Abstract: A pressure compensation system for enclosed spaces at a subterranean location changes volume with thermally induced solubility changes of a salt in water. The salt is held in an enclosure that is either rigid, or impervious and flexible or porous and flexible. As well conditions change and temperature increases, some of the salt goes into solution with a resulting decrease in volume that compensates for thermally induced volume increase due to temperature increase in the borehole. Conversely, a decrease in borehole temperature brings some of the salt out of solution for a volume increase to offset the volume decrease of the adjacent fluid to keep the pressure stabilized in the enclosed volume. In the porous enclosure embodiment the openings are sufficiently small to retain the salt even in solution. However, minimal net flows are anticipated for pressure compensation due to changing thermal effects.

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.

Abstract: A pressure compensation system for enclosed spaces at a subterranean location changes volume with thermally induced solubility changes of a salt in water. The salt is held in an enclosure that is either rigid, or impervious and flexible or porous and flexible. As well conditions change and temperature increases, some of the salt goes into solution with a resulting decrease in volume that compensates for thermally induced volume increase due to temperature increase in the borehole. Conversely, a decrease in borehole temperature brings some of the salt out of solution for a volume increase to offset the volume decrease of the adjacent fluid to keep the pressure stabilized in the enclosed volume. In the porous enclosure embodiment the openings are sufficiently small to retain the salt even in solution. However, minimal net flows are anticipated for pressure compensation due to changing thermal effects.

Abstract: A combined activator-breaker fluid system is effective in oil and gas field applications to essentially simultaneously activate or deploy a shape-memory material and at least partially remove a polymeric filter cake left by a drilling mud, all in one step or trip.

Abstract: An in situ method deploy and/or plasticize a shape-memory material in order to change the material's physical dimensions and/or mechanical properties, including a method for deploying a shape-memory polymer having a deformed or compressed shape in an environment at a first temperature, the shape memory polymer having a first glass transition temperature which is greater than the first temperature. The method also includes decreasing the glass transition temperature of shape memory polymer from the first glass transition temperature to a second glass transition temperature which is less than or equal to the first temperature; and expanding the shape memory polymer to deploy the shape memory polymer in a deployed shape.

Abstract: A method for deploying a shape memory polymer includes disposing a shape memory polymer having a deformed shape in an environment at a first temperature, the shape memory polymer having a first glass transition temperature which is greater than the first temperature. The method also includes decreasing the glass transition temperature of shape memory polymer from the first glass transition temperature to a second glass transition temperature which is less than or equal to the first temperature; and expanding the shape memory polymer to deploy the shape memory polymer in a deployed shape.