US20210254428A1 - Top set plug and method - Google Patents

Top set plug and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20210254428A1
US20210254428A1 US17/049,352 US202017049352A US2021254428A1 US 20210254428 A1 US20210254428 A1 US 20210254428A1 US 202017049352 A US202017049352 A US 202017049352A US 2021254428 A1 US2021254428 A1 US 2021254428A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
plug
mandrel
casing
setting tool
sealing element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US17/049,352
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dennis Roessler
Michael WROBLICKY
Wayne Rosenthal
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Geodynamics Inc
Original Assignee
Geodynamics Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Geodynamics Inc filed Critical Geodynamics Inc
Priority to US17/049,352 priority Critical patent/US20210254428A1/en
Publication of US20210254428A1 publication Critical patent/US20210254428A1/en
Assigned to WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION reassignment WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GEODYNAMICS, INC., OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C., OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
    • E21B33/129—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing
    • E21B33/1291—Packers; Plugs with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing anchor set by wedge or cam in combination with frictional effect, using so-called drag-blocks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/04—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
    • E21B23/0413—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion using means for blocking fluid flow, e.g. drop balls or darts
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
    • E21B34/14—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools
    • E21B34/142—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B2200/00—Special features related to earth drilling for obtaining oil, gas or water
    • E21B2200/08—Down-hole devices using materials which decompose under well-bore conditions

