Density actuatable downhole member and methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an actuatable downhole member. The actuatable downhole member includes, a downhole member with a selected density, the selected density being comparable to an anticipated downhole fluid density such that a difference in the density of the downhole member and the density of the downhole fluid creates a bias on the downhole member to actuate the downhole member.

1 . An actuatable downhole member comprising:
 a downhole member with a selected density, the selected density being comparable to an anticipated downhole fluid density such that a difference in the density of the downhole member and the density of the downhole fluid creates a bias on the downhole member to actuate the downhole member.   
   
   
       2 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole member is a valve. 
   
   
       3 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole member is a flapper. 
   
   
       4 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 1 , further comprising a core made of a first material and a coating made of a second material, the first material having a different density than the second material. 
   
   
       5 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 4 , wherein one of the first material and the second material is denser than the selected density and the other of the first material and the second material is less dense than the selected density. 
   
   
       6 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 4 , wherein the second material is bonded to the first material through chemical vapor deposition. 
   
   
       7 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole member is fabricated from a powdered material. 
   
   
       8 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 7 , wherein the powdered material is nonmetallic. 
   
   
       9 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 7 , wherein the powdered material is coated through chemical vapor deposition. 
   
   
       10 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 7 , wherein the powdered material is glass or ceramic. 
   
   
       11 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 7 , wherein the powdered material is hollow or foamed. 
   
   
       12 . The actuatable downhole member of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole member is sintered. 
   
   
       13 . A method of making a density actuatable downhole member comprising:
 determining a target density for the downhole member based on an estimated downhole fluid density; and   forming the downhole member such that it has the target density.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 selecting at least one material with a density other than the target density;   shaping the material to a near final shape of the downhole member; and   processing the near final shape to a final shape having the target density.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the shaping and processing include the process of powdered metallurgy. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 selecting a first material with a density other than the target density;   selecting a second material with a density other than the target density; and   adhering the first material to the second material.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein one of the first material and the second material is denser than the target density and the other of the first material and the second material that is not denser than the target density is less dense than the target density. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adhering further includes coating. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adhering further includes chemical vapor depositioning. 
   
   
       20 . A method of actuating a downhole member comprising:
 positioning the downhole member having a target density downhole where it is submergible in fluid; and   actuating the downhole member through buoyancy forces acting upon the downhole member in response to fluid at least partially submerging the downhole member.