Plug-inducing matter and method of plugging a wellbore

Abstract

Plug-inducing matter includes junk shot comprising members and swellable material substantially covering the members which are configured to swell upon exposure to wellbore fluids.

1 . Plug-inducing matter comprising:
 junk shot comprising:
 members; and 
 swellable material substantially covering the members being configured to swell upon exposure to wellbore fluids. 
   
     
     
         2 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the swellable material is bonded to the members. 
     
     
         3 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the members vary in size, shape and composition. 
     
     
         4 . The junk-shot of  claim 1 , wherein the members are substantially spherical. 
     
     
         5 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the members are substantially non-swellable in wellbore fluids. 
     
     
         6 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the members have densities selected relative to densities of fluids the junk shot will be employed within to facilitate transportation of the junk shot therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein materials of the members have density that is greater than fluids the junk shot will be transported through. 
     
     
         8 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the members are from the group consisting of lead, iron, bismuth, phenolic, ceramic and glass. 
     
     
         9 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the members have maximum radial dimensions that range from one half of an inch to three quarters of an inch. 
     
     
         10 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein maximum radial dimensions of the swellable material before swelling ranges from three quarters of one inch to one and one quarter inches. 
     
     
         11 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the junk shot further comprises pieces of swellable material. 
     
     
         12 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 11 , wherein maximum radial dimensions of the pieces ranges from one inch to one and one quarter inches. 
     
     
         13 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the swellable material volumetrically swells more than 5% upon exposure to wellbore fluids. 
     
     
         14 . The plug-inducing matter of  claim 1 , wherein the swellable material includes ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber. 
     
     
         15 . A method of plugging a leaking wellbore comprising;
 injecting junk shot having members covered by swellable material that is swellable in wellbore fluids into a leaking wellbore;   exposing the swellable material to wellbore fluids; and   swelling the swellable material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of plugging a leaking wellbore of  claim 15 , further comprising injecting junk shot having pieces of swellable material not encasing members.