Non-metallic mandrel and element system

• Main Authors: TURLEY ROCKY A, PARKER CHARLES D, ELDRIDGE WILLIAM J, MURRAY BILL, FREIHET ROLAND, HINES, III WILLIAM F, OUDAT RAMI AL, ZIMMERMAN PATRICK J, NIKLASCH MICHAEL R, FISHBECK CRAIG
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.09.2010
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.