Abstract: A flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which influences a pressure in the chamber. A method of controlling flow of steam in a well can include providing a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow in the well, the flow control device including a chamber having a variable volume, water disposed in the chamber, and a biasing device. The biasing device influences the chamber volume. Another flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which reduces a boiling point of the water in the chamber.

Abstract: A well system can include a deployment apparatus including at least one propeller that propels the deployment apparatus through a wellbore. A deployment apparatus for use in a well can include a sealing device that sealingly engages a seal surface in the well, and at least one propeller that propels the deployment apparatus in the well. A deployment method can include disposing a deployment apparatus in a wellbore of a well, the deployment apparatus including at least one propeller, and the propeller propelling the deployment apparatus in the wellbore.

Abstract: A device for use in a subterranean well can include a component which degrades in the well, the component being at least one of the group comprising: a) an electrical element which conducts electricity in the well, b) a magnetic element which produces a magnetic field in the well, and c) a substrate which structurally supports an electrical circuit. A method of constructing a device for use in a subterranean well can include determining an environmental condition to be experienced by a component of the device in the well, the component being at least one of the group comprising: a) an electrical element which conducts electricity in the well, b) a magnetic element which produces a magnetic field in the well, and c) a substrate which supports an electrical circuit; selecting the component which degrades when exposed to the environmental condition; and incorporating the component into the device.

Abstract: Comparative image analysis is utilized to determine the flow rate of fluids, such as, for example, drilling fluid, completion fluid or hydrocarbons. As fluid flows through a conduit or open trough, a flow rate measurement device illuminates the surface of the fluid. Images of common surface features are then acquired at some time interval. Thereafter, the displacement of the common surface features in the images is analyzed to determine the flow rate of the fluid. Thus, non-contact flow rate measurements of opaque and non-opaque fluids are obtained.

Abstract: A flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which influences a pressure in the chamber. A method of controlling flow of steam in a well can include providing a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow in the well, the flow control device including a chamber having a variable volume, water disposed in the chamber, and a biasing device. The biasing device influences the chamber volume. Another flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which reduces a boiling point of the water in the chamber.

Abstract: A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprises: introducing the isolation device into the wellbore, wherein at least a portion of the wellbore isolation device comprises: a first material; and a coating, wherein the coating: completely surrounds at least the first material prior to introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore. The coating can be made from: a frangible substance that loses structural integrity after introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore via application of a force; a substance that undergoes a phase transformation at the phase transformation temperature of the substance after a period of time has elapsed since introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore; or at least an anode of a galvanic system comprising the anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode undergoes galvanic dissolution after introduction of the isolation device into the wellbore.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprising: a material that dissolves via corrosion when in contact with a wellbore fluid, a surface of the material, wherein the surface of the material is altered via a surface treatment, and wherein the altered surface delays corrosion of the material for a desired amount of time. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprising: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with a wellbore fluid; and causing or allowing at least the portion of the material to dissolve.

Abstract: A flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which influences a pressure in the chamber. A method of controlling flow of steam in a well can include providing a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow in the well, the flow control device including a chamber having a variable volume, water disposed in the chamber, and a biasing device. The biasing device influences the chamber volume. Another flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which reduces a boiling point of the water in the chamber.

Abstract: Methods of removing two or more isolation devices is provided. An example method includes introducing two or more isolation devices into a wellbore comprising at least two wellbore intervals. Each isolation device comprises a substance and each of the substances degrades within the wellbore. The degradation rate of each of the substances causes fluid communication to be restored between the wellbore intervals in a desired amount of time. The method further includes causing or allowing each of the substances to degrade.

Abstract: A method of performing an operation in a wellbore is provided. The method includes introducing a tool into the wellbore. The tool comprises a mandrel comprising a port; and a plug located within the port. The plug comprises at least a first material that partially or wholly dissolves via corrosion. The method further includes introducing a cement composition into an annulus located between the outside of the tool at least at the location of the port and the inside of the wellbore, and causing or allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve. The step of causing or allowing is performed after the step of introducing the cement composition.

