Controlled bypass plug and method
AssigneeGeodynamics, Inc.
InventorsJohn T. Hardesty, Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite plug for sealing a well includes a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end; plural elements distributed along the mandrel in a given order and configured to seal the well; and a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, built into the composite plug and configured to allow a controlled leak of a fluid from the well, past the composite plug.
Claims12
A composite plug for sealing a well, the composite plug comprising:
- a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end;
- plural elements distributed along the mandrel in a given order and configured to seal the well;
- and
- a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, built into the composite plug and configured to allow a controlled leak of a fluid from the well, past the composite plug,
- wherein the first end of the mandrel has (i) a first seating, having a first radius R1, and (ii) a second seating, having a second radius R2, different from radius R1,
- wherein the bypass mechanism includes at least one conduit formed in the second seating, and
- wherein the first seating is configured to receive a first ball to achieve a full seal, and the second seating is configured to receive a second ball, smaller than the first ball, to achieve the controlled leak through the bypass mechanism.
A composite plug for sealing a well, the composite plug comprising:
- a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end;
- a sealing element located on the mandrel and configured to seal a space between an exterior of the plug and the well;
- and
- a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, built into the composite plug and configured to allow a controlled leak of a fluid from the well, past the sealing element,
- wherein the first end of the mandrel has (i) a first seating, having a first radius R1, and (ii) a second seating, having a second radius R2, different from radius R1,
- wherein the bypass mechanism includes at least one conduit formed in the second seating, and
- wherein the first seating is configured to receive a first ball to achieve a full seal, and the second seating is configured to receive a second ball, smaller than the first ball, to achieve the controlled leak through the bypass mechanism.
A method of manufacturing a composite plug with controlled bypass flow, the method comprising:
- providing a mandrel having an internal bore, the mandrel having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first end, and the bore extending from the first end to the second end;
- adding a push ring to the mandrel, adjacent to the first end;
- adding a slip ring to the mandrel, adjacent to the push ring;
- adding an upper wedge to the mandrel, adjacent to the slip ring;
- adding a sealing element to the mandrel, adjacent to the upper wedge;
- adding a lower wedge to the mandrel, adjacent to the sealing element;
- adding a lower slip ring to the mandrel, adjacent to the lower wedge;
- adding a mule shoe on the mandrel, adjacent to the lower slip ring;
- and
- making a bypass mechanism, different from the bore, into the composite plug, that allows a controlled leak of a fluid from thea well, past the composite plug,
- wherein the first end of the mandrel has (i) a first seating, having a first radius R1, and (ii) a second seating, having a second radius R2, different from radius R1,
- wherein the bypass mechanism includes at least one conduit formed in the second seating, and
- wherein the first seating is configured to receive a first ball to achieve a full seal, and the second seating is configured to receive a second ball, smaller than the first ball, to achieve the controlled leak through the bypass mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.