Retaining backup system for frac plugs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12385350-B2
Application number	US-202318470485-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2023
Priority date	Sep 21, 2022
Publication date	Aug 12, 2025
Grant date	Aug 12, 2025

Abstract

A backup ring for a frac plug. The backup ring may include a plurality of segments defined by a plurality of slots, where each segment is defined by a sequential pair of the plurality of slots. The backup ring may also include a plurality of buttons, wherein at least one button is disposed on each segment. The backup ring creates a backup anchor for the sealing element and reduces or prevents extrusion of the sealing element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A backup ring for use with a sealing element, comprising:
a plurality of segments defined by a plurality of slots, wherein each segment is defined by a sequential pair of the plurality of slots; and
a plurality of buttons, wherein at least one button is disposed on each segment,
wherein the backup ring is configured to break apart, rotate, and extend radially into a casing of a cased well to create a backup anchor for the sealing element.

2. The backup ring of claim 1 , wherein the backup ring is disposed around a mandrel of a frac plug and adjacent to the sealing element.

3. The backup ring of claim 2 , wherein the backup ring prevents extrusion of the sealing element when radially extended into the casing.

4. The backup ring of claim 2 , wherein the least one button disposed on each segment of the backup ring engages with the casing when the frac plug is set.

5. A frac plug for use within a cased well, the frac plug comprising:
a mandrel;
a sealing element disposed around the mandrel;
a backup ring disposed around the mandrel and adjacent to the sealing element, the backup ring comprising:
a plurality of segments defined by a plurality of slots, wherein each segment is defined by a sequential pair of the plurality of slots, and wherein the plurality of segments is configured to break apart, rotate, and extend radially into a casing of the cased well to create a backup anchor for the sealing element; and
a plurality of buttons that, when the frac plug is set within the cased well, engage with the casing of the cased well, wherein at least one button is disposed on each segment;

a cone disposed around the mandrel and adjacent to the backup ring;
shear pins to help the frac plug in a run-in-hole unset position; and
a slip assembly that, when the frac plug is set within the cased well, travels along the cone and expands radially to allow buttons disposed in slips of the slip assembly to engage the casing of the well.

6. The frac plug of claim 5 , wherein the backup ring is integrally formed with the cone.

7. The frac plug of claim 5 , further comprises an internal locking mechanism.

8. The frac plug of claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an inner locking ring with a ratchet surface and an outer locking ring with a ratchet surface; and wherein the ratchet surface of the inner locking ring engages the ratchet surface of the outer locking ring to lock the frac plug in a set position.

9. The frac plug of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of slots does not extend across an entire axial length of the plurality of segments.

10. The frac plug of claim 5 , wherein the sealing element is formed of an elastomeric material or a metal material.

11. The frac plug of claim 5 , wherein the buttons of the segments and the buttons of the slips grip and bite into an inner surface of the casing.

12. The frac plug of claim 5 , wherein the backup ring prevents extrusion of the sealing element when radially extended into the casing.

13. A method of setting a frac plug in a well, the method comprising:
disposing a frac plug within a bore of the well;
setting the frac plug to engage buttons disposed in slips of a slip assembly of the frac plug with an inner surface of a casing within the well and to engage buttons disposed in segments of a backup ring of the frac plug with the inner surface of the casing to retain the frac plug within the casing, wherein when setting the frac plug, the segments of the backup ring break apart, rotate, and extend radially into the casing to create a backup anchor for a sealing element that reduces or prevents extrusion of the sealing element; and
performing a fracturing operation.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising compressing the sealing element disposed around a mandrel of the frac plug creating an engagement with the surrounding casing.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising locking the frac plug in a set position with an internal locking mechanism.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the frac plug is drilled out after the fracturing operation.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Seymour Nathan
• Gamble Mitchell
• Chen Austin

Classifications

• E21B33/129

  with mechanical slips for hooking into the casing (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/128

  with a member expanded radially by axial pressure (E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/1208 Primary

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

• E21B33/134 Primary

  Bridging plugs · CPC title