# US 10,480,276 B2 · Wellbore plug isolation system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,276 B2 - Document ID: US10480276B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/830,896 - Filed: 2017-12-04 - Published: 2018-03-29 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-13 - Assignees: Geodynamics, Inc. - Applicants: GEODynamics, Inc. - Inventors: Philip Martin Snider; Kevin R. George; John T. Hardesty; Michael D. Wroblicky; Nathan G. Clark; James A. Rollins; David S. Wesson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480276B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/124: Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space - E21B 23/01: for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18) - E21B 23/06: for setting packers - E21B 31/002: {Destroying the objects to be fished, e.g. by explosive means} - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/1204: {permanent; drillable} - E21B 33/128: with a member expanded radially by axial pressure (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) - E21B 43/103: {of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like} - E21B 43/116: Gun or shaped-charge perforators - E21B 43/14: Obtaining from a multiple-zone well - E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wellbore plug isolation system comprising: a first restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside a well casing and having first interlocking features at a first end thereof, wherein the first end is opposite to a second end of the first restriction sleeve; a second restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside the well casing and having second interlocking features at a first end thereof, wherein the first end of the second restriction sleeve is opposite to a second end of the second restriction sleeve, the first and second interlocking features configured such that the first restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a third restriction sleeve and the second restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a fourth restriction sleeve; whereby, when deployed in the well casing, the first and second restriction sleeves are configured to engage to each other at the second ends and seal against and grip an inner surface of the well casing; and whereby, after completing downhole functions requiring the restriction sleeves, the first and second restriction sleeves are removable as interlocked sleeves, wherein the first and second interlocking features are protruding fingers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first and second restriction sleeves are part of a series of restriction sleeves. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve has an elastomer configured to seal and grip against a wellbore casing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve has carbide buttons configured to seal against a wellbore casing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeves has wicker forms configured to seal against a wellbore casing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve is degradable under downhole conditions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 6 wherein the first restriction sleeve is degradable by an acid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein when the first and second restriction sleeves are deployed downhole, the first and second restriction sleeves are positioned such that hydraulic fracturing stages are isolated at non-uniform distances apart. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve is adapted to seal at a portion of an outer surface thereof to the well casing when downhole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve comprises metal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve comprises plastic. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve comprises fiber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 further comprising a wellbore setting tool configured to set the first and second restriction sleeves into the well casing. ### Claim 14 A wellbore plug isolation system comprising: a first restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside a well casing and having first interlocking features at a first end thereof, wherein the first end is opposite to a second end of the first restriction sleeve; a second restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside the well casing and having second interlocking features at first end thereof, wherein the first end of the second restriction sleeve is opposite to a second end of the second restriction sleeve, the first and second interlocking features configured such that the first restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a third restriction sleeve and the second restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a fourth restriction sleeve; wherein, the second end of the first restriction sleeve is configured to engage with the second end of the second restriction sleeve; wherein the first and second restriction sleeves have profiles; and whereby, after completing downhole functions, the first and second restriction sleeves can be removed as interlocked sleeves, wherein the first and second interlocking features are protruding fingers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A wellbore plug system of claim 14 wherein the first and second restriction sleeves are part of a series of restriction sleeves. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the first sleeve includes profiles on an outer surface to seal against the well casing prior to deploying the first sleeve downhole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the first sleeve is configured for creating profiles in situ to seal against the well casing while the first sleeve is downhole. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the profiles are on an inside surface of the first restriction sleeve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the first restriction sleeve is degradable under downhole conditions.