Patent Publication Number: US-10316611-B2

Title: Hybrid bridge plug

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/379,103 entitled “PARTIALLY DISSOLVABLE BRIDGE PLUG AND METHOD FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURE ISOLATION” filed Aug. 23, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The drilling of wells and, in particular, hydrocarbon wells can involve complications that make the process time consuming and expensive. In recognition of these complications and expenses, added emphasis has been placed on increasing efficiencies associated with well completion and with maintenance over the life of the well. Over the years, ever increasing well depths and sophisticated well architectures have made the need to obtain reductions in time and effort spent in completions and maintenance operations even greater. 
     Perforating and fracturing applications in a cased well, generally during well completion, constitute areas where significant amounts of time and effort are spent. This is particularly true in wells that have increased depth and sophisticated architecture. These applications can involve the positioning of a bridge plug downhole of a well section that is to be perforated and to be fractured. Positioning of the bridge plug may be aided by pumping a driving fluid through the well. Some bridge plugs can be bull-nosed. 
     A conventional bridge plug can be run down a well on a pipe or on a wire. When run on wire, the bridge plug can be dropped down by gravity through vertical shafts and driven by fluid in horizontal sections. When run on a pipe, the plug can be pushed from surface. Once the bridge plug reaches the desired depth/position, an electrical charge is sent down the pipe and/or wire to cause an explosion. The explosion causes a piston to compress the plug, so that slips extending therefrom, frictionally engage the surface of casing that defines the well. Next, a packer can seal the plug. Optionally, a ball is dropped down through the pipe or through the well to seal everything in pressure isolation. 
     Once in place, equipment at the oilfield surface may communicate with the plug assembly over conventional wireline to direct the setting of the plug. Once anchored and sealed, a perforation application may take place above the bridge plug so as to provide perforations through the casing in the well section. Similarly, a fracturing application directing fracture fluid through the casing perforations and into the adjacent formation may follow. This process may be repeated, generally starting from the terminal end of the well and moving uphole section by section, until the casing and formation have been configured and treated as desired. 
     The presence of the set bridge plug in below the well section as indicated above keeps the high pressure perforating and fracturing applications from affecting well sections below the plug. Conventional bridge plugs can be made from inexpensive cast iron, composite materials, or fully-dissolvable materials. Cast iron plugs have a high “drill-out” cost when such plugs must be removed. Composite bridge plugs have higher initial costs and lower drill-out costs. Fully-dissolvable plugs are more expensive, but have lower drill-out costs when such plugs are removed through “clean-out” operations. As a result, there is a need for an improved bridge plug. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In various implementations, a bridge plug for deployment in a well defined by casing has a stackable tubular body having a front portion, a middle portion, a back portion, and an internal bore extending therethrough with the front portion having a first opening in fluid communication with the internal bore and the back portion having a second opening in fluid communication with the internal bore. The stackable tubular body has an outer configuration shaped to receive another adjacent bridge plug when the adjacent bridge plug is stacked within the well. The middle portion includes an expandable component that can frictionally engage the casing to hold the bridge plug in a fixed position within the well. The expandable component can be destroyed, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the bridge plug within the well while maintaining fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening. 
     These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the appended drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing summary, the following detailed description and the appended drawings are explanatory only and are not restrictive of various features as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side elevation view illustrating a hybrid bridge plug that illustrates an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a sectional view in side elevation illustrating the hybrid bridge plug shown in  FIG. 1A  in a well that is defined by casing that illustrates an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a plurality of stacked hybrid bridge plugs connected to one another in accordance with the described subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a plurality of stacked hybrid bridge plugs connected to one another within a well that is defined by casing in accordance with the described subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a plurality of stacked conventional bridge plugs connected to one another within a well that is defined by casing in accordance with the described subject matter. 
         FIG. 5A  is a partial sectional view in side elevation illustrating a hybrid bridge plug positioned horizontally within a well that is defined by casing that illustrates an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a partial sectional view in side elevation illustrating the hybrid bridge plug shown in  FIG. 5A  attached to another, identical hybrid bridge plug within a well that is defined by casing that illustrates an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view in side elevation illustrating a hybrid bridge plug that illustrates another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view in side elevation illustrating multiple hybrid bridge plugs that illustrates another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of a hybrid bridge plug illustrating a receptacle that illustrates features of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 8B  is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of a hybrid bridge plug illustrating a latching mechanism that illustrates features of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view illustrating another hybrid bridge plug that illustrates another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view illustrating another hybrid bridge plug that can connect to the hybrid bridge plug shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  are side elevation views that illustrate another hybrid bridge plug that illustrates another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial sectional view in side elevation illustrating a plurality of hybrid bridge plugs positioned within a well that is defined by casing that illustrates another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary process in accordance with the described subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples can be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth functions of the examples and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different examples. 
     References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” “one example,” “an example” and the like, indicate that the described embodiment, implementation or example can include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment, implementation or example can not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, implementation or example. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementation or example, it is to be appreciated that such feature, structure or characteristic can be implemented in connection with other embodiments, implementations or examples whether or not explicitly described. 
     Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more features of the described subject matter. It is to be appreciated, however, that such features can be practiced without these specific details. While certain components are shown in block diagram form to describe one or more features, it is to be understood that functionality performed by a single component can be performed by multiple components. Similarly, a single component can be configured to perform functionality described as being performed by multiple components. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , various features of the subject disclosure are now described in more detail with respect to a hybrid bridge plug, which is generally designated by the numeral  100 , positioned within a well  102  that is defined by casing  104 . The hybrid bridge plug  100  can include components or elements, which will be described in more detail below, that expand to engage an abutting surface. 
     Once the components or elements are expanded, the hybrid bridge plug  100  grips the abutting surface and is held in a fixed position. Then, certain components or elements of the hybrid bridge plug  100  are destroyed, at least partially. If the components or elements are made from dissolvable materials, the components or elements begin to dissolve as soon as the hybrid bridge plug  100  is run in the well  102 . 
     It should be understood that the destruction of the components or elements can begin even before a fracking operation begins. In some embodiments, the hybrid bridge plug  100  must maintain integrity at least until the end of a fracking stage. In such embodiments, the fracking operation can maintain a differential pressure of at least 1000 psi for 3-12 hours after the hybrid bridge plug  100  is set and the components or elements are expanded. The dissolution of the components or elements can take as little as twelve hours, more than two hundred hours, or, in some embodiments, between twelve to two hundred hours. 
     Upon destruction of the components or elements, which usually occurs after a fracturing operation has been completed, the hybrid bridge plug  100  is free to move along horizontally or vertically through the well  102 . 
     The hybrid bridge plug  100  is essentially a conventional bridge plug with a seal  144  and a two sets of slips  108 - 110  positioned in a predetermined spaced-apart relationship with the seal  106 . The seal  106  and, optionally, the slips  108 - 110  are elements that can engage, frictionally, a surface  112  of casing  104  to hold the hybrid bridge plug  100  in place within the well  102 . Once the seal  106  and, optionally, the slips  108 - 110  have been destroyed, the hybrid bridge plug  100  can move, freely or with minimal force, along an axis  114  within the well  102 . 
     The hybrid bridge plug  100  has a stackable tubular body  116  that includes a front portion  118 , a middle portion  120 , and a back portion  122 . An internal bore  124  extends through the front portion  118 , the middle portion  120 , and the back portion  122  forming an essentially axial flow channel  126  that allows fluid to flow from one end  128  of the body  116  to the opposite end  130 . 
     The tubular body  116  can retain integrity for a minimum of several weeks and up to an indefinite length of time (i.e., it does not dissolve or significantly degrade before a well clean-up operation occurs). As a result, the tubular body  116  can be retrieved or re-used, if so desired. Since the tubular body  116  is not made of a material that can be destroyed during the clean-up operation, the material costs are minimized. In some embodiments, the ability to retrieve the hybrid bridge plug  100  is limited by the size of a lubricator (not shown). 
     The front portion  118  includes an opening  132  at the end  128 . The back portion  122  includes an opening  134  at the end  130 . The openings  132 - 134  are in fluid communication with the flow channel  126  to allow fluid to flow through the hybrid bridge plug  100 . 
     The hybrid bridge plug  100  can form stacks, with other hybrid bridge plugs. In such exemplary embodiments, the flow channel  126  forms a continuous and sealed flow channel within the stack. The flow channel  126  can be used to circulate fluid therethrough. 
     The ability to circulate fluid through a continuous flow channel allows fluid to flow through toe of a plug stack to allow for the retrieval of the hybrid bridge plug  100  within the well  102 . In some embodiments, sand and other debris can be cleaned out of the well  102  as the hybrid bridge plug  100  travels to the base of the well  102 , which is shown in  FIG. 3  Without the continuous flow channel  126 , sand and debris could pile up in front of the hybrid bridge plug  100  as it travels through the well, which can limit the movement of the hybrid bridge plug  100  within the well  102 , which is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The front portion  118  can have an outer configuration  136  shaped to receive a rear portion of another adjacent bridge plug to form plug stacks. The back portion  122  can have an outer configuration  138  shaped for insertion into a front portion of another adjacent bridge plug when the adjacent bridge plug is stacked. It should be understood that the front portion  118  and the back portion  122  can be reversed, so that the male part can be on the front portion  118  or on the back portion  122 . 
     The hybrid bridge plug  100  can include a latching component including latching mechanism  140  at the end  130  that can latch onto another bridge plug and a receptacle  142  configured to receive a latching mechanism that is similar to or identical to the latching mechanism  140  at the end  128 . The latching mechanism  140  and the receptacle  142  can facilitate the formation of plug stacks. 
     The latching mechanism  140  can be releasable. The latching mechanism  140  can be configured to release mechanically and/or electronically through the use of a conventional triggering device. The latching mechanism  140  can be configured to actuate and/or to release with a ball drop. 
     The middle portion  120  can include an expandable component  144  that is incorporated into the seal  106  that can expand to frictionally engage casing  104  to hold the hybrid bridge plug  100  in a fixed position within the well  102 . The expandable component  144  can be destroyed, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the hybrid bridge plug  100  within the well while maintaining fluid communication between the openings  132 - 134 , so that the flow channel  126  maintains its integrity. 
