ 3 / 2 H2. Al + 2H2O -> Al O(OH) + 3 / 2 H2 Al + 3 / 2 H2O ->1 / 2AI2O3+ 3 / 2 H2 Another hydration reaction uses calcium hydrolysis. The hydration reaction for calcium is: Ca + 2H2O -> Ca(OH)2+ H2, Where Ca(OH)₂ is called portlandite and is a common hydrolysis product of Portland cement. Magnesium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide are considered relatively insoluble in water. Aluminum hydroxide can be considered an amphoteric hydroxide, which is soluble in strong acids or strong bases. Alkaline earth metals (e.g., Mg, Ca, etc.) work well for the expandable metal, although transition metals (Al, etc.) also work well. In one embodiment, the metal hydroxide is dehydrated by swelling pressure to form a metal oxide. In one embodiment, the expandable metal used can be a metal alloy. The expandable metal alloy can be an alloy of the base expandable metal with other elements to adjust the strength of the expandable metal alloy, to adjust the reaction time of the expandable metal alloy, or to adjust the strength of the resulting expandable metal hydroxide byproduct, among other adjustments. The expandable metal alloy can be alloyed with elements that enhance the metal's strength, such as, but not limited to, Al - aluminum, Zn - zinc, Mn - manganese, Zr - zirconium, Y - yttrium, Nd - neodymium, Gd - gadolinium, Ag - silver, Ca - calcium, Sn - tin, Re - rhenium, and Cu - copper.In some embodiments, the expanded metal alloy can be alloyed with a corrosion-promoting dopant, such as Ni (nickel), Fe (iron), Cu (copper), Co (cobalt), Ir (iridium), Au (gold), C (carbon), Ga (gallium), In (indium), Mg (mercury), B1 (bismuth), Sn (tin), and Pd (palladium). The expanded metal alloy can be constructed in a solid solution process where the elements are combined with molten metal or metal alloy. Alternatively, the expanded metal alloy could be constructed using a powder metallurgy process. The expanded metal can be cast, forged, extruded, sintered, welded, milled, turned, stamped, eroded, or a combination thereof. The metal alloy can be a mixture of the metal and a metal oxide. For example, a powdered mixture of aluminum and aluminum oxide can be ground together to increase the reaction rate. Optionally, non-expandable components can be added to the metallic starter materials. For example, ceramic, elastomer, plastic, epoxy, glass, or non-reactive metal components can be embedded in the expandable metal or applied as a coating to its surface. In still other embodiments, the non-expandable components include metal flakes, a composite fabric, a polymer tape, or ceramic granules, among others. Alternatively, the starter expandable metal can be a metal oxide. For example, calcium oxide (CaO) reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide in a vigorous reaction. Due to the higher density of calcium oxide, it can have a 260% volumetric expansion (e.g., converting 1 mol of CaO can increase the volume from 9.5 cc to 34.4 cc). In one variation, the expandable metal is formed in a serpentinite reaction, a hydration and metamorphic reaction.In one variation, the resulting material resembles a mafic material. Additional ions, including silicate, sulfate, aluminate, carbonate, and phosphate, can be added to the reaction. The metal can be alloyed to increase reactivity or to control oxide formation. Expanded metal can be configured in many different ways, provided a suitable volume of material is available to accommodate the 180 displacement plug. For example, expanded metal can be formed into a single long member, multiple short members, and rings, among other shapes. In another embodiment, expanded metal can be formed into a long expanded metal coil, which, in turn, can be wound around a tubular structure like a sleeve. The coil diameters need not have a circular cross-section; they can have any cross-section. For example, the cross-section of the coil can be oval, rectangular, star-shaped, hexagonal, voussoir-shaped, hollow braided, woven, bent, and so on, and can remain within the scope of disclosure.In certain other embodiments, the expanded metal is a collection of individual, separate pieces of metal held together with a binding agent. Also in certain other embodiments, the expanded metal is a collection of individual, separate pieces of metal that are not held together with a binding agent, but are held in place by one or more different techniques. In at least one other embodiment, one or more of the displacement fittings of the displacement plug 180 comprise the expanded metal. Furthermore, a retarding coating can be applied to one or more portions of the expanding metal to retard the expansion reactions. In one embodiment, the material configured to retard the hydrolysis process is a fusible alloy. In another embodiment, the material configured to retard the hydrolysis process is a eutectic material. In yet another embodiment, the material configured to retard the hydrolysis process is a wax, an oil, or another non-reactive material. With respect to Figures 2A and 2B, a displacement plug 200 (e.g., displacement plug before expansion) is illustrated for use in a well tubular designed and manufactured according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Figure 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the displacement plug 200, while Figure 2B illustrates an isometric view of the displacement plug 200. With respect to Figure 2A, the displacement plug 200 includes a plug body 210, wherein at least a portion of the plug body 210 comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against a well tubular, as discussed above.In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2A, the plug body 210 includes a tip 212 having a tip shoulder 214, a tip nut 216, a tube 218 (e.g., a mandrel in one embodiment), a locking ring 220, and a tonca gasket 222. Any one or more of the tip 212, the tip nut 216, the tube 218, and / or the locking ring 220 may comprise the expandable metal. Although the plug body 210 is illustrated to have several different features, any plug body in accordance with the disclosure may be used. There is one or more displacement accessories 230 coupled to the plug body 210. In at least one embodiment, the one or more displacement accessories are displacement fins. In yet another embodiment, the one or more displacement accessories are one or more compressible accessories, such as compressible drop spheres (e.g., foam). In one embodiment, the one or more displacement accessories 230 comprise rubber. In another embodiment, the one or more displacement accessories 230 comprise plastic or metal. In yet another embodiment, the one or MA.a.ZUZ Ó / UUU / or more displacement accessories 230 comprise a foam material. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the one or more displacement accessories 230 comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis, as discussed above. Although it is illustrated that the one or more displacement accessories 230 have a windshield-like shape, there are other embodiments where a non-windshield-like shape is used, such as when balls are used. The prong nut 216 may have several different outside diameters (Dn) and remain within the scope of disclosure. In one embodiment, the prong nut 216 has a diameter (Dn) ranging from 3.4 inches to 17.5 inches. The tube 218 may have several different inside diameters (Dm) and remain within the scope of disclosure. In one embodiment, the tube 218 has a diameter (Dm) ranging from 1.5 inches to 7.5 inches. The locking ring 220 may have several different outside diameters (Dir) and remain within the scope of disclosure. In one embodiment, the locking ring 220 has a diameter (Dir) ranging from 3.7 inches to 18.5 inches. The one or more displacement fittings 230 may have several different outside diameters (Df) and remain within the scope of disclosure. In one embodiment, the one or more displacement accessories 230 have a diameter (Df) ranging from 5.5 inches to 27.5 inches. The 200 displacement plug may have several different lengths (L) and remain within the scope of disclosure. In one embodiment, the 200 displacement plug has a length (L) ranging from 4 inches to 72 inches, and in another embodiment, it has a length (L) ranging from 8 inches to 36 inches. With respect to Figure 3, an embodiment of a displacement plug 300 designed and manufactured according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure within a wellbore tubular 350 is illustrated. The displacement plug 300, in one embodiment, is similar to the displacement plug 200 of Figures 2A and 2B. The wellbore tubular 350, in the illustrated embodiment, is a coupling plug; however, other wellbore tubulars could be used. With respect to Figure 4, the displacement plug 300 of Figure 3 is illustrated after being expanded to form an expanded displacement plug 410. With respect to Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of a displacement plug 500 for use in a wellbore tubular 550 designed and manufactured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated. The displacement plug 500, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a first casing displacement plug 510 and a second drill pipe displacement plug 520. According to the disclosure, each of the casing displacement plug 510 and the drill pipe displacement plug 520 may include a plug body, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against a wellbore tubular. With respect to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of a displacement plug 600 is illustrated for use in a well tubular 650 designed and manufactured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The displacement plug 600 is similar in many respects to the displacement plug 500 of Figure 5. Accordingly, similar part numbers have been used to indicate similar, if not substantially identical, features. The displacement plug 600 differs largely from the displacement plug 500 in that the well tubular 650 is a wet shoe adapter. Accordingly, the well tubular 650 has a slip sleeve 655 inside, wherein the slip sleeve 655 is configured to slide open a flow path 660 below the plug body.The wellbore 650, in the illustrated embodiment, further includes one or more plug members 665 located within the flow path 660, wherein the one or more plug members 665 comprise metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal the flow path. The metal of the plug members 665 may be similar to one or more of those discussed above. With respect to Figure 7, an enlarged view of the displacement plug 600 and wellbore 650 is illustrated, clearly showing one or more plug members 665. With respect to Figure 8, the displacement plug 600 and wellbore 650 of Figure 7 are illustrated after one or more plug members 665 have been expanded to seal the flow path 660. One or more expanded plug members 865 emerge. The present disclosure discussed one or more members of the 665 plug as used with the 600 displacement plug. However, there are certain embodiments in which one or more members of the 665 plug comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis could be used to seal any flow path, but particularly any flow path in an annular space between a slip sleeve and a wellbore tubular and / or mandrel. The aspects disclosed herein include: A. A displacement plug for use in a well tubular, wherein the displacement plug includes: 1) a plug body for coupling to a well tubular, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the well tubular; and 2) one or more displacement fittings coupled to the plug body for displacing the plug body to the bottom of the well. B. A method for introducing a well system, wherein the method includes: 1) pumping fluid into a well tubular; 2) placing a displacement plug in the well tubular after pumping the fluid, wherein the displacement plug is engaged in the well tubular and includes: a) a plug body for engaging in the well tubular, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the well tubular; and 3) subjecting the displacement plug to a well fluid, whereby an expanded displacement plug is formed and secured in the well tubular, wherein the expanded displacement plug includes a cement plug body. C. A well system, wherein