Erodable Bridge Plug in Fracturing Applications

Abstract

In order to overcome the need to remove each packer after a plug and perforate operation in order to produce a well it is desirable to utilize an erodible packer that may allow one way flow. An erodible packer may be constructed of a material such as polyglycolic acid as a binder. The same packer may also allow one way flow past the packer, such as flow from the casing below the packer to the casing above the packer. The packer may erode upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time or upon exposure to an activating agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packer deployed in a wellbore comprising:
 a mandrel having an interior throughbore and an exterior;   a one way valve in the interior throughbore of the mandrel;
 wherein the one way valve is closed to prevent fluid above the valve from passing the one way valve and is opened to allow fluid from below the valve to pass the one way valve; 
   a sealing element;
 wherein the sealing element is attached to the exterior of the mandrel; and 
   an anchor;
 wherein the anchor fixes the mandrel in place longitudinally. 
   
     
     
         2 . The packer of  claim 1  wherein the one way valve is a flapper valve. 
     
     
         3 . The packer of  claim 1  wherein the one way valve is a ball and seat. 
     
     
         4 . The packer of  claim 1  wherein the mandrel is at least partially an erodible material. 
     
     
         5 . The packer of  claim 4  wherein the mandrel is a combination of at least the erodible material and a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The packer of  claim 4  wherein the mandrel is a combination of at least the erodible material and a fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The packer of  claim 4  wherein the erodible material is polyglycolic acid. 
     
     
         8 . The packer of  claim 4  wherein the erodible material is hydrocarbon soluble. 
     
     
         9 . A downhole assembly comprising:
 a packer having a mandrel, a one way valve, a sealing element, and an anchor;
 wherein the mandrel has an interior throughbore and an exterior; 
 wherein the one way valve is in the interior throughbore of the mandrel;
 further wherein the one way valve is closed to prevent fluid above the valve from passing the one way valve and is opened to allow fluid from below the valve to pass the one way valve; 
 
 wherein the a sealing element is attached to the exterior of the mandrel; and 
 wherein the anchor fixes the mandrel in place longitudinally. 
   
     
     
         10 . The packer of  claim 9  wherein the one way valve is a flapper valve. 
     
     
         11 . The packer of  claim 9  wherein the one way valve is a ball and seat. 
     
     
         12 . A downhole assembly comprising:
 a packer having a mandrel, a sealing element, and an anchor;
 wherein the mandrel has an interior throughbore and an exterior; 
 wherein the sealing element is attached to the exterior of the mandrel; 
 wherein the anchor fixes the mandrel in place longitudinally; and 
 wherein the packer is at least partially an erodible material 
   
     
     
         13 . The packer of  claim 12  wherein the packer is at least partially a combination of the erodible material and a polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The packer of  claim 12  wherein the packer is at least partially a combination of the erodible material and a fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The packer of  claim 14  wherein the fiber is glass fiber. 
     
     
         16 . The packer of  claim 14  wherein the fiber is carbon fiber. 
     
     
         17 . The packer of  claim 12  wherein the erodible material is polyglycolic acid. 
     
     
         18 . The packer of  claim 12  wherein the erodible material is hydrocarbon soluble. 
     
     
         19 . A method of completing a well comprising:
 pumping a bottom hole assembly into a well;   setting a packer;
 wherein the packer has a mandrel having a throughbore; 
 further wherein a one way valve is located in the throughbore; 
   perforating the well   pumping in at least a second bottomhole assembly;   setting the second packer;
 wherein the second packer has a second mandrel having a second throughbore with a second one way valve in the second throughbore; and 
   producing the well.   
     
     
         20 . The packer of  claim 19  wherein the one way valve is a flapper valve. 
     
     
         21 . The packer of  claim 19  wherein the one way valve is a ball and seat. 
     
     
         22 . The packer of  claim 19  wherein the mandrel is at least partially an erodible material. 
     
     
         23 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein the mandrel is a combination of at least the erodible material and a polymer. 
     
     
         24 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein the mandrel is a combination of at least the erodible material and a fiber. 
     
     
         25 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein the erodible material is polyglycolic acid. 
     
     
         26 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein the erodible material is hydrocarbon soluble.