Downhole tool having low density slip inserts
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorsJames A. Rochen, Nauman H. Mhaskar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The slip assemblies have inserts. The inserts have a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein. The body is composed of a ceramic material having a first density of about 3 g/cc to about 6 g/cc. A volume of the insert can be about 0.4 cc to about 0.6 cc, and a mass of the insert can be about 1.2 g to about 3.6 g. In one example, the ceramic material is silicon nitride. The cavity can be filled with a low density filler material.
Claims23
An insert used on a slip of a downhole tool to engage in a downhole tubular, the insert comprising:
- a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein, the body comprising a ceramic material having a first density of about 3 g/cc to about 6 g/cc,
- wherein a volume of the insert is about 0.4 cc to about 0.6 cc, and
- wherein a mass of the insert is about 1.2 g to about 3.6 g.
An insert used on a slip of a downhole tool to engage in a downhole tubular, the insert comprising:
- a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein and having a first volume, the body comprising a first material having a first density;
- and
- a filler disposed in the internal cavity and having a second volume, the filler comprising a second material having a second density less than the first density,
- wherein a total volume of the insert combining the first and second volumes is about 0.4 cc to about 0.6 cc.
An insert used on a slip of a downhole tool to engage in a downhole tubular, the insert comprising:
- a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein and having a first volume, the body comprising a first material having a first density;
- and
- a filler disposed in the internal cavity and having a second volume, the filler comprising a second material having a second density less than the first density,
- wherein the first material of the body comprises a silicon nitride with the first density of about 3 g/cc;
- and wherein second material of the filler has a second density at least less than 3 g/cc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.