DOWNHOLE TOOL AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20150267502A1
• Filed: 05/29/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The WellBoss Company
• Original Assignee: National Boss Hog Energy Services, LLC
• Inventors: VanLue, Duke
• Granted Patent: US 9,976,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/04 Ball valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/01 for anchoring the tools or the like E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/06 for setting packers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1208 characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means E21B33/1277 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/124 Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/128 with a member expanded radially by axial pressure E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/129 with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1291 anchor set by wedge or cam in combination with frictional effect, using so-called drag-blocks E21B33/1295 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1292 with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1293 with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement E21B33/1291, E21B33/1295 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/134 Bridging plugs
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/16 Control means therefor being outside the borehole control systems for submerged well heads E21B33/0355

Abstract

A downhole tool useable for isolating sections of a wellbore that includes a composite mandrel having at least one set of threads; a metal slip disposed about the composite mandrel, the metal slip comprising an outer surface further comprising gripping elements; a composite member disposed around the composite mandrel and proximate to a sealing element, the composite member having a deformable portion with one or more grooves disposed therein; a second slip disposed about the composite mandrel; and a bearing plate disposed around the composite mandrel.

Claims

1. A metal slip for a downhole tool, the metal slip comprising:

a slip body;

an outer surface comprising serrated teeth; and

an inner surface;

wherein the metal slip is made from cast iron, and wherein the slip body comprises a plurality of holes.

2. The metal slip of claim 1, wherein the metal slip is surface hardened on the outer surface, wherein the outer surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 40 to about 60, wherein the inner surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 10 to about 25, and wherein at least one hole does not extend completely from end to end through the slip body.

3. The metal slip of claim 2, wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of grooves.

4. The metal slip of claim 3, wherein the plurality of grooves are disposed in a substantially symmetrical configuration.

5. The metal slip of claim 2, wherein the slip body comprises a one-piece configuration.

6. The metal slip of claim 1, wherein the metal slip is formed of hardened cast iron, and wherein the metal slip is configured with a low density material disposed therein.

7. The metal slip of claim 6, wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of grooves arranged in a substantially symmetrical configuration.

8. A downhole tool useable for isolating sections of a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising:

a composite mandrel having at least one set of threads;

a metal slip disposed about the composite mandrel, the metal slip comprising;

a circular slip body;

an outer surface comprising gripping elements; and

an inner surface configured for receiving the composite mandrel,

a first cone disposed around the composite mandrel and proximate a an end of a seal element; and

a composite slip disposed about the composite mandrel, the composite slip further comprising a circular slip body having one-piece configuration with at least partial connectivity around the entire circular slip body, and at least two grooves disposed therein;

wherein the composite slip is adjacent a tapered surface of a second cone, wherein a lower sleeve is disposed around the composite mandrel and proximate an end of the metal slip, and wherein the mandrel has a second set of threads for coupling to a lower sleeve.

9. The downhole tool of claim 8, wherein the metal slip is made from cast iron, wherein the slip body comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein at least one hole does not extend completely from end to end through the slip body.

10. The downhole tool of claim 9, wherein the metal slip is surface hardened, wherein the outer surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 40 to about 60, wherein the inner surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 10 to about 25, and wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of grooves.

11. The downhole tool of claim 8, wherein the outer surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 40 to about 60, wherein the inner surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 10 to about 25, wherein the composite mandrel is made from filament wound material, and wherein the mandrel further comprises a flowbore that extends between the proximate end and the distal end.

12. The downhole tool of claim 8, wherein the metal slip is formed of hardened cast iron, and wherein the metal slip is configured with a low density material disposed therein.

13. A downhole tool useable for isolating sections of a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising:

a composite mandrel having at least one set of threads; and

a metal slip disposed about the composite mandrel, the metal slip comprising an outer surface further comprising gripping elements;

a composite member disposed around the composite mandrel and proximate to a sealing element, the composite member having a deformable portion with one or more grooves disposed therein;

a second slip disposed about the composite mandrel; and

a bearing plate disposed around the composite mandrel.

14. The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface is heat treated, and wherein the gripping elements comprise serrated teeth.

15. The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein the metal slip is surface hardened, wherein the outer surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 40 to about 60, wherein the inner surface has a Rockwell hardness in the range of about 10 to about 25, and wherein the metal slip is made from cast iron.

16. The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein the metal slip comprises an inner surface configured with a plurality of substantially symmetrically arranged grooves disposed therein.

17. The downhole tool of claim 16, wherein the metal slip is made from cast iron, and wherein the metal slip comprises a one-piece configuration.

18. The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein the second slip comprises a metal second slip body.

19. The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein the second clips comprises a composite slip body.

20. The downhole tool of claim 13, wherein the downhole tool is configured as a frac plug.