(12) Unlted States Patent
`Slup et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`US006708768B2
`
`(54) DRILLABLE BRIDGE PLUG
`
`3,828,852 A
`3,971,436 A
`
`8/1974 Delano ...................... .. 166/78
`7/1976 Lee ........................... .. 166/70
`
`
`
`166/126
`5/1979 S1111f1WaY ~~
`4,151,875 A
`. . . .. 166/291
`2/1980 Davls . . . . . . . . . .
`4,190,111 A
`.......... .. 166/185
`3/1981 Patton et al.
`4,258,788 A
`5/1981 Wolgamott et al.
`....... .. 175/215
`4,266,620 A
`9/1982 F’ h ......................... .. 166/124
`4,349,071 A
`1/1984 vvztson . ... .
`... .. 166/250
`4,427,065 A
`4,479,548 A * 10/1984 Gilbert
`. . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 166/387
`4,520,879 A
`6/1985 MacElvain
`.... .. 173/57
`4,708,202 A
`11/1987 Sukup etal.
`166/123
`4,722,389 A
`2/1988 Arnold ................ .. 166/70
`5,224,540 A
`7/1993 Streich et al.
`166/118
`5,271,468 A
`12/1993 Streich etal.
`166/387
`5,390,737 A
`2/1995 Jacobi et al.
`166/184
`5,413,172 A
`5/1995 Laurel
`...................... .. 166/153
`(List continued on next page.)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`.
`Baker Servlce Tools Catalog, p. 26, [date unknown] “Com-
`Pact Bridge Plug Model P‘1~”
`(List Continued on next page.)
`primary Examine,-_VVfl1iam Neuder
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method and apparatus for use in a subterranean Well is
`described. The apparatus typically includes a subterranean
`plug including a mandrel having an outer surface and a
`non-circular cross-section and a packing element arranged
`about
`the mandrel,
`the packing element having a non-
`circular inner surface matching the mandrel outer surface
`such that concentric rotation between the mandrel and the
`packing element is precluded. The apparatus may include
`slips having cavities to facilitate quick drill-out of the plug.
`The apparatus may include a valve for controlling fluid flow
`through a hollow mandrel, The apparatus may include a
`composite mandrel having radial vents that establish fluid
`communication from Within to Without the mandrel. Also,
`tie apparattus may lnclllllie a Wlre llne adapter klt for runnlng
`6 app” “S 1“ a We
`Ore"
`
`38 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Gabriel Slup, Spring, TX (US);
`Douglas J_ Lehr, The Woodlands, TX
`(US)
`
`.
`.
`(73) Asslgneez BJ Semces Company’ H°“S‘°“> TX
`(US)
`,
`,
`,
`Sublectto anyd1SC1a1H1€fgth€t€fm0fth1S
`patent 15 extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 37 days.
`
`*
`
`,
`) N0t1CeI
`
`(
`
`,
`
`.
`(21) Appl‘ NO" 10/142491
`(22)
`Ffled:
`May 15’ 2002
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002 0189820 A1 D . 19 2002
`/
`cc
`’
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation—in—part of application No 09/844 512 filed on
`Apr. 27, 2001, which is a continuation—in—part of application
`No. 09/608,052, filed on Jun. 30, 2000.
`Int. Cl.7 ............................................ .. E21B 33/129
`(51)
`(52) U-S- CL ..................... .. 166/332; 166/387; 166/123;
`166/134; 166/212
`(58) Field of Search ............................... .. 166/387, 382,
`166/118, 134, 135, 192, 217, 123, 124,
`125
`
`(63)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`Us’ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,684,266 A
`9/1928 Fisher et al.
`RE21,677 E
`12/1940 Tremolada ................. .. 255/19
`3976509 A
`2/1963 Bums Ct 31-
`166/70
`3399955 A
`1/1967 Page» J“ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
`' ' ' " 166/48
`2
`16616/E231’:
`3,720,264 A
`166/311
`3/1973 Hutchinson
`3,727,691 A
`166/295
`4/1973 Muecke et al.