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to downhole tools used for perforating and/or fracturing operations, and more specifically, to a downhole plug that is configured to be set from its top.
  • This process of connecting the wellbore to the subterranean formation may include a step of isolating a stage of the casing 102 with a plug 112 , a step of perforating the casing 102 with a perforating gun assembly 114 such that various channels 116 are formed to connect the subterranean formations to the inside of the casing 102 , a step of removing the perforating gun assembly, and a step of fracturing the various channels 116 .
  • FIG. 1 shows the setting tool 120 disconnected from the plug 112 , indicating that the plug has been set inside the casing.
  • FIG. 1 shows the wireline 118 , which includes at least one electrical connector, being connected to a control interface 122 , located on the ground 110 , above the well 100 .
  • An operator of the control interface may send electrical signals to the perforating gun assembly and/or setting tool for (1) setting the plug 112 and (2) disconnecting the setting tool from the plug.
  • a fluid 124 (e.g., water, water and sand, fracturing fluid, etc.) may be pumped by a pumping system 126 , down the well, for moving the perforating gun assembly and the setting tool to a desired location, e.g., where the plug 112 needs to be deployed, and also for fracturing purposes.
  • the above operations may be repeated multiple times for perforating and/or fracturing the casing at multiple locations, corresponding to different stages of the well.
  • multiple plugs 112 and 112 ′ may be used for isolating the respective stages from each other during the perforating phase and/or fracturing phase.
  • completion operations may require several plugs run in series or several different plug types run in series.
  • the well may require several hundred plugs depending on the productivity, depths, and geophysics of each well.
  • production of hydrocarbons from these zones requires that the sequentially set plugs be removed from the well.
  • an operator In order to reestablish flow past the existing plugs, an operator must remove and/or destroy the plugs by milling or drilling the plugs.
  • a typical frac plug for such operations is illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes plural elements.
  • the frac plug 200 has a central, interior, mandrel 202 on which all the other elements are placed.
  • the mandrel acts as the backbone of the entire frac plug.
  • the following elements are typically added over the mandrel 202 : a top push ring 203 , upper slip ring 204 , upper wedge 206 , elastic sealing element 208 , lower wedge 210 , lower slip ring 212 , a bottom push ring 216 , and a mule shoe 218 .
  • the setting tool 300 applies a force F on the push ring 203 on one side and applies an opposite force on the bottom push ring 216 , from the other side.
  • the intermediate components of the plug 200 press against each other causing the sealing element 208 to elastically expand radially and seal against the casing 102 .
  • Upper and lower wedges 206 and 210 press not only on the seal 208 , but also on their corresponding slip rings 204 and 212 , separating them into plural parts and at the same time forcing the separated parts of the slip rings to press radially against the casing.
  • the slip rings maintain the sealing element into a tension state to seal against the casing of the well and prevent the elastic sealing element from returning to its initial position.
  • the elastic sealing element elastically deforms and presses against the entire circumference of the casing.
  • the setting tool 300 has a main body 301 to which is attached a setting sleeve 304 , which contacts the upstream end of the frac plug 200 .
  • a mandrel 306 of the setting tool 300 extends from the main body 301 all the way through a bore 201 of the plug 200 , until a distal end 306 A of the mandrel exits the mule shoe 218 .
  • a disk or nut 308 is attached to the distal end 306 A of the mandrel 306 . If a disk is used, then a nut 310 may be attached to the mandrel 306 to maintain in place the disk 308 .
  • An external diameter D of the disk 308 is designed to fit inside the bore 201 of the mule shoe 218 , but also to be larger than an internal diameter d of the shear ring 216 or another element (e.g., a collet) that may be used for engaging the mandrel.
  • a bottom set plug This type of plug is called a bottom set plug.
  • a disadvantage of such a plug is the fact that a typical bottom set plug does not allow for an operation that is known in the art as a “ball in place” mode, which means that a ball that is used to close the bore 201 of the frac plug 200 is run into the wellbore along with the plug.
  • This mode is in contrast to a traditional mode in which the frac plug 200 is first set up, the setting tool 300 is removed from the well, and then the ball is pumped down the wellbore, from the surface, to seal the bore 201 of the frac plug 200 .
  • Such an operation increases water usage, costs, and operational inefficiency.
