Decomposable extended-reach frac plug, decomposable slip, and methods of using same

Abstract

A plug for hydraulic fractionation can have a first driver; a first pressure arm rotatably connected to the first driver; a second driver; a second pressure arm rotatably connected to the second driver; and a first slip rotatably connected to the first pressure arm and rotatably connected to the second pressure arm. The frac plug can also have a third driver; a third pressure arm rotatably connected to the third driver; a fourth driver; a fourth pressure arm rotatably connected to the fourth driver; and a second slip rotatably connected to the third pressure arm and rotatably connected to the fourth pressure arm. Preferably at least a portion of the frac plug is a material formulated to decompose in one to twenty-four hours under typical wellbore conditions. Moreover, a decomposable slip is provided for use with any frac plug known to one of ordinary skill.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A fractionation plug comprising:
 a first driver;   a first pressure arm rotatably connected to the first driver;   a second driver;   a second pressure arm rotatably connected to the second driver; and   a first slip rotatably connected to the first pressure arm and rotatably connected to the second pressure arm.   
     
     
         2 . The fractionation plug of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third driver; 
 a third pressure arm rotatably connected to the third driver; 
 a fourth driver; 
 a fourth pressure arm rotatably connected to the fourth driver; and 
 a second slip rotatably connected to the third pressure arm and rotatably connected to the fourth pressure arm. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fractionation plug of  claim 2  further comprising:
 at least one seal; 
 a first seal back-up fixedly connected to and/or integral with the second driver and comprising a bevel complementary to a first portion of the at least one seal; and 
 a second seal back-up fixedly connected to and/or integral with the third driver and comprising a bevel complementary to a second portion of the at least one seal that is at an opposite end of the at least one seal from the first portion. 
 
     
     
         4 . The fractionation plug of  claim 1  wherein the first driver comprises an axial slot into which a portion of the first pressure arm inserts. 
     
     
         5 . The fractionation plug of  claim 4  wherein the first driver comprises a socket in which a pin is positioned to extend through the portion of the first pressure arm inserted into the axial slot. 
     
     
         6 . The fractionation plug of  claim 1  wherein the first pressure arm, the first slip, and the second pressure arm each comprise an aperture through which a pin is inserted to connect the first pressure arm, the first slip, and the second pressure arm to each other. 
     
     
         7 . A fractionation plug comprising a material formulated to decompose in one to twenty-four hours under typical wellbore conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The fractionation plug of  claim 7 , having an outside diameter configured such that the fractionation plug can be installed in casing or tubing with an inside diameter from 2 inches to 4 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The fractionation plug of  claim 8 , configured to be expanded to set in casing or tubing with an inside diameter from 2 inches to 5.5 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The fractionation plug of  claim 7 , designed to be installed and maintain isolation of hydrocarbon bearing zones for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The fractionation plug of  claim 7  wherein the fractionation plug is configured to begin to decompose and release from a wellbore in which the fractionation plug is positioned, when subjected to a chemical selected from the group consisting of water, acid, alkaline and non-alkaline. 
     
     
         12 . The fractionation plug of  claim 7  wherein the fractionation plug is configured to undergo decomposition catalyzed by a temperature of a wellbore and/or a fluid in a wellbore. 
     
     
         13 . The fractionation plug of  claim 7  wherein the fractionation plug is configured to be installed on at least one of e-line, wireline or coil tubing. 
     
     
         14 . The fractionation plug of  claim 7  wherein the fractionation plug is configured to be drilled out with conventional tubing or coiled tubing. 
     
     
         15 . A slip configured to be mounted on a mandrel of a fractionation plug, the slip comprising:
 a body comprising a decomposable material; and   a coating at least partially covering the body, the coating comprising a metal material.   
     
     
         16 . The slip of  claim 15 , wherein the metal material is formulated to at least partially decompose within one to twenty-four hours after being exposed to a temperature between 150 and 380° F., and the slip is configured such that the at least partial decomposition of the metal material exposes at least a portion of the body that was previously covered by the coating. 
     
     
         17 . The slip of  claim 15 , comprising teeth comprising exterior surfaces comprising at least a portion of the coating. 
     
     
         18 . The slip of  claim 17 , wherein the teeth form an outer side of the slip, and the coating completely covers the body on at least the outer side of the slip. 
     
     
         19 . The slip of  claim 15 , wherein the decomposable material of the body comprises a decomposable resin. 
     
     
         20 . The slip of  claim 15 , wherein the decomposable material of the body comprises a resin-fiber mixture comprising metallic or non-metallic particulates.