Valve apparatus having dissolvable or frangible flapper and method of using same
AssigneePremium Tools LLC
InventorsDanny L. Gordon, Kenneth Perry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bridge plug for use in a wellbore having an anchoring system to grip the inner surface of the surrounding wellbore, as well as a sealing system or packing element to seal against the inner surface. A hinged flapper permits flow of fluid in one axial direction through a central through bore, but can selectively contact against a seat to create a fluid pressure seal and prevent fluid flow through said central through bore in an opposite axial direction. The flapper can be manufactured of frangible material and/or dissolvable material, permitting selective removal of the flapper when desired.
Claims20
A valve assembly comprising:
- a) a body section having an upper surface, an outer surface, and a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface;
- b) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat;
- c) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of a wellbore;
- d) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against said inner surface of said wellbore;
- and
- e) a flapper hingedly attached to said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member.
A method of performing hydraulic fracturing operations in a wellbore comprising:
- a) conveying a valve assembly into a wellbore, wherein said valve assembly comprises:
- i) a body section having an upper surface, an outer surface and a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface;
- ii) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat;
- iii) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of said wellbore;
- iv) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against the inner surface of said wellbore;
- v) a flapper hingedly attached to said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member;
- b) setting said valve assembly at a desired position in said wellbore;
- c) closing said flapper;
- and
- d) conducting hydraulic fracturing operations in said wellbore.
A valve assembly comprising:
- a) a body section having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface, a hinge post disposed at said upper surface, and notch disposed at said lower surface;
- b) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat;
- c) at least one ball transfer unit disposed on said outer surface configured to contact an inner surface of a wellbore;
- d) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface configured to selectively grip against said inner surface of said wellbore;
- e) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against said inner surface of said wellbore;
- and
- f) a flapper hingedly attached to said hinge post of said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.