Isolation Tool and Method

Abstract

An isolation tool and method including a mandrel, a load ring, a first seal, a second seal, a third seal, at least one composite slip, and a nose cone. The tool may include a slip backup, a bevel, a groove, slip segments, a drilled hole, a nut such as a bridge plug nut, an interior flat section, an interior beveled section, and/or gripping material. The isolation tool is preferably a frac plug and the slip is preferably a coated composite slip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolation tool comprising:
 a mandrel having a mandrel first end and a mandrel second end;   a load ring on the mandrel;   a first composite slip adjacent to the load ring;   a slip backup adjacent to the slip;   a first seal adjacent to the slip backup;   a second seal adjacent to the first seal;   a third seal adjacent to the second seal;   a second slip backup adjacent to the third seal;   a second composite slip adjacent to the second slip backup;   a nut secured onto the mandrel second end; and   a nose cone adjacent to the second composite slip.   
     
     
         2 . The isolation tool of  claim 1  wherein the isolation tool is a frac plug. 
     
     
         3 . The isolation tool of  claim 1  wherein the first composite slip is a coated composite slip. 
     
     
         4 . The isolation tool of  claim 1  wherein the second composite slip is a coated composite slip. 
     
     
         5 . The isolation tool of  claim 1  wherein the first composite slip further comprises at least one bevel milled into the slip. 
     
     
         6 . The isolation tool of  claim 1  wherein the first composite slip further comprises at least one second relief groove milled into a surface of the first composite slip. 
     
     
         7 . The isolation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the nut is selected from the group consisting of a bridge plug nut, a ball drop nut, and a caged ball nut. 
     
     
         8 . The isolation tool of  claim 1  further comprising gripping material on the first composite slip. 
     
     
         9 . The isolation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first composite slip further comprises at least two segments;
 wherein each segment comprises an interior segment surface; and   wherein each interior segment surface further comprises at least one groove.   
     
     
         10 . The isolation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first composite slip further comprises at least two segments;
 wherein each segment comprises an exterior segment surface; and   wherein each exterior segment surface further comprises at least one groove.   
     
     
         11 . The isolation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first composite slip further comprises: an interior flat surface; and
 at least one interior beveled surface.   
     
     
         12 . The isolation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first composite slip further comprises drilled shear pin holes. 
     
     
         13 . The isolation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the slip backup comprises a plurality of inserts attached or bonded to the slip backup, wherein the isolation tool further comprises a slip ring formed of a plurality of slip ring segments connected by a plurality of connector tabs. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming an isolation tool comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting a load ring on a mandrel, wherein the mandrel has a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end;   (b) connecting a first composite slip adjacent to the load ring;   (c) connecting a slip backup adjacent to the first composite slip;   (d) connecting a first seal adjacent to the slip backup;   (e) connecting a second seal adjacent to the first seal;   connecting a third seal adjacent to the second seal;   (g) connecting a second slip backup adjacent to the third seal;   (h) connecting a second composite slip adjacent to second slip backup;   (i) connecting a nut to the second mandrel end; and   (j) connecting a nose cone adjacent to the second composite slip.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of connecting the cone by threading the nose cone onto the second mandrel end. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the nut is selected from the group consisting of a bridge plug nut, a ball drop nut, and a caged ball nut. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first composite slip is a coated composite slip. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the second composite slip is a coated composite slip. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising applying gripping material to the first composite slip before the step of connecting a first composite slip adjacent to the load ring. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the slip backup comprises a plurality of inserts attached or bonded to the slip backup, further comprising the steps of:
 moving the slip backup into a slip ring, wherein the slip ring is formed of a plurality slip ring segments connected by a plurality of connector tabs, and   shearing the connector tabs.