     The expandable component  144  can be destroyed, fully or partially, through any suitable mechanical, chemical, and/or electrical means. In this exemplary embodiment, the expandable component  144  is dissolved, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the hybrid bridge plug  100  within the well  102  while maintaining fluid communication between the openings  132 - 134 . The expandable component  144  can be ‘dissolvable’ in the sense that certain features thereof may be configured for passive degradation, dissolution upon exposure to downhole well conditions, or through intentional exposure to preselected solvents. Alternatively, the expandable component  144  can include a brittle material that can be destroyed by mechanical stress. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the expandable component  144  and, optionally, the slips  108 - 110 , or any other component that is used to lock the hybrid bridge plug  100  in place in the well  102  has sufficient integrity to complete a single stage of a fracturing operations. Once the stage is complete, which typically occurs within 4-6 hours of deployment, the condition of the expandable component  144 , the slips  108 - 110 , or other similar component changes, such that the components cannot support a differential pressure on the hybrid bridge plug  100  for more than four days. At that point, the hybrid bridge plug  100  can move freely and be pushed or pulled within the well  102  with minimal force. 
     The expandable component  144  and/or the slips  108 - 110  can be partially or fully dissolving. The expandable component  144  and/or the slips  108 - 110  can include sub-structures that are partially or fully dissolvable. In some embodiments, the slips  108 - 110  can be made, partially, of dissolvable material, in which sufficient material is dissolved such that slips  108 - 110  lose integrity while the non-dissolvable material of the slips  108 - 110  can be circulated back to surface. 
     The expandable component  144  and/or the slips  108 - 110  can shatter upon impact of the hybrid bridge plug  100 . In other embodiments, the slips  108 - 110  can retract when the latching mechanism  140  is actuated to the hybrid bridge plug  100  to another object. 
     The hybrid bridge plug  100  and its components can be made from any suitable material through any suitable manufacturing method. Suitable materials include flexible, semi-flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid materials. Suitable materials also include metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites. In this exemplary embodiment, the body  116 , preferably, is made from metallic or composite materials. The expandable component  144  and/or the slips  108 - 110  can be made from a metallic material, such as a magnesium based material, or an elastomeric material, such as a polylactic acid. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a stack, generally designated by the numeral  150 , of stackable hybrid bridge plugs, generally designated by the numerals  151 - 164 , are shown in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. The hybrid bridge plugs  151 - 164  are connected to one another in series. A coiled tube or stick pipe  165  can connect to the hybrid bridge plug  151  to push and/or to pull the plug stack  150  along an axis  166 . 
     The plug stack  150 , generally, is formed once the hybrid bridge plug  151  is free to move. The coiled tubing or stick pipe  150  can be sent down a well to tag and to latch onto the hybrid bridge plug  151  to form the plug stack  150 . The coiled tubing or stick pipe  165  can connect to and/or latch onto the hybrid bridge plug  151  after the hybrid bridge plug  151  has been disengaged from any abutting surfaces. 
     In some embodiments, the coiled tubing or stick pipe  165  can include a receptacle or apparatus attached to its end, to latch on to the plug  151 . The receptacle or apparatus would be configured in a similar manner as a receiving end on the plug  151 . The coiled tubing or stick pipe  165  could include an additional mechanism to detach the plug stack  150  therefrom. The mechanism can be a ball drop disconnect, such as the FDL Hydraulic Disconnect tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,888 or any other conventional disconnect device. 
     Once the hybrid bridge plug  151  is moved by the coiled tubing or stick pipe  165 , the hybrid bridge plug  151  can connect and/or latch onto hybrid bridge plug  152 . These steps can be repeated with hybrid bridge plugs  153 - 164  until the plug stack  150  is formed. Since the hybrid bridge plug  151  is free moving, the coiled tubing or stick pipe  165  can continue to run to the bottom of a well. 
     While the coiled tubing or stick pipe  150  runs to the bottom, fluid and sand can be circulated through the plug stack  150  to allow for sand clean-up. In some embodiments, fluids and sand can be reverse circulated. In other embodiments, fluids such as friction reducers and gels can be run in the event that the plug stack  150  becomes stuck within the well. Alternatively, acids or heated brine can be circulated or reverse circulated to encourage dissolution and/or destruction of elements or components of the plug stack  150  that were not fully dissolved when the plug stack  150  was formed. Once all hybrid bridge plugs  151 - 164  are captured by the plug stack  150 , the hybrid bridge plugs  151 - 164  can be run to a “rat-hole” at the toe of a well. A rat hole is an extra hole drilled at the bottom of a well to leave expendable completion equipment, such as the carriers for perforating guncharges. Rat holes are formed by drilling a well deeper than is required to provide room for placing debris in the well, such as disposed plugs. 