`3,750,749 A
`8/1973 Giroux ...................... .. 166/95
`
`
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I $21112)‘DAACQQCCQDQZXLCCCQCCV 111$‘
`I
`I
`I jfjjjjffjjjfjfjfjfjjjffjfVZZVLI E1314
`Qj
`
`
` Luu1ZunL
`
`MEGCO EX. 1006
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1006
`
`

`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`Page 2
`
`Baker Prime Fiberglass Packer Prod. 739-09 data sheet.
`
`Jun. 1968 World Oil Advertisement, p. 135 for Baker
`All—Fiberglass Packer.
`
`Society of Plastics, www.socplas.org.
`
`“Tape—laying precision industrial shafts”, by Debbie Stover,
`Senior Editor; High—Performance Composites Jul./Aug.
`1994.
`
`Halliburton’s “FAS Drill” product sheets (FAS Drill® Frac
`Plug, ©1999 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.; FAS Drill®
`Squeeze Packers and Sliding—Valve Packers, ©1997 Halli-
`burton Energy Services, Inc.; FAS Drill® Bridge Plugs,
`©1997 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.).
`
`Baker, “A Primer of Oilwell Drilling”, Sixth Edition, pub-
`lished by Petroleum Extension Service in cooperation with
`International Association of Drilling Contractors, 2001; first
`published 1951.
`
`Long, Improved Completion Method for Mesaverde—Mee-
`teetse Wells in the Wind River Basin, SPE 60312, Copyright
`1999.
`
`Savage, “Taking New Materials Downhole—The Compos-
`ite Bridge Plug”, PNEC 662,935 (1994).
`
`Guoynes, “New Composite Fracturing Plug Improves Effi-
`ciency in Coalbed Methane Completions” SPE 40052,
`Copyright 1998.
`
`Baker Hughes’ web page for “QUIK DrillTM Composite
`Bridge Plug” (Jul. 16, 2002).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`MEGCO EX. 1006
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`............. .. 166/382
`9/1995 Milner et al.
`5,449,040 A *
`9/1995 Jansch ........ ..
`294/1.1
`5,451,084 A
`7/1996 Branch et al.
`166/118
`5,540,279 A
`9/1997 Minthorn et al.
`166/308
`5,669,448 A
`12/1997 Hushbeck et al.
`166/387
`5,701,959 A
`11/1998 Yuan et al.
`............... .. 166/387
`5,839,515 A
`2/1999 Rebardi et al.
`........... .. 166/278
`5,865,251 A
`11/1999 Yuan et al.
`..... ..
`166/134
`5,984,007 A
`1/2001 McMahan et al.
`166/179
`6,167,963 B1
`4/2001 Vargus et al.
`166/138
`6,220,349 B1
`6,491,108 B1 * 12/2002 Slup etal.
`................ .. 166/387
`6,578,633 B2 *
`6/2003 Slup et al.
`................ .. 166/118
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`.
`
`Baker Service Tools Catalog, p. 6, Unit No. 4180, Apr. 26,
`1985, “E—4 Wireline Pressure Setting Assembly.”
`Baker Oil Tools Catalog, 1998, “Quik Drill Composite
`Bridge Plug.”
`Baker Service Tools Catalog, p. 26, [date unknown] “Model
`T Compact Wireline Bridge Plug.”
`Baker Service Tools Catalog, p. 24, [date unknown] “Model
`S, N—1, and NC—1 Wireline Bridge Plugs.”
`Society of Petroleum Engineers Article SPE 23741; ©1992.
`Baker Sand Control Catalog for Gravel Pack Systems;
`©1988.
`
`Offshore Technology Conference papers OTC 7022, “Hori-
`zontal Well Completing, Oseberg Gamma North,” Bjorkeset
`et al.; ©1992.
`“Water—packing Techniques Successful in Gravel Packing
`High—Angle Wells,” Douglas J. Wilson and Mark F. Barril-
`leaux, Oil and Gas Journal ©1991.
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`
`MEGCO EX. 1006
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`MEGCO Ex. 1006
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`
`MEGCO EX. 1006
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`MEGCO Ex. 1006
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`..//_.._....(..
