Patent Description:
The invention relates to what is generally known as a completion, workover, stimulation, or intervention of subterranean wells. Specifically, this invention relates to flow control devices, plugs and packers, and installing/removing flow control devices, plugs and packers from a subterranean wellbore.

Packers, plugs, and flow control devices such as landing nipples are used to support well stimulation, well completion, well workover, and well intervention operations. In many horizontal or near horizontal downhole applications (e.g., shale fracking) a plug or other device must be placed in the horizontal wellbore section. In these exemplary applications, a plug performs two actions: (<NUM>) grip, and (<NUM>) seal. One way of performing these actions is with a system using slips and elastomers that are pushed towards the wellbore using a cone and compression system. These systems may not be reliable or are limited because of the possibility of the elastomers extruding during use and losing their ability to seal or even swabbing off the device during the installation.

Another way of performing one or both of these actions is stretching a solid metal tube with a cone or other device. In this context, stretching means the expanding of a solid tube (i.e., a tube that is not slotted) such that both the outer perimeter and inner perimeter of the solid tube are enlarged. These systems may not be reliable or are limited because a solid metal tube can only be stretched a certain amount before it no longer has the mechanical integrity to perform its function. This technology is generally known to the industry as solid expandable.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that seals and/or grips against the wellbore wall without requiring any materials to be stretched or losing its ability to seal.

Document <CIT> describes a downhole plug for use in oil and gas well completions which made of aluminum, dissolves in natural wellbore fluids, and has a dissolvable seal made of aluminum split rings or a degradable elastomer. The downhole plug has a backup pump out ring, and may be provided to the well site as an interchangeable parts kit for adaption to the well's requirements, to provide an interventionless plug in a well.

Document <CIT> describes a casing tension hanger. A wellhead housing supports a string of casing in tension by using a load ring. The load ring mounts to the exterior of a casing hanger which secures to the upper end of the string of casing. The load ring is split, resilient and outwardly biased. The load ring is retained retracted by fingers during the running of the casing. The running tool then releases the load ring to spring outward to support the load. The load ring has wickers on its exterior that mate with wickers in the interior of the bore.

Document <CIT> describes a borehole plug with spiral cut slip and integrated sealing element. A tapered mandrel is advanced into a spirally cut sleeve having a corresponding taper to the mandrel. The outer surface of the sleeve conforms to the surrounding borehole and features an exterior recess in which a sealing element is mounted. The sleeve diameter expands as the tapered mandrel is axially advanced. Axial cuts in the spiral sleeve further reduce the force needed for setting. A leading nose is provided for the uphole end of the sealing element to allow high treatment flow rate while the sealing element is protected from the erosive effects of high velocities.

Document <CIT> describes a back-up ring assembly for a wellbore packer that acts as an extrusion limiter for a packing element and engages the wellbore bore, also operating as a slip to anchor the packer in place. A wellbore packer includes a single structure that acts both to back up the extrusion of the packing element and to engage the wellbore wall. For example, the structure is a back-up ring that includes a gripping structure on its outer wall-contacting surface. The wellbore packer includes: a mandrel, a deformable packing element surrounding the mandrel and adapted to be radially expanded out from the mandrel, the deformable packing element including an end; a back-up ring surrounding the mandrel and positioned adjacent the end of the deformable packing element, the back-up ring having an inner facing annular surface and an outer facing annular surface defining an outer diameter across the back-up ring, the back-up ring being expandable to increase the outer diameter to expand out from the mandrel alongside the deformable packing element and the outer facing annular surface including a gripping structure for biting into a constraining surface in a well.

Embodiments of the invention allow for an apparatus, referred to as a roll-out apparatus, to be installed into a well tubular or open hole at a setting location. In one embodiment the roll-out apparatus includes a load ring that is rolled-out via an energizing ring. In the rolled-out position, the load ring may grip, seal, or both grip and seal to an inner surface of a well tubular or open hole creating a ledge in the wellbore. The ledge created by the roll-out apparatus may be used as seat for a ball or dart to create a diversion device, or to be used as a ledge to support the installation of downhole tools such as a pressure gauge.

