Sand control using shape memory materials

Abstract

An embodiment of a method of controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation includes: deploying a fluid flow apparatus in the borehole, the apparatus including a carrier and a shape memory component disposed at the carrier, the shape memory component including a shape memory material having a transition temperature, the shape memory material having a first shape; activating the shape memory material by causing the shape memory material to soften and change from the first shape to a second shape, the second shape configured to cause the shape memory material to control fluid flow; and deactivating the shape memory material by applying a deactivation fluid to the shape memory material, the deactivation fluid configured to cause the shape memory material to stiffen and maintain the second shape, and control fluid flow through the fluid flow apparatus.

1 . A method of controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation, comprising:
 deploying a fluid flow apparatus in the borehole, the apparatus including a carrier and a shape memory component disposed at the carrier, the shape memory component including a shape memory material having a transition temperature, the shape memory material having a first shape;   activating the shape memory material by causing the shape memory material to soften and change from the first shape to a second shape, the second shape configured to cause the shape memory material to control fluid flow;   deactivating the shape memory material by applying a deactivation fluid to the shape memory material, the deactivation fluid configured to cause the shape memory material to stiffen and maintain the second shape, and control fluid flow through the fluid flow apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the shape memory material includes exposing the shape memory material to a downhole temperature that is equal to or greater than a transition temperature of the shape memory material, and deactivating the shape memory material includes increasing the transition temperature to a value that is greater than the downhole temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein activating the shape memory material includes applying a trigger to the shape memory material that is configured to reduce a transition temperature of the shape memory material to a value that is less than a downhole temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein deactivating the shape memory material includes increasing the transition temperature to a value that is greater than the downhole temperature by directly exposing the shape memory material to the deactivation fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein deactivating the shape memory material includes neutralizing the trigger. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein deactivating the shape memory material includes causing the transition temperature to recover at a rate that is faster than a normal recovery rate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory material is configured to control fluid flow by filtering particulate matter from fluid produced by the earth. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the shape memory material is a porous material configured to prevent particulates from entering a production string, the first shape is an annular shape surrounding the carrier, and the second shape is an expanded shape having an annular thickness that is greater than the first shape. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the shape memory component is a sand screen component. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activation fluid is a completion fluid configured to be disposed in the borehole prior to initiating production of fluids from the formation. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation, comprising:
 a carrier configured to be deployed in the borehole; and   a shape memory component disposed at the carrier, the shape memory component including a shape memory material having a transition temperature, the shape memory material having a first shape, the shape memory material configured to soften and change from the first shape to a second shape in response to a stimulus, the second shape configured to cause the shape memory material to control fluid flow; and   a deactivation device including a fluid source, the deactivation device configured to apply a deactivation fluid from the fluid source to the shape memory material, the deactivation fluid configured to cause the shape memory material to stiffen and maintain the second shape, and control fluid flow through the shape memory material.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the stimulus includes exposure of the shape memory material to a downhole temperature that is equal to or greater than a transition temperature of the shape memory material, and the deactivation fluid is configured to increase the transition temperature to a value that is greater than the downhole temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the stimulus includes application of a trigger to the shape memory material, the trigger configured to reduce a transition temperature of the shape memory material to a value that is less than a downhole temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the deactivation fluid is configured to increase the transition temperature to a value that is greater than the downhole temperature via direct exposure of the shape memory material to the deactivation fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the deactivation fluid is configured to neutralize the trigger. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the deactivation fluid is configured to cause the transition temperature to recover at a rate that is faster than a normal recovery rate. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the shape memory material is configured to control fluid flow by filtering particulate matter from fluid produced by the earth. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the shape memory material is a porous material configured to prevent particulates from entering a production string, the first shape is an annular shape surrounding the carrier, and the second shape is an expanded shape having an annular thickness that is greater than the first shape. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the shape memory component is a sand screen component. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the activation fluid is a completion fluid configured to be disposed in the borehole prior to initiating production of fluids from the formation.