`
`MEGCO EX. 1006
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`
`FIG.17
`
`FIG.16
`
`FIG.15
`
`FIG.14
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1006
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`
`MEGCO EX. 1006
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`MEGCO Ex. 1006
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
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`US 6,708,768 B2
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`Mar. 23, 2004
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`MEGCO Ex. 1006
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`
`
`

`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`
`1
`DRILLABLE BRIDGE PLUG
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of application
`Ser. No. 09/844,512, filed Apr. 27, 2001, entitled “Drillable
`Bridge Plug,” which is a continuation-in-part application
`Ser. No. 09/608,052, filed Jun. 30, 2000, entitled “Drillable
`Bridge Plug,” both of which are incorporated herein in their
`entireties by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus
`for drilling and completing subterranean wells and, more
`particularly, to methods and apparatus for a drillable bridge
`plug, frac plug, cement retainer, and other related downhole
`apparatus, including apparatus for running these downhole
`apparatus.
`2. Description of Related Art
`There are many applications in well drilling, servicing,
`and completion in which it becomes necessary to isolate
`particular zones within the well. In some applications, such
`as cased-hole situations, conventional bridge plugs such as
`the Baker Hughes model T, N1, NC1, P1, or S wireline-set
`bridge plugs are inserted into the well to isolate zones. The
`bridge plugs may be temporary or permanent; the purpose of
`the plugs is simply to isolate some portion of the well from
`another portion of the well. In some instances perforations
`in the well in one portion need to be isolated from perfora-
`tions in another portion of the well. In other situations there
`may be a need to use a bridge plug to isolate the bottom of
`the well from the wellhead. There are also situations where
`
`these plugs are not used necessarily for isolation but instead
`are used to create a cement plug in the wellbore which may
`be used for permanent abandonment. In other applications a
`bridge plug with cement on top of it may be used as a kickoff
`plug for side-tracking the well.
`Bridge plugs may be drillable or retrievable. Drillable
`bridge plugs are typically constructed of a brittle metal such
`as cast iron that can be drilled out. One typical problem with
`conventional drillable bridge plugs is that without some sort
`of locking mechanism, the bridge plug components tend to
`rotate with the drill bit, which may result in extremely long
`drill-out times, excessive casing wear, or both. Long drill-
`out times are highly undesirable as rig time is typically
`charged for by the hour.
`Another typical problem with conventional drillable plugs
`is that the conventional metallic construction materials, even
`though brittle, are not easy to drill through. The plugs are
`generally required to be quite robust to achieve an isolating
`seal, but the materials of construction may then be difficult
`to drill out in a reasonable time. These typical metallic plugs
`thus require that significant weight be applied to the drill-bit
`in order to drill the plug out. It would be desirable to create
`a plug that did not require significant forces to be applied to
`the drill-bit such that the drilling operation could be accom-
`plished with a coiled tubing motor and bit; however, con-
`ventional metallic plugs do not enable this.
`In addition, when several plugs are used in succession to
`isolate a plurality of zones within the wellbore, there may be
`significant pressures on the plug from either side. It would
`be desirable to design an easily drilled bridge plug that is
`capable of holding high differential pressures on both sides
`of the plug. Also, with the potential for use of multiple plugs
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`it would be desirable to create a
`in the same wellbore,
`rotational lock between plugs. A rotational lock between
`plugs would facilitate less time-consuming drill outs.
`Additionally,
`it would be desirable to design an easily
`drillable frac plug that has a valve to allow fluid communi-
`cation through the mandrel. It would be desirable for the
`valve to allow fluid to flow in one direction (e.g. out of the
`reservoir) while preventing fluid from flowing in the other
`direction (into the reservoir). It is also desired to design an
`easily drillable cement retainer that includes a mandrel with
`vents for circulating cement slurry through the tool.
`Finally, it is desired to provide a wire line adapter kit that
`will facilitate the running of the drillable downhole tool, but
`still be releasable from the tool. Once released, the wire line
`adapter kit should be retrievable thus allowing the downhole
`tool to be drilled. Preferably, the wire line adapter kit should
`leave little, if any, metal components downhole, thus reduc-
`ing time milling and/or drilling time to remove plugs.
`The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at
`least reducing the effects of, one or more of the issues set
`forth above.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one embodiment a subterranean apparatus is disclosed.