Embodiments of the roll-out apparatus include a load ring having a generally tubular shape with at least one slot extending from the front face of the ring to the back face of the ring. The slot enables the load ring to roll-out or enlarge by bending, when energized on an inner surface of the load ring. The slot in the load ring follows a circuitous path and includes a first inner surface and a second inner surface that are configured to contact one another when the load ring is energized or enlarged. The load ring is further configured to contact an inner surface of the subterranean well at the setting location. This contact will result in a either a grip, a seal, or both a grip and seal. This interaction secures the roll-out apparatus in the subterranean well at the setting location.

To allow installation, the roll-out apparatus is typically run on a setting tool system, where the load ring and energizing ring is connected to the setting tool via a core, deployment device or system. The roll-out apparatus is first positioned on the deployment device. The system is then deployed into a wellbore and after the setting location is reached, the setting tool is activated causing the outer surface of the energizing ring to contact the inner surface of the load ring to enlarge the outer circumference of the load ring in a radial direction. This causes the load ring to contact an inside surface of the subterranean well at the setting location.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that seal or sealing means that if a ball, dart, or plug is attached to the roll-out apparatus, and pressure is applied on top of the roll-out apparatus with the ball, plug, or dart, the leak rate is sufficiently low to allow fluids to be diverted into the formation above the roll-out apparatus. In other words, a <NUM>% seal may be accomplished, but is not required to provide full functionality.

An advantage of the proposed method and apparatus is that it is a tubular ring that is enlarged by bending, to provide gripping and/or sealing to the inner surface of the subterranean well. The tubular ring includes a slot that enables the outer circumference of the load ring to enlarge in a radial direction thereby causing the outer surface of the load ring to contact an inner surface of the subterranean well at the setting location. The slot follows a circuitous path and includes a first inner surface and a second inner surface that are configured to contact one another when the load ring is energized or enlarged. Although the roll-out apparatus does not require additional parts to achieve its functionality, items such as a core, dart, plug, or ball may be incorporated with or after the installation, thereby interacting with the roll-out apparatus, creating additional functionality and possibly enhancing its grip and/or seal with the tubular wall. Thus, the roll-out apparatus may have profiles, shoulders or contours to interact with another device such as but not limited to: a ball, a dart, or a seal assembly.

The roll-out apparatus includes a load ring that may have a textured outer surface modified to enhance gripping and/or sealing to the wellbore walls. Such enhancements include, but are not limited to, particles such as silicon carbide (SiC) attached to the outer surface, which are harder than the material of the wellbore wall and/or the roll-out apparatus. Attachment of these particles may increase the friction force between the load ring and the subterranean well and can be accomplished using an epoxy or resin or other methods including, but not limited to: (<NUM>) sintering; (<NUM>) profiles machined or attached to the outer surface (the profiles may be treated to increase their hardness); and (<NUM>) sealing systems such as elastomers or thermo plastics bonded to the roll-out apparatus. The outer surface of the load ring may include at least one shoulder extending to or above the textured surface configured to engage the inner surface of the subterranean well. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different gripping and sealing systems or components exist and that these can be used on their own or in combination with each other. Even though the load ring's main purpose is to seal and grip, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the load ring may also be used for either gripping or sealing.

The roll-out apparatus and its other components can be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to: alloy steel, stainless steel, duplex steel, elastomers, thermo plastics, composites, degradable materials, dissolvable material, aluminum, or combinations thereof. As discussed, another device or system such as a ball or dart can be installed to interact with the roll-out apparatus to collectively form a plug and/or to further enhance conformance of the roll-out with the inner circumference of the wellbore and/or enhance the gripping/sealing capabilities or other properties, performance, or features. These other devices or systems may be installed during, with, or after the installation of the roll-out apparatus. Some of these devices or systems can be used to enhance the ease of installation of the roll-out apparatus.

Other enhancements to the roll-out apparatus may include but are not limited to a load ring assembly that includes two or more rings interlocked together. Each ring includes a slot extending from the front face of the ring to the back face of the ring. The circuitous path of the load ring assembly is formed by orienting the slot of one ring at a different angular orientation to the adjacent ring so that the slots of each ring do not overlap when the load ring is enlarged by the energizing ring.

