Anti-wear device for composite packers and plugs

Abstract

A downhole packer tool having components made essentially of non-metallic engineering grade plastic materials. The tool having an apparatus for anchoring the tool in an annular structure. The tool has a mandrel; a slip assembly positioned on the mandrel, the slip assembly having at least one spacer ring and a plurality of slip elements; and at least one wear resistant insert installed in an outer surface of the tool and extending outwardly therefrom whereby the at least insert button is abrasion resistant upon setting yet has favorable drillability characteristics upon drilling the tool from the wellbore.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]None.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]This application relates generally to downhole tools for use in oil and gas wellbores, and more particularly, to such tools having one or more drillable components made from non-metallic materials, such as engineering grade plastics and composite materials. This application relates particularly to downhole packers and plugs.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]In the drilling or reworking of oil wells, a great variety of downhole tools are used to block or channel flow in the wellbore. For example, but not by way of limitation, it is often desirable to close off the well or to seal the annulus around tubing or other pipe in the wellbore casing. Downhole tools referred to as packers tools are designed for these general purposes and are well known in the art of producing oil and gas. As used herein the term, “packer tool” refers to a tool that has an expandable seal or packing element that radially expan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The present invention provides an improved packer tool with plastic components which are protected to minimize damage from contact with the wellbore wall during installation in the well. The invention provides surfaces on the engineering grade plastic tool components that resist wear. According to a feature of the present invention, abrasion resistant materials are embedded in components of the downhole tool, such as, components with the largest outer diameters, to minimize the damage to the components. In a preferred embodiment, wear resistant inserts are installed in the retaining elements, such as, the setting ring and / or muleshoe of the downhole tool. In a preferred embodiment, the wear resistant inserts extend radially outward as far as or further than the other components of the packer tool.

Problems solved by technology

However, teeth on the slips cannot and do not contact the wellbore wall during run in of the tool and if they did they would function to penetrate the wellbore wall and interfere with the movement of the tool in the well.

This contact causes increased wear on the engineering grade plastics parts of this tool.

This wear or abrasion can compromise the design and functionality of the tool.

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