# US 9,038,740 B2 · Apparatus and method of forming a plug in a wellbore > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,740 B2 - Document ID: US9038740B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/290,219 - Filed: 2011-11-07 - Published: 2013-05-09 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-07 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Gunnar Lende; Hank Rogers - Inventors: Gunnar Lende; Hank Rogers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038740B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/16: using plugs for isolating cement charge; Plugs therefor {(stage cementing E21B33/146; spacer compositions C09K8/424)} - E21B 17/06: Releasing-joints, e.g. safety joints - E21B 33/134: Bridging plugs - E21B 47/005: Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A method of forming a plug in a wellbore includes disposing a work string in a wellbore. The work string includes a first tool comprising a port providing fluid communication between an interior space of the first tool to an exterior space to permit placement of a plug in a wellbore. The method includes introducing a first fluid volume via the work string to form a plug in the wellbore, and includes load testing the plug at least in part by applying an axial force on the plug with the work string to determine that the plug is set. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming a plug in a wellbore, the method comprising: disposing a work string in a wellbore, the work string comprising a first tool comprising a port providing fluid communication between an interior space of the first tool to an exterior space to permit placement of the plug in a wellbore; introducing a first fluid volume via the work string to form a plug in the wellbore; and load testing the plug at least in part by applying an axial force on the plug with the work string to determine that the plug is set; wherein the work string comprises a rupture element assembly, wherein the rupture element assembly comprises: a first rupture element configured to rupture at a first predetermined pressure, wherein the first rupture element establishes circulation if the plug has not formed at a position corresponding to the first rupture element, and wherein the first rupture element does not establish circulation if the plug is formed at the position corresponding to the first rupture element; and a second rupture element configured to rupture at a second predetermined pressure, wherein the second rupture element establishes circulation if the plug has not formed at a position corresponding to the second rupture element, and wherein the second rupture element does not establish circulation if the plug is formed at a position corresponding to the second rupture element; wherein the first and second rupture elements are disposed in axially spaced relation; and wherein the rupture element assembly is configured to indicate an upper extent of the plug in the wellbore, the method further comprising: pressurizing a second fluid volume in the work string to determine the upper extent of the plug based, at least in part, on the pressure at which circulation is established. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the axial force comprises a pulling force. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining a location of the plug based, at least in part, on the pulling force and a distance of travel of the work string. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the work string comprises a first tubular section, the method further comprising: decoupling the first tubular section and the plug. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the work string comprises a disconnect tool coupling the first tubular section to the first tool so that the first tubular section and the first tool are in fluid communication via the disconnect tool, wherein the disconnect tool is configured to allow selective decoupling of the first tubular section and the first tool, and wherein the step of decoupling the first tubular section and the plug comprises: decoupling the first tubular section and the first tool. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the disconnect tool comprises a dart-operated tool, the step of decoupling the first tubular section and the first tool comprising: displacing a dart through at least a portion of the work string to initiate decoupling of the first tubular section and the first tool. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the disconnect tool comprises a ball-operated tool, the step of decoupling the first tubular section and the first tool comprising: displacing a ball through at least a portion of the work string to initiate decoupling of the first tubular section and the first tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of the pressurizing the second fluid volume comprises: pressurizing the second fluid volume in the work string incrementally until circulation between the work string and the wellbore is established. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the axial force is directed down the wellbore. ### Claim 10 An apparatus to form a plug in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: a work string comprising: a first tubular section; a disconnect tool coupling the first tubular section to a first tool so that the first tubular section and the first tool are in fluid communication via the disconnect tool, wherein the disconnect tool is configured to allow selective decoupling of the first tubular section and the first tool, wherein the first tool comprises a port providing fluid communication between an interior space of the first tool to an exterior space to permit placement of the plug in a wellbore; and a rupture element assembly configured to indicate an upper extent of the plug in the wellbore, wherein the rupture element assembly comprises: a first rupture element configured to rupture at a first predetermined pressure, wherein the first rupture element establishes circulation if the plug has not formed at a position corresponding to the first rupture element, and wherein the first rupture element does not establish circulation if the plug is formed at the position corresponding to the first rupture element; and a second rupture element configured to rupture at a second predetermined pressure, wherein the second rupture element establishes circulation if the plug has not formed at a position corresponding to the second rupture element, and wherein the second rupture element does not establish circulation if the plug is formed at a position corresponding to the second rupture element; wherein the first and second rupture elements are disposed in axially spaced relation; wherein the upper extent of the plug is determined based, at least in part, on the pressure at which circulation is established, and wherein the work string is configured to permit load testing the plug at least in part by applying an axial force on the plug with the work string to determine that the plug is set. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first tool further comprises: a diverter section to permit jetting of a first fluid volume from the first tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the disconnect tool comprises a dart-operated tool configured to decouple the first tubular section and the first tool based, at least in part, on a dart displacement through at least a portion of the work string. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the disconnect tool comprises a ball-operated tool configured to decouple the first tubular section and the first tool based, at least in part, on a ball displacement through at least a portion of the work string. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the axial force comprises a pulling force. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the axial force is directed down the wellbore.