Isolation system with integrated slip and extrusion prevention mechanisms and methods of use

Abstract

An example apparatus includes a rod, an uphole coupling through which the rod extends, an expansion ring positioned on the rod below the uphole coupling, an elastomer element positioned on the rod below the expansion ring, a receptacle positioned on the rod below the elastomer element and configured to receive a portion of the elastomer element, a guardian ring positioned on the rod below the receptacle, and a portion of the receptacle is received in the guardian ring, a cap positioned on the rod and arranged for contact with the guardian ring, and a barrel to which the cap is connected, wherein the rod is partially received in the barrel, and one of the barrel and the rod is movable with respect to the other of the barrel and the rod to exert a compression load on the elastomer element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a rod;   an uphole coupling through which the rod extends;   an expansion ring positioned on the rod below the uphole coupling;   an elastomer element positioned on the rod below, and in contact with, the expansion ring;   a metal receptacle positioned on the rod below the elastomer element and configured to receive a portion of the elastomer element;   a guardian ring positioned on the rod below the receptacle, and a portion of the receptacle is received in the guardian ring;   a cap positioned on the rod and in contact with the guardian ring;   a barrel to which the cap is connected, wherein the rod is partially received in the barrel, and the rod is movable with respect to the barrel to selectively impose, or cause imposition of, a compression load on the elastomer element and on the guardian ring; and   a mechanism configured and arranged to move the rod, and the mechanism is located below the guardian ring.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the guardian ring and the elastomer element are responsive to movement of the rod so that imposition of the compression load causes the elastomer element and the guardian ring to elastically expand diametrically. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a reusable frac plug that is operable to temporarily, and selectively, seal a wellbore. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the guardian ring comprises a helical configuration that is elastically deformable to assume a compressed state, and a relaxed state. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rod defines a conduit that is open at an uphole end of the apparatus, and is configured and arranged to communicate with an interior of the barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the conduit comprises a hydraulic fluid passageway that enables hydraulic fluid to be directed to exert pressure on a piston that is integrated into the rod, so as to cause selective movement of the rod uphole, and downhole. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the conduit comprises a cableway that carries an electrical cable and/or an optical cable that enable communication and/or power transmission between a location uphole of the apparatus and a location downhole of the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel defines a hydraulic conduit within a wall of the barrel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap positioned on the rod and interposed between the guardian ring and the barrel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rod is configured to control movement of the receptacle relative to the rod. 
     
     
         11 . A method for using the apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising using the apparatus to temporarily seal a wellbore by moving the rod to impose the compression load on the elastomer element and the guardian ring so that the elastomer element and the guardian ring expand diametrically until the wellbore is sealed by contact of the elastomer element and the guardian ring with an interior of the wellbore and. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the rod moves downhole to compress the elastomer element and the guardian ring, and the rod moves uphole to remove the compression load from the elastomer element and the guardian ring. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the rod is moved using hydraulic power. 
     
     
         14 . A method for using the apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 using the apparatus to temporarily seal a wellbore by moving the rod to impose the compression load on the elastomer element and the guardian ring so that the elastomer element and guardian ring expand diametrically until the wellbore is sealed, wherein after the wellbore is sealed, a first pressure zone exists in the wellbore downhole of where the wellbore is sealed, and a second pressure zone exists in the wellbore uphole of where the wellbore is sealed, and pressure is higher in the second pressure zone than in the first pressure zone, and a portion of the rod is located in the first pressure zone.   
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 using the apparatus to unseal the wellbore by moving the rod uphole so that the compression load is partly, or completely, removed from the elastomer element and the guardian ring, and the elastomer element and the guardian ring each relax to a state in which the elastomer element and the guardian ring, respectively, are no longer in contact with the wellbore.   
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 using a reusable frac plug to seal a wellbore by imposing a compressive load on an elastically deformable element so that the elastically deformable element presses against an interior of the wellbore and exerts a sealing pressure sufficient to seal the wellbore to prevent flow of fluids, and/or solids, past the frac plug; and   using a pressure differential across the frac plug to facilitate unsealing of the wellbore.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein a mechanism located downhole of the elastically deformable element operates in conjunction with the pressure differential to unseal the wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the mechanism that exerts the load on the elastically deformable element aids in unsealing the wellbore by removing the compressive load. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein, prior to unsealing of the wellbore, a pressure uphole of the elastically deformable element is higher than a pressure downhole of the elastically deformable element. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising performing a frac′ing process after the wellbore is sealed but before the wellbore is unsealed. 
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein during the frac′ing process:
 a pressure uphole of the elastically deformable element is higher than a pressure downhole of the elastically deformable element; and 
 a mechanism that that imposed the compressive load is located downhole of the elastically deformable element.