`The apparatus may include a mandrel having an outer
`surface and a non-circular cross-section and a packing
`element arranged about the mandrel, the packing element
`having a non-circular inner surface such that
`rotation
`between the mandrel and the packing element is precluded.
`The mandrel may include non-metallic materials,
`for
`example carbon fiber.
`In one embodiment, the apparatus exhibits a non-circular
`cross-section that is hexagonally shaped. The interference
`between the non-circular outer surface of the mandrel and
`
`the inner surface of the packing element comprise a rota-
`tional lock.
`
`In one embodiment the apparatus includes an anchoring
`assembly arranged about the mandrel, the anchoring assem-
`bly having a non-circular inner surface such that rotation
`between the mandrel and the anchoring assembly is pre-
`cluded. The anchoring assembly may further include a first
`plurality of slips arranged about the non-circular mandrel
`outer surface, the slips being configured in a non-circular
`loop such that rotation between the mandrel and the slips is
`precluded by interference between the loop and the mandrel
`outer surface shape. The first plurality of slips may include
`non-metallic materials. The first plurality of slips may each
`include a metallic insert mechanically attached to and/or
`integrally formed into each of the plurality of slips wherein
`the metallic insert is engagable with a wellbore wall. The
`anchoring assembly may also include a first cone arranged
`about the mandrel, the first cone having a non-circular inner
`surface such that rotation between the mandrel and the first
`
`cone is precluded by interference between the first cone
`inner surface shape and the mandrel outer surface shape. The
`first plurality of slips abuts the first cone, facilitating radial
`outward movement of the slips into engagement with a
`wellbore wall upon traversal of the plurality of slips along
`the first cone. In this embodiment, the first cone may include
`non-metallic materials. At least one shearing device may be
`disposed between the first cone and the mandrel, the sharing
`device being adapted to shear upon the application of a
`predetermined force.
`The anchoring assembly of the apparatus may further
`include a second plurality of slips arranged about the non-
`circular outer surface of the mandrel, the second plurality of
`
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`US 6,708,768 B2
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`3
`slips, the slips being configured in a non-circular loop such
`that rotation between the mandrel and the slips is precluded
`by interference between the loop and the mandrel outer
`surface shape. The second plurality of slips may include
`non-metallic materials. The second plurality of slips may
`each include a metallic insert mechanically attached to
`and/or integrally formed therein with the metallic inserts
`being engagable with the wellbore wall. The anchoring
`assembly may also include a second collapsible cone
`arranged about the non-circular outer surface of the mandrel,
`the second collapsible cone having a non-circular inner
`surface such that rotation between the mandrel and the
`
`second cone is precluded by interference between the second
`cone inner surface shape and the mandrel outer surface
`shape, wherein the second plurality of slips abuts the second
`collapsible cone, facilitating radial outward movement of
`the slips into engagement with the wellbore wall upon
`traversal of the plurality of slips along the second collapsible
`cone. The second collapsible cone may include non-metallic
`materials. The second collapsible cone may be adapted to
`collapse upon the application of a predetermined force. The
`second collapsible cone may include at least one metallic
`insert mechanically attached to and/or integrally formed
`therein, the at least one metallic insert facilitating a locking
`engagement between the cone and the mandrel. The anchor-
`ing assembly may include at
`least one shearing device
`disposed between the second collapsible cone and the
`mandrel, the at least one shearing device being adapted to
`shear upon the application of a predetermined force.
`In one embodiment
`the packing element
`is disposed
`between the first cone and the second collapsible cone. In
`one embodiment a first cap is attached to a first end of the
`mandrel. The first cap may include non-metallic materials.
`The first cap may be attached to the mandrel by a plurality
`of non-metallic pins.
`In one embodiment the first cap may abut a first plurality
`of slips. In one embodiment the packing element includes a
`first end element, a second end element, and a elastomer
`disposed therebetween. The elastomer may be adapted to
`form a seal about
`the non-circular outer surface of the
`
`mandrel by expanding radially to seal with the wall of the
`wellbore upon compressive pressure applied by the first and
`second end elements.