     The plug stack  150  can be deposited at the bottom of the well for permanent disposal while the coiled tubing or stick pipe  150  is run back to the well surface. In some embodiments, it will be necessary to drill additional “rat hole” to dispose of the hybrid bridge plugs  151 - 164 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, another plug stack, generally designated by the numeral  167 , in accordance with the disclosed subject matter is shown. Like the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the plug stack  167  is formed by connecting a plurality of hybrid bridge plugs  168 - 170  to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, the plug stack  167  is formed within a well  171  defined by casing  172   
     Like the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the plug stack  167  is formed by connecting the hybrid bridge plug  168  to a coiled tube or stick pipe  173  within the well  171 . The coiled tubing or stick pipe  173  engages the hybrid bridge plug  168  after certain components or elements of the hybrid bridge plug  168  that were engaging the well casing  54  are destroyed to allow the hybrid bridge plug  168  to move, freely, within the well  171 . In this exemplary embodiment, the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173  latches onto the hybrid bridge plug  168 . 
     After the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173  connects to the hybrid bridge plug  168 , the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173  can push the hybrid bridge plug  168  through the well  171  to engage the hybrid bridge plug  169 . Then, the hybrid bridge plug  169  can engage the hybrid bridge plug  170  to form the plug stack  167 . 
     The hybrid bridge plugs  168 - 170  are stackable, so that they form a continuous flow channel  174  that extends through the plug stack  167  and, optionally, the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173 . Typically, sand  175  accumulates at a bottom surface  176  of the well  171  upon completion of fracking operations. 
     The continuous flow channel  174  allows for the removal of the sand  175  by circulating fluid (i.e., pumping fluid down the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173 ). The fluid travels back up to surface of the well  171  through the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173  and casing annulus for the well  171 . Alternatively, the fluid can be reverse circulated by pumping fluid from above ground down the annulus and back up to the ground through the coiled tubing or stick pipe  173 . 
     In contrast, a conventional agglomeration, generally designated by the numeral  177 , of conventional bridge plugs, generally designated by the numerals  178 - 180 , is shown in  FIG. 4 . The conventional bridge plugs  178 - 180  are not aligned with one another within a well  181  defined by casing  182 . 
     Unlike the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the bridge plugs  178 - 180  are not stackable, so that the bridge plugs  178 - 180  cannot connect to one another to form a continuous flow channel, like continuous flow channel  174  shown in  FIG. 3 . The conventional bridge plug  178  cannot engage a coiled tubing or stick pipe  183 , so that fluids can flow continuously from the coiled tubing or stick pipe  183  through the bridge plugs  178 - 180 . 
     As a result, sand and/or debris  184  can build up in the center  185  of the well  181  and does not remain confined to an area adjacent to a bottom surface  186  of the well  181 . Consequently, the accumulation of sand and/or debris  184  at the center  185  of the well  181  prevents fluid flow through the well  181  and/or inhibit recovery of the bridge plugs  178 - 180 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5B  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, a hybrid bridge plug, generally designated by the numeral  200 , is shown. Unlike the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the hybrid bridge plug  200  does not include an expandable component  144  because it has been dissolved, destroyed by mechanical stress, or destroyed through some other predetermined means and/or mechanism. 
     Similarly, the slips  108 - 110  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B  have been removed, so that only a hybrid bridge plug body  202  remains. The body  202  includes an intact flow channel that permits fluid to flow from one end  204  to the opposite end  206 . 
     The hybrid bridge plug  200  is positioned horizontally within a well  208  defined by casing  210 . The hybrid bridge plug  200  has the ability to move horizontally because the expandable component  144  and the slips  108 - 110  are not frictionally engaging casing  210 . 
     In operation, the expandable component  144  and the slips  108 - 110  are destroyed to allow the body  202  to move within the well  208 . A coiled tubing or stick pipe  212  is inserted to engage a front portion  214  of the hybrid bridge plug  200 . The stick pipe  212  connects to the front portion  214  while maintaining the integrity of the flow channel, so that sand and/or debris  216  can be circulated into the well  208 . The sand and/or debris  216  are carried by a fluid matrix. The stick pipe  212  can include a latching mechanism  218  to engage the end  204  of the hybrid bridge plug  200 . 
     The stick pipe  212  can push the hybrid bridge plug  200  through the well  210  until it engages a second, identical hybrid bridge plug  220 . A rear portion  222  of the hybrid bridge plug  200  can connect to a front portion  224  of the hybrid bridge plug  220  to form a hybrid bridge plug mini-stack  226 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     The stick pipe  212  can continue to push the mini-stack  226  through the well to engage additional bridge plugs to form plug stacks, like plug stack  150  shown in  FIG. 2  and/or plug stack  167  shown in  FIG. 3 . The mini-stack  226  will maintain a flow channel, like flow channel  174  shown in  FIG. 3 , until the mini-stack  226  reaches the end of the well. Alternatively, the stick pipe  212  can pull the mini-stack  226  toward the surface of the well  208 , so that hybrid bridge plug  200  and/or hybrid bridge plug  220  can be removed from the well  208  for reuse. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, another embodiment of a hybrid bridge plug, generally designated by the numeral  300  is shown. The hybrid bridge plug  300  includes an essentially cylindrical body  302  positioned between a latching mechanism  304  and a receptacle  306 . The latching mechanism  304  includes an opening  308  that is in fluid communication with a flow channel  310  that extends through the body  302  and the receptacle  306 . 
     The body  302  includes an expandable annular seal  312  positioned between a pair of annular structural members  314 - 316 . Slips  318  are positioned between annular structural member  314  and the latching mechanism  304 . Slips  320  are positioned between annular structural member  316  and the receptacle  306 . 
