controlled actuation of a reactive metal

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for initiating the reaction of a reactive metallic element in a downhole device. An example of a method introduces the downhole device into a borehole; wherein the downhole device comprises the reactive metallic element; wherein the reactive metallic element has a first volume; and wherein the reactive metallic element is separated from a reaction-inducing fluid by low-resistance casing. The low-resistance casing is removed, and the reactive metallic element is brought into contact with the reaction-inducing fluid to produce a reaction product having a second volume greater than the first volume.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Controlled actuation of a reactive metal technical field

[0001] — This disclosure relates to the use of a reactive metallic element and, more particularly, on the processes and devices for controlling the actuation of a reactive metallic element. CONTEXT

[0002] — In certain drilling operations, an inflatable material may be used to sealing and / or anchoring. Among a few examples of devices that use Inflatable materials include sealing gaskets, elements Sealing and lost column suspensions, a sealing gasket can be Used to seal and isolate a drilling area. Expandable sealing elements. can be used for a variety of wellbore applications, including the formation of annular joints and zonal insulation. The columns can be suspended from a casing train or a layer of hardened cement with a suspension of lost column. The lost column suspension is fixed and sealed inside of the casing train or the hardened cement layer and suspends the suspension below the casing train or hardened cement layer.

[0003] — Some types of inflatable materials include elastomers. Elastomers, such as rubber, can swell upon contact with a liquid. swelling inducer. The swelling-inducing fluid can diffuse into the elastomer where part of the fluid can be retained in the internal structure of The elastomer. Inflatable materials, such as elastomers, may be limited to use in specific well environments (e.g., those without salinity) and / or high temperatures), In some well drilling operations, it may be It is important to time the activation of the inflatable material to avoid an accident. premature operation. This disclosure relates to devices and processes improved to control the actuation of a reactive metallic element in the ap- Drilling well applications. Brief description of the drawings

[0004] — Illustrative examples of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and in which ones:

[0005] — Figure 1 is an illustration of a reactive metallic element formed in a lattice structure in accordance with the examples described in this document;