  • the frac plug shown in FIG. 2 has many parts that need to fit together, which increases its cost.
  • the frac plug needs to be removed, which is currently achieved by milling it. This process further adds to the complexity of the well exploration and also adds to the oil extraction cost, as the milling operation is expensive and time consuming.
  • a top set plug for sealing against a casing of a well.
  • the plug includes a mandrel having a throughout bore that extends from a top end to a bottom end, a connecting mechanism located at the top end of the mandrel, wherein the connecting mechanism is configured to connect to a setting tool and the connecting mechanism is attached with a shear member to the mandrel, a sealing element located around the mandrel and configured to be pushed toward an internal wall of the casing, an upper wedge configured to push the sealing element against the casing, and a slip ring configured to push the sealing element over the upper wedge and also to engage the inner wall of the casing with buttons for preventing the plug to slide along the casing.
  • the shear member is manufactured to break before any other part of the mandrel to release the connecting mechanism, and there is no lower wedge to push against the sealing element.
  • a top set plug for sealing against a casing of a well.
  • the plug includes a mandrel having a throughout bore that extends from a top end to a bottom end, a connecting mechanism that is configured to connect to a setting tool, wherein the connecting mechanism is attached through a shear member to the mandrel, a sealing element partially located around the mandrel and having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is configured to be pushed toward an internal wall of the casing and acts as a seal while the bottom end is configured as a ramp, and a slip ring configured to engage the inner wall of the casing with buttons for preventing the plug to slide along the casing.
  • the bottom end of the sealing element enters into a bore of the slip ring and pushes the slip ring radially outward toward the inner wall of the casing.
  • the shear member is manufactured to break before any other part of the mandrel to release the connecting mechanism.
  • a method for plugging a casing in a well includes a step of attaching a setting tool to a frac plug, wherein a ball is placed inside the setting tool; a step of lowering the setting tool, the ball and the frac plug to a desired depth into the casing of the well; a step of activating the setting tool to set up the frac plug, wherein a connection between the setting tool and the frac plug is located at a top end of the frac plug; a step of removing the setting tool after the connection between the setting tool and the frac plug is broken; and a step of pressuring the ball to seat onto a seat formed into a mandrel of the frac plug.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a well in which a setting tool and a plug have been deployed;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frac plug
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a setting tool that sets up a frac plug at the bottom of the plug
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a top set frac plug
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the top set frac plug having a ball seated deep inside an internal mandrel for providing structural reinforcement
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an activation of the setting tool for setting the top set plug
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a ball from another top set plug interacting with a current top set plug
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a pattern of a slip ring of the top set plug
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section of the slip ring of the top set plug
  • FIG. 10 illustrates another top set plug that has a sealing element as the top most element
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the another top set plug after the setting tool has been removed and a ball is seated inside the plug
  • FIG. 12 is flowchart of a method for setting up the top set plug in a casing of a well.
  • a novel frac plug is configured to have less parts and to be set up at the top part and not at the bottom part as the traditional plugs.
  • one or more parts, even all the parts, of the frac plug are made of a dissolvable material so that there is no need for milling the plug after the frac operation of a given stage is over.
  • the novel frac plug can be used in a ball in place mode, due to the top set up operation.
  • the slip part of the frac plug is configured in a zig-zag pattern to maximize a gripping with the casing. The zig-zag pattern also prevents the fingers of the slip part to break apart when in the well.
  • a top set plug 410 is configured to be set up at a top part.
  • top and bottom are defined in this application with regard to a placement of the plug in a vertical or horizontal well, where the top points toward the head of the well and the bottom points toward the toe of the well.
