Corrodible downhole article

Abstract

This invention relates to a corrodible downhole article comprising an aluminium alloy, wherein the aluminium alloy comprises (a) 3-15 wt % Mg, (b) 0.01-5 wt % In, (c) 0-0.25 wt % Ga, and (d) at least 60 wt % Al. The invention also relates to a method of making a corrodible downhole article comprising an aluminium alloy, the method comprising the steps of: (a) melting aluminium, Mg, In, optionally Ga, and Ni, to form a molten aluminium alloy comprising 3-15 wt % Mg, 0.01-5 wt % In, 0-0.25 wt % Ga, and at least 60 wt % Al, (b) mixing the resulting molten aluminium alloy, (c) casting the aluminium alloy or producing an aluminium alloy powder, and (d) forming the aluminium alloy into a corrodible downhole article. In addition, the invention relates to a method of hydraulic fracturing comprising the use of the corrodible downhole article.

1 . A corrodible downhole article comprising an aluminium alloy, wherein the aluminium alloy comprises (a) 3-15 wt % Mg, (b) 0.01-5 wt % In, (c) 0-0.25 wt % Ga, and (d) at least 60 wt % Al. 
     
     
         2 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 5-11 wt % Mg. 
     
     
         3 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 0.1-4 wt % In. 
     
     
         4 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 0-2.5 wt % Fe. 
     
     
         5 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 4 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 0.1-1.50 wt % Fe. 
     
     
         6 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 0-10 wt % Ni. 
     
     
         7 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 6 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 0.1-6 wt % Ni. 
     
     
         8 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 0.3-15 wt % Zn. 
     
     
         9 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 8 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises 1-13 wt % Zn. 
     
     
         10 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises (a) 5-11 wt % Mg, (b) 0.3-1.2 wt % In, (c) 0-0.25 wt % Ga, (e) 0-1.8 wt % Fe, (f) 0-6 wt % Ni, and (g) 1-13 wt % Zn. 
     
     
         11 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises (a) 5-11 wt % Mg, (b) 0.3-1.2 wt % In, (c) 0-0.25 wt % Ga, (e) 0-1.5 wt % Fe, (f) 0-0.5 wt % Ni, and (g) 0.3-10 wt % Zn. 
     
     
         12 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminium alloy comprises at least 70 wt % Al. 
     
     
         13 . The corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , wherein the corrodible downhole article is a fracking ball. 
     
     
         14 . A method of making a corrodible downhole article of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) melting aluminium, Mg, In and optionally Ga, to form a molten aluminium alloy comprising 3-15 wt % Mg, 0.01-5 wt % In, 0-0.25 wt % Ga, and at least 60 wt % Al,   (b) mixing the resulting molten aluminium alloy,   (c) casting the aluminium alloy or producing an aluminium alloy powder, and   (d) forming the aluminium alloy into a corrodible downhole article.   
     
     
         15 . A method of hydraulic fracturing comprising the use of a corrodible downhole article as claimed in  claim 1 .