[0006] [Fig. 2] is a cross-section of a downhole device comprising a reactive metallic element in accordance with the examples disclosed in this document; The [Fig.3] is a cross-section of the example downhole device of the [Fig.2] after breaking the low-strength casing according to the examples disclosed in this document; Fig. 4 is a cross-section of an example of the downhole device of Figures 1 and 2 with an additional modification according to the examples disclosed in this document; Fig. 5 is a cross-section of another example of a downhole device comprising a reactive metallic element according to the examples disclosed in this document; The [Fig.6] is a cross-section of an example of a downhole device from the [Fig.5] after breaking the low-resistance casing according to the examples disclosed in this document; Figure 7 is a cross-section of an example setting tool comprising a reactive metallic element in accordance with the examples described in this document; and Fig. 8 is a cross-section of an example of the tool for laying Fig. 7 after breaking the low-strength casing according to the examples disclosed in this document; The figures illustrated are examples only and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with respect to the environment, architecture, design or process in which different examples may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This disclosure relates to the use of a reactive metallic element and, more specifically, to methods and devices for controlling the actuation of a reactive metallic element. In the detailed description below of the various illustrative examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the description and in which practical examples are presented for illustrative purposes. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to carry them out, and it is understood that other examples may be used and that structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the examples described. In order to avoid superfluous detail and to enable a person skilled in the art to carry out the examples described here, the description may omit certain in- formations known to a person skilled in the art. The detailed description presented below should therefore not be considered restrictively, and the scope of the illustrative examples is defined solely by the attached claims. Unless otherwise stated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, etc., used in this specification and in the associated claims, shall be understood as modified in all cases by the term "approximately." Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, the numerical parameters presented in the specification below and in the attached claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought by the examples in this disclosure. At the very least, and without this constituting an attempt to limit the application of the equivalents doctrine to the scope of the claim, each numerical parameter shall at least be interpreted in light of the number of significant figures indicated and by applying standard rounding techniques.It should be noted that when "approximately" is at the beginning of a numeric list, "approximately" modifies each number in the numeric list. Furthermore, in some numeric lists of ranges, some of the listed lower bounds may be greater than some of the listed upper bounds. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the selected subset will require the selection of an upper bound that exceeds the selected lower bound. Unless otherwise stated, any use in any form of the terms "connect," "engage," "couple," "fix," or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not intended to limit the interaction to a direct interaction between the elements and may also include an indirect interaction between the described elements. Furthermore, any use in any form of the terms "connect," "engage," "couple," "fix," or any other term describing an interaction between elements includes objects formed as a single unit without any external fasteners or assembly devices. In the following exposition and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in a non-restrictive manner and should therefore be interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to."Unless otherwise stated, as used throughout this document, "or" does not imply mutual exclusivity. The terms wellhead and wellhead can be used to describe the location of various components relative to the wellhead or wellhead. For example, a component described as being at the wellhead of a component may be farther from the wellhead than the component itself. Similarly, a component described as being at the wellhead of a component may be closer to the wellhead than the component itself. Examples of methods and apparatus described relate to the use of a reactive metal element and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for controlling the actuation of a reactive metal element. The reactive metal element comprises a reactive metal which, after reaction, provides expansion of its metal to seal, anchor, and / or fill voids in the annular space. The reactive metal provides this expansion after contact with a specific reaction-inducing fluid, such as brine, where it produces a reaction product with a greater volume than the reactive agent of the base reactive metal. This increase in the metallic volume of the reaction product allows expansion of the metallic reaction product into any adjacent void. This expansion may be sufficient to seal the adjacent void, to anchor a conduit near the adjacent void, and / or simply to fill the adjacent void.The reaction product solidifies in the adjacent void space for use in further drilling operations. The formation of reaction products results in the volumetric expansion of the reactive metal element, thereby improving zonal isolation. The solidified reaction products also enhance the anchoring of any surrounding conduit, positioning it within the wellbore and enabling secure suspension. Advantageously, reactive metal elements can be used in a variety of wellbore applications. Another advantage is that reactive metal elements provide expansion in high-salinity and / or high-temperature environments. A further benefit is that reactive metal elements comprise a wide variety of metals and metal alloys and react upon contact with reaction-inducing fluids, including a variety of drilling fluids.Reactive metal elements can be used as a replacement for other types of stretchable elements (e.g., elastomeric elements) or in combination with other types of stretchable elements. Another advantage is that, in some cases, reactive metal elements can be placed on existing conduits without affecting the conduit's outside diameter or profile, or without requiring any modifications to accommodate the reactive metal element. In some cases, reactive metal elements are free of elastomeric materials and can be used in well environments where elastomeric materials may be prone to failure. In certain stormwater well applications, the timing of the actuation of the reactive metal elements can be important. Therefore, controlling the contact time of the reactive metal element and the reaction-inducing fluid can prevent premature actuation of the reactive metal element, ensuring that the element is not actuated until it is in the desired position at the desired time. Advantageously, the metal element The reactive element can be sealed from contact with the reaction-inducing fluid by a controlled-break barrier. As an additional advantage, the reactive metallic element can be intercalated with a non-reactive fluid that would prevent the reaction until it is dispersed by the incoming reaction-inducing fluid. Reactive metals expand when they react with a reaction-inducing fluid (e.g., brine) to form a reaction product (e.g., metal hydroxides). The resulting reaction products occupy more volume than the reacting agent of the base reactive metal. This volume difference allows the reactive metal to expand to fill the empty space at the interface between the reactive metal and any adjacent surfaces. It should be understood that the term "filling" does not necessarily mean complete filling of the empty space, and the reaction product may only partially fill the empty space in some examples. Magnesium can be used to illustrate the volumetric expansion of the reactive metal when it reacts with the reaction-inducing fluid.One mole of magnesium has a molar mass of 24 g / mol and a density of 1.74 g / cm³, resulting in a volume of 13.8 cm³ / mol. Magnesium hydroxide, the product of the reaction of magnesium with an aqueous reaction-inducing fluid, has a molar mass of 60 g / mol and a density of 2.34 g / cm³, resulting in a volume of 25.6 cm³ / mol. The volume of magnesium hydroxide of 25.6 cm³ / mol represents an 85% increase in volume compared to the 13.8 cm³ / mol of magnesium. As another example, one mole of calcium has a molar mass of 40 g / mol and a density of 1.54 g / cm³, resulting in a volume of 26.0 cm³ / mol. Calcium hydroxide, the product of the reaction of calcium and an aqueous reaction-inducing fluid, has a molar mass of 76 g / mol and a density of 2.21 g / cm3, giving a volume of 34.4 cm3 / mol.The volume of calcium hydroxide, 34.4 cm³ / mol, represents a 32% increase in volume compared to the 26.0 cm³ / mol volume of a mole of calcium. As another example, one mole of aluminum has a molar mass of 27 g / mol and a density of 2.7 g / cm³, resulting in a volume of 10.0 cm³ / mol. Aluminum hydroxide, the product of the reaction between aluminum and an aqueous reaction-inducing fluid, has a molar mass of 63 g / mol and a density of 2.42 g / cm³, resulting in a volume of 26 cm³ / mol. The volume of aluminum hydroxide, 26 cm³ / mol, represents a 160% increase in volume compared to the 10 cm³ / mol volume of a mole of aluminum. The reactive metal can include any metal or metal alloy that undergoes a reaction to form a reaction product with a volume greater than that of the reactive agent of the reactive metal or base alloy. Reactive metals undergo a chemical transformation by which the metals react chemically with the reaction-inducing fluid and, after the reaction, form a metal hydroxide, which is the main component of the expanded reactive metal element. The volume of the solidified metal hydroxide is greater than that of the base reactive metal, allowing expansion into the annular space around the reactive metal element (e.g., an adjacent void space). Examples of suitable metals for reactive metals include, but are not limited to, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, tin, zinc, beryllium, barium, manganese, or any combination of these elements. Preferred metals include magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. Examples of suitable metal alloys for the reactive metal include, but are not limited to, alloys of magnesium, calcium, aluminum, tin, zinc, beryllium, barium, manganese, or any combination of these elements. Preferred metal alloys include magnesium-zinc, magnesium-aluminum, calcium-magnesium, or aluminum-copper alloys. In some cases, the metal alloys may include non-metallic alloying elements. Examples of such non-metallic elements include, but are not limited to, graphite, carbon, silicon, boron nitride, and similar compounds. In some cases, the metal is alloyed to increase reactivity and / or to control oxide formation. In some examples, the metal alloy is also alloyed with a dopant metal that promotes corrosion or inhibits passivation, thereby increasing hydroxide formation. Examples of dopant metals include, but are not limited to, nickel, iron, copper, carbon, titanium, gallium, mercury, cobalt, iridium, gold, palladium, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the reacting metal includes an oxide. For instance, calcium oxide reacts with water in an energetic reaction to produce calcium hydroxide. One mole of calcium oxide occupies 9.5 cm³, while one mole of calcium hydroxide occupies 34.4 cm³. This represents a volumetric expansion of 260% of the mole of calcium oxide compared to the mole of calcium hydroxide. Examples of metal oxides suitable for the reacting metal include, but are not limited to, the oxides of all the metals described in this document, including magnesium, calcium, aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, chromium, tin, zinc, lead, beryllium, barium, gallium, indium, bismuth, titanium, manganese, cobalt, or any combination thereof. It is important to understand that the selected reactive metal is chosen so that the reaction product formed does not dissolve or degrade in the reaction-inducing fluid in a way that prevents its solidification in a vacuum. In this regard, the use of metals or metal alloys for the reactive metal that form Reaction products that are relatively insoluble in the reaction-inducing fluid may be preferred. For example, the reaction products of magnesium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide have very low solubility in water. Alternatively, or in addition, the reactive metal element can be positioned and configured to limit its degradation in the reaction-inducing fluid due to the geometry of the area in which it is placed. This can result in reduced exposure of the reactive metal element to the reaction-inducing fluid, but can also reduce the degradation of the reaction product, thus extending the lifetime of the reaction product in the vacuum. For example, the volume of the area in which the respective metal element is placed is less than the expansion volume of the reactive metal placed in that area.In some examples, this area volume may be less than 50% of the reactive metal expansion volume. Alternatively, this surface volume may be less than 90% of the reactive metal expansion volume. As another solution, this surface volume may be less than 80% of the reactive metal expansion volume. As another solution, this surface volume may be less than 70% of the reactive metal expansion volume. As another solution, this surface volume may be less than 60% of the reactive metal expansion volume. In one specific example, a portion of the reactive metal element may be disposed in a recess within the duct to limit the exposure area to the portion of the reactive metal element's surface that is not disposed in the recess. In some examples, the reaction products formed from the reaction of a reactive metal can be dehydrated under sufficient pressure. For instance, if a metal hydroxide is under sufficient contact pressure and resists any further movement induced by the formation of additional hydroxide, the high pressure can induce dehydration of the metal hydroxide to form the metal oxide. As an example, magnesium hydroxide can be dehydrated under sufficient pressure to form magnesium oxide and water. As another example, calcium hydroxide can be dehydrated under sufficient pressure to form calcium oxide and water. As yet another example, aluminum hydroxide can be dehydrated under sufficient pressure to form aluminum oxide and water. Reactive metal elements can be formed by a solid solution process, a powder metallurgy process, or by any other process that would be obvious to anyone with ordinary skills in the field. Regardless of the manufacturing process, the reactive metal elements can be slid onto the conduit and held in place by any suitable method. The elements Reactive metal elements can be placed on the conduit as a single piece or as several discrete pieces. Once in place, the reactive metal element can be held in position using end rings, stamped rings, retaining rings, fasteners, adhesives, set screws, crimping, or any other similar method designed to secure the reactive metal