E21B33/1292

Self-destructible frac ball enclosed within a destructible ball retainer

A self-destructible frac ball is described herein. The self-destructible frac ball is configured to seal a hydraulic flow path through a fluid conduit of a frac plug when engaged on a ball seat of the frac plug. The self-destructible frac ball includes an activation mechanism configured to activate a destructive medium in response to the satisfaction of at least one predetermined condition. The self-destructible frac ball also includes the destructive medium, which is configured to destroy the self-destructible frac ball and a corresponding destructible ball retainer when activated by the activation mechanism. The destruction of the self-destructible frac ball and the corresponding destructible ball retainer reestablishes the hydraulic flow path through the fluid conduit of the frac plug.

Composite cement retainer
11555375 · 2023-01-17 ·

A system and method for a composite cement retainer. A composite cement retainer has various components. When these various components comprise composite where feasible, or a drillable metal, the retainer can be easily placed and quickly drilled if necessary.

DOWNHOLE TOOL AND METHOD OF USE
20180010418 · 2018-01-11 ·

A method of using a downhole tool that includes the step of operating a workstring to run the downhole tool into a wellbore to a desired position. The downhole tool includes a mandrel having a proximate end with a first outer diameter; a distal end with a second outer diameter; a flowbore; and an inner set of shear threads disposed in the flowbore at the proximate end.

Plugging assemblies for plugging cased wellbores

A plugging assembly includes a plug and a setting tool attached directly to the plug, wherein the plug includes an elongate core with an uphole end and a downhole end opposite the uphole end, and a sealing element disposed fully around the core to seal against the casing. The plug additionally includes an anchoring system for anchoring the plug to the casing in a fixed position, a compression fitting disposed around the core at or near the uphole end of the core, and a nose at the downhole end of the core. The setting tool includes an elongate housing extending between an uphole end and a downhole end opposite the uphole end, an open passageway extending from the uphole end to the downhole end of the housing, and the downhole end of the housing is aligned to directly engage the compression fitting of the plug.

3D printed tool with integral stress concentration zone

A subsurface tool adapted to extend within a wellbore includes an integrally formed single-component body that defines an external surface and an internal chamber isolated from the external surface. When the tool is subjected to one or more stresses, a stress concentration is created within a stress zone of the single-component body, the stress zone being adjacent the internal chamber.

DOWNHOLE COUPLING MECHANISM
20230235628 · 2023-07-27 ·

A downhole coupling mechanism for use in downhole tools that find application in wells exploited by a hydraulic refracturing process. The downhole coupling mechanism connects first and second tubular sections via a tensile load arrangement of wires located in complimentary grooves, a torque arrangement of interlocking lugs and notches on opposite ends, and a seal arrangement. The downhole coupling mechanism provides a thin walled coupling where a screw-threaded connection could not achieve the required tensile load, torque and sealing properties needed. Embodiments of a thin walled anchor and packer including the downhole coupling mechanism are described.

Transforming bridge-to-flow-through frac plug

A transforming bridge-to-flow-through frac plug has a mandrel, a retaining sleeve, a pair of cones, a pair of slips, a packing element, and a keeper ring. The mandrel is concentrically connected within the retaining sleeve, and is constructed of a dissolvable material such that the mandrel is dissolvable through application of a solvent in order to form a big bore flow-through frac plug if removal of the frac plug by milling is not possible. The pair of cones, pair of slips, packing element, and keeper ring are positioned on the exterior of the retaining sleeve in order to secure the frac plug in place after a setting operation, even if the mandrel is dissolved in order to form the big bore flow-through frac plug.

STORM PACKER ANCHOR AND SETTING TOOL
20220397013 · 2022-12-15 ·

An anchor-packer assembly includes a packer having a slips assembly and a seal. The slips assembly and the seal are radially expandable so as to engage a surrounding tubular. The assembly also includes an anchor coupled to the packer. The anchor includes a slips assembly and is configured to transmit a first torque and a first axial force to the packer, to set the packer. The anchor is configured to be actuated from an anchor running position in which the slips assembly thereof is retracted, to an anchor set position, in which the slips assembly thereof is expanded radially outward, in response to a second torque and a second axial force, and the anchor in the anchor set position is configured to prevent an uphole-directed force on the packer from releasing the slips assembly of the packer from engagement with the surrounding tubular.

Morphable apparatus

Apparatus and method for securing and sealing a tubular portion to another tubular to provide a liner hanger in oil and gas wells. At the top of the liner string, a sleeve is arranged on the liner to create a chamber therebetween. A port provides fluid access through the liner to the chamber. When fluid is introduced into the chamber the sleeve is morphed to secure it to the cemented casing. A lower fluid pressure is required to morph the sleeve than if the liner itself was to be morphed. Embodiments are provided for securing and sealing arrangements to increase the metal to metal seal and the load capability between the liner string and casing.

Methods and Apparatus for providing a plug activated by cup and untethered object
20220389789 · 2022-12-08 ·

A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly, a locking ring and a cup. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring and the cup. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with one or more untethered objects, the untethered objects having an outer surface adapted to couple with the cup, and the cup having an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The combination of cup and untethered objects is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the cup and untethered objects while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the cup contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.