Two-part restriction element for large-bore downhole isolation tool and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10851613-B2
Application number	US-201816178714-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 2, 2018
Priority date	Nov 3, 2017
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A downhole isolation system for sealing a well, the downhole isolation system including a setting tool having an internal chamber; a first restriction element placed within the internal chamber; and a second restriction element placed within the internal chamber, separate from the first restriction element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A downhole isolation system for sealing a well with a large-bore plug, the downhole isolation system comprising:
a setting tool having an internal chamber defined by a reactionary sleeve and a mandrel of the setting tool;
a first restriction element entirely placed within the internal chamber of the setting tool; and
a second restriction element entirely placed within the internal chamber, separate from the first restriction element,
wherein the first restriction element includes a passage that extends throughout the first restriction element, and
wherein the second restriction element fits inside a first part of the passage.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein an external diameter of the first restriction element is larger than an external diameter of the second restriction element.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the passage has the first part and a second part, the second part having a smaller diameter than the first part, and the second restriction element fits inside the first part, but not the second part.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first restriction element comprises a flexible element located inside the passage and configured to allow the second restriction element to move one way only along the passage.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a biasing mechanism that exerts a force on the first restriction element.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a large-bore plug attached to the setting tool.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mandrel of the setting tool extends through a passage formed throughout the first restriction element and connects to the large-bore plug.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the second restriction element is placed between the mandrel and the reactionary sleeve.

9. A downhole isolation system for sealing a well, the downhole isolation system comprising:
a large-bore plug having a seat at an upstream end, wherein the large-bore plug does not include a mandrel so that a diameter of an inner bore of the large-bore plug is not limited by the mandrel;
a first restriction element configured to sit in the seat of the large-bore plug; and
a second restriction element configured to fit inside the first restriction element,
wherein the first restriction element includes a passage that extends throughout the first restriction element, and
wherein the second restriction element fits inside a first part of the passage.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein an external diameter of the first restriction element is larger than an external diameter of the second restriction element.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the passage has the first part and a second part, the second part having a smaller diameter than the first part, and the second restriction element fits inside the first part, but not the second part.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first restriction element comprises a flexible element located inside the passage and configured to allow the second restriction element to move one way only along the passage.

13. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a setting tool having an internal chamber,
wherein the first and second restriction elements fit inside the internal chamber.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the setting tool further comprises: a biasing mechanism that exerts a force on the first restriction element.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the setting tool includes a mandrel and a reactionary sleeve that define the internal chamber.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the mandrel of the setting tool extends through a passage formed throughout the first restriction element and connects to the large-bore plug.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the second restriction element is placed between the mandrel and the reactionary sleeve.

18. A method for plugging a well with a large-bore plug, the method comprising:
releasing a first restriction element from within an internal chamber of a setting tool;
releasing a second restriction element from within the internal chamber;
seating the first restriction element in a corresponding seat of the large-bore plug,
wherein the large-bore plug does not include a mandrel so that a diameter of an inner bore of the large-bore plug is not limited by the mandrel; and
seating the second restriction element within the first restriction element,
wherein the first restriction element includes a passage that extends throughout the first restriction element, and
wherein the second restriction element fits inside a first part of the passage.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
setting up the large-bore plug with the setting plug, before seating the first and second restriction elements.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
placing a mandrel of the setting tool through a passage of the first restriction element.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
placing the second restriction element inside the setting tool, between the mandrel and a reactionary sleeve.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
placing the mandrel through the large-bore plug.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
activating the setting tool to set up the large-bore plug.

24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
pulling the setting tool apart from the large-bore plug.

25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising:
increasing a pressure inside the well to seat the first and second restriction elements.

26. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
flowing back the well to remove the first restriction element from the large-bore plug, wherein the second restriction element is trapped inside a passage of the first restriction element.

27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising:
trapping the first and second restriction elements inside the setting tool; and
retrieving the setting tool and the first and second restriction elements to the surface.

Assignees

• Geodynamics Inc

Inventors

• Wroblicky Michael
• George Kevin
• Roessler Dennis
• Hardesty John

Classifications

• E21B2200/08

  Down-hole devices using materials which decompose under well-bore conditions · CPC title

• E21B33/1285

  by fluid pressure · CPC title

• E21B33/1208 Primary

  characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B43/14

  Obtaining from a multiple-zone well · CPC title

• E21B43/12

  Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells (E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00) · CPC title