element. In some other examples, the reactive metal element may not be held in place and may slide freely on the outside of the tube. As discussed above, reactive metal elements can be formed and shaped to fit existing conduits and, in some examples, may not require modification of the outside diameter or column suspension profile. Alternatively, the conduit may also be manufactured to include a recess in which the reactive metal element can be placed.The recess may have sufficient dimensions and geometry to retain the reactive metal elements within it. In other examples, the reactive metal element may be molded onto the conduit. In some other examples, the diameter of the reactive metal element may be reduced (e.g., by stamping) when it is placed on the conduit. In some examples, the reactive metal elements may be placed along the length of the conduit (e.g., the single conduit joint of the conduit rod that is threaded or coupled to other conduit joints to form a conduit rod train). In other examples, the reactive metal element may be placed on only a portion of the conduit joint. In some examples, the reactive metal elements may be placed on all conduit joints to form a continuous cover of the conduit rod train.In other examples, the reactive metal elements may be placed only on some of the conduit joints of the conduit rod train (e.g., at locations where cement assurance problems may occur). In some optional embodiments, the reactive metal element can be shaped to increase the surface area available for the reaction. Such shapes can include pieces, pellets, lattices, or the like. Figure 1 illustrates a lattice-shaped reactive metal element. In some optional embodiments, foam can be used as the lattice. In other optional embodiments, a non-reactive material, such as a non-reactive fluid or solid, can be dispersed within the formed reactive metal element to delay contact with the reaction-inducing fluid. For example, voids inside and outside the lattice can be covered with a non-reactive material. In another example, the external and interstitial spaces between pieces or pellets of the reactive metal element can be filled with the non-reactive material.Examples of non-reactive material include non-reactive liquids. Reactive fluids include, but are not limited to, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, liquid hydrocarbons, liquid waxes, oil-based liquids, distilled water, glycerin, alcohol, or any combination thereof. Non-reactive fluids may be displaced by fluid pressure from the contacting reaction-inducing fluid and / or by fluid pressure from hydrogen gas produced by the reaction of the reactive metal and the reaction-inducing fluid when the reaction process begins on a portion of the reactive metal. Examples of non-reactive materials include, but are not limited to, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, plastics, solid waxes, or any combination thereof. Non-reactive solid materials may degrade over time and / or with increasing wellbore temperature.The degraded residues can then be displaced by the fluid pressure from the reaction-inducing fluid upon contact and / or by the fluid pressure from the hydrogen gas produced by the reaction of the reactive metal and the reaction-inducing fluid when the reaction process begins on a portion of the reactive metal element. During the displacement of the non-reactive material, the reactive metal of the reactive metal element can come into contact with the reaction-inducing fluid and react to perform the desired drilling operation. In some optional examples, the reactive metal element may include a removable protective coating. The removable protective coating may be used to cover the external surfaces of the reactive metal element and prevent contact between the reactive metal and the reaction-inducing fluid. The removable protective coating may be removed after other drilling operations are completed. The removable protective coating may be used to delay the reaction and / or prevent premature expansion with the reactive metal element. Examples of removable protective coatings include, but are not limited to, any type of plastic shell, organic shell, paint, soluble coating (e.g., solid magnesium compounds or aliphatic polyester), fusible material (e.g., with a melting point below 550°F), or any combination thereof.If necessary, the removable protective coating can be removed from the reactive metallic element by any suitable process. For example, the removable protective coating can be removed by dissolution, phase change caused by temperature changes, corrosion, hydrolysis, melting, or the removable protective coating can be delayed and degrade after a desired time under specific well conditions. In some optional examples, removable casing can cover the external surfaces of the reactive metal element and prevent contact between the reactive metal and the reaction-inducing fluid. The removable casing can be removed once other drilling operations are completed. The removable casing can be used to delay the reaction and / or prevent premature expansion of the reactive metallic element. Examples of removable casing include, but are not limited to, frangible casing, which breaks, degrades, destroys, melts, shatters easily, etc. Low-strength casing can be removed by forces such as tightening torque, tension, perforation, impact, degradation by contact with the fluid and / or drilling conditions such as pressure and / or temperature, or a combination of forces. For example, low-strength casing can tear under the stress of a sufficient applied axial force. Low-strength casing can comprise any material with sufficient low strength to break, tear, shatter, degrade, melt, etc.Examples of low-strength materials include, but are not limited to, sufficiently thin metals; sufficiently brittle polymers such as acrylic, polystyrene, etc.; cellulosic materials such as paper and waxed paper; ceramic materials; and the like. The degree of thinness and / or brittleness of the low-strength material will be determined by the type of material chosen and the potential force available to break the low-strength casing. Anyone with ordinary skills in this area will be able to easily determine the potential force available and thus the potential material properties necessary to remove the low-strength casing when said force is applied.In some other optional examples, the low-strength casing can be subjected to stresses during manufacturing through the inclusion of tension mechanisms such as cracks, grooves, etc. These tension mechanisms can allow a relatively lower applied force to break the low-strength casing and can also allow the casing to break in a consistent pattern. During removal, the reactive metal of the reactive metal element can come into contact with the reaction-inducing fluid and react to perform the desired drilling operation. In some optional examples, the reactive metal component may include an additive that can be added to the reactive metal component during manufacturing as part of the composition, or the additive can be coated onto the reactive metal component after manufacturing. The additive may alter one or more properties of the reactive metal component. For example, the additive may improve expansion, add texture, improve bonding, improve grip, etc. Examples of the additive include, but are not limited to, any type of ceramic, elastomer, glass, non-reactive metal, and similar materials, or any combination thereof. The reactive metal element can be used to expand into voids near other reactive metal elements. Without restriction, reactive metal elements can be used to fill any void in an adjacent space, which may include annular spaces adjacent to a conduit, as well as defects in cement sheaths such as cracks in a cement sheath, channels formed by the piping of gas through a cement sheath, micro-rings