Expandable Plug Seat
First Claim
1. An expandable plug seat device operable to be set within casing for a wellbore, comprising:
- an expandable slip ring, wherein the expandable slip ring is configured to expand by deforming radially outward; and
one or more wedge rings configured to slide longitudinally upon application of sufficient longitudinal force and located with respect to the slip ring so that application of sufficient longitudinal force on the one or more wedge rings operates to drive the slip ring radially outward;
wherein;
the one or more wedge rings each comprise a wedge-like shape;
the expandable plug seat has an unset configuration and a set configuration;
in the unset configuration, the slip ring has an initial outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the casing; and
in the set configuration, the outer diameter of the slip ring is configured to contact the inner diameter of the casing with sufficient force to hold the slip ring in place during subsequent operations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed embodiments relate to methods and devices for setting a plug seat within a downhole well, for example in fracing operations. In an embodiment, the expandable plug seat may include an expandable slip ring and one or more wedge rings. To set the expandable plug seat in place within the casing of the wellbore, longitudinal force would typically be applied to the one or more wedge rings, thereby deforming the expandable slip ring and driving it radially outward and into contact with the casing in the wellbore. In some embodiments, the expandable plug seat may be used with a dissolvable ball, which can be pumped to seat onto the plug seat device for sealing of the wellbore. Once the downstream section of the well has been isolated in this manner, hydraulic fracturing operations can commence. Eventually, the ball may dissolve, allowing access to the wellbore without the need to drill the plug.
70 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An expandable plug seat device operable to be set within casing for a wellbore, comprising:
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an expandable slip ring, wherein the expandable slip ring is configured to expand by deforming radially outward; and one or more wedge rings configured to slide longitudinally upon application of sufficient longitudinal force and located with respect to the slip ring so that application of sufficient longitudinal force on the one or more wedge rings operates to drive the slip ring radially outward; wherein; the one or more wedge rings each comprise a wedge-like shape; the expandable plug seat has an unset configuration and a set configuration; in the unset configuration, the slip ring has an initial outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the casing; and in the set configuration, the outer diameter of the slip ring is configured to contact the inner diameter of the casing with sufficient force to hold the slip ring in place during subsequent operations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of performing downhole operations within a cased wellbore using a plug seat, wherein the plug seat includes a slip ring and one or more wedge rings located with respect to the slip ring so that application of sufficient longitudinal force on the one or more wedge rings operates to drive the slip ring radially outward, the method comprising the steps of:
applying a sufficient longitudinal force onto the one or more wedge rings, thereby deforming the slip ring radially outward into contact with the casing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification