Pump down isolation plug
View Patent ↗An isolation plug including a support element having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. At least one flexible wiper element is arranged at the first end. A frangible locator element is arranged at the first end spaced from the at least one flexible wiper element. A selectively deployable plug element is arranged at the second end.
1. An isolation plug comprising:
a support element including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween;
at least one flexible wiper element extending axially off of the first end;
a frangible locator element arranged on the support element at the first end adjacent to the at least one flexible wiper element, the frangible locator element being a one-piece component including a frangible lip; and
a selectively deployable plug element arranged at the second end.
2. The isolation plug according to claim 1 , wherein the support element includes a passage extending from the first end toward the second end, the selectively deployable plug element being selectively expanded by a fluid pumped into the passage.
3. The isolation plug according to claim 2 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the support element, the valve controlling a fluid flow into the selectively deployable plug element.
4. The isolation plug according to claim 3 , further comprising: a baffle element arranged in the support element, the baffle element controlling a flow rate of fluid into the selectively deployable plug element.
5. The isolation plug according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuation rod extending through the support element and connecting with the selectively deployable plug element.
6. The isolation plug according to claim 5 , further comprising: a piston mechanically connected with the actuation rod.
7. A resource exploration and recovery system comprising:
a first system;
a second system fluidically connected to the first system, the second system including a string of tubulars, at least one of the string of tubulars including a locator grapple; and
an isolation plug selectively arranged within the string of tubulars, the isolation plug comprising:
a support element including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween;
at least one flexible wiper element extending axially off of the first end;
a frangible locator element arranged on the support element at the first end adjacent to the at least one flexible wiper element, the frangible locator element being a one-piece component including a frangible lip that is selectively engaged with the locator grapple; and
a selectively deployable plug element arranged at the second end.
8. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 7 , wherein the support element includes a passage extending from the first end toward the second end, the selectively deployable plug element being selectively expanded by a fluid pumped into the passage.
9. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 8 , further comprising: a valve arranged in the support element, the valve controlling a fluid flow into the selectively deployable plug element.
10. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 9 , further comprising: a baffle element arranged in the support element, the baffle element controlling a flow rate of fluid into the selectively deployable plug element.
11. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 7 , further comprising an actuation rod extending through the support element and connecting with the selectively deployable plug element.
12. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 11 , further comprising: a piston mechanically connected with the actuation rod.
13. A method of plugging a wellbore comprising:
pumping an isolation plug including a support element having a first end and an opposing second end along a string of tubulars by engaging at least one flexible wiper arranged at the first end with a fluid;
engaging a one-piece frangible locator element including a frangible lip arranged at the first end adjacent to the least one flexible wiper with a locator grapple arranged on the string of tubulars;
expanding a plug portion of the isolation plug arranged at the opposing second end of the support element; and
shifting the string of tubulars causing the frangible lip to fail thereby detaching the isolation plug from the locator grapple.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein expanding the plug portion includes directing a flow of fluid into the plug portion.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein expanding the plug portion includes drawing a portion of the plug portion toward the frangible locator element.