(12) United States Patent
`Slup et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`US006708768B2
`
`(54)
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`DRILLABLE BRIDGE PLUG
`
`Inventors: Gabriel Slup, Spring, TX (US);
`Douglas J. Lehr, The Woodlands, TX
`(Us)
`Assignee: BJ Services Company, Houston, TX
`(Us)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 37 days.
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Appl. No.: 10/146,491
`Filed:
`May 15, 2002
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0189820 A1 Dec. 19, 2002
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/844,512, ?led on
`Apr. 27, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 09/608,052, ?led on Jun. 30, 2000.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................................ .. E21B 33/129
`US. Cl. ..................... .. 166/382; 166/387; 166/123;
`166/134; 166/212
`Field of Search ............................... .. 166/387, 382,
`166/118, 134, 135, 192, 217, 123, 124,
`125
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,684,266 A
`RE21,677 E
`3,076,509 A
`
`9/1928 Fisher et al.
`12/1940 Tremolada ................. .. 255/19
`2/1963 Burns et al. ..
`166/70
`
`. . . .. 166/48
`3,299,955 A
`1/1967 Page, Jr. . . . . . . .
`61/536
`3,479,829 A 11/1969 Goodman ..
`3,687,196 A
`8/1972 Mullins .................... .. 166/217
`3,720,264 A
`3/1973 Hutchinson ............... .. 166/311
`3,727,691 A
`4/1973 Muecke et al.
`166/295
`3,750,749 A
`8/1973 Giroux ...................... .. 166/95
`
`3,828,852 A
`
`8/1974 Delano ...................... .. 166/78
`
`3,971,436 A
`
`7/1976 Lee . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 166/70
`
`4,151,875 A
`
`5/1979 SullaWay . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 166/126
`
`4,190,111 A
`
`2/1980 Davis . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 166/291
`
`4,258,788 A
`4,266,620 A
`4,349,071 A
`4,427,065 A
`
`3/1981 Patton et al. ............. .. 166/185
`5/1981 Wolgamott et al. ....... .. 175/215
`9/1982 Fish ......................... .. 166/124
`1/1984 Watson
`166/250
`
`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 et al.
`
`166/123
`
`4,722,389 A
`
`2/1988 Arnold . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 166/70
`
`5,224,540 A
`
`7/1993 Streich et al. . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 166/118
`
`. . . .. 166/387
`5,271,468 A 12/1993 Streich et al. . . . . . .
`166/184
`5,390,737 A
`2/1995 Jacobi et al.
`5,413,172 A
`5/1995 Laurel ...................... .. 166/153
`
`(List continued on neXt page.)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Baker Service Tools Catalog, p. 26, [date unknown] “Com
`pact Bridge Plug Model P—1.”
`
`(List continued on neXt page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—William Neuder
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`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 ?uid flow
`through a holloW mandrel. The apparatus may include a
`composite mandrel having radial vents that establish ?uid
`communication from Within to Without the mandrel. Also,
`the apparatus may include a Wire line adapter kit for running
`the apparatus in a Well bore.
`
`38 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`503
`
`507
`
`407
`534
`406
`506
`408
`409 4 0 409
`
`434
`
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`US 6,708,768 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,449,040 A * 9/1995 Milner et al. ............. .. 166/382
`5,451,084 A
`9/1995 Jansch ........ ..
`294/11
`5,540,279 A
`7/1996 Branch et al.
`166/118
`5,669,448 A
`9/1997 Minthorn et al. .
`166/308
`5,701,959 A 12/1997 Hushbeck et al.
`166/387
`5,839,515 A 11/1998 Yuan et al. ............... .. 166/387
`5,865,251 A
`2/1999 Rebardi et al. ........... .. 166/278
`5,984,007 A 11/1999 Yuan et al. ..... ..
`166/134
`6,167,963 B1
`1/2001 McMahan et al.
`166/179
`6,220,349 B1
`4/2001 Vargus et al.
`166/138
`6,491,108 B1 * 12/2002 Slup et al. ................ .. 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.
`
`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; ?rst
`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 Ef?
`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. 1013
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 1 0f 9
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`US 6,708,768 B2
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`,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I, aldwil , I:
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 0f 9
`
`US 6,708,768 B2
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`FIG. 10
`
`FIG. 9
`
`FIG. 8
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`FIG. 7
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`Mar. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 3 0f 9
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 4 0f 9
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`FIG. 16
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`FIG. 15
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`FIG. 14
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`US 6,708,768 132
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 23, 2004
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 7 0f 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 8 0f 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 23, 2004
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`Sheet 9 0f 9
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`US 6,708,768 B2
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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, ?led Apr. 27, 2001, entitled “Drillable
`Bridge Plug,” Which is a continuation-in-part application
`Ser. No. 09/608,052, ?led 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 dif?cult
`to drill out in a reasonable time. These typical metallic plugs
`thus require that signi?cant 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 signi?cant 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
`signi?cant 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
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`in the same Wellbore, it Would be desirable to create a
`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 ?uid communi
`cation through the mandrel. It Would be desirable for the
`valve to alloW ?uid to How in one direction (e.g. out of the
`reservoir) While preventing ?uid from ?oWing 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 ?ber.