`
`In one embodiment the apparatus may include a second
`cap attached to a second end of the mandrel. The second cap
`may include non-metallic materials. The second cap may be
`attached to the mandrel by a plurality of non-metallic pins.
`In this embodiment,
`the second cap may abut a second
`plurality of slips. In one embodiment the first end cap is
`adapted to rotationally lock with a second mandrel of a
`second identical apparatus such as a bridge plug.
`In one embodiment the apparatus includes a hole in the
`mandrel extending at least partially therethrough. In another
`embodiment
`the hole extends all
`the way through the
`mandrel. In the embodiment with the hole extending all the
`way therethrough, the mandrel may include a valve arranged
`in the hole facilitating the flow of cement or other fluids,
`gases, or slurries through the mandrel, thereby enabling the
`invention to become a cement retainer.
`In one embodiment
`there is disclosed a subterranean
`
`apparatus including a mandrel having an outer surface and
`a non-circular cross-section, and an anchoring assembly
`arranged about the mandrel, the anchoring assembly having
`a non-circular inner surface such that rotation between the
`
`mandrel and the anchoring assembly is precluded as the
`outer surface of the mandrel and inner surface of the packing
`element interfere with one another in rotation.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`there is disclosed a subterranean
`In one embodiment
`apparatus including a mandrel; a first cone arranged about an
`outer diameter of the mandrel; a first plurality of slips
`arranged about first cone; a second cone spaced from the first
`cone and arranged about the outer diameter of the mandrel;
`a second plurality of slips arranged about the first cone; a
`metallic insert disposed in an inner surface of the second
`cone and adjacent to the mandrel; a packing element dis-
`posed between the first and second cones; with the first and
`second pluralities of slips being lockingly engagable with
`the wall of a wellbore and the metallic insert being lockingly
`engagable with the mandrel. In this embodiment the second
`cone may be collapsible onto the mandrel upon the appli-
`cation of a predetermined force. The mandrel, cones, and
`slips may include non-metallic materials.
`In addition, a
`cross-section of the mandrel is non-circular and the inner
`
`surfaces of the cones, slips, and packing element are non-
`circular and may or may not match the outer surface of the
`mandrel.
`
`In one embodiment there is disclosed a slip assembly for
`use on subterranean apparatus including: a first cone with at
`least one channel therein; a first plurality of slips, each
`having an attached metallic insert,
`the first slips being
`arranged about the first cone in the at least one channel of the
`first cone; a second collapsible cone having an interior
`surface and an attached metallic insert disposed in the
`interior surface; a second plurality of non-metallic slips,
`each having an attached metallic insert,
`the second slips
`being arranged about
`the second cone; with the second
`non-metallic collapsible cone being adapted to collapse
`upon the application of a predetermined force.
`In this
`embodiment the first and second pluralities of slips are
`adapted to traverse first and second cones until the slips
`lockingly engage with a wellbore wall. The insert of the
`second non-metallic cone is adapted to lockingly engage
`with a mandrel upon the collapse of the cone. Each of first
`and second cones and first and second pluralities of slips
`may include non-metallic materials.
`There is also disclosed a method of plugging or setting a
`packer in a well. The method may include the steps of:
`running an apparatus into a well, the apparatus comprising
`a mandrel with a non-circular outer surface and a packing
`element arranged about the mandrel; setting the packing
`element by the application force delivered from conven-
`tional setting tools and means including, but not limited to:
`wireline pressure setting tools, mechanical setting tools, and
`hydraulic setting tools; locking the apparatus in place within
`the well; and locking an anchoring assembly to the mandrel.
`According to this method the apparatus may include a first
`cone arranged about the outer surface of the mandrel; a first
`plurality of slips arranged about the first cone; a second cone
`spaced from the first cone and arranged about the outer
`diameter of the mandrel; a second plurality of slips arranged
`about the second cone; a metallic insert disposed in an inner
`surface of the second cone and adjacent to the mandrel; with
`the first and second pluralities of slips being lockingly
`engagable with the wall of a wellbore and the metallic insert
`being lockingly engagable with the mandrel. The first and
`second cones may include a plurality of channels receptive
`of the first and second pluralities of slips. Also according to
`this method, the step of running the apparatus into the well
`may include running the apparatus such as a plug on
`wireline. The step of running the apparatus into the well may
`also include running the apparatus on a mechanical or
`hydraulic setting tool. The step of locking the apparatus
`within the well may further include the first and second
`pluralities of slips traversing the first and second cones and
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`US 6,708,768 B2
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`5
`engaging with a wall of the well. The step of locking the
`anchoring assembly to the mandrel may further include
`collapsing the second cone and engaging the second cone
`metallic insert with the mandrel.
