Debris exclusion tool, system and method

Abstract

A tool with a debris exclusion plug, and a tube having opposite ends, the debris exclusion plug being releasably secured at one tube end and preventing debris from falling into the tube end, and the other tube end being securable in a tubular string in a well below the first end, the tubular string configured to form a first annulus between the tubular string and a wall of the wellbore, and the tube configured to form a second annulus between the tube and the tubular string. A method of establishing fluid communication through a tubular string can include blocking an end of a tube with a debris exclusion plug, and positioning the tube within the tubular string, an opposite end of the tube being positioned below the first end, and an annulus formed between the tube and the tubular string and an annulus formed between wellbore and tubular string.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for use in a subterranean well, the tool comprising:
 a debris exclusion plug; and   a tube having a first end that is opposite a second end, the debris exclusion plug being releasably secured at the first end and preventing debris from falling into the first end, and the second end being configured to secure in a tubular string in a wellbore with the second end being below the first end, wherein the tubular string is configured to form a first annulus between the tubular string and a wall of the wellbore, and wherein the tube is configured to form a second annulus between the tube and the tubular string.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a port that provides fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the tube. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the port is formed through a sidewall of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the tube is prevented by the debris exclusion plug. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the debris exclusion plug is configured to release from the first end of the tube and permit fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tube in response to a predetermined pressure differential from the interior to the exterior of the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the debris exclusion plug comprises a degradable material. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the degradable material is configured to:
 degrade in a predetermined amount of time in a well environment; or   dissolve in well fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling configured for connection as part of a tubular string, the coupling including a flow passage extending axially through the coupling, wherein the tube is secured to the coupling with the flow passage in fluid communication with an interior of the tube. 
     
     
         9 . A method of establishing fluid communication through a tubular string in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
 blocking a first end of a tube with a debris exclusion plug; and   receiving the tube within the tubular string thereby forming a first annulus between the tube and the tubular string, wherein the tubular string is configured to form a second annulus between the tubular string and a wall of a wellbore, with a second end of the tube being positioned below the first end.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the tube via at least one port. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the positioning comprises securing the second end in the tubular string above a pump-out plug that blocks fluid flow through a distal end of the tubular string. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising applying increased pressure through an interior of the tube, thereby discharging the pump-out plug from the distal end of the tubular string. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying a predetermined pressure differential from an interior to an exterior of the tube, thereby discharging the debris exclusion plug from the first end of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the debris exclusion plug degrading in the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . A system for establishing fluid communication through a tubular string in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
 a tubular string;   a packer positioned along the tubular string; and   a tool comprising:
 a debris exclusion plug; and 
 a tube having a first end that is opposite a second end, the debris exclusion plug being releasably secured at the first end and preventing debris from falling into the first end, and the second end being configured to secure in a tubular string in a wellbore with the second end being below the first end and the second end being below the packer. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the tube is prevented by the debris exclusion plug, and wherein the debris exclusion plug is configured to release from the first end of the tube and permit fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tube in response to a predetermined pressure differential from the interior to the exterior of the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second end is configured to secure in the tubular string in the wellbore with the second end being below the first end and the second end being above a pump-out plug that blocks fluid flow through a distal end of the tubular string. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the pump-out plug is configured to discharge from the distal end of the tubular string when a predetermined pressure differential is applied between an interior of the tube and an exterior of the tubular string. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein a port through a wall of the tube provides fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the tube. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the debris exclusion plug degrades or dissolves in the wellbore.