  • a top part of the frac plug is well defined as being the part that contacts the setting tool, while the bottom part of plug is the part that is facing toward the toe of the well and opposite from the setting tool.
  • the top set plug 410 is shown in FIG. 4 as being part of a system 400 that also includes a setting tool 470 that is connected to the top set plug 410 .
  • the top set plug 410 is placed inside a casing 102 and has a mandrel 412 that is configured with a connecting mechanism 414 , at its top end 412 A, so that the connecting mechanism 414 is configured to contact and connect to an inner sleeve 472 of the setting tool 470 .
  • the connecting mechanism 414 is a thread and the inner sleeve 472 has a mating thread 474 .
  • the connecting mechanism is a breakable pin.
  • Other implementations of the connecting mechanism may be used by those skilled in the art. Irrespective of the implementation of the connecting mechanism, it ensures that the plug 410 is fixedly attached to the setting tool while the plug is lowered to the desired location inside the casing.
  • the connecting mechanism 414 is attached to the mandrel 412 through a shear member 416 .
  • the shear member 416 is attached to a flared-up portion 417 of the mandrel 412 .
  • FIG. 4 shows the flared-up portion 417 of the mandrel having a larger internal diameter D 1 than a diameter D 2 of the remaining portion of the mandrel.
  • the flared-up portion 417 is configured in this way to press against an upper wedge 422 , and to push the upper wedge 422 toward the inner wall of the casing 102 , as discussed later.
  • the shear member 416 may be made from the same material as the mandrel 412 and the connecting mechanism 414 . However, in one application, these elements may be made of different materials and as separated parts.
  • these three elements are made integrally as part of the mandrel.
  • the inner sleeve 472 is pulled apart from the plug 410 until the shear member 416 breaks and releases the setting tool.
  • the only part that keeps the plug 410 attached to the setting tool 470 is the connecting mechanism 414 .
  • the shear member 416 breaks, the plug is freed from the setting tool. For this reason, the shear member 416 is made to break when a desired force is applied to it. While the shear member 416 is shown in FIG.
  • shear member 4 as being implemented as a thin part of the mandrel 412 , those skilled in the art would understand that the shear member may be implemented in different configurations, e.g., made of a material that is weaker than the material of the mandrel and the connecting member 414 .
  • the shear member 416 is shaped and/or made of a material so that is breaks before any other part of the mandrel.
  • the bottom end 412 B of the mandrel 412 is configured to engage with a guide member 418 , for example, through threads 420 .
  • Other mechanisms may be used for attaching the guide member 418 to the mandrel 412 .
  • the guide member 418 may have an external diameter D that is slightly (e.g., about 10 to 30%) smaller than an interior diameter of the casing 102 , so that the guide member guides the plug inside the casing while being lowered to its desired location.
  • the following elements are distributed along the mandrel 412 .
  • the upper wedge 422 (or tapered cone or ramp or wedge-shaped body) is distributed around the mandrel and is configured to push radially out on a sealing ring element 424 .
  • the ramp part 422 A of the upper wedge 422 contacts directly the underside of the sealing ring element 424 and pushes the sealing ring element toward the casing 102 when the upper wedge 422 is pushed by the external sleeve 480 of the setting tool 470 .
  • the upper wedge 422 may include one or more seals 423 , that are placed between the upper wedge body and the mandrel 412 , to prevent a well fluid to move past the upper wedge.
  • the sealing ring element 424 also can include one or more seals 425 A and 425 B, located between the sealing element and the casing and/or the upper wedge 422 to further prevent the escape of the well fluid past the plug 410 . Note that all these elements of the plug 410 are shown in FIG. 4 as being separated from each other by a considerable distance when in fact, this distance is infinitesimal or non-existent, i.e., these elements are tightly packed together. The large distance between these elements is used in this figure to more clearly illustrate each element and the relationships between these elements.
  • the plug 410 also includes a slip ring 426 disposed around the mandrel 412 .
  • the plug includes only one slip ring.
  • the slip ring 426 includes one or more buttons 428 , which are made from a hard material, and are configured to directly engage with the casing 102 when the frac plug is set. The direct contact between the buttons 428 and the casing 102 ensures that the plug does not move along a longitudinal axis X of the well when the plug is exposed to an upstream pressure.
  • a bore 413 of the mandrel 412 is configured to have one or two seats.
