Compositions and method for use in plugging a well

Abstract

A composition for use in plugging a well includes a mud having a plurality of plugging members therein, wherein the plugging member has a density more than about eight times that of water. A method of providing the composition into the well is also provided.

1 . A composition for use in plugging a well, which includes a mud having a plurality of plugging members therein, wherein each said plugging member has a density more than about eight times that of water. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said plugging element includes an inner core and an outer cover. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said inner core and said outer cover includes a heavy material having a density of more than about eight to twenty times that of water. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said outer cover includes a drag reducing material. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said outer cover includes a dissolvable material. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said plugging member includes an expanding polymer. 
     
     
         7 . A method for plugging a well, which includes the steps of:
 (a) providing a composition including mud having a plurality of plugging members therein, wherein the plugging member has a density more has a density more than about eight times that of water; and   (b) providing said composition in sufficient opposing fluid flow to fluid flow from an uncontrolled well flow such that said plugging members are enabled to drop by virtue of gravity to a perforation zone where said plugging members impede well flow from said perforation zone.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step (b) is further characterized to include inserting tubing into said well and delivering said composition through said tubing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said step (b) is further characterized to provide said tubing in said well to a point adjacent a perforation in said well. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step (a) is further characterized to provide a stream of mud under pressure through a conduit and introduce said plugging members into said conduit through a valve chamber communicably connected to said conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said valve chamber is characterized to be include a top valve and a lower valve and wherein when said lower valve closed, top valve is open to fill said chamber with said plugging members, then said top valve is closed and said lower valve is opened to permit said plugging members to mix with said mud. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step (b) is further characterized to include employing a blow out preventer over said well and delivering said composition through said blow out preventer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said plugging member includes an inner core and an outer cover. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said inner core and said outer cover includes a heavy material having a density of more than about eight times that of water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said outer cover includes a drag reducing material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said outer cover includes a dissolvable material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said plugging member includes an expanding polymer. 
     
     
         18 . A system for plugging a well, which includes:
 a tank having a mud therein;   a conduit connected to said tank;   a pump operably connected to cause mud to flow through said conduit;   a chamber operably connected to said conduit and including a top valve and a lower valve and wherein when said lower valve closed, said top valve can be open to filled said chamber with plugging members, and when said top valve is closed said lower valve can be opened to permit said plugging members to mix with said mud.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said conduit is operably disposed to terminate adjacent said a perforation zone of the well.