IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,637,933
Granted Patent B2
US 12,637,933 · App. 18/903,446 · Granted May 26, 2026

Frac dart

Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee (Houston, TX); Brian Oligschlaeger (Houston, TX); Jon Greenlee (Houston, TX)
Assignee: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
E21B43/2607E21B33/1208
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,637,933
App. No.
18/903,446
Granted
May 26, 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 (18)

1 . A method of sealing a fracturing plug, comprising:

providing a fracturing plug comprising:

a mandrel with an internal bore comprising a seat;

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

inserting into the internal bore a fracturing dart comprising:

a body comprising:

a lower section;

a central shoulder section; and

an upper cylindrical section disposed above the lower section and the central shoulder section, and comprising a first groove;

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

a shear pin configured to engage the first groove.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of inserting the fracturing plug and fracturing dart into a wellbore comprising a casing.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of applying pressure in a first direction to shear the shear pin, such that the fracturing dart moves in the first direction.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the fracturing plug further comprises a second sealing assembly disposed proximate to the central shoulder section, such that the second sealing assembly seals against the seat when the fracturing dart moves in the first direction.

5 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of applying pressure in a second direction, such that the fracturing dart moves in the second direction and is expelled from the internal bore of the mandrel.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of applying pressure in the first direction, such that the fracturing dart moves to a position between the fracturing plug and the casing.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lower section of the body of the fracturing dart is tapered.

Assignments (3)
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 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 68755 FRAME: 701. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 30, 2025
From: GREENLEE, DONALD; OLIGSCHLAEGER, BRIAN; GREENLEE, JON
To: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 072297/0856 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2024
From: GREENLEE, DONALD; OLIGSCHLAEGER, BRIAN; GREENLEE, JON
To: NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 068755/0701 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20260092513A1 · Apr 2, 2026
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