     The body  302  and the slips  318 - 320  can have substantially high strength and hardness (e.g. L80, P110). In one embodiment, the body  302  and the slips  318 - 320  are configured to withstand a pressure differential of more than about 8,000 psi to ensure structural integrity of the hybrid bridge plug  300 . Thus, a standard perforating or fracturing application which induces a pressure differential of about 5,000 psi is not of significant concern. Due to the anchoring and structural integrity afforded the hybrid bridge plug  300 , the body  302  and the slips  318 - 320  can be referred to as integrity components. 
     In spite of the high strength and hardness characteristics of the body  302  and the slips  318 - 320  can have a degradable or dissolvable nature that allows for subsequent drill-out or other plug removal techniques to be carried out in an efficient and time-saving manner. Similarly, the latching mechanism  304 , the receptacle  306  and/or the expandable annular seal  312  can be degradable or dissolvable, at least partially. In some embodiments, the integrity components degrade or dissolve, partially, to maintain the structural integrity of the body  302  and the flow channel  310  to ensure that fluid can flow through the hybrid bridge plug  300 . 
     Incorporating a degradable or dissolvable character into the integrity components can be achieved by use of reactive metal in construction. Namely, the body  302  and the slips  318 - 320  can be made up of a reactive metal such as aluminum with an alloying element incorporated thereinto. The alloying elements can include lithium, gallium, indium, zinc and/or bismuth. Thus, over time, particularly in the face of exposure to water, fracturing fluid, high temperatures, and other downhole well conditions, the material of the body  302  and the slips  318 - 320  can begin to degrade or dissolve, at least partially. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, a pair of hybrid bridge plugs, generally designated by the numerals  400 - 402 , is illustrated as an embodiment that implements features of the described subject matter. The hybrid bridge plugs  400 - 402  are essentially identical, structurally, to the hybrid bridge plug  300  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The hybrid bridge plug  400  includes a latching mechanism  404  that is essentially identical to the latching mechanism  304  shown in  FIG. 6 . The hybrid bridge plug  402  includes a receptacle  406  that is essentially identical to the receptacle  306  shown in  FIG. 6 . The latching mechanism  404  can be inserted into the receptacle  406  to connect the hybrid bridge plug  400  to the hybrid bridge plug  402 . The connected hybrid bridge plugs  400 - 402  form a plug stack  408 . 
     The hybrid bridge plugs  400 - 402 , when stacked and latched together, have a continuous flow channel  410  that extends through the center. The continuous flow channel  410  can allow for the circulation of fluid around the hybrid bridge plugs  400 - 402  when latched to a coiled tube or stack pipe, such as the coiled tube or stack pipe  212  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8B  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, a latching mechanism, generally designated by the numeral  500 , and a receptacle, generally designated by the numeral  502 , is shown. The latching mechanism  500  can extend from a back portion of a hybrid bridge plug in the same manner as the latching mechanism  404  shown in  FIG. 7 . The receptacle  502  can extend from the front portion of a hybrid bridge plug in the same manner as the receptacle  406  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The latching mechanism  500  has an essentially cylindrical tubular body  504  with a thicker annular section  506  at one end and a thinner annular section  508  at the opposite end  508 . The thinner annular section  508  can include an o-ring  510 . The thicker annular section  306  can include a plurality of spring loaded dogs  512  to engage the receptacle  502 . The transition from the thinner annular section  508  to the thicker annular section  506  can be gradual, continuous, discrete, and/or tapered. 
     The receptacle  502  can have an essentially cylindrical, tubular body  514  with an open internal chamber  516  contoured to receive the latching mechanism thinner annular section  508 . The internal chamber  516  can include a plurality of engaging surfaces  518  for frictionally engaging the spring loaded dogs  512  when the latching mechanism  500  connects to the receptacle  502 . 
     The receptacle  502  can include a ball seat  520  that engages the thinner annular section  508  when it penetrates the internal chamber  516 . The ball seat  520  can include a latch-in-seal  522 . It should be understood that the latching mechanism  500  and the receptacle  502  can include mechanical or electrical means to release the latching mechanism  500  from the receptacle  502 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-9B  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, another embodiment of a hybrid bridge plug, generally designated by the numeral  600 , is shown. The hybrid bridge plug  600  includes a stackable tubular body  602  that includes a front portion  604 , a middle portion  606 , and a back portion  608 . An internal bore  610  extends through the front portion  604 , the middle portion  606 , and the back portion  608  to form an axial flow channel  612 . The front portion  604  and the middle portion  606  are essentially identical to the front portion  118  and the middle portion  120  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     Unlike the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the back portion  608  can include a protrusion  614  extending therefrom. The protrusion  614  can be implemented to impact a ceramic ball  616  on a neighboring hybrid bridge plug  618  to cause the ceramic ball  616  to fracture. After fracture, fragments of the ceramic ball  616  can be circulated back to the surface of the well. 