formed between the cement sheath and the conduit which can form by temperature cycling, stress load cycling, conduit narrowing, etc. As described above, reactive metallic elements include reactive metals and, as such, are non-elastomeric materials. As non-elastomeric materials, reactive metallic elements lack elasticity and, therefore, can expand irreversibly when in contact with a reaction-inducing fluid. Reactive metallic elements do not return to their original size or shape even after the reaction-inducing fluid is no longer in contact with them. Generally, the reaction-inducing fluid induces a reaction in the reacting metal to form a reaction product that occupies more space than the unreacting reacting metal. Examples of reaction-inducing fluids include, but are not limited to, salt water (e.g., water containing one or more dissolved salts), brine (e.g., saturated salt water, which can be produced from underground formations), seawater, or any combination of these salts. In general, the reaction-inducing fluid can come from any source, provided that the fluid does not contain an excess of compounds that could adversely affect other components of the sealant. In the case of salt water, brine, and seawater, the reaction-inducing fluid may consist of a monovalent or divalent salt.Suitable monovalent salts may include, for example, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, and the like. Suitable divalent salts may include, for example, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, and the like. In some examples, the salinity of the reaction-inducing fluid may exceed 10%. Advantageously, the reactive metal elements of the present invention are not affected by contact with fluids of high salinity. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in this field, taking advantage of the present invention, should be able to readily select a reaction-inducing fluid for inducing a reaction with the reactive metal elements. Reactive metallic elements can be used in high-temperature formations (for example, in formations with areas where the temperature is equal to or greater than 350°F). Advantageously, the reactive metallic elements of the present invention are not affected by use in high-temperature formations. In some examples, the metallic elements Reactive materials can be used both in high-temperature formations and with high-salinity fluids. In one specific example, a reactive metallic element can be positioned on a conduit and used to fill a void in a cement casing after coming into contact with brine having a salinity of 10% or more, while also being placed in a borehole zone with a temperature equal to or greater than 350°F. Figure 2 is a cross-section of an example of a downhole device, generally 5. In this specific example, the downhole device 5 may be a sealing system such as a packing. The downhole device 5 includes a reactive metal element 10 disposed in a void 15. The void 15 may be provided in the downhole device 5, or the downhole device 5 may be manufactured to include a suitable void 15. The geometry of the void 15 is designed such that an opening 20 is presented outside the downhole device 5. The downhole device 5 may be deployed and lowered into the borehole until the opening 20 is adjacent to an annular space in which the reactive metal element 10 is to be deployed during the reaction. At least a portion of the reactive metal element 10 is covered by a low-resistance casing 25.The low-resistance tubing 25 can cover the portion of the reactive metal element 10 exposed at the opening 20, or it can cover a larger portion of the reactive metal element 10, or even cover the entire reactive metal element 10. The reactive metal element 10 can be deployed in a desired shape, such as a lattice, pellets, or pieces, within the void 15. In some optional examples, a non-reactive material can be deployed within the void 15 and intercalated within the reactive metal element 10 to help prevent a premature reaction. A sliding piston 30, or similar control component, can be disposed alongside the void 15 containing the reactive metal element 10. A body locking ring 35 prevents the sliding piston 30 from moving.The locking ring of the body 35 is given as an example and can be replaced by any other locking mechanism to prevent unwanted translation of the sliding piston 30. Figure 3 is a cross-section of an example of the downhole device 5 of Figure 1 after the rupture of the low-resistance casing 25. When required for use, the body locking ring 35 can be disengaged to allow the sliding piston 30 to move. The sliding piston 30 can move due to an increase in localized fluid pressure in the wellbore, or it can be actuated by hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, or other mechanisms that would be readily understood by anyone with ordinary knowledge of the subject. The sliding piston 30 An axial pressure is applied to the void space 15 so as to compress the low-resistance tubing 25 and the reactive metal element 10 located inside it. The low-resistance tubing 25 is broken into pieces, exposing portions of the reactive metal element 10 to the outer annular space adjacent to the opening 20. In some examples, the compression may push the pieces, pellets, and / or lattice structure of the reactive metal element 10 into the annular space. The exposed reactive metal of the reactive metal element 10 can now be positioned to come into contact with a circulating reaction-inducing fluid.Upon contact with the reaction-inducing fluid, the reactive metal inside the reactive metal element 10 reacts to form the reaction product, thus providing a filling expansion in any adjacent space that can come into contact with the reaction product to perform a sealing, filling, or anchoring operation as desired. Figure 4 is a cross-section of an example of the downhole device 5 of Figures 2 and 3 with a modification. In this specific example, the downhole device 5 can be a sealing system such as a packing. The downhole device 5 includes a reactive metal element 10 disposed in a void 15. The void 15 can be provided within the downhole device 5, or the downhole device 5 can be manufactured to include a suitable void 15. The geometry of the void 15 is designed such that an opening 20 is presented outside the downhole device 5. The downhole device 5 can be deployed and lowered into the borehole until the opening 20 is adjacent to an annular space in which the reactive metal element 10 is located to be deployed during the reaction.At least a portion of the reactive metal element 10 is covered by a low-resistance casing 25. The low-resistance casing 25 may cover the portion of the reactive metal element 10 exposed at the opening 20, or it may cover a larger portion of the reactive metal element 10, or even cover the entire reactive metal element 10. The reactive metal element 10 may be deployed in a desired shape, such as a lattice, pellets, or pieces, within the void 15. In some optional examples, a non-reactive material may be deployed within the void 15 and intercalated within the reactive metal element 10 to help prevent a premature reaction. A sliding piston 30 or similar control component may be disposed next to the void 15 containing the reactive metal element 10. A body locking ring 35 prevents the sliding piston 30 from moving.The locking ring of the body 35 is given as an example and can be replaced by any other locking mechanism to prevent unwanted translation of the sliding piston 30. The inner diameter of the wellhead device 5 includes openings. Openings 40 extend from a flow path 45 inside the wellbore 5 through the body of the downhole device 5 and into the void space 15. A sliding component 50 (for example, a sleeve, a piston, or other element that can be moved in translation) is disposed in the flow path 45. The sliding component 50 blocks the flow of fluid