Inflatable Downhole Apparatus with Dissolvable Actuation Mechanism

Abstract

An inflatable packer apparatus has a dissolvable actuation mechanism. The inflatable packer apparatus is conveyed downhole to a desired location within a wellbore. A dissolvable actuation element is dropped or pumped downhole until it lands on a seat profile, thereby obstructing or blocking a fluid pathway through the apparatus. Fluid pressure is selectively applied in order to inflate the inflatable packer apparatus at the desired downhole location. The dissolvable actuation element dissolves over a predetermined period of time, thereby reopening the fluid pathway through the apparatus.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for installing an inflatable packer downhole in a wellbore comprising:
 a) conveying an inflatable packer assembly on a tubular pipe string to a downhole location in a wellbore;   b) dropping an actuation element in said tubular pipe string;   c) landing said actuation element on a seat profile within an internal bore of said inflatable packer assembly, wherein said actuation element at least partially obstructs said internal bore of said inflatable packer assembly;   d) inflating at least one inflatable element of said inflatable packer assembly; and   e) permitting said actuation element to dissolve to at least partially remove said actuation element from said internal bore.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively accelerating dissolution of said actuation element by decreasing salinity of fluid contacting said actuation element. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively accelerating dissolution of said actuation element by reducing temperature of fluid contacting said actuation element. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively retarding dissolution of said actuation element by increasing salinity of fluid contacting said actuation element. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retarding dissolution of said actuation element by increasing temperature of fluid contacting said actuation element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said actuation element comprises a magnesium alloy with at least one rare earth element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said actuation element comprises a spherical ball. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said actuation element comprises a dart. 
     
     
         9 . An inflatable packer apparatus comprising:
 a) a body member having a central through bore;   b) an inflatable member mounted to said body member, wherein said inflatable member is configured to be selectively inflated with fluid and extend radially outward from said body member;   c) a seat disposed in said central through bore of said body member; and   d) a dissolvable actuation element configured to be received on said seat, wherein said dissolvable actuation element is configured to at least partially dissolve over a predetermined time period.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said actuation element comprises a magnesium alloy with at least one rare earth element. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said actuation element comprises a spherical ball. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said actuation element comprises a dart. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein dissolution of said dissolvable actuation element accelerates when salinity of fluid contacting said actuation element is reduced. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein dissolution of said dissolvable actuation element accelerates when temperature of fluid contacting said actuation element is reduced. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein dissolution of said dissolvable actuation element is retarded when salinity of fluid contacting said actuation element is increased. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein dissolution of said dissolvable actuation element is retarded when temperature of fluid contacting said actuation element is increased.