The specification provides one embodiment of an apparatus configured to be deployed in a subterranean well at a setting location having a load ring and an energizing ring. The load ring includes an outer surface having an outer circumference, an inner surface, a central axis, and a wall having a wall thickness. The wall includes at least one slot extending through the entire wall thickness, and the slot follows a circuitous path from a front face of the load ring to a back face of the load ring. The slot has a first inner surface and a second inner surface, and a portion of the first inner surface and a portion of the second inner surface are configured to contact one another when the outer circumference of the load ring is enlarged;.

The energizing ring in this embodiment includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central axis. The outer surface of the energizing ring is configured to contact the inner surface of the load ring and to enlarge the outer circumference of the load ring in a radial direction. This causes the outer surface of the load ring to seal to an inner surface of the subterranean well at the setting location. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some cases and due to the high loads that the roll-out apparatus is subjected to, the apparatus may move or slip relative to the setting location. This movement or slipping is expected and normally not more than a few inches (<NUM> inch = <NUM>,<NUM>).

In this embodiment, the circuitous path of the slot may include a first portion that runs parallel to the central axis at the front face, a second portion that runs parallel to the central axis at the back face, and a third portion that runs perpendicular to the central axis at one or more locations between the front face and the back face. The circuitous path may also include at least one portion that is oriented at an angle to the central axis. In addition, the outer surface of the load ring may include a textured surface configured to engage and grip the inner surface of the subterranean well. The textured surface may also include a particulate configured to increase the friction force between the load ring and the subterranean well. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the load ring may include at least one shoulder extending to or above the textured surface to engage and grip the inner surface of the subterranean well.

In this embodiment, the inner surface of the load ring may include a convex surface relative to the central axis of the load ring, and the outer surface of the energizing ring may include a tapered surface relative to the central axis of the energizing ring. In another embodiment, the inner surface of the load ring may include a tapered surface relative to the central axis of the load ring, and the outer surface of the energizing ring may include a convex surface relative to the central axis of the energizing ring. In addition, the load ring, the energizing ring, or both the load ring and energizing ring may be made of a material that galvanically corrodes in a subterranean well. Similarly, the load ring, the energizing ring, or both the load ring and energizing ring may be made of a material that disintegrates or dissolves as a result of an interaction with a fluid in a subterranean well. The load ring, the energizing ring, or both the load ring and energizing ring may also include a composite material.

The load ring may be an assembly of two or more rings interlocked together. Each load ring may have a slot extending through the entire wall thickness from the front face of the ring to the back face of the ring. The circuitous path of the load ring may be formed by orienting the slot of at least one ring at a different angular orientation to the adjacent ring so that the slots of each ring do not overlap when the load ring is enlarged by the energizing ring.

According to another embodiment, the specification provides a method of installing an apparatus in a subterranean well. The method includes positioning a load ring and an energizing ring on a deployment device. The load ring includes an outer surface having an outer circumference, an inner surface, a central axis, and a wall having a wall thickness. The wall of the load ring includes at least one slot extending through the entire wall thickness, and the slot follows a circuitous path from the front face of the load ring to the back face of the load ring. The energizing ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central axis. The deployment device may include a pivot point configured to reduce the friction force between the deployment device and the inner surface of the subterranean well.

The method further includes inserting the deployment device and the ring into the subterranean well. The ring may be positioned on the deployment device in a first orientation that allows the ring and the deployment device to traverse the subterranean well. The method further includes delivering the deployment device, the load ring, and the energizing ring to a setting location in the subterranean well. Once at the setting location, the method includes activating the deployment device to move the outer surface of the energizing ring to contact the inner surface of the load ring to enlarge the outer circumference of the load ring in a radial direction. This causes the outer surface of the load ring to seal to an inner surface of the subterranean well at the setting location.

