Patent Publication Number: US-2015068728-A1

Title: Downhole Tool Having Slip Composed of Composite Ring

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appl. 61/877,113, filed 12 Sep. 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An oil or gas well includes a bore extending into a well to some depth below the surface. Typically, the bore is lined with tubulars or casing to strengthen the walls of the bore. To further strengthen the walls of the bore, the annular area formed between the casing and the bore is typically filled with cement to permanently set the casing in the bore. The casing is then perforated to allow production fluid to enter the bore and to be retrieved at the surface of the well. 
     Typically, downhole tools with sealing elements are placed within the bore to isolate the production fluid or to manage production fluid flow through the well. For example, a plug or packer is placed within a bore to isolate upper and lower sections of production zones. Thus, by creating a pressure seal in the bore, these plugs allow pressurized fluids or solids to treat an isolated formation. These tools are usually constructed of cast iron, aluminum, or other alloyed metals, but have a malleable, synthetic element system. The plug or packer system can also be composed of non-metallic components made of composites, plastics, and elastomers. 
     Slips are a part of these downhole tools, such as plugs and packers, and the slips can also be composed of metallic or non-metallic components. However, metallic slips can cause problems during mill-up operations of the downhole tools in horizontal wells. As one solution to these problems, slip segments composed of composite material can be held on a mandrel of a downhole tool, such as a plug. These composite slip segments are typically held together with bands on the tool&#39;s mandrel until actuated to engage the surrounding casing downhole. Additionally, the composite slips segments can have inserts or buttons that are composed of metallic materials (e.g., tungsten carbide or the like) that grip the inner wall of the surrounding casing or tubular. Examples of downhole tools with slip segments with inserts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,976,534 and 8,047,279. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a fracturing system  10  having a composite plug according to the prior art disposed in a bore. As shown, the system  10  can having at least one of the composite plugs  100  disposed within the casing  12  lining the bore. Casing  12 , as known in the art, is used to further strengthen the walls of the bore, and therefore the area formed between the casing  12  and the bore is typically filled with cement to permanently set the casing  12  within the bore. Also as shown, the casing  12  is perforated  15  to allow production fluid to enter the casing  12  so the produced fluids can be retrieved at the surface of the well. The casing  12  is perforated  15  in formation zones  14  as shown. The formation zones  14  indicate zones where production fluid potentially exists. Accordingly, the casing  12  at these zones  14  is perforated  15  in order to allow fluid to flow into the casing  12  and eventually to the surface. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a composite plug  100  of the prior art in more details. As shown, the plug  100  has a mandrel  102 . As known in the art, the mandrel  102  is designed with a cylindrical hole (i.e., bore) through the center to allow for pressure equalization and well flow back prior to milling up the plug  100  after its use downhole. Also as shown, the plug  100  has uphole and downhole slip assemblies  104   a - b , each having slip segments  110 , inserts  114 , and bands  112 . The plug  100  also has uphole and downhole cones  106   a - b , a setting or push ring  105 , and a packing element  109 , which will be discussed in detail below. 
     Conventional composite slips  104   a - b  include multiple slip segments  110  disposed around the mandrel  102 . Bands  112  typically hold the slip segments  110  in place, and the composite segments  110  include one or more metallic inserts  114  in order to engage the casing ( 12 ). 
     During operation, the slip segments  110  move away from the mandrel  102  and compress the inserts  114  against the surrounding casing ( 12 ) when the plug  100  is compressed. Examples of the operation of conventional slip components of such a plug  100  are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,831 which is incorporated within in its entirety. 
     As mentioned, the conventional slip assemblies  104   a - b  may be composed of cast iron, aluminum, or other alloyed metals. However, in one problem associated with such metallic slip assemblies, it is often times less desirable to use such metallic components due to the mill-ability of the components. For example, plugs  100  are sometimes intended to be temporary and must be removed to access the casing ( 12 ). Rather than de-actuating the plug  100  and bringing it to the surface of the well, the plug  100  is typically destroyed with a rotating milling or drilling device. 
     As the mill contacts the plug  100 , the plug  100  is “drilled up” or reduced to small pieces that are either washed out of the bore or simply left at the bottom of the bore. The more metal parts making up the plug  100 , the longer the milling operation takes. Furthermore, metallic components like aluminum also typically require numerous trips in and out of the bore to replace worn out mills or drill bits. Also, aluminum mandrels are typically composed of very expensive aerospace grade materials, and are thus not economically feasible for such use. 
