Method and apparatus for a well employing the use of an activation ball

Abstract

A system includes a tubular string and a hollow ball. The tubular string is adapted to be deployed downhole in a well and includes a seat. An activation ball adapted to be deployed in the well to lodge in the seat. The ball includes an outer shell that forms a spherical surface. The outer shell forms an enclosed volume therein, and the outer shell is formed from a metallic material.

1 . A system comprising:
 a tubular string adapted to be deployed downhole in a well, the string comprising a seat; and   an activation ball adapted to be deployed in the tubular string to lodge in the seat, the ball comprising an outer shell forming a spherical surface, wherein the outer shell forms an enclosed volume therein and the outer shell is formed from a metallic material.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tool comprising the seat, wherein the ball is adapted to lodge in the seat to create an obstruction such that fluid pressure created due to the obstruction activates the tool. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises one of a plurality of seats of the string. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the seats have form a set of graduated openings to allow each of the seats to be selectively targeted by an activation ball having a size associated with the seat. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a first portion joined to a second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion and the second portions are joined using at least one selected from a group consisting of welding, friction stir welding, threading, and pressure fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic material comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, nickel-cobalt base alloy, and steel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum alloy is one selected from a group consisting of 6000 series aluminum alloys and 7000 series aluminum alloys. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating disposed on the spherical surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed volume is hollow. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed volume comprises a filling, wherein the filling comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of plastic, foam, fiber reinforced phenolic, polyether ether ketone, thermoplastic, and pressurized gas. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure disposed on an inner surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of ribs, spindles, and reinforcing rings. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure is formed integral with the outer shell. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure is connected to the inner surface of the outer shell using at least one selected from a group consisting of welding, brazing, adhering, mechanical fastening, and interference fitting. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the specific gravity of the activation ball is between about 1.00 and about 1.85. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a pressure inside the enclosed volume is greater than atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising equipment disposed within the enclosed volume, wherein the equipment comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of sensors, receivers, transceivers, transmitters, transponders, radio frequency identification tags, and magnets. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 deploying an activation ball in a downhole tubular string in a well, the activation ball comprising an outer shell having an enclosed volume therein, wherein the outer shell comprises a metallic material;   communicating the ball through a passageway of the string until the ball lodges in a seat of the tubular string to form an obstruction; and   using the obstruction to pressurize at region of the string.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising using the pressurization to activate a downhole tool. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the communicating comprises flowing the ball through at least one other seat associated with a ball size larger than a size of the ball. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 flowing the ball out of the seat and to the surface of the well.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, nickel-cobalt base alloy, and steel. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the outer shell comprises at least two portions. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the ball further comprises a fill material within the enclosed volume, the fill material being different from the shell. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the ball further comprises a support structure in the enclosed volume of the outer shell. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of ribs, spindles, and reinforcing rings. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a pressure within the enclosed volume of the outer shell is greater than atmospheric pressure.