In this method, the circuitous path of the slot may include a first portion that runs parallel to the central axis at the front face, a second portion that runs parallel to the central axis at the back face, and a third portion that runs perpendicular to the central axis at one or more locations between the front face and the back face. The circuitous path may also include at least one portion that is oriented at an angle to the central axis. In addition, the outer surface of the load ring may include a textured surface configured to engage and grip the inner surface of the subterranean well. The textured surface may also include a particulate configured to increase the friction force between the load ring and the subterranean well. Alternatively, the outer surface of the load ring may include at least one shoulder extending to or above the textured surface to engage and grip the inner surface of the subterranean well.

In this method, the inner surface of the load ring may include a convex surface relative to the central axis of the load ring, and the outer surface of the energizing ring may include a tapered surface relative to the central axis of the energizing ring. Alternatively, the inner surface of the load ring may include a tapered surface relative to the central axis of the load ring, and the outer surface of the energizing ring may include a convex surface relative to the central axis of the energizing ring. In addition, the load ring, the energizing ring, or both the load ring and energizing ring may be made of a material that galvanically corrodes in a subterranean well. Similarly, the load ring, the energizing ring, or both the load ring and energizing ring may be made of a material that disintegrates or dissolves as a result of an interaction with a fluid in a subterranean well. The load ring, the energizing ring, or both the load ring and energizing ring may also include a composite material.

The load ring in this method may be an assembly of two or more rings interlocked together. Each load ring may have a slot extending through the entire wall thickness from the front face of the ring to the back face of the ring. The circuitous path of the load ring may be formed by orienting the slot of at least one ring at a different angular orientation to the adjacent ring so that the slots of each ring do not overlap when the load ring is enlarged by the energizing ring.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification are included to depict certain aspects of embodiments of the invention. A clearer impression of embodiments of the invention, and of the components and operation of systems provided with embodiments of the invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non- limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings, wherein identical reference numerals designate the same components. Note that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

This disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosure in detail. Skilled artisans should understand, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while disclosing preferred embodiments, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements within the scope of the underlying inventive concept(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates subterranean well <NUM> having wellbore <NUM> located in formation <NUM>. Subterranean well <NUM> includes downhole end <NUM> and uphole end <NUM>. <FIG> further illustrates roll-out apparatus <NUM>, which includes a load ring and energizing ring, installed or deployed in subterranean well <NUM>. Roll-out apparatus <NUM> is installed or deployed at setting location <NUM>. Wellbore <NUM> has inner diameter <NUM> that has inner surface <NUM> at setting location <NUM>. As will be discussed in more detail below, roll-out apparatus <NUM> is deployed from the surface of well <NUM> via a deployment device to setting location <NUM>. When roll-out apparatus <NUM> is at setting location <NUM>, roll-out apparatus <NUM> engages inner surface <NUM> by enlarging the outer circumference of a load ring. The load ring's outer circumference is enlarged by moving an energizing ring so that the outer surface of the energizing ring contacts the inner surface of the load ring. It is the enlarging of the load ring to the inner surface <NUM> of subterranean well <NUM> that engages roll-out apparatus <NUM> in subterranean well <NUM> at setting location <NUM>.

Setting location <NUM> may be at any location in subterranean well <NUM>, and roll-out apparatus <NUM> may be configured for the setting location based on the inner diameter or inner circumference of the subterranean well. One advantage of the invention is that roll-out apparatus <NUM> may operate in several types of wellbores. For example, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that roll-out apparatus <NUM> may also be set in sections of a wellbore that do not contain any tubulars. These sections are generally known to the industry as open hole. In this instance, roll-out apparatus <NUM> will interact with the exposed geological formation.

<FIG> illustrates a single roll-out apparatus deployed at a single setting location, however, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not limited to a single roll-out apparatus or a single setting location. Multiple roll-out apparatus may be deployed at one setting location and/or multiple roll-out apparatus may be deployed at multiple setting locations. Furthermore, a single roll-out apparatus may be adjusted and reconfigured to be deployed at a first setting location and then later uninstalled and possibly deployed at a second setting location. Roll-out apparatus <NUM> may be made of a material that galvanically corrodes in subterranean well <NUM> or made of a material that disintegrates or dissolves as a result of an interaction with a fluid in subterranean well <NUM>. Examples of these materials include but are not limited to: an Aluminum alloy that could dissolve through interaction with hydrochloric acid, degradable magnesium alloy, or composite material made with degradable elastomers that dissolve through interaction with water based fluids. Roll-out apparatus <NUM> may also be made of a composite material.

