Patent ID: 6915856
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A slip assembly apparatus adapted to prevent axial movement of a downhole tool assembly in a wellbore when actuated, said downhole tool assembly comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, and said slip assembly apparatus adapted to be deployed into said wellbore via deployment means and comprising: a) a tubular mandrel having a lower end adapted to be connected to said lower portion of said downhole tool assembly and an upper end; b) a cone having an upper end adapted to be connected to said upper portion of said downhole tool assembly and a lower end adapted to be connected to said upper end of said tubular mandrel wherein said cone tapers outwardly from said tubular mandrel at a predefined angle; c) a tubular sleeve having an upper end and a lower end and surrounding at least a portion of said tubular mandrel; d) a slip surrounding at least a portion of said tubular mandrel, said slip having an upper end comprising two or more dogs, each dog being disposed to slide over said cone when said slip assembly is actuated, and a lower end comprising a fixture adapted to be connected to said upper end of said tubular sleeve; and e) a reaction spring assembly surrounding at least a portion of said tubular mandrel, said reaction spring assembly having two or more reaction springs, each said reaction spring attached at an upper end to an upper reaction spring fixture and attached at a lower end to a lower reaction spring fixture, wherein said upper reaction spring fixture is adapted to be connected to said lower end of said tubular sleeve; further comprising at least one feature from the group consisting of all such that said slip assembly apparatus is adapted (i) to prevent axial movement of said downhole tool assembly in said wellbore when said slip assembly apparatus is actuated and external forces are imposed on said downhole tool assembly; (ii) to allow fluid flow past said slip assembly within said wellbore when said slip assembly apparatus is actuated or non-actuated; and (iii) to allow release of said slip assembly apparatus by use of a release load that is less than the axial capacity of said deployment means.