Dissolvable lock
The current invention describes a plug that may be run into a well for example an electric submersible pump without the plug locking into the wellbore casing or setting. The plug may then be allowed to sit within the well for a predetermined period of time during which a dissolvable lock is removed from the plug. With the dissolvable lock removed further downward travel is prevented by the plug locking into place while the electrical submersible pump may be freely retrieved to the surface.
1 . A catching tool for a wellbore comprising:
a mandrel having a cone formed over a portion of the mandrel's length,
a series of slips arranged circumferentially about the mandrel,
a lock placed linearly between the cone and the slips,
wherein the lock prevents the slips from contacting the cone,
wherein the lock is dissolvable such that with the lock removed the slips contact the cone and are forced radially outwards thereby preventing further downward movement of the catching tool.
2 . The catching tool of claim 1 , wherein the lock is dissolvable magnesium.
3 . The catching tool of claim 1 , wherein the lock is dissolvable aluminum.
4 . A catching tool for a wellbore comprising:
an electric submersible pump,
a catching tool placed below the electrical submersible pump,
the catching tool having a mandrel with a cone formed over a portion of the mandrel's length,
a series of slips arranged circumferentially about the mandrel,
a lock placed linearly between the cone and the slips,
wherein the lock prevents the slips from contacting the cone,
wherein the lock is dissolvable such that with the lock removed the slips contact the cone and are forced radially outwards thereby preventing further downward movement of the catching tool and the electrical submersible pump.
5 . The catching tool of claim 4 , wherein the lock is dissolvable magnesium.
6 . The catching tool of claim 4 , wherein the lock is dissolvable aluminum.
7 . A catching tool for a wellbore comprising:
a mandrel having a cone formed over a portion of the mandrel's length,
wherein the mandrel includes a j-track
a set of slips arranged circumferentially about the mandrel,
wherein the slips include a shroud fixed to the slips,
a lock placed axially between the cone and the slips,
wherein the lock prevents the slips from contacting the cone,
wherein the lock is dissolvable,
the shroud interacts with the j-track to prevent the slips from contacting the cone,
wherein after the lock is dissolved and upon reaching a predetermined number of cycles the shroud allows the slips to contact the cone and are forced radially outwards thereby preventing downward further downward movement of the catching tool.
8 . The catching tool of claim 7 , wherein the lock is dissolvable magnesium.
9 . The catching tool of claim 7 , wherein the lock is dissolvable aluminum.
10 . A method deploying an electrical submersible pump anchor comprising:
attaching a catching tool to an electrical submersible pump below the electrical submersible pump,
wherein the catching tool includes a mandrel having a cone formed over a portion of the mandrel's length,
a series of slips arranged circumferentially about the mandrel,
a lock placed linearly between the cone and the slips,
further wherein the lock prevents the slips from contacting the cone,
further wherein the lock is dissolvable,
running the catching tool and electrical submersible pump into a wellbore,
allowing the lock to dissolve such that with the lock removed the slips contact the cone and are forced radially outwards thereby preventing downward further downward movement of the catching tool and the electrical submersible pump.
11 . The catching tool of claim 10 , wherein the lock is dissolvable magnesium.
12 . The catching tool of claim 10 , wherein the lock is dissolvable aluminum.