US Patent:
20180363410, Dec 20, 2018
Inventors:
Subhra Kanchan Dey - Richmond TX, US
Balaji Sundarraj - Sugar Land TX, US
Lakshmi Narayanan Kannan - Houston TX, US
International Classification:
E21B 33/129
E21B 23/06
Abstract:
Downhole plugs having single anchoring mechanisms and methods thereof are disclosed. The plug comprises of inner mandrel with proximal portion and distal portion, outer assembly and one or more retaining members. The outer assembly comprises of support element, elastomeric element for sealing the gap between the plug and casing, anchoring mechanism at the distal portion for anchoring the plug to the casing and nose element. The elastomeric element is retained in a compressed state at the downhole end by the anchoring mechanism and at the up hole end by the retaining members. In some embodiments, the retaining members are snap rings that are pushed down from step portions at the proximal portion when the plug is mobilized to a set position thereby retaining the elastomeric element. In some embodiments, the retaining members are ratcheted open rings that ratchet over the proximal portion thus retaining the elastomeric element.