Method and Flexible Bodies for Subterrain Sealing

Abstract

A method is for sealing a conduit in a sub terrain well bore, where a fluid is present in the well bore. The method comprises the steps of introducing flexible bodies at a position higher in the well bore than the intended position for the seal and being in fluid contact with the intended position for the seal, the flexible bodies having a density that is higher than the fluid in the well bore, allowing the flexible bodies to settle at the intended position for the sealing, and allowing the flexible bodies to consolidate to form a sealing plug in the conduit. Flexible bodies are for use in the method and a method is for introduction of the flexible bodies.

1 . A method for sealing a conduit in a sub terrain well bore, where a fluid is present in the well bore, the method comprising:
 introducing flexible bodies at a position higher in the well bore than the intended position for the seal and being in fluid contact with the intended position for the seal, the flexible bodies having a density that is higher than the fluid in the well bore,   allowing the flexible bodies to settle at the intended position for the sealing, and   allowing the flexible bodies to consolidate to form a sealing plug in the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bodies are made from elastic polymer material swelling in at least one of water, brine and hydrocarbons, and wherein the consolidation step comprises allowing the elastic bodies to swell. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic polymer material is swelling in water and brine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic polymer material is swelling in hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible body is provided with an outer layer of a material having at least one of reduced permeability and diffusibility or that is substantially impermeable to the fluid in the well. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the outer layer is provided with perforations to allow a controlled contact surface between the elastic polymer material and the fluid in the well. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein weight bodies are injected into the well bore after the injection of the flexible bodies, and are allowed to settle at the top of the sealing plug formed by the flexible bodies. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the weight bodies have a density higher than the density of the flexible bodies. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the flexible bodies or weight bodies include an element that makes the bodies identifiable with logging equipment. 
     
     
         10 . Elastic bodies for remedial sealing of a subterrain oil or gas well, the elastic bodies being produced from a natural or synthetic elastomer material, wherein the elastic bodies are substantially spherical bodies having a diameter from about 2 to 16 mm. 
     
     
         11 . Elastic bodies according to  claim 10 , wherein the elastomer material is a material that is swelling in water, brine and/or hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         12 . Elastic body according to  claim 11 , wherein the elastic bodies are swelling in water. 
     
     
         13 . Elastic body according to  claim 11 , wherein the elastic bodies are swelling in hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         14 . Elastic body according to  claim 11 , wherein a salt is embedded in the elastomer material. 
     
     
         15 . Elastic bodies according to  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the elastic bodies are from about 3 to about 12 mm. 
     
     
         16 . Elastic bodies according to  claim 10 , wherein the elastic bodies comprise a weighting material. 
     
     
         17 . Elastic bodies according to  claim 10 , wherein a salt is enclosed on the elastomer material. 
     
     
         18 . Elastic bodies according to  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the elastic bodies additionally comprise components that are identifiable by logging equipment. 
     
     
         19 . A method for injection of flexible bodies into a conduit in an oil or gas well, the method comprising: filling the flexible bodies into a container, the pressurizing container and connecting the container to a valve opening connected to the conduit to be sealed, and opening the container to allow the flexible bodies provided in the container to flow into the wellbore by means of at least one of gravity, gas flow and vibration.