`
`There is also disclosed a method of drilling out a subter-
`ranean apparatus such as a plug including the steps of:
`running a drill into a wellbore; and drilling the apparatus;
`where the apparatus is substantially non-metallic and
`includes a mandrel having a non-circular outer surface; and
`a packing element arranged about the mandrel, the packing
`element having a non-circular inner surface matching the
`mandrel outer surface. According to this method, the step of
`running the drill into the wellbore may be accomplished by
`using coiled tubing. Also, drilling may be accomplished by
`a coiled tubing motor and bit.
`In one embodiment there is disclosed an adapter kit for a
`running a subterranean apparatus including:
`a bushing
`adapted to connect
`to a running tool; a setting sleeve
`attached to the bushing, the setting sleeve extending to the
`subterranean apparatus; a setting mandrel interior to the
`setting sleeve; a support sleeve attached to the setting
`mandrel and disposed between the setting mandrel and the
`setting sleeve; and a collet having first and second ends, the
`first end of the collet being attached to the setting mandrel
`and the second end of the collet being releasably attached to
`the subterranean apparatus. According to this adapter kit the
`subterranean apparatus may include an apparatus having a
`packing element and an anchoring assembly. The subterra-
`nean apparatus may include a plug, cement retainer, or
`packer. The anchoring assembly may be set by the trans-
`mission of force from the setting sleeve to the anchoring
`assembly. In addition, the packing element may be set by the
`transmission of force from the setting sleeve, through the
`anchoring assembly, and to the packing element. According
`to this embodiment the collet is locked into engagement with
`the subterranean apparatus by the support sleeve in a first
`position. The support sleeve first position may be facilitated
`by a shearing device such as shear pins or shear rings. The
`support sleeve may be movable into a second position upon
`the application of a predetermined force to shear the shear
`pin. According to this embodiment,
`the collet may be
`unlocked from engagement with the subterranean apparatus
`by moving the support sleeve to the second position.
`In one embodiment there is disclosed a bridge plug for use
`in a subterranean well including: a mandrel having first and
`second ends; a packing element; an anchoring assembly; a
`first end cap attached to the first end of the mandrel; a second
`end cap attached to the second end of the mandrel; where the
`first end cap is adapted to rotationally lock with the second
`end of the mandrel of another bridge plug. According to this
`embodiment, each of mandrel, packing element, anchoring
`assembly, and end caps may be constructed of substantially
`non-metallic materials.
`
`In some embodiments, the first and/or the second plurality
`of slips of the subterranean apparatus include cavities that
`facilitate the drilling out operation. In some embodiments,
`these slips are comprised of cast iron. In some embodiments,
`the mandrel may be comprised of a metallic insert wound
`with carbon fiber tape.
`Also disclosed is a subterranean apparatus comprising a
`mandrel having an outer surface and a non-circular cross
`section, an anchoring assembly arranged about the mandrel,
`the anchoring assembly having a non-circular inner surface,
`and a packing element arranged bout the mandrel.
`In some embodiments, an easily drillable frac plug is
`disclosed having a hollow mandrel with an outer surface and
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`a non-circular cross-section, and a packing element arranged
`about
`the mandrel,
`the packing element having a non-
`circular inner surface such that rotation between the mandrel
`and the packing element is precluded, the mandrel having a
`valve for controlling flow of fluids therethrough. In some
`embodiments, the mandrel may be comprised of a metallic
`insert wound with carbon fiber tape. In some embodiments,
`a method of drilling out a frac plug is described.