the well system includes: 1) a well located in an underground formation; 2) a well tubular located within the well, an annular space existing between the well tubular and the well; 3) an expanded displacement plug attached to the well tubular, wherein the expanded displacement plug includes a cement plug body and one or more displacement accessories attached to the cement plug body; and 4) cement located in the annular space. D. A valve, wherein the valve includes: 1) a housing; 2) a slip sleeve disposed in the housing and defining an annular flow path between the slip sleeve and the housing, wherein the slip sleeve is configured to move from a closed position that closes the annular flow path to an open position that opens the flow path; and 3) a plug member located within the annular flow path, wherein the plug member comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal the annular flow path. E. A method for sealing, wherein the method includes: 1) placing a valve inside a well tubular, wherein the valve includes: a) a casing; b) a slip sleeve disposed in the casing and defining an annular flow path between the slip sleeve and the casing, wherein the slip sleeve is configured to move from a closed position that closes the annular flow path to an open position that opens the flow path; and C0 a plug member located within the flow path, wherein the plug member comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal the annular flow path; 2) pumping cement into a well tubular; and 3) subjecting the plug member to a reactive fluid, whereby an expanded metal plug member is formed in the annular flow path. F. A well system, wherein the well system includes: 1) a well located in a subsurface formation; and 2) a valve located within the well, wherein the valve includes: a) a casing; b) a slip sleeve disposed in the casing and defining an annular flow path between the slip sleeve and the casing, wherein the slip sleeve is configured to move from a closed position that closes the annular flow path to an open position that opens the flow path; and c) an expanded metal plug member located within the annular flow path, wherein the expanded metal plug member comprises a metal that expanded in response to hydrolysis to seal the annular flow path. Aspects A, B, C, D, E, and F may have one or more of the following additional elements in combination: Element 1: wherein the plug body includes a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis. Element 2: wherein the tip includes a tip nut, wherein the tip nut comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis. Element 3: wherein the tip includes a tubular, wherein the tubular comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis. Element 4: wherein the tip includes a locking ring, wherein the locking ring comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis. Element 5: wherein the tip includes an O-ring. Element 6: wherein the plug body is a casing displacement plug body.Element 7: wherein the plug body is a drill pipe displacement plug body. Element 8: wherein the one or more displacement accessories are one or more displacement fins. Element 9: wherein the one or more displacement fins are coupled to the plug body. Element 10: wherein the displacement plug further includes one or more displacement accessories coupled to the plug body. Element 11: wherein pumping fluid into the wellbore includes pumping cement into the wellbore. Element 12: wherein the one or more displacement fins are coupled to the cement plug body. Element 13: wherein the wellbore is a coupling collar. Element 14: wherein the coupling collar is a shoe rail coupling collar. Element 15: wherein the shoe rail includes a float collar and a float shoe.Element 16: wherein the coupling collar is a well casing. Element 17: wherein the coupling collar is a wet shoe adapter having a slip sleeve disposed thereon, wherein the slip sleeve is configured to slide open a flow path beneath the plug body. Element 18: further includes one or more plug members located within the flow path, wherein the plug member comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal the flow path. Element 19: wherein the plug member is configured to be protected from the reactive fluid when the slip sleeve is in the closed position and is configured to be exposed to the reactive fluid when the slip sleeve is in the open position.Element 20: wherein the plug member is a first plug member and further includes a second plug member located within the flow path, wherein the second plug member comprises metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis. Element 21: wherein the casing and slip sleeve form at least a portion of a wet shoe adapter. Element 22: further includes a displacement plug located within the slip sleeve. Element 23: wherein the displacement plug includes: a plug body for engagement with the slip sleeve, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the wellbore tubular; and one or more displacement fins coupled to the plug body for displacing the plug body toward the bottom of the well.Element 24: wherein the submission occurs after moving the slip sleeve from the closed to the open position. Element 25: wherein the reactive fluid is drilling fluid. Element 26: wherein the reactive fluid is cement slurry. Element 27: wherein the casing and slip sleeve form at least a portion of a wet shoe adapter. Element 28: wherein the expanded metal plug member secures the slip sleeve in the open position. Element 29: wherein the casing and slip sleeve form at least a portion of a wet shoe adapter. Element 30: further including a displacement plug located within the slip sleeve, and further wherein the displacement plug includes a plug body engaged in the slip sleeve, and one or more displacement vanes engaged with the plug body to displace the plug body toward the bottom of the well. The people in the mid-level trade to whom this request is addressed will appreciate that different and additional additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications can be made to the described forms of implementation.

