Affixation and release assembly for a mill and method

Abstract

A downhole affixation and release assembly including a first component; a second component, and an interconnection device for at least temporarily securing the first component to the second component. The interconnection device operatively arranged to at least partially degrade upon exposure to a fluid. Also included is a method of affixing and releasing two components.

1 . A downhole affixation and release assembly, comprising:
 a first component;   a second component, and an interconnection device for at least temporarily securing the first component to the second component, the interconnection device operatively arranged to at least partially degrade upon exposure to a fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is a mill and the second member is a whipstock. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection device includes a lug secured to the second component. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the lug comprises a high strength controlled electrolytic metallic material and the fluid comprises brine, acid, aqueous fluid, or combinations including at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection device includes a release member operatively arranged to release the first component from the second component. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the release member releases the first component from the second component by degrading upon exposure to the fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the release member is a shear screw. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the shear screw is operatively arranged to shear after the second component has landed in an annulus and a set down weight has been exerted on the shear screw via the first component. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the release member is degradable upon exposure to the downhole fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnection device is at least partially manufactured from a metal, a composite, a polymer, or combinations including at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole fluid is water, acid, brine, or combinations including at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         12 . A cutting assembly comprising:
 a mill operatively arranged to cut through a wall;   a whipstock for directing the mill into the wall, the whipstock including an interconnection device for securing the mill to the whipstock during run-in, the interconnection device operatively arranged to at least partially degrade upon exposure to a downhole fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the interconnection device comprises a lug secured to the whipstock. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the lug comprises a high strength controlled electrolytic metallic material and the fluid comprises brine, acid, aqueous fluid, or combinations including at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the interconnection device comprises a release member extending between the whipstock and the mill. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the release member is a shear screw operatively arranged to break in response to a set down weight applied to the release member via the mill. 
     
     
         17 . A method of affixing and releasing two components comprising:
 affixing a first component to a second component with an interconnection device;   running the first and second components downhole; and   degrading the interconnection device by exposing the interconnection device to a fluid.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising exerting a load on the interconnection device via the first component to release the first and second components. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first component is a mill and the second component is a whipstock. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the interconnection device comprises a lug affixed thereto, the lug being completely degradable by exposure to the fluid.