`Awire line adapter kit for running subterranean apparatus
`is also described as having a adapter bushing to connect to
`a setting tool, a setting sleeve attached to the adapter
`bushing, a crossover, a shear ring, a rod, and a collet
`releasably attached to the subterranean apparatus. In other
`aspects,
`the wire line adapter kit comprises a adapter
`bushing, a crossover, a body having a flange, a retainer, and
`a shear sleeve connected to the flange,
`the shear sleeve
`having tips.
`In some embodiments, a composite cement retainer ring
`is described having a hollow mandrel with vents, a packing
`element, a plug, and a collet.
`In some embodiments, a subterranean apparatus is dis-
`closed comprising a mandrel having an outer surface and a
`non-circular cross-section, such as a hexagon; an anchoring
`assembly arranged about the mandrel, the anchoring assem-
`bly having a non-circular inner surface such that rotation
`between the mandrel and the anchoring assembly is pre-
`cluded; and a packing element arranged about the mandrel,
`the packing element having a non-circular inner surface such
`that rotation between the mandrel and the packing element
`is precluded. The outer surface of the mandrel and the inner
`surface of the packing element exhibit matching shapes.
`Further,
`the mandrel may be comprised of non-metallic
`materials, such as reinforced plastics, or metallic materials,
`such as brass, or may be circumscribed with thermoplastic
`tape or reinforced with carbon fiber. In some embodiments,
`the non-circular inner surface of the packing element
`matches the mandrel outer surface.
`
`In some embodiments, the anchoring assembly comprises
`a first plurality of slips arranged about the non-circular
`mandrel outer surface,
`the slips being configured in a
`non-circular loop such that rotation between the mandrel and
`the first plurality of slips is precluded by interference
`between the loop and the mandrel outer surface shape. The
`anchoring assembly may comprise a slip ring surrounding
`the first plurality of slips to detachably hold the first plurality
`of slips about the mandrel. The slips may be comprised of
`cast iron, and may contain a cavity and may contain a
`wickered edge.
`Also described is are first and second cones arranged
`about the mandrel, the first cone comprising a non-circular
`inner surface such that rotation between the mandrel and the
`
`first and second cones is precluded by interference between
`the first or second cone inner surface shape and the mandrel
`outer surface shape. The cones may have a plurality of
`channels to prevent rotation between the cones and the slips.
`The cones may be comprised of non-metallic materials. The
`anchoring devices may comprise a shearing device, such as
`a pin. Also described is a second plurality of slips, which
`may be similar to the first plurality of slips described above.
`A packing element may be disposed between the first cone
`and the second cone. The apparatus may have a first and
`second end cap attached to either end of the mandrel in
`various ways. Additional components, such as a booster
`ring, a lip, an O-ring, and push rings are also described in
`some embodiments.
`
`In other aspects, a subterranean apparatus is described as
`a frac plug having a hollow mandrel with a non-circular
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`US 6,708,768 B2
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`7
`cross-section; and a packing element arranged about the
`mandrel, the packing element having a non-circular inner
`surface such that rotation between the mandrel and the
`
`packing element is precluded, the mandrel having a valve for
`controlling flow of fluids therethrough. The mandrel may
`have a first internal diameter, a second internal diameter
`being smaller than the first internal diameter, and a connect-
`ing section connecting the first internal diameter and the
`second internal diameter. The apparatus may have a ball, the
`connecting section defining a ball seat, the ball adapted to
`rest in the ball seat thus defining a ball valve to allow fluids
`to flow in only one direction through the mandrel, the ball
`valve preventing fluids from flowing in an opposite direc-
`tion. In some embodiments, the mandrel is comprised of a
`metallic core wound with carbon fiber tape. The mandrel
`may have grooves on an end to facilitate the running of the
`apparatus. Further, the mandrel and the inner surface of the
`packing element may exhibit matching shapes to precluded
`rotation between the mandrel and the packing element as the
`outer surface of the mandrel and the inner surface of the
`
`packing element interfere with one another in rotation. The
`mandrel is described as being metallic or non-metallic.
`In some aspects, a method of controlling flow of fluids in
`a portion of a well is described using the frac plug as well
`as a method of milling and/or drilling out a subterranean
`apparatus.
`Also disclosed are wire line adapter kits for running a
`subterranean apparatus. One embodiment includes a adapter
`bushing, a setting sleeve, a crossover, a shear rin