Claims

1. A displacement plug for use in a well tubular, comprising: a plug body for coupling to a well tubular, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the well tubular; and one or more displacement fittings coupled to the plug body for displacing the plug body to the bottom of the well.

2. The displacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug body includes a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

3. The displacement plug according to claim 2, wherein the tip includes a tip nut, wherein the tip nut comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

4. The displacement plug according to claim 2, wherein the tip includes a tubular, wherein the tubular comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

5. The displacement plug according to claim 2, wherein the tip includes a locking ring, wherein the locking ring comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

6. The displacement plug according to claim 2, wherein the tip includes an O-ring.

7. The displacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug body is a liner displacement plug body.

8. The displacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug body is a drill pipe displacement plug body.

9. The displacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the one or more displacement accessories are one or more displacement fins.

10. The displacement plug according to claim 9, wherein the one or more displacement fins are coupled to the plug body.

11. A method for introducing a well system, comprising: pumping fluid into a well tubular; placing a displacement plug in the well tubular after pumping the fluid, wherein the displacement plug is engaged in the well tubular and includes: a plug body for engagement in the well tubular, wherein at least a portion of the plug body comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal against the well tubular; and subjecting the displacement plug to a well fluid, whereby an expanded displacement plug is formed and secured in the well tubular, wherein the expanded displacement plug includes a cement plug body.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the displacement plug further includes one or more displacement accessories coupled to the plug body.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the one or more displacement accessories are one or more displacement fins attached to the plug body.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein pumping fluid into the well tube includes pumping cement into the well tube.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plug body includes a tip, wherein at least a portion of the tip comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tip includes a tip nut, wherein the tip nut comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tip includes a tubular, wherein the tubular comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tip includes a locking ring, wherein the locking ring comprises the metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the tip includes an O-ring.

20. A well system, comprising: a well located in an underground formation; a well tube located within the well; an annular space existing between the well tube and the well; an expanded displacement plug attached to the well tube, wherein the expanded displacement plug includes a cement plug body and one or more displacement accessories attached to the cement plug body; and cement located in the annular space.

21. The well system according to claim 20, wherein the one or more displacement accessories are one or more displacement fins.

22. The well system according to claim 21, wherein one or more displacement fins are coupled to the cement plug body.

23. The well system according to claim 20, wherein the well tube is a coupling collar.

24. The well system according to claim 23, wherein the coupling collar is a shoe rail coupling collar.

25. The well system according to claim 24, wherein the shoe track includes a float collar and a float shoe.

26. The well system according to claim 23, wherein the coupling collar is a well casing.

27. The well system according to claim 23, wherein the coupling collar is a wet shoe adapter having a sliding sleeve disposed thereon, wherein the sliding sleeve is configured to slide to open a flow path beneath the plug body.

28. The well system according to claim 27, further including one or more plug members located within the flow path, wherein the plug member comprises a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis to seal the flow path.

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