  • a seat is defined herein as being a portion of the mandrel, in the bore, that is shaped to receive and mate a ball 440 .
  • the mandrel 412 may be shaped to have a large seat 430 or a smaller seat 432 .
  • the mandrel 412 may be shaped to have both seats.
  • the large seat 430 is a side seat, i.e., it is formed at the side of the mandrel 412 .
  • the smaller seat 432 is an internal seat, i.e., it is formed in a region of the bore that is not at the side of the frac.
  • An advantage of having an internal seat is that when the ball 440 is seated against such deep seat 432 , as shown in FIG. 5 , the ball 440 exerts a force 510 (only one force is shown although the ball exerts the same force all around the mandrel 412 ) on the mandrel 412 , which structurally supports the entire plug 410 from being compressed along the radial direction by the pressure exerted by the pumped fluid in the well.
  • the deep-set ball imparts additional structural integrity to the plug in that it resists an inward radial movement of the slips and wedge, which would otherwise loosen the plug's grip on the casing.
  • a seal between the sealing ring element 424 and the casing 102 may be weakened, which may result in the collapse of the plug and the well fluid rushing past the plug.
  • the plug 410 configured to allow the ball 440 to enter deep inside the mandrel 412 , i.e., at least past the ends of the mandrel, for example, close to a middle point of the mandrel, as shown in FIG. 5 , it achieves this structural advantage.
  • the ball 440 is considered to enter deep inside the mandrel 412 when the ball is at the same position, along the longitudinal axis X, as the sealing ring element 424 , or as the slip ring 426 .
  • FIG. 5 shows the frac plug 410 being set, i.e., the shear element 416 has been broken, so that the setting tool 470 has been freed and removed (although spaces between the elements of the plug and also spaces between the plug and the casing are still shown).
  • the setting tool 470 is configured to carry the ball 440 while also being attached to the plug 410 , i.e., to be able to perform the ball in place mode.
  • the ball 440 is placed inside the inner sleeve 472 of the setting tool.
  • the outer mandrel 480 includes a retention element 482 , for example a pin, that prevents the ball from moving upstream.
  • the inner sleeve 472 includes a retaining mechanism 476 , for example, a spring.
  • the ball 440 is placed between the retention element 482 and the retaining mechanism 476 while the setting tool is lowered into the casing. As the setting tool and the ball move downstream in the casing, the fluid well needs a passage to bypass this tandem. For this reason, one or more slots 484 may be made into the external sleeve 480 . In this way, the fluid well 490 is able to pass through the setting tool 470 and through the bore 413 of the plug 410 , as indicated by path 492 .
  • the retention element 482 which is fixedly attached to the external sleeve 480 , is allowed to move relative to the inner mandrel 472 , to push the ball 440 past the retaining mechanism 476 , due to a slot 473 formed into the wall of the inner mandrel 472 .
  • the setting tool 470 is activated so that the internal sleeve 472 moves upstream while the outer sleeve 480 remains stationary (or the other way around)
  • the retention element 482 effectively moves downstream relative to the inner sleeve 472 , and pushes the ball 440 over the retaining mechanism 476 .
  • the ball 440 moves until is seated in the large seat 430 , or the deep seat 432 , depending on its size. Note that if the ball 440 is sized to seat the large seat 430 , it cannot move past this seat to reach the deep seat 432 .
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the situation in which the setting tool 470 has been activated, the external sleeve 480 is preventing the upper wedge 422 from moving along the axial direction X, the inner sleeve 472 has moved in an upward direction relative to the external sleeve 480 , opposite to the longitudinal direction X, thus pulling the mandrel 412 along the same direction.
  • the guiding element 418 has moved toward the upper wedge 422 , pressing the slip ring 426 and the sealing ring element 424 up the ramp of the wedge element 422 , so that the sealing ring element 424 is pressing against the casing 102 , effectively sealing the casing's bore.
  • FIG. 6 shows the setting tool 470 being activated but not yet freed from the mandrel 412 .
  • FIG. 7 shows the ball 440 being seated in the deep seat 432 and the setting tool 470 freed from the plug 410 as the inner mandrel has exerted the force on the plug 410 and the shear member 416 broke. Also note that the mandrel 412 has been moved together with the guiding element 418 relative to the other members of the plug 410 , so that the upper wedge 422 is now removed from the large seat 430 . The upper wedges 422 was either in direct contact with the large seat 430 in FIG. 4 , or very close to it.
