Well Completion

Bridge Plugs

The wireline retrievable bridge plug was developed to be used in monobore, nippleless completions but is also used in conventional completion designs, where access to nipples is either restricted or inappropriate.

In the running position both sets of slips are retracted. Once lowered close to setting depth the plug is picked up. Lowering the plug again will set the lower slips. They can be retracted again by picking up the plug. This allows repeated pick-up and set-down of the plug to achieve depth correlation.

Once the lower slips are set the plug is lowered on to them, downward jarring sets the upper slips and partially expands the element. Once the upper slips are set upward jarring will shear the load transfer sleeve. This allows the majority of jarring force to be transferred to the element itself and avoids loss of force through the slips into the tubing wall. Continued upward jarring will fully energize the element. Finally the running tool is sheared off the plug. The plug is now set and can be tested.

Retrieval of the tool with a standard wireline type latching pulling tool and probe requires only light downward jarring to achieve collapse of the element and upper slips. Some time is allowed for the element to fully “relax” before pulling out of the hole. Before finally pulling out the set/unset mechanism is cycled to ensure that the bottom slips will open should the plug be dropped for any reason (eg. wire break) on the way out of the hole.

Click each of below bridge plugs for more information.

STWB WIRELINE SET BEIDGE PLUG
SCP COMPOSITE BRIDGE PLUG
STMB MECHANICAL BRIDGE PLUG
SWRB WIDE RANGE BRIDGE PLUG
SHMB HYDRO-MECH SET BRIDGE PLUGS
SRWB WIRELINE SET BRIDGE PLUGS (RETRIEVABLE)