초록 ▼

A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include an elongated passageway and a plug which prevents fluid communication through the passageway for a predetermined period of time. The plug can including an anhydrous boron compound, whereby the predetermined period of time is determined by a le

A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include an elongated passageway and a plug which prevents fluid communication through the passageway for a predetermined period of time. The plug can including an anhydrous boron compound, whereby the predetermined period of time is determined by a length of the anhydrous boron compound. A method of operating a well tool in conjunction with a subterranean well can include exposing an anhydrous boron compound to an aqueous fluid, with the anhydrous boron compound being included in a plug which prevents fluid communication through a passageway of the well tool. The well tool can be operated in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway a predetermined period of time after the exposing step.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A well tool for use with a subterranean well, the well tool comprising: an elongated passageway; anda plug which prevents fluid communication through the passageway for a predetermined period of time, the plug including an anhydrous boron compound, whereby the predetermined period of time is vari

1. A well tool for use with a subterranean well, the well tool comprising: an elongated passageway; anda plug which prevents fluid communication through the passageway for a predetermined period of time, the plug including an anhydrous boron compound, whereby the predetermined period of time is varied by varying a length of the anhydrous boron compound. 2. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a solid mass of the anhydrous boron compound. 3. The well tool of claim 1, wherein a length of the plug is at least about three times a width of the plug. 4. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the passageway extends through a sidewall of a tubular member. 5. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the passageway extends through a tube. 6. The well tool of claim 5, wherein the tube is coiled. 7. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the passageway extends circuitously in the well tool. 8. The well tool of claim 1, further comprising a piston which displaces in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway. 9. The well tool of claim 1, further comprising a seal element which extends radially outward in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway. 10. The well tool of claim 1, further comprising a well screen on a tubular member, and wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the well screen and into the tubular member in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway. 11. The well tool of claim 10, wherein the passageway restricts flow of fluid into the tubular member when fluid communication is permitted through the passageway. 12. The well tool of claim 1, further comprising a degradable barrier which temporarily isolates at least one end of the anhydrous boron compound from contact with an aqueous fluid. 13. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the passageway is in communication with an actuator of the well tool, whereby actuation of the well tool is delayed until the predetermined period of time after hydration of the anhydrous boron compound begins. 14. The well tool of claim 1, wherein the passageway is included in a flow control device of the well tool, whereby fluid flow through the flow control device is delayed until the predetermined period of time after initiation of hydration of the anhydrous boron compound. 15. A method of operating a well tool in conjunction with a subterranean well, the method comprising: exposing an anhydrous boron compound to an aqueous fluid, the anhydrous boron compound being included in a plug which prevents fluid communication through a passageway of the well tool; andthe well tool operating in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway a predetermined period of time after the exposing step, wherein the predetermined period of time is regulated by selecting a length of the anhydrous boron compound in the plug. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the well tool operating further comprises fluid flowing through a well screen and into a tubular member in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the passageway restricts flow of fluid into the tubular member when fluid communication is permitted through the passageway. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the plug comprises a solid mass of the anhydrous boron compound. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein a length of the plug is at least about three times a width of the plug. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the passageway extends through a sidewall of a tubular member. 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the passageway extends through a tube. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the tube is coiled. 23. The method of claim 15, wherein the passageway extends circuitously in the well tool. 24. The method of claim 15, wherein the well tool operating further comprises a piston displacing in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway. 25. The method of claim 15, wherein the well tool operating further comprises a seal element extending radially outward in response to fluid communication being permitted through the passageway. 26. The method of claim 15, wherein a degradable barrier temporarily isolates at least one end of the anhydrous boron compound from contact with the aqueous fluid. 27. The method of claim 15, wherein the passageway is in communication with an actuator of the well tool, and wherein actuation of the well tool is delayed until the predetermined period of time after exposing the anhydrous boron compound to the aqueous fluid. 28. The method of claim 15, wherein the passageway is included in a flow control device of the well tool, and wherein fluid flow through the flow control device is delayed until the predetermined period of time after exposing the anhydrous boron compound to the aqueous fluid.