     In another problem, the conventional slip assemblies even if composed of composite materials are oftentimes difficult to manufacture. For example, the conventional slip assemblies  104   a - b  are often manufactured as multiple, independent segments  110 . Then, the slip segments  10  are positioned around the mandrel  102  of the plug  100  and are held together with restraining bands  112  to keep the segments  110  against the mandrel  102  for deploying in the casing  110  until actuated. Although this form of manufacture may work, it is often time-consuming and involves a very complicated manufacturing and assembly process. 
     Further, other problems associated with using slip segments  110  held by restraining bands  112  arise when the tool  100  is deployed downhole. As is known in the art, downhole conditions vary, and high pressures and high fluid velocities may disengage or render unusable conventional slip assemblies  104   a - b . For example, during the deployment of the plug  100 , the fluid in the bore may have a high enough pressure and/or may have an increased velocity as it transitions past the slip assembly  104   a - b  that the slip assembly  104   a - b  can be damaged and disengage from the mandrel  102 , despite being held together by bands  112 . That is, the bands  112  may not be strong enough to hold the segments  110  together in certain downhole conditions. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a non-metallic slip component that will effectively handle the high temperatures and the high pressures downhole. There is also a need for a slip component that is easier and faster to manufacture, while remaining economically feasible. Finally, there is a need for a non-metallic slip assembly that can withstand the high speeds and fluid velocities during run in on a downhole tool through casing. 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Conventional slip components of downhole tools are typically composed of cast iron, aluminum, or other alloyed metals. However, the more metal parts making up the plug (i.e., slip components) the longer the milling operation takes. Also, metallic components like aluminum also typically require numerous trips in and out of the bore to replace worn out mills or drill bits and are typically composed of very expensive aerospace grade materials, and are thus not economically feasible for such use. Therefore, a single piece composite slip component is disclosed, making it easier and more feasible for milling up a plug after use. Moreover, because the composite slip component is one piece during deployment, and not in segments like conventional slip segments, it can better withstand the high speeds and higher fluid velocities and pressures downhole. This is important aspect when pumping down extended reach horizontals. 
     A downhole apparatus have a mandrel with a cone disposed thereon. In general, the apparatus can be a plug, a packer, a liner hanger, an anchoring device, or a downhole tool. 
     The single piece composite slip component is disposed on the mandrel and has a cylindrical body with first and second surfaces and first and second ends. The cylindrical body is disposed with the first surface about the mandrel and with the first end adjacent a cone on the mandrel of the downhole tool. In one arrangement, the cylindrical body defines only a single slit extending partially from the first end toward the second end. In another arrangement, the cylindrical body defines only two slits extending partially from the first end toward the second end. These two slits can be disposed on radially opposite sides of the cylindrical body. 
     The cylindrical body is radially expandable outward from the mandrel through interaction of the first end with the cone, and one or more inserts disposed on the cylindrical body and exposed at the second surface engage in the surrounding tubular wall of casing or the like. 
     When interacting the first end of the cylindrical body with the cone, the cylindrical body expands radially outward from the tool with the interaction as at least one and not more than two arcuate members by separating the cylindrical body along the one and not more than two slits extending partially from the first end toward a second end of the cylindrical body. The one or more inserts on the cylindrical body engage against the adjacent surface. Load is transmitted from the cone to the cylindrical body, and the load is transmitted from the cylindrical body to the one or more inserts. 
     To interact with the cone, the first surface can define an incline at the first end. The single or two slits extend a greater distance along the second surface than along the first surface of the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body at the second end can have an interconnection at the slit so that the interconnection can hinge one side of the single slit with an opposite of the single slit. The interconnection can define a triangular cross-section. 
     A packing element can be disposed on the mandrel, and the cone and the single piece composite slip component can be disposed on an uphole end of the mandrel adjacent the packing element. A second slip can also be disposed on a downhole end of the mandrel adjacent an opposite side of the packing element. This second slip can include a plurality of independent segments disposed about the mandrel. 
     The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a plug disposed in a bore according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a plug of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an elevational view a plug having a composite slip component according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an elevational view of another side of the plug offset 90-degrees from  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a detailed view of the disclosed slip component on the plug. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrates an end view, a cross-sectional view, and a perspective view of the disclosed slip component. 
         FIG. 3D  is a detailed view of a hole for an insert of the disclosed slip. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  schematically illustrates the disclosed slip component in different engagements with the surrounding casing during operation. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an elevational view of another plug having two composite slips according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrates an end view, a cross-sectional view, and a perspective view of another composite slip component according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6D  schematically illustrates the disclosed slip component engaged with the surrounding casing during operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate elevational views a composite plug  100  having a composite slip component  120  according to the present disclosure. The two views in  FIGS. 2A-2B  show sides of the plug  100  at 90-degree offset from one another. As shown, the plug  100  includes a mandrel  102  and sealing elements  104   a - b ,  106   a - b ,  108   a - b , and  109 . In general, the plug  100  can be a bridge plug intended to contain pressure from above and below when setting in casing, or it can be a fracture plug intended mainly to contain pressure from above during a fracture operation. 
     Disposed on the mandrel  102 , the plug  100  has uphole and downhole slip assemblies  104   a - b , cones  106   a - b , and backups  108   a - b  with a packing element  109  disposed between them. The uphole slip assemblies  104   a  as shown includes the composite slip component  120  according to the present disclosure, while the downhole assembly includes a conventional slip assembly having segments  110  with inserts  114  and held by bands  112 . 
     As best shown in the detailed view of  FIG. 2C , the slip component  120  has a cylindrical body or  122  with insert holes  128  for holding inserts  130 . As discussed in more detail below, the composite slip component  120  has one or more slits  124  and interconnecting portions or hinging areas  127 . Preferably, the cylindrical body  122  has only one or at most two slits  124  so that the cylindrical body  122  forms a practically continuous ring or cylinder with only one or at most two arcuate portions divided by the slit(s)  124 . 
     Regarding the disposition of the slip component  120  and the conventional slip assembly  104   b  at uphole and downhole ends of the plug  100 , the disclosed plug  100  is not limited to this particular configuration. That is, the plug  100  may comprise composite slip components  120  on both uphole and downhole ends, or the plug  100  may comprise a slip component  120  at the downhole end, while having a conventional slip assembly  104   b  uphole. Accordingly, any other combination of slip component  120  with or without conventional slip assembly  104   b  can be used on the plug  100 . 
     However, regardless of which is deployed uphole or downhole, it is desired to deploy a slip assembly having greater structural stability (e.g., the disclosed slip component  120 ) at the uphole end of the plug  100  and to deploy a slip assembly with increased strength at the downhole end of the plug. This is due in part to what the uphole assembly  104   a  may encounter during run in at high speeds. The uphole assembly  104   a  may experience more adverse effects from fluid flow or friction during run in of the plug  100  in the casing ( 12 ) which could damage a conventional slip assembly with segments. Because the slip component  120  is a continuous cylindrical component, it is less prone to damage during run in. 
     Choice of what type of assembly to use at the downhole end is also based on the operation of the plug  100 . For example, because the downhole slip assembly has to remain in place, braking and engaging the inner bore, while the uphole slip is compressed toward the downhole slip, the downhole slip assembly may experience certain pressures or effects that the uphole slip assembly may not experience. Thus, if the downhole slip assembly cannot withstand certain forces, the downhole slip assembly may disengage from the casing. As a result, the plug  100  may fail during use. For these reasons, the uphole assembly  104   a  of the present disclosure may use the disclosed slip component  120 , while the downhole assembly  104   b  may use other types of segments  110  and the like. 
     In operation, the element system  103  of the plug  100  shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B  is compressed, and expands radially outward from the plug  100  to sealingly engage a surrounding tubular or casing (not shown). To obtain this expansion, forces are exerted on the push ring  105 . As the slip component  120  moves down in relation to downhole slip assembly  104   b,  the packing element  109  is compressed, and the slip component  120  and slip assembly  104   b  are driven up their adjacent cones  106   a - b . The movement of the cones  106   a - b  and the slip component  120  and assembly  104   b  axially compress and radially expand the packing element  109 , thereby forcing the packing element  109  radially outward from the plug  100  to contact the inner surface of the casing ( 12 ). In this manner, the compressed packing element  109  provides a fluid seal to prevent movement of fluids across the plug  100 . 
     Further, as the packing element  109  expands to provide a fluid seal between the plug  100  and the casing ( 12 ), the slip component  120  and assembly  104   b  move along the surface of cones  106   a - b . As a result, the slip component  120  and assembly  104   b  will expand outward with respect to the plug  100 , thereby being driven into the casing to hold plug  100  in place. 
     With particular reference to the offset views of  FIGS. 2B-2C , one of the at least one or two slits  124  of the slip component  120  of the plug  100  can be more easily shown. Here, the slit  124  extends from the bottom of the slip component  120  all the way to the top, where an interconnecting portion  127  holds the component  120  together around the mandrel  102 . Further, as can be seen in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the slip component  120  has a cylindrical body  122  that surrounds the plug  100 . 
     Also, the slip component  120  comprises insert holes  128  that contain inserts  130  disposed within them. In this embodiment, the inserts  130  may be disposed around the cylindrical body  122  of the slip component  120  in a variety of different ways. For example, the inserts  130  can be disposed around the cylindrical body  122  in a way that the inserts  130  are separated by an equal space. Furthermore, the inserts  130  may be aligned in rows, aligned diagonally along cylindrical body  122 , or any other configuration. The purpose of the configuration of the inserts  130  around the cylindrical body  122  is to allow as many inserts  130  as possible to be disposed therein, while maintaining the structural soundness of the composite material. 
     The slip component  122  is manufactured in a manner similar to the continuous fiber winding process described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,831, which is used for manufacturing plugs and is incorporated herein by reference. In general, the manufacturing process involves wet winding a continuous fiber around a temporary mandrel to form the cylindrical body  122  of the slip component. The fiber is preferably wound in an overlapping lattice structure. The resin impregnated fiber is then heated, cured, and cooled so the cylindrical body  122  can be removed from the temporary mandrel and machined. The outer and inner diameters of the cylindrical body  122  may be machined to a certain size, tolerance, or smoothness. Also, any of the various slits  124 , holes  128 , and the like may be machined in the cylindrical body  122 . These and any other additional steps available in the art can be used so that slip component can be installed on the mandrel  102  of the plug  100  with other components for future deployment in the harsh environment downhole. 
     As show in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the holes  128  for the inserts  130  may be arranged in a staggered pattern intended to maintain the overall strength of the component&#39;s material. Thus, any fibers in the winding making up the body  122  of the component  122  that have been cut to form one of the holes  128  may be cut elsewhere on the body  122  to form another of the holes  128 . In this way, a number of fiber windings will remain intact around the body  122  and maintain the body&#39;s overall strength. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2C , the insert holes  128  are not necessarily disposed parallel to the surface of the slip component  120  itself, although they can be. As will be described in detail later, the inserts  130  are preferably disposed within or through the cylindrical body  122  of the slip component  120  at an angle. This angle allows the inserts to more thoroughly engage the bore casing ( 12 ) in a way that will allow the inserts  130  to provide the most stability for the slip component  120 , and consequently the bridge plug  100  itself, after the plug  100  has been engaged and has formed a seal within the casing ( 12 ). 
     With an understanding of the plug  100  and the disclosed slip component, discussion turns to further details of the slip component  120 .  FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate an end view, a cross-sectional view, and a perspective view of the disclosed slip component  120 . With respect to  FIG. 3A , the end view of the slip component  120  shows the cylindrical body  122  of the slip component  120 . As shown, there are numerous insert holes  128  having the inserts  130  disposed within them. Furthermore,  FIG. 3A  shows how the slip component  120  has at least two slits  124  disposed on opposite sides of the cylindrical component  120 . Consistent within the present disclosure, there can be at least one or two slits  124  disposed around the cylindrical body  122 . More slits are not preferred, but may be used if desired. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a cross-sectional view of the slip component  120 . As best shown in this view, the slip component  120  contains a ramp  126  on the inside surface  121  at one end of the cylindrical body  122 . Also, the body  122  has two slits  124  and interconnecting portions  127 . The ramp  126  serves the purpose of easing the transition of the slip component  120  over the cones (i.e., the ramp  126  allows the slip component  122  to be more easily transitioned over the outer surface of cones  106   a - b  on the plug  100  of  FIGS. 2A-2C ). 
     Furthermore, when the slip component  120  is compressed over its adjacent cone ( 106   a ), the slip component  120  will separate along the slits  127  and will fracture, break, or tear along the interconnecting portions  127 , creating slip element halves ( 125   a - b ) that allow the slip component  120  to expand more efficiently over the conical surface ( 107   a ) of the cone ( 106   a ). Due to the material makeup of the slip component  120  (i.e., continuous fiber winding as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,831), when the slip component  120  is pushed over the cone ( 106   a ), the slip component  120  flexes and conforms to the larger radius of the casing ( 12 ), while the inserts ( 130 ) penetrate the casing ( 12 ) and anchor the slip component  120  in place. 
     Also, since the slip component  120  is one piece during running in the hole, and does not comprise independent segments like a conventional slip assembly of the prior art held together by bands, the slip component  120  can better withstand the high speeds and higher fluid velocities encountered during run in the plug  100 . In this regard, allowing the slip component  120  to expand more efficiently over its cone ( 106   a ) will allow the slip component halves ( 125   a - b ) to more succinctly engage the casing ( 12 ). In turn, allowing the slip component  120  to more succinctly engage the casing ( 12 ) will allow the inserts ( 130 ) to engage the inner surface of the casing ( 12 ) and provide an anchor for the plug  100 . 
       FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of the slip component  120 . In this view, the slip component  120  has the cylindrical body  122 , the one or more slits  124 , and one or more insert holes  128 . As can be shown in this embodiment, the slits  124  extend from the bottom of the slip component  120  to the top of the slip component  120 . However, rather than completely separating the cylindrical body  122 , the slits  124  preferably stop at the interconnecting portions  127  of the slip component  120 . However, the slip component  120  is not limited to the one or more slits  124  of the slip component  120  having a single interconnecting portion  127 . The slip component  120  may further comprise more than one interconnecting portion  127 . For example, an interconnecting portion  127  may be disposed at each end of the one or more slits  124 , forming slot-like formations within the slip component  120 . Therefore, the slip component  120  may comprise an interconnecting portion  127  at the top of a slit  124  and at the bottom of the slit  124 , having the opening for the slit  124  disposed between the two interconnecting portions  127 . 
     Further, the slit elements  124  can extend from either end of the slip component  120 , and/or extend thru the inner cylindrical surface ( 121 ) with an axial cut that does not penetrate to the outer surface of the slip component  120 . 
     Further, in this view, the insert holes  128  are shown disposed throughout the outer surface of the slip component  120 . Moreover, although this embodiment only shows two slit elements  124 , there may be one slit  124  or more slits disposed around the circumference of the slip component  120 . 
     The slits  124  are formed to control breakage of the slip component  120  during expansion. Therefore, the depth, the length, the width, and any other characteristics of the slits  124  can be varied depending on the strength of the composite material used, the expected forces encountered during expansion, and other factors. As shown here, the slits  124  are formed on opposite sides of the cylindrical body  122  and extend from a distal end to almost a proximal end of the component  120  adjacent the push ring  105 . The slits  124  are defined completely through the thickness of the cylindrical body  122 , although this may not be strictly necessary. Additionally, more of the slit  124  may be formed on the outside of the body  122  than the inside so that the interconnecting portions  127  have a triangular cross-section as shown in  FIG. 3B . The interconnecting portions  127  may have many different shapes, but preferably has a similar triangular cross-sectional area). Overall, the slits  124  in this arrangement may be configured to control breakage at about 3,000 to 5,000 lbs. 
       FIG. 3D  is a detailed view of one of the insert holes  128  of the disclosed slip component  120 . As shown, the insert hole  128  is disposed within the outer surface of the slip component  120  at a depth D. As described above, the depth D may extend all the way through the outer surface of the slip component  120 , or may only extend partially through the slip component  120 . 
     Also, the insert hole  128  may be disposed within the outer surface of the slip component  120  at an angle θ. The purpose of disposing inserts  130  at an angle θ is so that when the plug  100  is activated and the slip component  120  is expanded outward and fractured into halves ( 125   a - b ) contacting the casing ( 12 ) of the bore, the inserts  130  within the slip component halves ( 125   a - b ) will engage the casing ( 12 ) at an angle to ensure maximum stability of the plug  100  as it is sealed within the casing ( 12 ). 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  schematically illustrate the disclosed slip component  120  in different engagements with the surrounding casing  12  during operation. Depending on the number of slits  124  and the arrangement of the slits  124  within the slip component  120 , there may be many different ways that the slip component  120 , or slip component halves ( 125   a - b ) may engage the casing  12 . 
     Referring first to  FIG. 4A , the slip component  120  is disposed within casing  12 . This end view of the casing  12  shows an example of how the slip component  120  engages the casing  12  after the slip component  120  has been compressed over the conical surface of its adjacent cone (e.g.,  106   a ). As shown, when the slip component  120  is compressed over the conical surface of the cone ( 106   a ), the outer surface of each slip component halve  125   a - b  will engage the casing  12 , causing inserts  130  to engage the casing  12 . 
     As previously described, this engagement of the inserts  130  within the casing  12  provides stability for the plug  100  while in the bore. Further, as can be seen in  FIG. 4A , it is possible that the slip component halves  125   a - b  may not fully engage the casing  12 . However,  FIG. 4A  shows that even if the slip component halves  125   a - b  do not fully engage the casing ( 12 ), the majority of the inserts  130  will still engage the casing  12 . However, there may be many different variations of the engagement of the slip component  120  inserts  130  with the casing  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , the slip component halves  125   a - b  have fully engaged the casing  12  after the slip component  120  has been compressed over its adjacent cone  106   a.  In this example, each of the inserts  130  have fully engaged the inner surface of the casing  12  in order to provide a flush connection with the casing  12 . As further shown in  FIG. 4B , the slip component  120  is fully fractured and expanded in order to provide adequate separation in order for the slip component halves  125   a - b  to fully engage the casing  12 . Again, as described above, after the slip component  120  has shifted over the conical surface ( 107   a ) of the adjacent cone ( 106   a ), the slip component  120  will fracture or separate at the slits  124 . 
     In the previous embodiment, only the uphole assembly  104   a  on the plug  100  included the disclosed slip component  120 . This is not strictly necessary as will be appreciated herein. For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates an elevational view of another plug  100  having two composite slip components  120  according to the present disclosure. As before, the plug  100  includes a mandrel  102  with the composite slip components  120  of the present disclosure disposed thereon. In this embodiment, the slip components  120  are disposed both at the upper end of plug  100  and at the lower end. In this embodiment, each of the slip components  120   a - b  also have slits  124  on either side. Also, the slip components  120   a - b  have insert holes  128  disposed around the surface as well as inserts  130  disposed within these holes  128 . 
     In operation, the composite slip components  120   a - b  will shift over the conical surfaces  107   a - b  of the adjacent cones  106   a - b  until the slip components  120   a - b  expand, fracture, and fully engage the casing ( 12 ). Further as shown in  FIG. 5 , the conical surfaces  107   a - b  may have either a smooth conical surface (e.g., as shown by surface  107   a ) or may a series of flat surface (e.g., as shown by cone  107   b ). Either way, conical surfaces  107   a - b  serve similar purposes, i.e., to allow the slip components  120   a - b  to transition smoothly, expand, fracture, and engage the inner surface of the casing  12 . Furthermore, as previously described, when plug  100  is actuated, the packing element  109  will expand and create a pressure seal within the casing  12 . 
     In previous embodiments, the slip component  120  includes at least two slits  124 , although other configurations are possible. For example,  FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate an end view, a cross-sectional view, and a perspective view of another composite slip component  120  according to the present disclosure. As described above, the slip component  120  has a cylindrical body  122  with multiple insert holes  128  defined within its outer surface on a portion of its inner cylindrical surface  121 . In this embodiment, it can be seen that slip component  120  only has one slit  124 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows a cross-sectional view of the slip component  120 . As shown in this view, the slip component  120  includes the ramp  126  on the inner cylindrical surface  121 . Functionality, the ramp  126  provides the slip component  120  an easier transition over the cones ( 106   a - b ) of plug ( 100 ). Further,  FIG. 6B  shows that the slip component  120  contains the insert holes  128  within the outer surface. The insert holes  128  can be disposed throughout the surface of the slip component  120  in a variety of different arrangements, depths, and or angles. Also, as described above, the insert holes  128  can have inserts ( 130 ) disposed within. 
     In reference to  FIG. 6D , the slip component  120  is shown expanded within the casing  12 , and has fully engaged the inner surface of the casing  12 . In this embodiment, the one slit  124  on the cylindrical body  122  has fractured, allowing the slip component  120  to completely expand within the casing  12 . As previously described, this is the result of the slip component  120  being compressed over the adjacent cone ( 106   a - b ) of plug  100 . As seen, the outer cylindrical surface of the body  122  has fully engaged the casing  12 , and each of the inserts  130  have been disposed against the casing  12 . 
     The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter. 
     In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.