inside the flow path 40 and seals the flow path 45 by means of sealing elements 55. When the downhole device 5 is positioned as desired, the sliding component 50 can be removed to allow a reaction-inducing fluid to enter the openings 40 in order to permit the expansion and sealing of the reactive metal element 10 in the flow path 45 when the reactive metal reacts and expands in the flow path 45.In addition, the sliding piston 30 can be compressed in certain examples to allow sealing, anchoring, etc. as described in [Fig.3] above. Figure 5 is a cross-section of an example of a downhole device, generally 100. In this specific example, the downhole device 100 may be a sealing system such as a packing. The downhole device 100 includes a reactive metal element 105 disposed in a void 110. In the illustrated example, the void 110 exists between two end rings 115 disposed on the outer surface of the body 120 of the downhole device 100. The geometry of the void 110 is designed such that an opening 125 is presented outside the downhole device 100. The downhole device 100 can be deployed and lowered into the borehole until the opening 125 is adjacent to an annular space in which the reactive metal element 105 is located to be deployed during the reaction.At least a portion of the reactive metal element 105 is covered by a low-resistance casing 130. The low-resistance casing 130 may cover the portion of the reactive metal element 105 exposed at the opening 125, or it may cover a larger portion of the reactive metal element 105, or even cover the entire reactive metal element 105. This specific reactive metal element 105 is illustrated as a solid piece and is not a lattice, pellet, or discrete parts. A non-reactive material 140, such as a non-reactive fluid, is adjacent to the reactive metal element 105. Figure 6 is a cross-section of an example of the downhole device 100 of Figure 5 after the rupture of the low-strength casing 130. When desired, an axial force can be applied to one or both of the end rings 115, causing at least one of the end rings 115 to translate towards the reactive metal element 105. The translation of the end rings 115 can occur as a result of an increase in localized fluid pressure in the wellbore, or can be actuated by hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, or other mechanisms. others, which would be easily understandable to anyone with ordinary skills in the field. The end rings 115 apply axial pressure to the void 110 so as to compress the low-resistance tubing 130. The low-resistance tubing 130 is broken into pieces, exposing portions of the reactive metal element 105 to the outer annular space adjacent to the opening 125. The exposed reactive metal of the reactive metal element 105 can now be positioned to come into contact with a circulating reaction-inducing fluid. Upon contact with the reaction-inducing fluid, the reactive metal inside the reactive metal element 105 reacts to form the reaction product, thus providing a filling expansion in any adjacent space that can come into contact with the reaction product to perform a sealing, filling, or anchoring operation as desired. Figure 7 is a cross-section of an example of a downhole device, typically 200. In this specific example, the downhole device 200 is a setting tool. The downhole device 200 includes a reactive metal element 205 located outside the downhole device 200. In the illustrated example, the reactive metal element 205 is wedge-shaped and moves along its slope as part of the operation of the downhole device 200. At least a portion of the downhole device 200 is covered by low-resistance casing 210. The low-resistance casing 210 covers the portion of the downhole device 200 containing the reactive metal element 205. This specific reactive metal element 205 is shown as a solid component and is not a lattice, pellet, or discrete components.A sliding piston 215 or other element that can be moved in translation is disposed inside the central through hole of the downhole device 200. Figure 8 is a cross-section of an example of the downhole device 200 of Figure 7 after the rupture of the low-resistance casing 210. When required for its intended use, an axial force can be applied to the sliding piston 215, causing the sliding piston 215 to translate. The translation of the sliding piston 215 can occur due to an increase in localized fluid pressure in the wellbore, or it can be actuated by hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, or other mechanisms that would be readily understood by anyone with ordinary knowledge of the subject. The sliding piston 215 applies axial pressure via a flanged or wedge-shaped structure 225, which is then moved translationally toward the wedge-shaped reactive metal element 205.The reactive metal element 205 is then radially diverted outwards into the low resistance tubing 210, which is then broken into pieces, thus allowing parts of the reactive metal element 205 to be exposed to everything. outer annular space. The exposed reactive metal of the reactive metal element 205 can now be positioned to come into contact with a circulating reaction-inducing fluid. Upon contact with the reaction-inducing fluid, the reactive metal inside the reactive metal element 205 reacts to form the reaction product, thus providing a filling expansion in any adjacent space that can come into contact with the reaction product to perform a sealing, filling, or anchoring operation as required. It is important to understand that the examples illustrated in Figures 1 through 8 are merely general applications of the principles described here in practice, and a great many other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this description is in no way limited to the details of any of the figures shown here. It must also be recognized that the described reactive metallic elements can also directly or indirectly affect the various downhole equipment and tools that may come into contact with the reactive metallic elements during operation. This equipment and tools may include, but are not limited to, well casing, well casing, completion column, insertion rods, drill string, coiled tubing, smooth cable, cable line, drill pipe, drill collars, mud motors, downhole motors and / or pumps, surface-mounted motors and / or pumps, centralizers, turbulence generators, wall scrapers, floats (e.g., shoes, collars, valves, etc.).), logging tools and associated telemetry equipment, actuators (e.g., electromechanical devices, hydromechanical devices, etc.), sliding sleeves, production sleeves, plugs, screens, filters, flow control devices (e.g., inflow control devices, stand-alone inflow control devices, outflow control devices, etc.), couplers (e.g., electrohydraulic wet connection, dry connection, inductor coupler, etc.), control lines (e.g., electrical, fiber optic, hydraulic, etc.), monitoring lines, drill bits and reamers, sensors or distributed sensors, downhole heat exchangers, valves and related actuation devices, tool seals, packings, cement plugs, bridge plugs and other borehole insulation devices or components, and the like. Any of these components may be included in the systems generally described above and shown in any of the figures. The invention relates to methods for initiating the reaction of a reactive metallic element in a downhole device. One example of a method includes The process involves the introduction of a downhole device into a borehole; wherein the downhole device comprises the reactive metal element; wherein the reactive metal element has a first volume; and wherein the reactive metal element is separated from a reaction-inducing fluid by low-resistance casing. The process further comprises the removal of the low-resistance casing and the contacting of the reactive metal element with the reaction-inducing fluid to produce a reaction product having a