Slip assembly for a downhole tool

1. A slip assembly, comprising:

a first segment;

a second segment that is circumferentially offset from the first segment, wherein a thickness of the first segment and a thickness of the second segment vary proceeding in an axial direction; and

a connector positioned circumferentially between the first and second segments, wherein the connector couples the first and second segments together, wherein the connector comprises first and second portions having a gap defined axially therebetween, wherein a thickness of the connector is substantially constant proceeding in the axial direction, and wherein a length of the connector is from 70% to 100% of a length of the first segment.

2. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the length of the connector is from 90% to 100% of the length of the first segment.

3. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the connector are a monolithic component cast from a phenolic material or a metallic material.

4. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the connector is recessed with respect to outer surfaces of the first and second segments.

5. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the connector is recessed with respect to inner surfaces of the first and second segments.

6. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the connector varies proceeding in a circumferential direction.

7. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the connector are made at least partially from a metallic material, and wherein the thickness of the connector is from 0.01 inches to 0.03 inches.

8. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the connector are made at least partially from a composite material, and wherein the thickness of the connector is from 0.05 inches to 0.08 inches.

9. The slip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the first segment is substantially constant from a first axial end thereof to an intermediate point, and wherein the thickness of the first segment decreases from the intermediate point to a second axial end thereof.

10. A slip assembly, comprising:

a plurality of segments that are circumferentially offset from one another, wherein each segment comprises a first axial end and a second axial end, and wherein a thickness of the first axial end of each segment is greater than a thickness of the second axial end of each segment; and

a connector positioned between a first of the segments and a second of the segments, wherein the connector comprises first and second portions having a gap defined axially-therebetween, wherein a thickness of the connector is substantially constant proceeding in an axial direction, wherein a length of the connector is from 70% to 100% of a length of the first segment, and wherein the connector is configured to break in response to a predetermined axial compression force.

11. The slip assembly of claim 10 , wherein the length of the connector is from 90% to 100% of the length of the first segment.

12. The slip assembly of claim 10 , wherein an outer surface of the first segment defines a plurality of openings that are configured to at least partially receive inserts therein, wherein a first of the openings is closer to the first axial end than a second of the openings, and wherein a depth of the first opening is greater than a depth of the second opening.

13. The slip assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the connector are a monolithic component made at least partially of a phenolic material or magnesium.

14. The slip assembly of claim 10 , wherein an outer surface of the connector is recessed from outer surfaces of the first and second segments by a first distance, wherein an inner surface of the connector is recessed from inner surfaces of the first and segments by a second distance, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

15. The slip assembly of claim 14 , wherein the outer surface of the connector is substantially flat, and wherein the inner surface of the connector is curved.

16. The slip assembly of claim 10 , wherein the thickness of the connector varies proceeding in a circumferential direction.

17. The slip assembly of claim 16 , wherein the thickness of the connector has a minimum value proximate to a circumferential midpoint of the connector, and wherein the thickness of the connector increases proceeding circumferentially in both directions from the circumferential midpoint.

18. A slip assembly, comprising:

a plurality of segments that are circumferentially offset from one another, wherein:

each segment comprises a first axial end and a second axial end,

a thickness of the first axial end of each segment is greater than a thickness of the second axial end of each segment, and

an outer surface of a first of the segments defines a plurality of openings that are configured to at least partially receive inserts, and

a connector positioned between the first segment and a second of the segments, wherein:

the first segment, the second segment, and the connector are a monolithic component made at least partially of a phenolic material or magnesium,

the connector comprises first and second portions having a gap defined axially-therebetween,

a length of the connector is from 70% to 100% of a length of the first segment,

an outer surface of the connector is substantially flat and recessed from outer surfaces of the first and second segments by a first distance,

an inner surface of the connector is curved and recessed from inner surfaces of the first and segments by a second distance,

the first distance is less than the second distance, and

a thickness of the connector is substantially constant proceeding in an axial direction.