Degradable downhole tools and\or components thereof, method of hydraulic fracturing using such tools or components, and method of making such tools or components

Abstract

A downhole tool or component, such as a hydraulic fracturing ball, may have a base body having an outer surface. The outer surface of the base body may have a lapped coating thereon. The downhole tool or component may be made by lapping the outer surface of the base body with a lapping slurry. The downhole tool or component may be used in downhole applications, such as hydraulic fracturing, and may resist degradation upon exposure to fluids, such as production fluids.

1 . A downhole tool or component comprising:
 a base body having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the base body is lapped.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tool or component of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole tool or component is a hydraulic fracturing ball or a frac plug. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tool or component of  claim 1 , comprising a lapped coating on the outer surface of the base body. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tool or component of  claim 3 , wherein the lapped coating comprises aluminum oxide, silica, silicone, silicone rubber, diamond particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tool or component of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the lapped coating at least partially impregnates pores, voids, other surface imperfections, or combinations thereof on the outer surface of the base body. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tool or component of  claim 3 , wherein the lapped coating is at least partially embedded into the outer surface of the base body. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tool or component of  claim 3 , wherein the lapped coating is a solid-state coating. 
     
     
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         35 . A method of making a lapped tool or component, the method comprising:
 providing a base body; and   lapping an outer surface of the base body, thereby forming the lapped tool or component.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein providing the base body comprises machining a billet to have a desired shape and outer surface, forming the base body. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the desired shape is substantially the shape of a sphere. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the outer surface of the base body is lapped with a lapping slurry comprising aluminum oxide, silica, silicone, silicone rubber, diamond particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the lapping reduces peak and valley surface imperfections on the outer surface of the base body, impregnates the outer surface of the base body, reduces the exposed surface area of the base body, removes at least some machining marks on the outer surface of the base body, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the lapping forms a lapped coating on the outer surface of the base body. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , comprising selectively controlling a thickness of the lapped coating to provide a desired amount of protection from degradation. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , comprising coating the lapped tool or component with paint, wax, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
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         50 . A method of using a lapped tool or component in a downhole application, comprising:
 providing a lapped tool or component in a downhole environment, wherein the lapped tool or component is exposed to fluids.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the fluids comprise production fluids and/or fracturing fluids. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the method is a hydraulic fracturing method, and wherein the lapped tool or component is a lapped hydraulic fracturing ball. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein providing the lapped tool or component in the downhole environment comprises incorporating the lapped hydraulic fracturing ball into a hydraulic fracturing fluid. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein a ball launcher is used to injecting the lapped hydraulic fracturing ball into the hydraulic fracturing fluid as the hydraulic fracturing fluid is pumped downhole. 
     
     
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