     Depending on the configuration (male/female orientation, ball seat location, etc.) of a front portion  620  of the hybrid bridge plug  618  in relation to the back portion  608  of the hybrid bridge plug  600 , the protrusion  614  can be positioned to contact the ceramic ball  616  without inhibiting the latching of the hybrid bridge plug  600  to the hybrid bridge plug  618 . In this exemplary embodiment, the protrusion  614  will not restrict flow, severely. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10B  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, another embodiment of a hybrid bridge plug, generally designated by the numerals  700  and  702 , is shown. The hybrid bridge plug  700  shown in  FIG. 10A  represents a hybrid bridge plug as deployed with an intact expandable component  704  and two sets of slips  706 - 708  positioned thereon. 
     The hybrid bridge plug  702  shown in  FIG. 10B  represents a hybrid bridge plug in which the expandable component  704  shown in  FIG. 10A  has been destroyed, while maintaining an intact flow channel  710 . In this exemplary embodiment, the slips  706 - 708  have been designed to fall away when the expandable component  704  has been destroyed and to circulate to the well surface for recovery. In some embodiments the slips  706 - 708  can include dissolvable components, such as a substrate, that can leave hardened components to circulate back to the well surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, a plurality of hybrid bridge plugs, generally designated by the numerals  800 - 806 , is shown. The hybrid bridge plugs  800 - 806  are positioned within a well  808  defined by casing  810 . The hybrid bridge plugs  800 - 806  are connected to one another with coiled tubing  812  that also extends through a plug stop  814 . The plug stop  814  is positioned above the hybrid bridge plugs  800 - 806  in the well  808 . 
     Unlike the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the hybrid bridge plug  800  does not include the latching mechanism  140 . Rather, the hybrid bridge plug  800  includes a pair of openings  816 - 818  that receive the coiled tubing  812 . The hybrid bridge plugs  802 - 806  are connected to one another in a similar manner using the coiled tubing  812 . 
     Exemplary Processes 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  with continuing reference to the foregoing figures, a method  900  is illustrated as an embodiment of an exemplary process for using bridge plugs within a well that is defined by casing in accordance with features of the described subject matter is shown. Method  900 , or portions thereof, can be performed using the hybrid bridge plugs shown in  FIGS. 1A-3, 5A-7, and 9A-11 . For example, method  900  can be performed using the hybrid bridge plugs  100 ,  151 - 164 ,  168 - 170 ,  200 ,  220 ,  300 ,  400 ,  402 ,  600 ,  618 ,  700 , and  800 - 808  shown in  FIGS. 1A-3, 5A-7, and 9A-11 . 
     At  901 , a tubular bridge plug having an expandable component positioned between an upper end and a lower end with a continuous fluid channel extending through the upper end and the lower end is inserted into a well. In this exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bridge plug can be one of the hybrid bridge plugs  100 ,  151 - 164 ,  168 - 170 ,  200 ,  220 ,  300 ,  400 ,  402 ,  600 ,  618 ,  700 , and  800 - 808  shown in  FIGS. 1A-3, 5A-7, and 9A-11 . 
     The expandable component can be the expandable component  144  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the expandable annular seal  312  shown in  FIG. 6  or the expandable component  704  shown in  FIG. 10A . 
     At  902 , the expanding component is expanded to engage, frictionally, the casing to fix the bridge plug in place. In this exemplary embodiment, the expandable component  144  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B  can expand to fix the hybrid bridge plug  100  in place. Alternatively, the expandable annular seal  312  shown in  FIG. 6  can expand to fix the hybrid bridge plug  300  in place or the expandable component  704  shown in  FIG. 10A  can expand to fix the hybrid bridge plug  700  in place. 
     Upon completion of step  902 , a fracking operation can occur. Alternatively, steps  901  and  902  can be repeated, so that an additional hybrid bridge plug can be deployed at a predetermined distance from the hybrid bridge plug  300 . In some embodiments, additional plugs are deployed 100 to 500 feet apart from one another. Typically 3-10 fracking operations are performed in a day, so that the hybrid bridge plugs can start to dissolve before the last plug is placed. 
     Once fracking operations are complete, a plurality of individual hybrid bridge plugs can be positioned at the bottom of a well and, in some embodiments, laying on the bottom surface of the well at predetermined, spaced apart positions and engaging the well surface, so that it is necessary to perform step  903 . 
     At  903 , the expandable component is destroyed, at least partially, to allow the bridge plug or bridge plugs to move within the well while maintaining the integrity of continuous fluid channel to allow fluid to flow through the upper end and the lower end. In this exemplary embodiment, the expandable component  144  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the expandable annular seal  312  shown in  FIG. 6  or the expandable component  704  shown in  FIG. 10A  can be destroyed. In such embodiments, the integrity of the flow channel  126  shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B , the flow channel  310  shown in  FIG. 6 , and/or the flow channel  710  shown in  FIG. 10B  remains intact. 
     At  904 , a second tubular bridge plug is inserted into the well to engage the tubular bridge plug. In this exemplary embodiment, the second tubular bridge plug can be the hybrid bridge plug  220  shown in  FIG. 5B , the hybrid bridge plug  402  shown in  FIG. 7 , and/or the hybrid bridge plug  802  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     In some embodiments, additional hybrid bridge plugs can be inserted into the well. Coiled tubing or stick pipe, such as the coiled tube or stick pipe  165  shown in  FIG. 2 , can be inserted into the well. The coiled tubing or stick pipe can have a receptacle to engage the upper most bridge plug (i.e., the last bridge plug that was inserted will be the first bridge plug retrieved). The hybrid bridge plugs can engage one another to form a plug stack. 