second volume greater than the first volume. In addition, or alternatively, the process may include one or more of the following features, individually or in combination. The reactive metal element may be in the form of a lattice. The reactive metal element may be composed of discrete parts. The reactive metal element may be disposed in a void space of the downhole device, and a non-reactive material may be intercalated within the reactive metal element while the reactive metal element is disposed within the void space. The non-reactive material may be selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, liquid hydrocarbon, liquid wax, oily liquid, distilled water, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, plastic, solid wax, glycerin, alcohol, and any combination thereof.The low-resistance tubing may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, cellulosic material, ceramic, and any combination thereof. The reactive metal element may comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, aluminum, tin, zinc, beryllium, barium, manganese, and any combination thereof. The reactive metal element may comprise a metal alloy selected from the group consisting of magnesium-zinc, magnesium-aluminum, calcium-magnesium, aluminum-copper, and any combination thereof. The invention relates to downhole devices comprising reactive metallic elements. An example of a downhole device comprises a reactive metallic element and low-resistance casing covering at least a portion of the reactive metallic element. In addition, or alternatively, the downhole device may include one or more of the following features, individually or in combination. The reactive metal element may be in the form of a lattice. The reactive metal element may be composed of discrete parts. The reactive metal element may be disposed in a void within the downhole device, and a non-reactive material may be interposed within the reactive metal element while the reactive metal element is disposed within the void. The non-reactive material may be selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, liquid hydrocarbon, liquid wax, oily liquid, distilled water, acid polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, plastic, solid wax, glycerin, alcohol, and any combination thereof. The low-resistance tubing may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, cellulose, ceramic, and any combination thereof. The reactive metal element may comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, aluminum, tin, zinc, beryllium, barium, manganese, and any combination thereof. The reactive metal element may comprise a metal alloy selected from the group consisting of magnesium-zinc, magnesium-aluminum, calcium-magnesium, aluminum-copper, and any combination thereof. The invention relates to systems for initiating the reaction of a reactive metal element in a downhole device. An example of such a system includes a reactive metal element, low-resistance casing covering at least a portion of the reactive metal element, and a reaction-inducing fluid capable of reacting with the reactive metal element to produce a reaction product having a second volume that is greater than the first volume. In addition, or alternatively, the system may include one or more of the following features, individually or in combination. The reactive metal element may be in the form of a lattice. The reactive metal element may be composed of discrete parts. The reactive metal element may be disposed in a void space within the downhole device, and a non-reactive material may be intercalated within the reactive metal element while the reactive metal element is disposed within the void space. The non-reactive material may be selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, liquid hydrocarbon, liquid wax, oily liquid, distilled water, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, plastic, solid wax, glycerin, alcohol, and any combination thereof.The low-resistance tubing may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, cellulosic material, ceramic material, and any combination thereof. The reactive metallic element may comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, aluminum, tin, zinc, beryllium, barium, manganese, and any combination thereof. The reactive metallic element may comprise a metallic alloy selected from the group consisting of magnesium-zinc, magnesium-aluminum, calcium-magnesium, aluminum-copper, and any combination thereof. The preceding description provides various examples of devices, systems, and methods of use disclosed in this document, which may contain different process steps and alternative component combinations. It should be understood that, while individual examples may be described here, the present The description covers all combinations of the examples described, including, without limitation, the various combinations of components, combinations of process steps, and system properties. It should be understood that compositions and processes are described as "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps. Systems and processes may also "be essentially composed of" or "be composed of various components and steps." For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly described here. However, ranges from any lower limit can be combined with any upper limit to indicate a range not explicitly stated; similarly, ranges from any lower limit can be combined with any other lower limit to indicate a range not explicitly stated. Likewise, ranges from any upper limit can be combined with any other upper limit to indicate a range not explicitly stated. Furthermore, whenever a numeric range with a lower and upper limit is described, any number and any range included within the range are specifically described.In particular, each range of values ​​(of the form, "from about a to about b", or, equivalently, "approximately from a to b" or, equivalently, "approximately a-b") described here should be understood as stating every number and every range contained within the larger range of values, even if they are not explicitly stated. Thus, each individual point or value can constitute its own lower or upper bound, combined with any other individual point or value, or any other lower or upper bound, to indicate a range not explicitly stated. One or more illustrative examples incorporating the examples described herein are presented. Not all features of a physical implementation are described or presented in this application for the sake of clarity. Therefore, the systems and processes described are well-suited to achieve the stated objectives and benefits, as well as those inherent therein. The specific examples described above are given for illustrative purposes only, since the lessons of this description can be modified and put into practice in different but equivalent ways, obvious to a person skilled in the art benefiting from the lessons herein.Furthermore, no limitations apply to the construction or design details presented here, other than those described in the claims below. It is therefore understood that the particular illustrative examples described above may be changed, combined, or modified, and all such variations are considered to fall within the scope of this description. The systems and processes described here in an illustrative manner may be appropriately implemented in the absence of any element not specifically described here and / or any optional element described here. Although the present description and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made here without departing from the spirit and scope of the description as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Downhole device (5) comprising: a reactive metallic element (10), and a low-resistance casing (25) covering at least part of the reactive metallic element (10).