<FIG> illustrate views of an embodiment of load ring <NUM>. In this embodiment, load ring <NUM> is tubular in shape having a central axis <NUM>, outer surface <NUM>, and outer circumference <NUM>. The load ring also has front face <NUM> and back face <NUM>. The load ring has wall thickness <NUM> that is determined by outer surface <NUM> and inner surface <NUM>, with slot <NUM> extending through the entire wall thickness. Slot <NUM> follows a circuitous path <NUM> from front face <NUM> of the load ring to back face <NUM> of the load ring. Slot <NUM> further includes a first inner surface <NUM> and a second inner surface <NUM>. Load ring <NUM> is configured so that a portion <NUM> of the first inner surface <NUM> and a portion <NUM> of the second inner surface <NUM> are configured to contact one another when the outer circumference <NUM> of the load ring is enlarged.

In one embodiment, slot <NUM> includes first portion <NUM> that runs parallel to central axis <NUM> at front face <NUM>, second portion <NUM> that runs parallel to the central axis <NUM> at back face <NUM>, and third portion <NUM> that runs perpendicular to central axis <NUM> at one or more locations between front face <NUM> and back face <NUM>. Slot <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as having a rectangular shape, but the invention is not limited to this particular slot geometry and may include any functional shape, and by no means is limited to a rectangular shape, either in part or in whole. For example, <FIG> illustrate one possible alternative shape of slot <NUM>. In this embodiment, circuitous path <NUM> of slot <NUM> includes at least one portion <NUM> that is oriented at angle <NUM> to central axis <NUM>. Angle <NUM> may be any angle that enables the load ring to function.

Furthermore, <FIG> illustrate slot <NUM> as having straight or linear portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the invention is not limited to straight or linear portions and may include non-linear portions, in part or in whole. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that slot <NUM> may be formed using a number of manufacturing techniques and is not limited to any specific manufacturing technique. Slot <NUM> enables load ring <NUM> to roll-out or enlarge by bending when energized on inner surface <NUM> of the load ring. It should be noted that the bending aspect of the invention does not mean that the load ring will not experience plastic deformation. Indeed, the load ring may experience deformation. Instead, it only indicates that the load ring is not required to stretch.

As mentioned, load ring <NUM> includes an inner surface <NUM> that may include first portion <NUM>, second portion <NUM>, and third portion <NUM>. First portion <NUM> may include a chamfer and second portion <NUM> may include a flat portion <NUM>, which may facilitate positioning and maintaining load ring <NUM> on a deployment device. As will be discussed in more detail below, third portion <NUM> is the portion of inner surface <NUM> that is contacted by the energizing ring to enlarge circumference <NUM> in a radial direction thereby causing the outer surface of the load ring to contact an inner surface of the subterranean well at the setting location. Third portion <NUM> of inner surface <NUM> may include a non-linear shape relative to the central axis <NUM>. For example, third portion <NUM> may include a convex surface relative to central axis <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, third portion <NUM> may include a tapered surface relative to central axis <NUM>.

In these exemplary embodiments, wall thickness <NUM> decreases in third portion <NUM> when moving along central axis <NUM> from front face <NUM> to back face <NUM>. A person or ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not limited to a particular wall thickness. Similarly, a person or ordinary skill in the art would understand that third portion <NUM> is not limited to a particular shape and may include a combination of linear and non-linear shapes, or any shape that provides a contact surface or point for the energizing ring.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, outer surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM> may include textured surface <NUM> configured to engage the inside surface of the subterranean well. Textured surface <NUM> may enhance gripping and/or sealing to the wellbore walls. Such enhancements may include but are not limited to: (<NUM>) particles such as silicon carbide (SiC) attached to the outer surface, which are harder than the material of the wellbore wall and/or the roll-out. Attachment of these particles may increase the friction force between the load ring and the subterranean well and can be accomplished using an epoxy or resin or other methods including but not limited to: (<NUM>) sintering; (<NUM>) arc spray depositing systems, (<NUM>) profiles machined or attached to the outer surface (the profiles may be treated to increase their hardness); and (<NUM>) sealing systems such as elastomers or thermo plastics bonded to the roll-out. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the present invention is not limited to the textured surface described, and may include a number of different surfaces, including but not limited to, tooth, knurls, tapered surface or combination thereof. The textured surface is intended to increase the friction force between the load ring and the subterranean well, and the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

