Slip Assembly Ridge Segmentation for Downhole Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slip assemblies for downhole tools in the oilfield industry face challenges in consistently anchoring frac plugs due to the destruction of fins and uneven break-up of slip rings, leading to inconsistent contact pressure and potential release of the tool from the wellbore surface.
Innovation Solution
A slip assembly design featuring a cone with setting ramps and splitting fins that fracture the slip ring into aligned segments, ensuring predictable fracturing and improved contact with the wellbore surface, utilizing a flexible webbed interface for deformation and a breakable webbed interface for controlled segment separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fins are used on the cone to guide slip segments, then the slip ring breaks into segments, but the fins are destroyed by the movement of the slips and the break-up is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The cone surface is segmented into multiple ridges instead of using continuous fins. Each ridge is a discrete structural element that guides slip segments independently. This segmentation allows each ridge to function as a separate guiding feature, preventing the destruction problem affecting continuous fins while maintaining the guidance function for consistent slip ring break-up into predictable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The ridge structure provides localized guidance features at specific positions around the cone circumference. Each ridge is positioned to correspond with a specific slip segment, providing targeted local guidance rather than relying on continuous fin structures. This local quality approach ensures that each slip segment is guided by its own dedicated ridge feature, improving break-up consistency.
2Reliability
If the slip ring breaks into segments, then anchoring is achieved, but contact pressure is uneven and the tool may release from the wellbore surface
Solution Approach 1:
The ridges are designed with curved, arcuate paths around the cone circumference rather than straight lines. This curvature allows the ridges to follow the natural expansion pattern of the slip ring segments, ensuring that each segment maintains uniform contact pressure against the wellbore surface as it expands. The curved geometry distributes the expansion forces more evenly across the contact interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The ridge geometry parameters (height, width, spacing, and curvature radius) are specifically optimized to control the expansion behavior of slip segments. By adjusting these parameters, the design ensures that segments expand uniformly and maintain consistent contact pressure with the wellbore surface, preventing both over-pressurization and insufficient anchoring.
3Ease of manufacture
If axial slots are used to facilitate break-up, then the slip ring can separate into segments, but slots in certain regions remain intact and break-up is not consistent
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function previously provided by continuous fins is extracted and redistributed into discrete ridge elements. This extraction eliminates the need for continuous fin structures that are prone to destruction, while the discrete ridges provide sufficient guidance for consistent slot break-up. The ridges are positioned to align with the slots, ensuring that the slots break at the correct locations without requiring the slots to extend through the entire fin length.
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 design achieves reliable anchoring of downhole tools by ensuring consistent break-up of the slip ring into aligned segments, enhancing contact pressure and load transfer, thereby maintaining the tool's position within the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
a cone for expanding the slip ring into engagement with the wellbore surface
Implementation Method 2
a breakable webbed interface for connecting portions of the slip ring
Implementation Method 3
a flexible webbed interface for connecting portions of the slip ring
Data Source
AI summary
A slip assembly for downhole tools comprises a slip ring for engaging a surface of a wellbore and a cone for expanding the slip ring into engagement with the surface of the wellbore. The slip ring has an interior surface defining a trough. The cone has an exterior surface defining a ridge. The trough is wider than the ridge, whereby the slip ring can bend over a top of the ridge.