Collet Finger Frac Plug for Wellbore Zone Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore isolation techniques face challenges in effectively applying pressure to specific zones within a wellbore, as conventional methods often rely on slips or wedges that are complex and costly, and may not provide a reliable seal.
Innovation Solution
The use of a collet system comprising a collet ring, plurality of collet fingers, and a blocking object seat, where the collet fingers engage a latch in a downhole structure, forming a seal with a blocking object to isolate zones and allow for subsequent pressurization, utilizing a retainer for controlled radial extension and a consumable material for reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional slips or wedges are used for wellbore isolation, then zone isolation can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation device is segmented into distinct functional components: a plug body for sealing, a collet mechanism with fingers for anchoring, and a setting mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to integrated conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet fingers are designed to engage with the wellbore wall in an inverted configuration where the fingers extend radially outward from the plug body and engage latch features in the wellbore, rather than using traditional slips that slide along the wellbore. This inversion simplifies the setting mechanism and reduces device complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional slips or wedges are used for wellbore isolation, then zone isolation can be achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug body incorporates a flexible sealing element that conforms to the wellbore wall, replacing expensive rigid sealing mechanisms. This flexible membrane approach reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable sealing performance across varying wellbore conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet fingers are designed as expendable components that engage the wellbore wall and can be left in place after setting, eliminating the need for expensive retrieval operations. This disposable approach to anchoring components significantly reduces overall system cost.
3Reliability
If conventional sealing methods are used, then a seal can be formed, but wear and exposure of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collet fingers act as an intermediary between the plug body and the wellbore wall, bearing the mechanical loading and wear while protecting the critical sealing surfaces. This mediator approach ensures that wear occurs on the expendable collet fingers rather than on the sealing elements or plug body.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet fingers engage the wellbore wall in advance of the sealing element deployment, pre-positioning and stabilizing the plug assembly. This preliminary anchoring action protects subsequent components from exposure to harsh wellbore conditions and reduces wear during the sealing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A collet comprising a collet ring, a plurality of collet fingers, and an object seat (e.g., ball seat), wherein the object seat comprises a surface (e.g., a curved surface) configured to interface with a correspondingly sized blocking object (e.g., a ball, dart, etc.) to form a seal therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of collet fingers has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximate the collet ring, and wherein the second end of at least a portion of the plurality of collet fingers comprises a key (e.g., a tab) that is configured to engage a corresponding latch of a downhole structure.