Fracking Plug with Frustoconical Seat and Slip Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracturing plug seats in hydrocarbon production are complex, have limited pressure resistance, and require milling out of the wellbore after use, complicating the hydraulic fracturing process.
Innovation Solution
A frustoconical plug seat apparatus with slip arms and a setting tool that expands to engage the wellbore, providing a secure seal and allowing for efficient fracturing without the need for extensive milling, featuring a cone section and seal that facilitate fluid diversion and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seats with multiple components are used to engage the wellbore and seal, then sealing capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and wellbore engagement function into a single integrated seat component. The seat includes a body with an external engagement surface that directly engages the wellbore wall, eliminating the need for separate engagement mechanisms. The seal element is integrated into the seat body, creating a unified component that performs both sealing and anchoring functions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides sealing, wellbore engagement, and pressure resistance. The engagement surface on the seat body allows it to anchor to the wellbore wall, while the integrated seal element provides the sealing function, and the overall structure is designed to withstand fracturing pressures. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized components.
2Device complexity
If conventional seats with limited grip are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but pressure resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat features a localized friction enhancement zone on its external surface, where the roughness or friction coefficient is increased to improve grip on the wellbore wall. This local quality change allows the seat to withstand higher fracturing pressures without requiring a complete redesign of the entire component structure. The enhanced friction surface is specifically positioned at the engagement interface with the wellbore, providing targeted pressure resistance while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If conventional seats are installed in the wellbore, then fracturing can be performed, but post-fracturing milling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is designed with a retrieval mechanism that allows it to be extracted or removed from the wellbore after the fracturing operation is complete. The seat includes features such as a retrieval groove or engagement point that allows for easy removal using a retrieval tool. This extraction capability eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly milling operations to remove the seat after fracturing, thereby improving productivity and reducing additional intervention complexity.
4Reliability
If conventional seats with restricted wellbore are used, then sealing is achieved, but ease of operation decreases due to milling requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The seat incorporates a self-retrieval or self-removal feature that allows it to be easily extracted from the wellbore after completing its sealing and fracturing functions. The seat design includes a retrieval mechanism that enables it to be pulled out or removed without requiring complex milling operations. This self-service characteristic improves ease of operation by allowing the seat to complete its full lifecycle (installation, sealing, fracturing, and removal) without requiring additional complex intervention steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus simplifies the fracturing process by providing a secure, pressure-resistant seal that reduces the complexity of component engagement and eliminates the need for post-fracturing wellbore milling, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of slip arms extend from a ring surrounding the retaining body
Implementation Method 2
a setting tool that expands to engage the wellbore, providing a secure seal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use in forming a plug during hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean soil formation includes a top tubular retaining body extending between top and bottom ends and having a frustoconical outer surface extending from the bottom end thereof; and a plurality of slip arms located around the outer surface of the retaining body, each slip arm extending between top and bottom ends and having an inner surface extending from the slip arm top end corresponding to the outer surface of the retaining body and an exterior surface adapted to engage a wellbore. The plurality of slip arms extend from a ring surrounding the retaining body.