Abstract: A well tool can include a magnetic sensor having opposite sides, and a magnetic shield that conducts an undesired magnetic field from one side to the other side of the sensor. Another well tool can include a magnetic sensor in a housing, the sensor having opposite longitudinal sides relative to a housing longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between the housing and each of the opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensor. Another well tool can include at least two magnetic sensors, one magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented orthogonal to the housing longitudinal axis, and another magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between a housing and each of opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a flowable component comprising syntactic foam, communicating the flowable component into a wellbore, and allowing the flowable component to be removed from the wellbore.

Abstract: A magnetic system for determining the location of a wellbore component in a first string relative to a wellbore component in a second string. The system includes a circumferentially distributed array of magnets positioned in the first string that is operable to produce a magnetic field in the wellbore proximate the location of the array of magnets. A magnetic field detector is operably associated with the second string and is operable to detect a magnetic signature of the magnetic field. One of the first and second strings is stationary within the wellbore. The other of the first and second strings is moveable in the wellbore such that the magnetic field detector is moveable relative to the magnetic field and such that when the magnetic field detector identifies the magnetic signature, the location of the array of magnets is correlated with the magnetic field detector.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprising: a first material, wherein the first material: (A) is a metal or a metal alloy; and (B) partially dissolves when an electrically conductive path exists between the first material and a second material and at least a portion of the first and second materials are in contact with an electrolyte; and an electrolytic compound, wherein the electrolytic compound dissolves in a fluid located within the wellbore to form free ions that are electrically conductive. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: placing the wellbore isolation device into the wellbore; and allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve.

Abstract: A method of using a wellbore isolation device comprises: introducing the wellbore isolation device into the wellbore, wherein the isolation device comprises: (A) a matrix, wherein the matrix has a phase transition temperature less than or equal to the bottomhole temperature of the wellbore; and (B) at least one reinforcement area, wherein the reinforcement area: (i) comprises at least a first material, wherein the first material undergoes galvanic corrosion; and (ii) has a greater tensile strength and/or shear strength than the matrix.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device includes a substance; and a pH maintainer, wherein the pH maintainer maintains the pH of a wellbore fluid surrounding the isolation device at a desired pH or range of pH values for a desired period of time, and wherein the substance is capable of decomposing at the desired pH or range of pH values. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device includes placing the isolation device into the wellbore; and causing or allowing at least a portion of the substance to decompose.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprising: a material that dissolves via corrosion when in contact with a wellbore fluid, a surface of the material, wherein the surface of the material is altered via a surface treatment, and wherein the altered surface delays corrosion of the material for a desired amount of time. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprising: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with a wellbore fluid; and causing or allowing at least the portion of the material to dissolve.

Abstract: A magnetic system for determining an operating position of a downhole tool. The system includes an array of magnets operable to produce a magnetic field that is operably associated with a stationary component of the downhole tool. A moveable component of the downhole tool has at least first and second positions relative to the stationary component. In the first position, the moveable component has a first degree of interference with the magnetic field. In the second position, the moveable component has a second degree of interference with the magnetic field. A magnetic field detector is operable to be run into the wellbore and moved relative to the downhole tool such that the position of the moveable component relative to the stationary component is determined by detection of a magnetic signature produced by the moveable component and the array of magnets.

Abstract: A method of plugging a flow passage in a well can include conveying a plug into an isolation tool in the well, and then contracting a plug seat of the isolation tool. An isolation tool for plugging a flow passage in a subterranean well can include a piston, and a longitudinally displaceable plug seat. The plug seat longitudinally displaces in response to displacement of the piston. Another method of plugging a flow passage can include conveying a plug into an isolation tool in the well, and then longitudinally displacing a plug seat of the isolation tool, thereby radially contracting the plug seat.

Abstract: A method of performing an operation in a wellbore comprising: introducing a tool into the wellbore, wherein the tool comprises: (A) a mandrel comprising a port; and (B) a plug, wherein the plug is located within the port, and wherein the plug comprises at least a first material, wherein the first material partially or wholly dissolves via corrosion; introducing a cement composition into an annulus located between the outside of the tool at least at the location of the port and the inside of the wellbore; and causing or allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve, wherein the step of causing or allowing is performed after the step of introducing the cement composition.