Downhole material-delivery system for subterranean wells

Abstract

Methods for releasing tracers into a well for diagnostic studies during subterranean-well operations comprise filling one or more hollow bodies with substances The system that comprise a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing, wireline or combinations thereof. After the system is lowered into the well, the tracer substance may be remotely and safely released into the well.

1 . A method for measuring process-fluid loss in a subterranean well having a wellbore, comprising:
 i. at a secure location, placing one or more tracers into at least one body with at least one internal chamber;   ii. incorporating the body into a system comprising one or more members of the list comprising a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing and a wireline;   iii. lowering the system into the well;   iv. releasing one or more tracers into the well; and   v. monitoring the tracer concentrations in process fluids circulating past the borehole wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one tracer is released above the loss zone, and a different tracer is released below the loss zone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the tracer concentrations are monitored in process fluid located above the loss zone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more tracers are released above the loss zone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more tracers are released below the loss zone. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracer comprises one or more members of the list comprising: radioactive compounds, transition-metal compounds, organic compounds and dyes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracer release is initiated by process-fluid flow. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracer release is initiated by means that are independent of process-fluid flow. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the independent means comprise one or more members of the list comprising electric motors, magnetic fields and explosive devices. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the release of one or more microelectric mechanical systems. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the process fluid is analyzed after removal from the well. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the process fluid is analyzed remotely by sensors in the well. 
     
     
         13 . A method for improving wellsite-personnel safety during subterranean-well operations, comprising:
 i. at a secure location, placing a hazardous substance into at least one body with at least one internal chamber;   ii. sealing the body;   iii. incorporating the sealed body into a system comprising one or more members of the list comprising a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing and a wireline;   iv. lowering the system into the well; and   v. releasing the substance into the well.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the release of the substance into the well is initiated by process-fluid flow. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the release of the substance into the well is initiated by means that are independent of process-fluid flow. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the independent means comprise one or more members of the list comprising electric motors, magnetic fields and explosive devices. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the substance comprises fluids, particles, fibers or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the substance comprises one or more tracers. 
     
     
         19 . A method for diagnosing fluid loss in a subterranean well having a wellbore, comprising:
 i. placing one or more tracers into at least one internal chamber of a system comprising one or more members of the list comprising a cementing-plug-launching system, a drill string, casing, coiled tubing and a wireline;   iii. lowering the system into the well;   iv. releasing one or more tracers into the well; and   v. monitoring the tracer concentrations in process fluids circulating past the borehole wall.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the diagnosis is the severity of the fluid loss zone, or the location of the fluid-loss zone or both.