IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,631,104
Granted Patent B2
US 12,631,104 · App. 19/229,662 · Granted May 19, 2026

Frac dart

Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee (Houston, TX); Brian Oligschlaeger (Houston, TX); Jon Greenlee (Houston, TX)
Assignee: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
E21B43/2607E21B33/1208
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,631,104
App. No.
19/229,662
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fracturing dart configured to seal the internal bore of a fracturing plug within a wellbore may comprise a body with a lower tapered section, a central shoulder section, and an upper cylindrical section. The fracturing dart may also comprise a first sealing assembly disposed on the lower tapered portion of the body and configured to engage an inner surface of the internal bore of the fracturing plug. The fracturing dart may also comprise a second sealing assembly disposed proximate to the central shoulder section and configured to engage a seat formed in the internal bore. The fracturing dart may also comprise one or more shear pins that engage the upper cylindrical section of the body and are configured to shear upon the application of a predetermined force in a downhole direction within the wellbore.

Claims (22)

1 . A fracturing plug assembly comprising:

a fracturing plug comprising:

a mandrel with an internal bore, wherein the internal bore comprises:

an upper section with a first diameter;

a lower section with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter; and

a seat disposed between the upper section and the lower section;

a slip ring disposed around the mandrel and configured to radially expand to engage an inner surface of a casing in which the fracturing plug is disposed; and

a sealing element disposed around the mandrel and configured to radially expand to engage the inner surface of the casing; and

a fracturing dart comprising:

a body comprising:

a lower section configured to be disposed within the lower section of the internal bore;

a central shoulder section configured to engage the seat; and

an upper cylindrical section comprising a first groove and configured to be disposed within the upper section of the internal bore;

a first sealing assembly disposed on the lower section and configured to seal against an inner surface of the lower section of the internal bore; and

a shear pin configured to engage the first groove.

2 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fracturing dart further comprises a second sealing assembly disposed proximate to the central shoulder section and configured to seal against the seat.

3 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second sealing assembly comprises an elastomeric o-ring.

4 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lower section of the body comprises a second groove.

5 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first sealing assembly is disposed in the second groove.

6 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first sealing assembly comprises an elastomeric o-ring.

7 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 4 , wherein the lower section of the body of the fracturing dart is tapered.

8 . The fracturing plug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the central shoulder section comprises a first chamfered surface and the seat comprises a second chamfered surface.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2026
From: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NINE ENERGY CANADA ULC
To: WHITE OAK COMMERCIAL FINANCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 075048/0092 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 18903446 · Oct 1, 2024
Related Publication 20260092514A1 · Apr 2, 2026
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