Shape memory materials for downhole tool applications

Abstract

A technique utilizes shape memory materials in wellbore applications. Well components are formed with shape memory materials able to transition to a desired state when activated. The well components are moved downhole with the shape memory material in one state. Upon introduction of an activating agent, the automatic transition of the shape memory material is initiated and the well component is changed to a state in which it is able to perform a desired downhole function.

1 . A method of operation in a well, comprising:
 forming a well component from a shape memory material;   deploying the well component downhole into a wellbore; and   providing an activating agent downhole to transition the shape memory material so as to change the shape of the well component.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein forming comprises manufacturing the shape memory material in a shape; and deforming the shape memory material to a deformed shape. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein deploying comprises running the well component downhole with an equipment string. 
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing the activating agent in the form of heat. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing the activating agent in the form of moisture. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing the activating agent in the form of a change in the pH value of the environment surrounding the shape memory material. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing the activating agent in the form of light. 
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing comprises providing the activating agent in the form of an electromagnetic field. 
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein forming comprises forming a sealing element. 
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein forming the sealing element comprises forming a packer. 
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein forming the sealing element comprises forming a threaded region of the well component from the shape memory material. 
   
   
       12 . A well device, comprising:
 a downhole tool formed at least in part of a shape memory material, the shape memory material having a first material property when exposed to a first stimulus and a second material property when exposed to a second stimulus, wherein at least one of the first stimulus and the second stimulus may be applied downhole to transition the shape memory material between the first and the second material properties.   
   
   
       13 . The well device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the shape memory material comprises a polymer. 
   
   
       14 . The well device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the shape memory material comprises a metal. 
   
   
       15 . The well device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the downhole tool comprises a packer having a sealing element formed of the shape memory material. 
   
   
       16 . The well device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the downhole tool comprises a packer having a threaded engagement region formed of the shape memory material. 
   
   
       17 . The well device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the downhole tool comprises a flow control device formed of the shape memory material. 
   
   
       18 . A well system, comprising:
 a well device having a sealing element formed of a shape memory material selectively transitionable between a non-sealing and a sealing shape within a wellbore.   
   
   
       19 . The well system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the well device comprises a seal device. 
   
   
       20 . The well system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein of the well device comprises a packer. 
   
   
       21 . A method, comprising:
 preparing a shape memory material in a first state;   combining the shape memory material with well equipment;   deploying the well equipment into a wellbore; and   initiating a change in the shape memory material to a memorized second state while deployed in the wellbore.   
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein preparing comprises preparing the shape memory material as a composite memory material formed with a metal and a polymer. 
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein preparing comprises preparing the shape memory material as a layered shape memory material. 
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein preparing comprises using the shape memory material to form a chevron seal. 
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein preparing comprises using the shape memory material to form a seal energizer.