  • FIG. 7 shows that one or more slots 434 may be formed in the bottom end 412 B of the mandrel 412 so that when a ball 440 ′ from a previous frac plug is contacting the bottom end 412 B, the fluid inside the well still can pass from the toe of the well toward the head (e.g., during a backflow operation) of the well, past this ball and the frac plug.
  • FIG. 7 further shows how the ball 440 seated in the deep seat 432 provides structural support to the upper wedge 422 and the slip ring 426 , to prevent these elements from moving radially inward, toward the bore 413 of the mandrel 412 .
  • the deep seat 432 is formed in the mandrel so that the deep seat is directly opposite to the slip ring 426 relative to the mandrel. In another embodiment, the deep seat is manufactured to be located directly across the upper wedge 422 . In still another embodiment, the deep seat is manufactured to be located across the sealing element 424 .
  • the deep seat 432 can be formed anywhere internal to the mandrel to be across any of the elements to support them.
  • the slip ring 426 is configured to have a ring 810 and alternating slots 812 , which partially extend radially around the ring 810 to form a zig-zag pattern, as illustrated in FIG. 8 .
  • the buttons 428 may be configured to have a surface inclination relative to the casing, such that a better grip between the buttons and the casing is obtained. This zig-zag patterned slip(s) then maximizes the surface area gripping the casing wall, thereby increasing the axial hold force.
  • the slips may be made of several fingers formed from slots all extending from one end of the ring.
  • buttons 428 of the slip ring 426 “bite” into the casing 102 and increase the axial holding force of the plug.
  • the “axial hold force” refers to the resistance to axial movement along the longitudinal axis X of the wellbore casing 102 .
  • the force is expressed in terms of the wellbore pressure (in pounds per square inch (psi)) times the sealed inner area of the casing required to overcome the plugs adherence to the casing inner wall and move the plug axially.
  • FIG. 9 A sectional view of the slip ring 426 is shown in FIG. 9 , together with two cross-sections AA and BB from FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9 shows the ring 810 and the fingers 814 that are connected to the ring 810 .
  • the slots 812 between the fingers 814 are shown being positioned in a first configuration, toward the bottom end 412 B, then those at the top end 412 A.
  • FIG. 9 shows that the slots at the two ends are offset with a given angular displacement, for example, 90 degrees.
  • the plug 410 components may be manufactured as machined or molded composites, or as dissolvable materials or a combination of the two. In one application, all the parts of the plug 410 are made of dissolvable materials. This means that after the frac operation for a given stage is completed, instead of using a drill to mill the plug, the well fluid or a special fluid is pumped into the well, which after interacting for a given amount of time with the plug, dissolves the components of the plug. This is very advantageous because lowering in the well the drilling equipment is time consuming and thus, expensive.
  • the plug 410 has less components.
  • the plug 410 does not have the upper slip ring 204 and the upper wedge 206 .
  • the plug 410 also does not have the bottom push ring 216 . Because of these features, a volume of the plug 410 may be reduced to less than 80 in 3 , from a volume of 250 in 3 , which customary for an existing frac plug. Further, the reduced volume of the plug 410 ensures, in one application, that the well fluid that passes through it is increased, which prevents large pressure differentials across the plug.
  • a frac plug has even less components than the plug 410 discussed above.
  • a frac plug relies on the structural integrity of its components to withstand the stresses applied during its use in the well.
  • the available plugs do not use the ball or a restrictive plugging element to aid in the support of the plug during the frac operation.
  • the available plugs use force supportive members (ramps or wedges) that may or may not be backed up by inner mandrels to preserve the overall structural integrity.
  • mandrels have an overall inner diameter just less than about 2.0′′. This design often results in plugs longer than 18′′ with a total volume exceeding 250 in 3 (in a typical 5.5′′ casing application).
  • This configuration restricts the amount of well fluid that can be transmitted through the plug when advancing through the well.
  • this existing configuration may create large pressure differentials across the plug.
  • the available plugs use opposing taper angles or ramps of wedges 206 and 210 , as illustrated in FIG. 2 , to draw either a sealing area 208 or a gripping area 212 of the plug into its final set position, against the wall of the casing.
  • the opposing ramps design also requires excess plug length as the full travel of the ramps needs to be included in both the swaging element and the element to be expanded (the seal).
