Debris catcher

Abstract

A debris catcher can include an anchor connected to the wellbore tubular and a filter fixed to the anchor. The filter is formed at least partially of a degradable material and positioned in a bore of the wellbore tubular. A subterranean fluid flowing through the wellbore tubular is filtered using the debris catcher. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the general subject matter of the technical disclosure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A debris catcher for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore tubular, comprising:
 an anchor connected to the wellbore tubular; and   a filter fixed to the anchor, the filter being formed at least partially of a degradable material and positioned in a bore of the wellbore tubular.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a hollow basket having perforations, wherein the degradable material is located in the perforations. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a tube formed of degradable beads. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a housing filled with degradable beads. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises non-degradable beads, and wherein the degradable material is located among the non-degradable beads. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the degradable material comprises a plurality of components each with a varying rate of degradation in response to different stimuli. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a cylindrical housing and a curved nose. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the curved nose is directed towards a flow of fluid from the formation. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is conical tapered. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises at least one of: (i) anchoring slips, (ii) a packer, and (iii) a nipple profile. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprises a shock absorber connected to the filter. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the shock absorber includes a slicing member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the debris catcher is located at the surface termination of the wellbore tubular. 
     
     
         14 . A method for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore tubular, comprising:
 conveying a debris catcher formed at least partially of a degradable material into the wellbore tubular;   filtering a subterranean fluid flowing through the wellbore tubular using the debris catcher.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising setting the debris catcher at a location one of: (i) a horizontal section of the wellbore tubular, (ii) a vertical section of the wellbore tubular, (iii) a curved section of the wellbore tubular, (iv) wellhead of the wellbore tubular, and (v) a Christmas tree of the wellbore tubular. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising retrieving the debris catcher. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising pumping a degrading fluid into the wellbore tubular to degrade the degradable material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising mechanically separating a downhole member with a slicing member of the debris catcher.