Granted Patent B2

US 8,079,413 · App. 13/194,871 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Abstract

Claims (51)

1. A plug for isolating a wellbore, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

at least one malleable element disposed about the body;

at least one slip disposed about the body;

at least one conical member disposed about the body; and

an insert screwed into an inner surface of the body proximate the second end of the body and adapted to receive a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, wherein:

the insert comprises one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface thereof;

the insert has a passageway extending therethrough;

the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool; and

the one or more shearable threads are adapted to deform to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force, thereby providing a flow passage through the insert and the body.

2. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the insert has a larger diameter and a smaller diameter forming a shoulder therebetween, the shoulder adapted to anchor the insert within the body.

3. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the body each comprise anti-rotation features formed thereon, and the anti-rotation features of the first and second ends of the body are complementary and adapted to engage each other when two plugs are located in series, preventing relative rotation therebetween.

4. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the body is adapted to receive a ball that restricts fluid flow in at least one direction through the body.

5. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined axial force to release the setting tool is less than an axial force required to break the body.

6. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the plug is a frac plug.

7. A plug for isolating a wellbore, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end;

at least one sealing element disposed about the body;

at least one slip disposed about the body;

at least one conical member disposed about the body; and

an insert screwed into an inner surface of the body, proximate the second end of the body, the insert adapted to receive a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, wherein:

the insert comprises one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface thereof and one or more threads on an outer surface thereof;

the insert has a passageway extending therethrough;

the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool;

the one or more threads on the outer surface of the insert are adapted to engage the inner surface of the body;

the one or more shearable threads are adapted to deform to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force, thereby providing a flow passage through the insert and the body; and

the one or more threads on the outer surface of the insert are not deformable at the same predetermined axial force that deforms the shearable threads.

8. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the insert is formed or made from one or more metallic materials.

9. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the insert is formed or made from brass.

10. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the body is formed or made from one or more composite materials

11. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the body is formed or made from aluminum.

12. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the first and second ends of the body each comprise anti-rotation features formed thereon, and the anti-rotation features of the first and second ends of the body are complementary and adapted to engage each other when two plugs are located in series, preventing relative rotation therebetween.

13. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the plug is a frac plug.

14. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the passageway of the insert is adapted to receive an impediment that restricts fluid flow in at least one direction through the body.

15. The plug of claim 14 , wherein the impediment is decomposable at a predetermined temperature, pressure, pH, or a combination thereof

16. The plug of claim 14 , wherein the impediment is a ball.

17. A plug for isolating a wellbore, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is made or formed from one or more composite materials or aluminum or both;

at least one sealing element disposed about the body;

at least one slip disposed about the body;

at least one conical member disposed about the body; and

an insert disposed within an inner surface of the body, proximate the second end of the body, wherein:

the insert comprises one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface thereof;

the insert has a passageway extending therethrough;

the passageway of the insert is adapted to receive an impediment that restricts fluid flow in at least one direction through the body;

the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage a setting tool;

the one or more shearable threads are adapted to deform to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force, thereby providing a flow passage through the insert and the body; and

the first end of the body, the second end of the body, or both ends comprise an anti-rotation feature formed thereon, the anti-rotation feature selected from the group consisting of a taper, flat, slot, clutch, and one or more angled surfaces.

18. The plug of claim 17 , wherein the insert has one or more threads disposed on an outer surface thereof, and the insert is screwed into the inner surface of the body.

19. The plug of claim 18 , wherein the one or more threads on the outer surface of the insert are not deformable at the same predetermined axial force that deforms the shearable threads.

20. The plug of claim 17 , wherein the impediment is a ball made of a decomposable material that degrades or falls apart at a predetermined temperature, pressure, pH, or a combination thereof to allow bi-directional flow through the passageway of the insert.

Assignments (10)