     At  905 , the bridge plugs are pushed to the bottom of the well. In this exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bridge plug can be the hybrid bridge plugs  100 ,  151 - 164 ,  168 - 170 ,  200 ,  220 ,  300 ,  400 ,  402 ,  600 ,  618 ,  700 , and  800 - 808  shown in  FIGS. 1A-3, 5A-7, and 9A-11 . 
     Once the plugs are pushed to the bottom of the well (i.e., the rat-hole), the plugs can be released. The coiled tubing or stick pipe can be brought back to surface, which will leave the plugs down the hole. In some embodiments, the plugs can be released using a ball drop mechanism. 
     Alternatively, at  906 , the tubular bridge plugs are raised to the surface of the well. In this exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bridge plug can be the hybrid bridge plugs  100 ,  151 - 164 ,  168 - 170 ,  200 ,  220 ,  300 ,  400 ,  402 ,  600 ,  618 ,  700 , and  800 - 808  shown in  FIGS. 1A-3, 5A-7, and 9A-11 . 
     Supported Embodiments 
     The detailed description provided above in connection with the appended drawings explicitly describes and supports various features of an improved bridge plug in accordance with the described subject matter. By way of illustration and not limitation, supported embodiments include a bridge plug for deployment in a well defined by casing, the bridge plug comprising: a stackable tubular body having a front portion, a middle portion, a back portion, and an internal bore extending therethrough with the front portion having a first opening in fluid communication with the internal bore and the back portion having a second opening in fluid communication with the internal bore; wherein the stackable tubular body has an outer configuration shaped to receive another adjacent bridge plug when the adjacent bridge plug is stacked within the well; wherein the middle portion includes an expandable component that can frictionally engage the casing to hold the bridge plug in a fixed position within the well; and wherein the expandable component can be destroyed, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the bridge plug within the well while maintaining fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening. 
     Supported embodiments include the foregoing bridge plug, wherein the expandable component can be dissolved, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the bridge plug within the well while maintaining fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the expandable component includes a brittle material that can be destroyed by mechanical stress. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the expandable component is a seal. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, further including a plurality of slips for frictionally engaging the well. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, the front portion has an outer configuration shaped to receive a back portion of another adjacent bridge plug when the adjacent bridge plug is stacked within the well. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, the back portion has an outer configuration shaped to receive a front portion of another adjacent bridge plug when the adjacent bridge plug is stacked within the well. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the back portion includes a latching component and the front portion includes a receptacle for receiving an identical latching component on the adjacent bridge plug. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the latching component has a tapered profile and the receptacle has an inner chamber contoured to receive the tapered profile of the latching component. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the front portion includes a latching component and the back portion includes a receptacle for receiving an identical latching component on the adjacent bridge plug. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the latching component has a tapered profile and the receptacle has an inner chamber contoured to receive the tapered profile of the latching component. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, further comprising a latching mechanism that can be released mechanically or electrically. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the latching mechanism includes a plurality of spring loaded dogs. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the seal is made from a metallic material or an elastomeric material. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, wherein the slips are made from a metallic material or an elastomeric material. 
     Supported embodiments include a method, an apparatus, and/or means for implementing any of the foregoing bridge plugs or portions thereof. 
     Supported embodiments include a method for using bridge plugs within a well defined by casing, the method comprising: inserting, into the well, a tubular bridge plug having an expandable component positioned between an upper end and a lower end with a continuous fluid channel extending through the upper end and the lower end; expanding the expanding component to engage, frictionally, the casing to fix the bridge plug in place; and destroying the expandable component, at least partially, to allow the bridge plug to move within the well while maintaining the integrity of continuous fluid channel to allow fluid to flow through the upper end and the lower end. 
     Supported embodiments include the foregoing method, further including: inserting a second tubular bridge plug into the well to engage the tubular bridge plug. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing methods, further including: pushing the bridge plugs to the bottom of the well. 
     Supported embodiments include the foregoing method, further including: raising the tubular bridge plugs to the surface of the well. 
     Supported embodiments include a system, an apparatus, and/or means for implementing and/or performing any of the foregoing methods or portions thereof. 
     Supported embodiments include a bridge plug for deployment in a well defined by casing, the bridge plug comprising: an essentially cylindrical body having a first opening at one end, a second opening at the opposite end, an internal chamber in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening, and an expandable annular ring positioned between the first opening and the second opening; wherein the expandable annular ring can frictionally engage the casing to hold the bridge plug in a fixed position within the well; and wherein the expandable annular ring can be destroyed, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the bridge plug within the well while maintaining fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening. 
     Supported embodiments include the foregoing bridge plug, wherein the bridge plug is stackable having a receptacle at the one end and a latching mechanism at the opposite end. 
     Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing bridge plugs, further including a plurality of destroyable slips for frictionally engaging the well. 
     Supported embodiments include a method, an apparatus, and/or means for implementing any of the foregoing bridge plugs or portions thereof. 
     Supported embodiments include a kit for assembling a bridge plug, the kit comprising: a stackable tubular body having a front portion, a middle portion, a back portion, and an internal bore extending therethrough with the front portion having a first opening in fluid communication with the internal bore and the back portion having a second opening in fluid communication with the internal bore; wherein the front portion has an outer configuration shaped to receive a back portion of another adjacent bridge plug when the adjacent bridge plug is stacked within the well; wherein the middle portion includes an expandable component that can frictionally engage the casing to hold the bridge plug in a fixed position within the well; and wherein the expandable component can be destroyed, at least partially, to facilitate movement of the bridge plug within the well while maintaining fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening. 
     Supported embodiments include hybrid bridge plugs that do not contain a latching mechanism. 
     Supported embodiments include a hybrid bridge plug that includes a latching mechanism that is mechanically or electronically released, including a latching mechanism that is released with a ball drop. 
     Supported embodiments include a hybrid bridge plug that includes slips that are made, partially, of dissolvable material, in which sufficient material is dissolved such that slips lose integrity while the non-dissolvable material of the slips can be circulated back to surface. 
     Supported embodiments include a hybrid bridge plug that includes slips and/or elastomers that are made of a material that dissolves when put in contact with a reactive substance such as acid. In such embodiments, tubing can latch into a plug, circulate reactive fluid to break down slips and elements, and continue on to next plug after fracturing operations are complete. 
     Supported embodiments include embodiments having hybrid bridge plugs that include slips that are made of a brittle material that shatters at a predetermined time after fracturing operations have begun or have been completed. 
     Supported embodiments include methods in which hybrid bridge plugs are pushed to the bottom of a well. 
     Supported embodiments include methods in which hybrid bridge plugs are pulled out of well to the surface. 
     Supported embodiments include methods in which hybrid bridge plugs or hybrid bridge plug cores are brought to surface for re-use in future applications. In such embodiments, the hybrid bridge plug core can be made of low cost material, such as cast iron. 
     Supported embodiments include methods in which hybrid bridge plugs are pushed to the bottom of a well and anchored in toe. In some embodiments, the hybrid bridge plug can be anchored in to using an additional plug or other anchoring device. 
     Supported embodiments include methods in which some hybrid bridge plugs are brought to the surface of a well and other hybrid bridge plugs are pushed to the bottom of the well. In some embodiments, the hybrid bridge plugs can be moved in multiple trips. 
     Supported embodiments include hybrid bridge plugs that are equipped with pressure, temperature, or other environmental sensors that can be brought to a well surface with the plug. 
     Supported embodiments can provide various attendant and/or technical advantages in terms of improved efficiency and/or savings. By way of illustration and not limitation, various features and implementations in accordance with the described subject matter offer many benefits, which include the ability to stack bridge plugs within a well in order to facilitate clean-up. In some embodiments, the plugs can be pulled through the well to be “re-built” later with new dissolving slips and seals. In other embodiments, the plugs can be pushed to the bottom (or into a “rat hole”) of the well for release. In such embodiments, the plugs can be locked into place. In other embodiments, a hybrid bridge plug can be made from low cost materials and can be removed from a well without performing “drill-out” operations. In other embodiments, the use of certain hybrid plug materials can reduce the time associated with “drill-out” operations from days to hours. 
     Supported embodiments can include hybrid bridge plugs that can be stacked to form a flow channel extending therethrough. In such embodiments, acids, friction reducers, and/or gels can be circulated through the flow channel to prevent the plugs from being stuck or to free plugs that have been stuck. 
     Supported embodiments include the use of a disconnect device to pull tubing out of hole. In such embodiments, the hybrid bridge plugs are left behind, so that normal drilling operations can continue. 
     Supported embodiments can provide a significant reduction in drill out costs, time, and/or chemicals. 
     Supported embodiments can implement plugs that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture because the plug body can be made of low cost material, such as cast iron (no need for composite if plug is not being drilled out). Additionally, plugs can include dissolving elements that represent a very small percentage of plug material (5-20%). Moreover, the plug body can be re-used in some embodiments. 
     Supported embodiments can further reduce costs because in some operations, the operator merely has to wait for the dissolving elements to dissolve in order to free stuck plugs. However, in some embodiments, it may be necessary to perform “drill-out” operations to free stuck hybrid bridge plugs, but the energy utilized in such “drill-out” operations can be reduced through the use of the non-dissolving components to be created from composite material. 
     Supported embodiments include a hybrid bridge plug concept that can be adapted to most conventional plug designs, so that operators will be comfortable with the base design. 
     Supported embodiments include hybrid bridge plugs in which reactive fluid, heated water, and/or brine can be circulated or re-circulated to enable/enhance dissolution of reactive material. 
     Supported embodiments can utilize a semi-dissolvable “frac ball” that allows a core to flow back to a well surface through a plug stack to reduce the amount of dissolvable material that is required. 
     The detailed description provided above in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples can be constructed or utilized. 
     It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that the described embodiments, implementations and/or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The specific processes or methods described herein can represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. As such, various operations illustrated and/or described can be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described, in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are presented as example forms of implementing the claims.