IP Library Granted Patent US 9,816,341
Granted Patent B2
US 9,816,341 · App. 15/296,342 · Granted Nov 14, 2017

Plugging devices and deployment in subterranean wells

Inventors: Gary P. Funkhouser (Roman Forest, TX); Brock W. Watson (Sadler, TX); Andrew M. Ferguson (Moore, OK); Jenna N. Robertson (Norman, OK); Roger L. Schultz (Newcastle, OK)
Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
E21B29/02E21B17/20E21B33/138E21B43/114E21B43/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,816,341
App. No.
15/296,342
Granted
Nov 14, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method can include deploying a plugging device into a well, the plugging device including a body, and an outer material enveloping the body and having a greater flexibility than a material of the body, and conveying the plugging device by fluid flow into engagement with the opening, the body preventing the plugging device from extruding through the opening, and the outer material blocking the fluid flow between the body and the opening. In another method, the plugging device can include at least two bodies, and a washer element connected between the bodies, the washer element being generally disk-shaped and comprising a hole, a line extending through the hole and connected to the bodies on respective opposite sides of the washer element, the washer element preventing the plugging device from being conveyed through the opening, and the washer element blocking the fluid flow through the opening.

Claims (9)

1. A method of plugging an opening in a subterranean well, the method comprising:

deploying a plugging device into the well, the plugging device including at least two bodies, and a washer element connected between the bodies, the washer element being generally disk-shaped and comprising a hole, a line extending through the hole and connected to the bodies on respective opposite sides of the washer element; and

conveying the plugging device by fluid flow into engagement with the opening, the washer element preventing the plugging device from being conveyed through the opening, and the washer element blocking the fluid flow through the opening.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conveying further comprises at least one of the bodies being conveyed into the opening.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the conveying further comprises at least one of the bodies being conveyed through the opening.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the line comprises joined together fibers.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the line comprises a rope.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming the bodies as knots in the line.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming the bodies with fibers extending outwardly from the bodies.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2016
From: FUNKHOUSER, GARY P.; WATSON, BROCK W.; FERGUSON, ANDREW M.; ROBERTSON, JENNA N.; SCHULTZ, ROGER L.
To: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040281/0431 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation In Part 15138968 · Apr 26, 2016
Continuation In Part 14698578 · Apr 28, 2015
Continuation In Part PCTUS2015038248 · Jun 29, 2015
Provisional Application 62348637 · Jun 10, 2016
Provisional Application 62195078 · Jul 21, 2015
Provisional Application 62243444 · Oct 19, 2015
Related Publication 20170030169A1 · Feb 2, 2017