<FIG> illustrate load ring <NUM> when outer circumference <NUM> is enlarged via an energizing ring contacting inner surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM>. When this occurs, portion <NUM> of first inner surface <NUM> moves relative to portion <NUM> of second inner surface <NUM>, which results in portion <NUM> contacting portion <NUM>. This contact may provide a seal thereby closing slot <NUM> and circuitous path <NUM>. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that seal or sealing means that the leak rate is sufficiently low to allow fluids to be diverted into the formation above the roll-out apparatus. In other words, a <NUM>% seal maybe accomplished, but is not required to provide full functionality.

In addition, the illustrated embodiment includes a ramp shape for portion <NUM>. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that contact between portion <NUM> and <NUM> may be accomplished using a number of other shapes or configurations, and is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, slot <NUM> may be created by a shearing press resulting in a completely flat first inner surface <NUM> and second inner surface <NUM>, where the inner and outer surface maintain contact with each other during and after enlarging of the circumference.

<FIG> illustrate exemplary load ring <NUM> of <FIG> and energizing ring <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates energizing ring <NUM> coaxially aligned with load ring <NUM>, but not in contact with load ring <NUM>. Energizing ring <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM>, an inner surface <NUM>, and a central axis <NUM>. Outer surface <NUM> is configured to contact inner surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM> and to enlarge outer circumference <NUM> of the load ring in a radial direction. This contact may provide a seal between load ring <NUM> and energizing ring <NUM>. As discussed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that seal or sealing means the leak rate is sufficiently low to allow fluids to be diverted into the formation above the roll-out apparatus. In other words, a <NUM>% seal may be accomplished, but is not required to provide full functionality.

Outer surface <NUM> of energizing ring <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. First portion <NUM> may be a flat surface, and second portion <NUM> of outer surface <NUM> may include a tapered surface relative to central axis <NUM>. Tapered surface <NUM> is configured to contact third portion <NUM> of inner surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, second portion <NUM> may include a non-liner surface relative to central axis <NUM>. For example, second portion <NUM> may include a convex surface relative to central axis <NUM>. A person or ordinary skill in the art would understand that second portion <NUM> is not limited to a particular shape and may include a combination of linear and non-linear shapes, or any shape that provides a contact surface to engage inner surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM>.

Energizing ring <NUM> may also include slot <NUM> extending through wall thickness <NUM> of energizing ring <NUM>. As illustrated, slot <NUM> extends from front face <NUM> to back face <NUM> of energizing ring <NUM>. Slot <NUM> may be parallel with central axis <NUM>, or it may be oriented at angle <NUM> from central axis <NUM>. Moreover, single slot <NUM> is only one exemplary embodiment, and other embodiments of the invention may include one or more slots that do not extend the full length of outer surface <NUM>, but instead extend only a portion of the length of outer surface <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates energizing ring <NUM> engaged in load ring <NUM> to enlarge outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> in a radial direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, outer circumference <NUM> is enlarged when second portion <NUM> of energizing ring <NUM> contacts inner surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM>. When this occurs, portion <NUM> of first inner surface <NUM> of slot <NUM> moves relative to portion <NUM> of second inner surface <NUM> of slot <NUM>, which results in portion <NUM> coming into contact with portion <NUM>. This contact may provide a seal thereby closing slot <NUM> and circuitous path <NUM>. Furthermore, an increase in the size of outer circumference <NUM> is indicated by the increase in size of gap <NUM>. The further energizing ring <NUM> is advanced into load ring <NUM>, the larger outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> becomes, as indicated by an increase in the size of gap <NUM>. As illustrated and discussed above, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is enlarged by bending or is rolled open. This makes it easier to energize the load ring, which enhances the gripping and sealing of the load ring. This enhanced gripping and sealing is not only during the initial setting and deployment of the load ring, but may increase during the actual fracking or stimulation.

