# US 10,502,026 B1 · Methods and systems for fracing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,026 B1 - Document ID: US10502026B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/433,814 - Filed: 2019-06-06 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-08 - Assignees: Vertice Oil Tools Inc. - Applicants: Vertice Oil Tools - Inventors: Mohamed Saraya - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502026B1 ## CPC - E21B 34/10: operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/1293: {with means for anchoring against downward and upward movement (E21B33/1291, E21B33/1295 take precedence)} - E21B 33/134: Bridging plugs - E21B 34/063: {Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc (E21B34/103 takes precedence)} - E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures - E21B 2200/05: Flapper valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A frac plug with a flapper, wherein the flapper is configured to set and unset based on a pressure differential and/or fluid flow associated with the frac plug. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for utilizing a frac plug for a fracturing operation, the method comprising: positioning a flapper in a first position, wherein the first position the flapper extends across a central axis of the frac plug; increasing a pressure within the frac plug to a first pressure to perform the fracturing operation; increasing the pressure within the frac plug to a second pressure; removing a component positioned within the flapper responsive to the pressure within the frac plug increasing to the second pressure, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: moving the flapper from the first position to a second position, wherein in the second position the flapper does not extend across the central axis of the frac plug. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the component is removed from a passageway, the passageway extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the frac plug when the flapper is in the first position and not parallel to the central axis of the frac plug when the flapper is in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: flowing fluid from a distal end of the frac plug to a proximal end of the frac plug through the passageway. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein in the second position the flapper is positioned at an angle that is between a first direction parallel to the central axis of the frac plug and a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the frac plug when no fluid is flowing through the frac plug. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is less or equal to a pressure rating of the frac plug. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: flowing fluid from a distal end of the frac plug to a proximal end of the frac plug; moving the flapper from the first position to a second position based on the fluid flowing from the distal end to the proximal end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: positioning the flapper in the first position while the frac plug is being run in hole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the flapper is comprised of at least one of a dissolvable material, composite material or cast iron. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the flapper is positioned between a proximal end of the frac plug and a distal end of the frac plug. ### Claim 11 A system for a fracturing operation, the system comprising: a frac plug; a flapper configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position the flapper extends across a central axis of the frac plug; a component positioned within the flapper, wherein increasing a pressure within the frac plug to a first pressure to perform the fracturing operation, and increasing the pressure within the frac plug to a second pressure to remove the component positioned within the flapper, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein in the second position the flapper does not extend across the central axis of the frac plug. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, further comprising: a passageway extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the frac plug when the flapper is in the first position and not parallel to the central axis of the frac plug when the flapper is in the second position, wherein the component is configured to be removed from the passageway. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein fluid is configured to flow from a distal end of the frac plug to a proximal end of the frac plug through the passageway. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein in the second position the flapper is positioned at an angle that is between a first direction parallel to the central axis of the frac plug and a second direction perpendicular to the central axis of the frac plug when no fluid is flowing through the frac plug. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the second pressure is less or equal to a pressure rating of the frac plug. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the flapper is configured to move from the first position to the second position based on fluid flowing from a distal end of the frac plug to a proximal end of the frac plug. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the flapper is positioned in the first position while the frac plug is being run in hole. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the flapper is comprised of at least one of a dissolvable material, composite material or cast iron. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the flapper is positioned between a proximal end of the frac plug and a distal end of the frac plug.