2. Downhole device (5) according to claim 1, wherein the reactive metallic element (10) is in the form of a lattice.

3. Downhole device (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The reactive metallic element (10) consists of discrete parts.

4. Downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims indications 1 to 3, in which the reactive metallic element (10) is arranged within an empty space (15) of the wellbore device (5) and in which a non-reactive material is intercalated inside the reactive metallic element (10) while the metallic element reactant is disposed inside the empty space (15).

5. Downhole device (5) according to claim 4, wherein the non-reactive material is chosen from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, liquid hydrocarbon, liquid wax, liquid oilseeds, distilled water, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, of plastic, solid wax, glycerin, alcohol and any other kind of combination of these elements.

6. Downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims indications!l to 5, in which the low-resistance tubing (25) includes a material chosen from the group consisting of metal, polymer, and cellulosic material, ceramic material and any combination of these materials.

7. Downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims indications 1 to 6, wherein the reactive metallic element (10) comprises a metal chosen from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, of aluminium, tin, zinc, beryllium, barium, manganese, and any combination of these elements.

8. Downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims indications 1 to 7, in which the reactive metallic element comprises a metallic alloy chosen from the magnesium-zinc group, of magnesium-aluminum, of calcium-magnesium, of aluminum-copper, and any combination of these elements.

9. Downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims instructions 1 to 8, in which the lattice is a foam.

10. Downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims l and 4 to 9, in which the reactive metallic element (10) is constituted of a solid piece.

11. | A method for initiating the reaction of a reactive metallic element (10) in the downhole device (5) according to any one of the claims | at 10, the process comprising: the introduction of the downhole device (5) into a borehole; in which the downhole device (5) comprises the element me- reactive metal (10); wherein the reactive metal element (10) has a first volume; in which the reactive metallic element (10) is separated of a reaction-inducing fluid through a low-resistance tubing; the removal of the low-resistance casing (25); and the contacting of the reactive metallic element (10) with the fluid reaction inducer to produce a reaction product having a second volume superior to the first volume.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the inducing fluid The reaction is a brine.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the removal of the casing low resistance (25) includes the removal of the low resistance casing (25) by applying a chosen force to the group consisting of a tightening torque, tension, perforation, impact, de- gradation by contact with a fluid, a degradation starting from a wellbore condition, and any combination of forces.

14. | System comprising the wellbore device (5) according to one any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the system comprises in addition a reaction-inducing fluid capable of reacting with the element metallic reagent to produce a reaction product having a second volume greater than the first volume.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein the inducing fluid The reaction is a brine.