`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 ?rst
`plurality of slips arranged about the non-circular mandrel
`outer surface, the slips being con?gured 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 ?rst plurality of slips may include
`non-metallic materials. The ?rst 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 ?rst cone arranged
`about the mandrel, the ?rst cone having a non-circular inner
`surface such that rotation betWeen the mandrel and the ?rst
`cone is precluded by interference betWeen the ?rst cone
`inner surface shape and the mandrel outer surface shape. The
`?rst plurality of slips abuts the ?rst cone, facilitating radial
`outWard movement of the slips into engagement With a
`Wellbore Wall upon traversal of the plurality of slips along
`the ?rst cone. In this embodiment, the ?rst cone may include
`non-metallic materials. At least one shearing device may be
`disposed betWeen the ?rst 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 con?gured 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 ?rst cone and the second collapsible cone. In
`one embodiment a ?rst cap is attached to a ?rst end of the
`mandrel. The ?rst cap may include non-metallic materials.
`The ?rst cap may be attached to the mandrel by a plurality
`of non-metallic pins.
`In one embodiment the ?rst cap may abut a ?rst plurality
`of slips. In one embodiment the packing element includes a
`?rst 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 ?rst 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 ?rst 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 How of cement or other ?uids,
`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.
`
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`
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`In one embodiment there is disclosed a subterranean
`apparatus including a mandrel; a ?rst cone arranged about an
`outer diameter of the mandrel; a ?rst plurality of slips
`arranged about ?rst cone; a second cone spaced from the ?rst
`cone and arranged about the outer diameter of the mandrel;
`a second plurality of slips arranged about the ?rst 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 ?rst and second cones; With the ?rst 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 ?rst cone With at
`least one channel therein; a ?rst plurality of slips, each
`having an attached metallic insert, the ?rst slips being
`arranged about the ?rst cone in the at least one channel of the
`?rst 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 ?rst and second pluralities of slips are
`adapted to traverse ?rst 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 ?rst
`and second cones and ?rst 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 ?rst
`cone arranged about the outer surface of the mandrel; a ?rst
`plurality of slips arranged about the ?rst cone; a second cone
`spaced from the ?rst 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 ?rst 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 ?rst and
`second cones may include a plurality of channels receptive
`of the ?rst 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 ?rst and second
`pluralities of slips traversing the ?rst and second cones and
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1013
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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 ?rst and second ends, the
`?rst 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 ?rst
`position. The support sleeve ?rst 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 ?rst and
`second ends; a packing element; an anchoring assembly; a
`?rst end cap attached to the ?rst end of the mandrel; a second
`end cap attached to the second end of the mandrel; Where the
`?rst 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 ?rst 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 ?ber 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
`
`10
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`15
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`35
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`55
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`65
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`6
`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 How of ?uids therethrough. In some
`embodiments, the mandrel may be comprised of a metallic
`insert Wound With carbon ?ber 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 ?ange, a retainer, and
`a shear sleeve connected to the ?ange, 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 ?ber. 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 ?rst plurality of slips arranged about the non-circular
`mandrel outer surface, the slips being con?gured in a
`non-circular loop such that rotation betWeen the mandrel and
`the ?rst 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 ?rst plurality of slips to detachably hold the ?rst 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 ?rst and second cones arranged
`about the mandrel, the ?rst cone comprising a non-circular
`inner surface such that rotation betWeen the mandrel and the
`?rst and second cones is precluded by interference betWeen
`the ?rst 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 ?rst plurality of slips described above.
`A packing element may be disposed betWeen the ?rst cone
`and the second cone. The apparatus may have a ?rst 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
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1013
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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 ?oW of ?uids therethrough. The mandrel may
`have a ?rst internal diameter, a second internal diameter
`being smaller than the ?rst internal diameter, and a connect
`ing section connecting the ?rst internal diameter and the
`second internal diameter. The apparatus may have a ball, the
`connecting section de?ning a ball seat, the ball adapted to
`rest in the ball seat thus de?ning a ball valve to alloW ?uids
`to ?oW in only one direction through the mandrel, the ball
`valve preventing ?uids from ?oWing in an opposite direc
`tion. In some embodiments, the mandrel is comprised of a
`metallic core Wound With carbon ?ber 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 ?oW of ?uids 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 ring, a collet,
`and a rod. One embodiment includes a adapter bushing, a
`setting sleeve, a body, a retainer, and a shear sleeve.
`Acement retainer is also described having a non-circular,
`holloW mandrel With radial vents for alloWing ?uid com
`munication from an inner surface, of the mandrel to an outer
`surface of the apparatus, a packing element, a plug, and a
`collet.
`A subterranean apparatus is described having a mandrel,
`a packing element, an anchoring assembly, a ?rst end cap
`attached to the ?rst end of the mandrel, and a second end cap
`attached to the second end of the mandrel, Wherein the ?rst
`end cap is adapted to rotat