  • the novel plug 1010 shown in FIG. 10 overcomes these problems by placing the sealing element 1024 at the top end of the plug. This means that there is no wedge or ring or other element upstream of the sealing element 1024 for pushing onto the sealing element, as is the case for the existing frac plugs.
  • this plug is configured, similar to the plug 410 , to be a top set plug.
  • the sealing element 1024 is configured to have two functions: the top end part 1024 A acts as the sealing member while the bottom end part 10246 is shaped and acts as a ramp for driving the slip ring 1026 toward the casing 102 .
  • the bottom end part 1024 B of the sealing element 1024 acts as the upper wedge 422 .
  • the slip ring 1026 may have buttons 1028 , similar to the slip ring element 426 .
  • An inner mandrel 1012 allows for load transfer between the setting tool 1070 , which is attached at the top end 1012 A of the mandrel, and the guiding element 1018 , which is located at the bottom end 1012 B of the mandrel.
  • the guiding element 1018 is attached to the mandrel 1012 by a shoulder 1019 , which is configured to fit in a corresponding groove 1015 formed in the outer wall of the mandrel 1012 .
  • the guiding element 1018 may be attached with threads, as the guiding element 418 in FIG. 4 .
  • the setting tool 1070 is configured, similar to that of FIG.
  • FIG. 10 further shows the outer sleeve 1080 of the setting tool being in direct contact with the sealing member 1024 .
  • the frac plug 1010 further includes a single piece slip 1026 , which includes a base ring 1027 with slips 1029 machined such that they are attached solely at the base of each geometric slip section. Included on the outward surface of the slip 1026 is a hardened insert or button 1028 . This hardened material may be comprised of ceramic, carbide, cast iron, etc.
  • a transitionary seal 1023 may be located between the mandrel 1012 and the sealing element 1024 . The transitionary seal allows the plug to actuate through its full range of motion while maintaining the pressure differential integrity. This feature is not required in that when the tool is in its fully set state and has been stroked down due to wellbore isolation pressures, a metal to metal seal may be achieved between the mandrel 1012 and the main swage body.
  • One or more grooves 1025 may be formed in the sealing element 1024 , facing the casing 102 , and they are aiding in obtaining a positive metal to metal seal between the frac plug outer diameter and the inner diameter of the cased wellbore. These grooves can be either ran as shown or with the addition of an elastomeric sealing element nested inside each groove.
  • the frac plug 1010 and the setting tool 1070 can carry a ball 1040 while being deployed from the surface, thus being capable of achieving a ball in place mode.
  • the ball 1040 enters inside the plug 1010 , and seats on the deep seat 1032 , as shown in FIG. 11 , thus sealing or blocking a bore 1013 of the mandrel 1012 .
  • the deep seat 1032 is located under the sealing element 1024 , so that the force F that is applied by the well fluid 1090 onto the ball 1040 is partially spread radially outward on the inner wall of the sealing element 1024 , to enhance the integrity of the seal and to further press the sealing element against the inner wall of the casing 102 .
  • the deep seat is configured to be across the slip ring 1026 . While FIG. 11 shows that the ball 1040 interacting only with the deep seat 1032 , formed in the mandrel 1012 , in one embodiment it is possible to configure the plug 1010 so that the ball 1040 also directly contacts the sealing element 1024 .
  • the method includes a step 1200 of attaching a setting tool to a frac plug, wherein a ball is placed inside the setting tool, a step 1202 of lowering the setting tool, the ball and the frac plug to a desired depth into the casing of the well, a step 1204 of activating the setting tool to set up the frac plug, wherein a connection between the setting tool and the frac plug is located at a top side of the frac plug, a step 1206 of removing the setting tool after the top connection between the setting tool and the frac plug is broken, and a step 1208 of pressuring the ball to seat into a deep seat inside a mandrel of the frac plug, away from a top end and a bottom end of the mandrel, to provide structural support to the frac plug.
  • the frac plug has a single wedge, for example, the upper wedge and not a lower wedge.
  • the frac plug 410 has only the elements shown in FIG. 4 and the frac plug 1010 has only the elements shown in FIG. 10 , i.e., much less elements than the existing plug 200 .
  • the disclosed embodiments provide a top set plug for use in a well for isolating one stage from another.
  • the top set plug is configured to have less parts than an available plug.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
US17/049,352 2019-02-21 2020-02-13 Top set plug and method Abandoned US20210254428A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/049,352 US20210254428A1 (en) 2019-02-21 2020-02-13 Top set plug and method

