Non-metallic mandrel and element system
View Patent ↗A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
1. A method for sealing an annulus in a wellbore, comprising:
running a tool into a tubular, the tool comprising:
a non-metallic mandrel; and
a non-metallic sealing system disposed about the mandrel, the sealing system comprising:
a support ring comprising:
an annular section; and
a plurality of detachable wedges formed with the annular section;
an expansion ring; and
a sealing member disposed with the expansion ring;
extending the plurality of wedges radially;
detaching at least one of the plurality of wedges from the annular section;
flowing the expansion ring into voids between the extended wedges; and
compressing and expanding the sealing member radially outwardly to seal with an inner surface of the tubular.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing system further comprises:
a non-metallic cone disposed between the expansion ring and the sealing member.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
applying a collapse load through the cone on the mandrel.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein compressing and expanding the sealing member comprises:
exerting an axial force on the cone from the expansion ring; and
transferring the axial force from the cone to the sealing member.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
preventing axial slippage of the sealing system; and
preventing rotation of the sealing system.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein detaching the plurality of wedges comprises:
hinging the plurality of wedges radially at the annular section; and
detaching at least one of the plurality of wedges from the annular section at a predetermined force on the plurality of wedges.
7. A method for sealing an annulus in a wellbore, comprising:
running a tool into a tubular, the tool comprising:
a non-metallic composite mandrel and
a sealing system, comprising:
a sealing member disposed about the mandrel
a support ring comprising:
an annular section; and
a plurality of wedges formed with the annular section; and
an expansion ring
extending the plurality of wedges radially;
detaching at least one of the plurality of wedges from the annular section;
flowing the expansion ring into voids formed between the extended wedges; and
expanding the sealing member radially outwardly to seal with the inner surface of the tubular.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sealing system further comprises:
a non-metallic cone disposed between the expansion ring and the sealing member.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
applying a collapse load through the cone on the mandrel.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein expanding the sealing member comprises:
exerting an axial force on the cone from the expansion ring;
transferring the axial force from the cone to the sealing member; and
compressing the sealing member.
11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
preventing axial slippage of the sealing system relative to the mandrel; and
preventing rotation of the sealing system relative to the mandrel.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein detaching at least one of the plurality of wedges comprises:
hinging the plurality of wedges radially at the annular section; and
detaching at least one of the plurality of wedges from the annular section at a predetermined force on the plurality of wedges.