Consumable downhole tools

Abstract

A downhole tool having a body or structural component comprises a material that is at least partially consumed when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The material may comprise a metal, such as magnesium, which is converted to magnesium oxide when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The downhole tool may further comprise a torch with a fuel load that produces the heat and source of oxygen when burned. The fuel load may comprise a flammable, non-explosive solid, such as thermite.

1 . A downhole tool having a body or structural component comprising a material that is at least partially consumed when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. 
   
   
       2 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein the material comprises a metal. 
   
   
       3 . The downhole tool of  claim 2  wherein the metal is magnesium. 
   
   
       4 . The downhole tool of  claim 3  wherein the magnesium metal is converted to magnesium oxide when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. 
   
   
       5 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  further comprising a torch with a fuel load that produces the heat and source of oxygen when burned. 
   
   
       6 . The downhole tool of  claim 5  wherein the fuel load comprises a flammable, non-explosive solid. 
   
   
       7 . The downhole tool of  claim 5  wherein the fuel load comprises thermite. 
   
   
       8 . The downhole tool of  claim 5  wherein the torch farther comprises a torch body with a plurality of nozzles distributed along its length. 
   
   
       9 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  wherein the nozzles distribute molten plasma produced when the fuel load is burned. 
   
   
       10 . The downhole tool of  claim 5  wherein the torch further comprises a firing mechanism with heat source to ignite the fuel load. 
   
   
       11 . The downhole tool of  claim 10  wherein the firing mechanism further comprises a device to activate the heat source. 
   
   
       12 . The downhole tool of  claim 10 , wherein the firing mechanism is an electronic igniter. 
   
   
       13 . The downhole tool of  claim 11  wherein the device comprises an electronic timer, a mechanical timer, a spring-wound timer, a volume timer, or a measured flow timer. 
   
   
       14 . The downhole tool of  claim 13  wherein the timer is programmable to activate the heat source when pre-defined conditions are met. 
   
   
       15 . The downhole tool of  claim 14  wherein the pre-defined conditions comprise elapsed time, temperature, pressure, volume, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The downhole tool of  claim 11  wherein the device comprises a pressure-actuated firing head. 
   
   
       17 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  further comprising an enclosure for storing an accelerant. 
   
   
       18 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein the tool is a frac plug. 
   
   
       19 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein the tool is a bridge plug. 
   
   
       20 . The downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein the tool is a packer.