Single-Piece Slip and Wedge System for Hydraulic Fracturing Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slip and wedge systems for hydraulic fracturing plugs are prone to failure due to lack of uniformity, leading to unequal loads on the wellbore and potential slippage, which can cause delays and economic damage to hydrocarbon recovery projects.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece slip and wedge system manufactured using a filament winding machine, where the slips and wedges are formed simultaneously as a unit, allowing for accurate placement and retention within a wellbore, and can be actuated to expand and contact the wellbore surface upon application of a setting force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple piece slip and wedge systems are used, then the plug can be assembled with independent components, but the system becomes prone to failure and exhibits lack of uniformity in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent slips and wedges into a single integrated slip and wedge system manufactured as one piece. This eliminates the operational variability between independent components while maintaining the functional capability of expanding slips against the wellbore. The single-piece construction ensures uniform operation across all slips and wedges, directly resolving the reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece slip and wedge system performs multiple functions that were previously distributed across separate components. The integrated structure provides both the anchoring function and the expansion function simultaneously, ensuring consistent performance across the entire system while simplifying manufacturing and eliminating assembly variability.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple piece anchoring systems are used, then components can be assembled together, but the system creates unequal loads on the wellbore and plug
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple independent anchoring components into a single integrated structure, the patent ensures that all slips and wedges operate simultaneously under uniform conditions. This single-piece construction distributes loads evenly across the wellbore and plug, eliminating the unequal loading that occurs with multiple assembled pieces.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional hydraulic fracturing plugs are assembled from independent pieces, then the plug can be constructed with separate components, but the assembly process increases overall cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple slips, wedges, and connecting elements into a single molded component, eliminating the need for time-consuming assembly operations. The single-piece construction is manufactured in one continuous process, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with assembling multiple separate components while maintaining full functional capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple piece slip and wedge systems are used, then the plug can be assembled with independent components, but human error increases during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece slip and wedge system eliminates all assembly steps that could introduce human error. The integrated component is manufactured as one unit through automated molding processes, removing the variability and errors associated with manual assembly of multiple independent components.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments presented provide for a method of making as well as an apparatus for holding a hydraulic fracturing plug in a desired position within a wellbore. The hydraulic fracturing plug is configured with a slip and wedge system to maintain the desired position within the wellbore.