Controlled bypass plug and method

1. A composite plug for sealing a well, the composite plug comprising:

a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end;

plural elements distributed along the mandrel in a given order and configured to seal the well; and

a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, built into the composite plug and configured to allow a controlled leak of a fluid from the well, past the composite plug,

wherein the first end of the mandrel has (i) a first seating, having a first radius R 1 , and (ii) a second seating, having a second radius R 2 , different from radius R 1 ,

wherein the bypass mechanism includes at least one conduit formed in the second seating, and

wherein the first seating is configured to receive a first ball to achieve a full seal, and the second seating is configured to receive a second ball, smaller than the first ball, to achieve the controlled leak through the bypass mechanism.

2. The composite plug of claim 1 , further comprising:

an adapter that connects to the bypass mechanism and adjusts a flow of the fluid through the bypass mechanism.

3. The composite plug of claim 1 , wherein the plural elements comprises:

a push ring located on the mandrel, adjacent to the first end,

a slip ring located on the mandrel, adjacent to the push ring;

a wedge located on the mandrel, adjacent to the slip ring; and

a sealing element located on the mandrel, adjacent to the wedge.

4. The composite plug of claim 1 , further comprising:

the second ball.

5. The composite plug of claim 4 , wherein the second ball has plural planar faces to allow the fluid in the well to leak into the bore of the mandrel.

6. The composite plug of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit is configured to allow a fluid in the well to move between the first end of the mandrel to an inside of the bore of the mandrel.

7. The composite plug of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the first seat is continuous with a surface of the second seat.

8. The composite plug of claim 1 , wherein there is an inflection point between surfaces of the first and second seats.

9. The composite plug of claim 1 , further comprising:

the first ball; and

the second ball,

wherein the first seating mates with the first ball but not with the second ball.

10. The composite plug of claim 1 , wherein the plural elements comprise:

a push ring located on the mandrel, adjacent to the first end;

an upper slip ring located on the mandrel, adjacent to the push ring;

an upper wedge located on the mandrel, adjacent to the upper slip ring, and configured to push the upper slip ring and break the upper slip ring into parts;

a sealing element located on the mandrel, adjacent to the upper wedge, and configured to seal the well;

a lower wedge located on the mandrel, adjacent to the sealing element;

a lower slip ring located on the mandrel, adjacent to the lower wedge, and configured to be pushed by the lower wedge and break into parts; and

a mule shoe located on the mandrel, adjacent to the lower slip ring.

11. A composite plug for sealing a well, the composite plug comprising:

a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end;

a sealing element located on the mandrel and configured to seal a space between an exterior of the plug and the well; and

a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, built into the composite plug and configured to allow a controlled leak of a fluid from the well, past the sealing element,

wherein the first end of the mandrel has (i) a first seating, having a first radius R 1 , and (ii) a second seating, having a second radius R 2 , different from radius R 1 ,

wherein the bypass mechanism includes at least one conduit formed in the second seating, and

wherein the first seating is configured to receive a first ball to achieve a full seal, and the second seating is configured to receive a second ball, smaller than the first ball, to achieve the controlled leak through the bypass mechanism.

12. A method of manufacturing a composite plug with controlled bypass flow, the method comprising:

providing a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end;

adding a push ring to the mandrel, adjacent to the first end;

adding a slip ring to the mandrel, adjacent to the push ring;

adding an upper wedge to the mandrel, adjacent to the slip ring;

adding a sealing element to the mandrel, adjacent to the upper wedge;

adding a lower wedge to the mandrel, adjacent to the sealing element;

adding a lower slip ring to the mandrel, adjacent to the lower wedge;

adding a mule shoe on the mandrel, adjacent to the lower slip ring; and

making a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, into the composite plug, that allows a controlled leak of a fluid from thea well, past the composite plug,

wherein the first end of the mandrel has (i) a first seating, having a first radius R 1 , and (ii) a second seating, having a second radius R 2 , different from radius R 1 ,

wherein the bypass mechanism includes at least one conduit formed in the second seating, and

wherein the first seating is configured to receive a first ball to achieve a full seal, and the second seating is configured to receive a second ball, smaller than the first ball, to achieve the controlled leak through the bypass mechanism.