Degradable packing element

Abstract

A packing apparatus including at least one sealing surface formed from a degradable material. The degradable material may be a biodegradable polymer such as polyglocolic acid, polylactic acid, or their copolymers. The body of the packing apparatus may also be formed from a degradable material. The packing apparatus may be deployed in a subterranean well and disposed of without milling.

1 . A packing apparatus for a well, comprising:
 a sealing element comprising a degradable polymer, the sealing element being configured to attach to a body.   
     
     
         2 . The packing apparatus of  claim 1 , the sealing element being configured to form a seal against an inner surface of a tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The packing apparatus of  claim 1 , the sealing element being configured to receive at least one plug member, the sealing element and the at least one plug member forming a seal. 
     
     
         4 . The packing apparatus of  claim 4 , the degradable polymer being at least partially formed from one or more of a polyglycolic acid, a polylactic acid, and combinations including at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         5 . The packing apparatus of  claim 1 , the body being at least partially formed from a degradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The packing apparatus of  claim 6 , the degradable material of the body being degradable when exposed to a selected fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The packing apparatus of  claim 7 , the degradable material being a controlled electrolytic metallic material. 
     
     
         8 . A packing apparatus, comprising:
 a body; and   a first sealing element, the first sealing element being disposed on the body to interface with a tubular, the body and the first sealing element comprising a degradable material.   
     
     
         9 . The packing apparatus of  claim 8 , the body comprising a first degradable material and the first sealing element comprising a second degradable material. 
     
     
         10 . The packing apparatus of  claim 8 , the first sealing element configured to correspond with the inner surface of a tubular. 
     
     
         11 . The packing apparatus of  claim 9 , the body including a seat member and a plug member, a second sealing element being disposed on the seat member, the second sealing element and the plug member operatively forming a seal when the plug member is received by the second sealing element, the second sealing element being at least partially formed from the second degradable material. 
     
     
         12 . The packing apparatus of  claim 9 , the first degradable material being a controlled electrolytic metallic. 
     
     
         13 . The packing apparatus of  claim 9 , the second degradable material comprising a degradable polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The packing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a hardness of the first degradable material is greater than a hardness of the second degradable material. 
     
     
         15 . The packing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first degradable material has a degradation rate that is greater than or equal to a degradation rate of the second degradable material. 
     
     
         16 . The packing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the second degradable material has a degradation rate that is greater than or equal to a degradation rate of the first degradable material. 
     
     
         17 . A well completion method, comprising:
 arranging at least one packing apparatus in a tubular;   restricting fluid flow through the tubular by deploying the at least one packing apparatus at a selected location;   degrading one or more of a body of the at least one packing apparatus and a sealing element of the at least one packing apparatus.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein degrading the body of the at least one packing apparatus comprises delivering a selected fluid that causes the body of the packing apparatus to degrade. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sealing element comprises a degradable polymer.