초록 ▼

A novel and improved method and means have been devised for releasably bridging or isolating formations in a well. The apparatus consists of a retrievable bridge plug which can be run down into a well to the desired setting depth and a packer assembly on the plug can then be activated to set the app

A novel and improved method and means have been devised for releasably bridging or isolating formations in a well. The apparatus consists of a retrievable bridge plug which can be run down into a well to the desired setting depth and a packer assembly on the plug can then be activated to set the apparatus in position. After work has been performed, a retrieving tool is run into the well in order to engage the bridge plug for its removal. If sand or other foreign matter is present on top of the plug, a circulating medium may be employed to remove the foreign matter even as the retrieving tool is being lowered into engagement with the plug. The plug is designed such that pressure can be equalized on opposite sides of the plug as a preliminary to removal from the well by the retrieving tool.

대표청구항 ▼

In a retrievable bridge plug having an expandible packer assembly adapted to be expanded into anchored relation to a well conduit, the improvement comprising: an inner mandrel extending substantially the length of said plug, said mandrel having a section with no passageway therethrough; a support tu

In a retrievable bridge plug having an expandible packer assembly adapted to be expanded into anchored relation to a well conduit, the improvement comprising: an inner mandrel extending substantially the length of said plug, said mandrel having a section with no passageway therethrough; a support tube disposed in outer concentric relation to said inner mandrel including means releasably interconnecting said inner mandrel and said tube; and pressure equalizing means including a passageway establishing communication above and below said packer assembly with said well conduit and including a normally closed port in said support tube, said port being movable to a position opening said passageway when an upwardly directed force is applied to said outer tube and said packer assembly is in the expanded position in said well conduit whereby to equalize the pressure above and below said packer assembly, said normally closed port disposed in said support tube above said packer and defined by an axially separable portion in said support tube which is operative to undergo separation to open said port when an upwardly directed force is applied to said support tube.