Valve apparatus having dissolvable or frangible flapper and method of using same

1. A valve assembly comprising:

a) a body section having an upper surface, an outer surface, and a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface;

b) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat;

c) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of a wellbore;

d) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against said inner surface of said wellbore; and

e) a flapper hingedly attached to said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly can be conveyed into said wellbore on wireline and set using a wireline setting tool.

3. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly can be conveyed into said wellbore on pipe and set using a hydraulic setting tool.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force to said flapper and said transverse support member.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4 , wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of dissolvable material.

7. The valve assembly of claim 6 , wherein said dissolvable flapper and said dissolvable transverse support member are adapted to substantially uncover said central flow bore after dissolving.

8. A method of performing hydraulic fracturing operations in a wellbore comprising:

a) conveying a valve assembly into a wellbore, wherein said valve assembly comprises:

i) a body section having an upper surface, an outer surface and a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface;

ii) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat;

iii) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of said wellbore;

iv) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against the inner surface of said wellbore;

v) a flapper hingedly attached to said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member;

b) setting said valve assembly at a desired position in said wellbore;

c) closing said flapper; and

d) conducting hydraulic fracturing operations in said wellbore.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said valve assembly is conveyed into said wellbore on wireline and set using a wireline setting tool.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said valve assembly is conveyed into said wellbore on pipe and set using a hydraulic setting tool.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force to said flapper and said transverse support member.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of dissolvable material.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said dissolvable flapper and transverse support member are dissolved to substantially uncovers said central flow bore following completion of said hydraulic fracturing operations.

15. A valve assembly comprising:

a) a body section having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface, a hinge post disposed at said upper surface, and notch disposed at said lower surface;

b) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat;

c) at least one ball transfer unit disposed on said outer surface configured to contact an inner surface of a wellbore;

d) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface configured to selectively grip against said inner surface of said wellbore;

e) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against said inner surface of said wellbore; and

f) a flapper hingedly attached to said hinge post of said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member.

16. The valve assembly of claim 15 , wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force to said flapper and said transverse support member.

17. The valve assembly of claim 16 , wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken.

18. The valve assembly of claim 15 , wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of dissolvable material.

19. The valve assembly of claim 18 , wherein said dissolvable flapper and said dissolvable transverse support member are adapted to substantially uncover said central flow bore after dissolving.

20. The valve assembly of claim 15 , wherein said hinge post is configured to be selectively received within a notch of an adjacent valve assembly disposed in said wellbore.