Dissolving Material Flow Control Device

Abstract

A flow control device formed of a tubular housing having a circumferential wall and a central passage. A plurality of flow apertures are formed through a section of the circumferential wall and a dissolvable material is positioned to block flow through the flow apertures. A closing sleeve capable of moving into a position to block flow through the flow apertures is also positioned within the housing.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A flow control device comprising:
 a. a tubular housing having a circumferential wall and a central passage;   b. a plurality of flow apertures formed through a section of the circumferential wall;   c. a dissolvable material positioned to block flow through the flow apertures; and   d. a closing sleeve capable of moving into a position to block flow through the flow apertures.   
     
     
         30 . The flow control device of  claim 29 , wherein the dissolvable material is formed within the flow apertures. 
     
     
         31 . The flow control device of  claim 29 , wherein the dissolvable material forms a dissolvable sleeve positioned to the interior of the circumferential wall. 
     
     
         32 . The flow control device of  claim 29 , wherein the dissolvable sleeve has a sleeve wall with a thickness ranging between about ⅛ inch and about 1 inch. 
     
     
         33 . The flow control device of  claim 29 , wherein the closing sleeve has an internal profile engageable by a service tool inserted into the housing's central passage. 
     
     
         34 . The flow control device of  claim 33 , wherein the closing sleeve includes a holding collet for holding the closing sleeve in a closed position. 
     
     
         35 . The flow control device of  claim 34 , wherein the tubular housing has an internal closing profile shaped to be engaged by fingers on the closing collet. 
     
     
         36 . The flow control device of  claim 35 , wherein the fingers of the closing collet are configured to disengage from the closing profile when force is applied to the closing sleeve by a service tool moving within the tubular housing's central passage. 
     
     
         37 . The flow control device of  claim 29 , wherein a sleeve seal is position on either side of a section of the circumferential wall having the flow apertures such that the sleeve seals engage the closing sleeve when the closing sleeve blocks the flow apertures. 
     
     
         38 . The flow control device of  claim 31 , wherein the dissolvable sleeve is positioned to block the closing sleeve prior to it dissolving. 
     
     
         39 . The flow control device of  claim 38 , wherein a screen encloses the tubular housing. 
     
     
         40 . The flow control device of  claim 38 , wherein the dissolvable material is a magnesium and aluminum nanocomposite disintegrating material. 
     
     
         41 . A method of selectively establishing a fluid communication between the interior and exterior of a tubular string positioned within a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning within a wellbore a flow control device comprising:
 i. a tubular housing having a circumferential wall and a central passage; 
 ii. a plurality of flow apertures formed through a section of the circumferential wall; 
 iii. a dissolvable material positioned to block flow through the flow apertures; and 
 iv. a closing sleeve capable of moving into a position to block flow through the flow apertures; 
 v. wherein the flow control device is run into the wellbore without a further tubular string or service tool being positioned within the central passage of the tubular housing 
   b. performing at least one downhole operation by increasing pressure in the tubular string while the dissolvable material blocks flow through the flow apertures;   c. dissolving the dissolvable material and thereby establishing fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the tubular string; and   d. wherein the central passage extends above the tubular housing along the tubular string and prior to the dissolving of the dissolvable material, there is no flow path through the circumferential wall from outside the tubular housing into the central passage.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the step of increasing the pressure includes increasing the pressure in the range of about 7,500 to about 15,000 p.s.i. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein a screen encloses the tubular housing. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the flow control device is position within a production interval of the wellbore and discrete screen sections are positioned above and below the flow control device within the production interval. 
     
     
         45 . A method of carrying out completion operations within a wellbore having at least one producing interval, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning within the producing interval a tubular string including a flow control device and at least one screen joint above or below the flow control device, the flow control device comprising:
 i. a tubular housing having a circumferential wall and a central passage; 
 ii. a plurality of flow apertures formed through a section of the circumferential wall; 
 iii. a dissolvable material positioned to block flow through the flow apertures; and 
 iv. a closing sleeve capable of moving into a position to block flow through the flow apertures; 
 v. wherein the positioning of the tubular string is carried out without a further tubular member being positioned within the central passage of the flow control device; 
   b. after step (a), circulating fluids through the central passage and back up an annulus of the wellbore; and   c. after step (b), increasing pressure within the central passage in order to set packers and isolate the annulus along the producing interval.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein at least one screen joint is positioned above the flow control device and at least one screen joint is positioned below the flow control device. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising, before the step of setting the packers, spotting a solvent to the dissolvable material in the wellbore along the producing interval.