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201962808574P 2019-02-21 2019-02-21
US201962941075P 2019-11-27 2019-11-27
US17/049,352 US20210254428A1 (en) 2019-02-21 2020-02-13 Top set plug and method
PCT/US2020/018031 WO2020172032A1 (fr) 2019-02-21 2020-02-13 Bouchon d'ensemble supérieur et procédé

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20210254428A1 true US20210254428A1 (en) 2021-08-19

Family

ID=72144243

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/049,352 Abandoned US20210254428A1 (en) 2019-02-21 2020-02-13 Top set plug and method

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20210254428A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3927932A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN113454311A (fr)
CA (1) CA3129915A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020172032A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220034191A1 (en) * 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Geodynamics, Inc. Frac plug slips with uniform breaking mechanism and method
US20220205334A1 (en) * 2020-12-24 2022-06-30 Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc Frac plug with rod plug
US20240060376A1 (en) * 2022-08-18 2024-02-22 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Back pressure valve capsule

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7510018B2 (en) * 2007-01-15 2009-03-31 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Convertible seal
US8596347B2 (en) * 2010-10-21 2013-12-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Drillable slip with buttons and cast iron wickers
US20130008671A1 (en) * 2011-07-07 2013-01-10 Booth John F Wellbore plug and method
CA2842381C (fr) * 2011-08-22 2016-04-05 National Boss Hog Energy Services Llc Outil de fond et procede d'utilisation
CA2886988C (fr) * 2014-04-02 2017-08-29 Magnum Oil Tools International, Ltd. Bouchon de fond de trou en aluminium dissolvable
US10000991B2 (en) * 2015-04-18 2018-06-19 Tercel Oilfield Products Usa Llc Frac plug
US9835003B2 (en) * 2015-04-18 2017-12-05 Tercel Oilfield Products Usa Llc Frac plug
US20180016864A1 (en) * 2015-04-23 2018-01-18 Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc Borehole plug with spiral cut slip and integrated sealing element
US20180363409A1 (en) * 2017-06-14 2018-12-20 Magnum Oil Tools International, Ltd. Dissolvable downhole frac tool having a single slip
CA3071266A1 (fr) * 2017-07-26 2019-01-31 Schlumberger Canada Limited Deflecteur de fracturation
CA3071108A1 (fr) * 2017-07-26 2019-01-31 Peak Completion Technologies, Inc. Bouchon de fracturation ameliore

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220034191A1 (en) * 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Geodynamics, Inc. Frac plug slips with uniform breaking mechanism and method
US11959355B2 (en) * 2020-07-28 2024-04-16 Geodynamics, Inc. Frac plug slips with uniform breaking mechanism and method
US20220205334A1 (en) * 2020-12-24 2022-06-30 Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc Frac plug with rod plug
US11746616B2 (en) * 2020-12-24 2023-09-05 Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc Frac plug with rod plug
US20240060376A1 (en) * 2022-08-18 2024-02-22 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Back pressure valve capsule

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3927932A1 (fr) 2021-12-29
CN113454311A (zh) 2021-09-28
CA3129915A1 (fr) 2020-08-27
EP3927932A4 (fr) 2022-11-02
WO2020172032A1 (fr) 2020-08-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10605040B2 (en) Large-bore downhole isolation tool with plastically deformable seal and method
US20210254428A1 (en) Top set plug and method
US8205671B1 (en) Downhole bridge plug or packer assemblies
US9260936B1 (en) Downhole bridge plug or packer assemblies
CN102686824B (zh) 相对滑动型封隔器的取回方法
US8596347B2 (en) Drillable slip with buttons and cast iron wickers
AU2017260712B2 (en) Fracing plug
EP3042034B1 (fr) Garniture d'étanchéité récupérable
US9175533B2 (en) Drillable slip
US10822902B2 (en) Retractable pump down ring
US10633942B2 (en) Bidirectional slips
EP1172521A2 (fr) Garniture d'étanchéité de puits avec clapet à bille captive
US8215386B2 (en) Downhole tool releasing mechanism
US20040244966A1 (en) Slip system for retrievable packer
US20220034190A1 (en) Backup Rings For Downhole Bridge Plug Sealing Element Systems
US10214984B2 (en) Gripping tool for removing a section of casing from a well
US11326409B2 (en) Frac plug setting tool with triggered ball release capability
US20190153808A1 (en) Plug slip ring with retaining mechanism and method
US20230026973A1 (en) High-Expansion Well Sealing Using Seal Seat Extender
US10577887B2 (en) Resettable pre-set mechanism for downhole tools
US20170009556A1 (en) Pressure releaving means

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

AS Assignment

Owner name: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, GEORGIA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.;OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.;GEODYNAMICS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:059861/0477

Effective date: 20220307

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE