Patent ID: 8272446

Claim:
A method for removing a downhole tool from a wellbore comprising: conveying the downhole tool comprising a flexible sealing element into the wellbore using a work string; engaging the sealing element to a wellbore wall, wherein the sealing element substantially prevents a fluid flow around the downhole tool in at least one direction through the wellbore; disconnecting the downhole tool from the work string; consuming at least a portion of the downhole tool within the wellbore via exposure of the tool to heat and a source of oxygen, wherein consuming at least a portion of the downhole tool allows the sealing element to disengage the wellbore wall, wherein the downhole tool fails structurally while or after the portion of the downhole tool is consumed; and further comprising an additional step comprising at least one of: applying a load to the downhole tool to aid in the structural failure; allowing the downhole tool to fall to the bottom of the wellbore; or removing the downhole tool from the wellbore.