<FIG> are perspective views of the load ring <NUM> and energizing ring <NUM> inside tubular <NUM> located in wellbore <NUM>, which has a downhole end <NUM> and an uphole end <NUM>. Tubular <NUM> has an inner diameter <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrate a core <NUM> and ball <NUM> sealing on an internal profiles of the core. In <FIG>, energizing ring <NUM> is not energizing or significantly energizing load ring <NUM>. In other words, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is not enlarged or significantly enlarged, as indicated by the size of gap <NUM>. In addition, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is smaller than inner diameter <NUM> of tubular <NUM> leaving a gap <NUM>. This allows the load ring and energizing ring to traverse from uphole end <NUM> to downhole end <NUM>. Energizing ring <NUM>, load ring <NUM>, core <NUM>, and ball <NUM> may be installed using a deployment device not shown.

In <FIG>, energizing ring <NUM>, load ring <NUM>, core <NUM>, and ball <NUM> are shown at setting location <NUM>. The outer surface of energizing ring <NUM> is contacting the inner surface of load ring <NUM> to enlarge outer circumference <NUM> of the load ring in a radial direction thereby causing the outer surface of the load ring to contact an inner surface <NUM> of the subterranean well <NUM> at setting location <NUM>. This contact may provide a seal between inner surface <NUM> of tubular <NUM> and outer surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM>, as well a seal between load ring <NUM> and energizing ring <NUM>. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that seal or sealing means that the leak rate is sufficiently low to allow fluids to be diverted into the formation above the roll-out. In other words, a <NUM>% seal maybe accomplished, but is not required to provide full functionality.

The further energizing ring <NUM> is advanced into load ring <NUM>, the larger outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> becomes, as indicated by an increase in the size of gap <NUM>. As illustrated and discussed above, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is enlarged by bending or is rolled open. This makes it easier to energize the load ring, which enhances the gripping and sealing of the load ring. In this scenario, there is no longer gap <NUM> and the energized load ring <NUM> is engaged at setting location <NUM>.

<FIG> are perspective views of load ring assembly <NUM> that includes first ring <NUM>, second ring <NUM>, and third ring <NUM> interlocked together. Each ring having a slot <NUM> extending through the entire wall thickness <NUM> from front face <NUM> of the ring to back face <NUM> of the ring. The circuitous path of load ring assembly <NUM> is formed by orienting slot <NUM> of first ring <NUM> at a different angular orientation <NUM> to second ring <NUM> so that slots <NUM> of each ring do not overlap when the load ring assembly is enlarged by the energizing ring.

Each ring <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in load ring assembly <NUM> may be interlocked together using groove configuration <NUM>. Once the rings are interlocked, the groove configuration prevents detachment while still allowing for relative rotating and sliding such that the groove maintains a seal between the rings. To enhance sealing and/or sliding the groove may contain a grease or sealing compound. A person or ordinary skill in the art would understand that there are a number of ways to interlock ring <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Load ring assembly <NUM> includes an inner surface <NUM> that is contacted by the energizing ring to enlarge out circumference <NUM> in a radial direction thereby causing the outer surface of load ring assembly <NUM> to contact an inner surface of the subterranean well at the setting location. As with load ring <NUM>, inner surface <NUM> may include a non-linear shape relative to the central axis <NUM>. For example, inner surface <NUM> may include a convex surface relative to central axis <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, inner surface <NUM> may include a tapered surface relative to central axis <NUM>. In these exemplary embodiments, wall thickness <NUM> decreases when moving along central axis <NUM> from front face <NUM> to back face <NUM>. A person or ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not limited to a particular wall thickness. Similarly, a person or ordinary skill in the art would understand that inner surface <NUM> is not limited to a particular shape and may include a combination of linear and non-linear shapes, or any shape that provides a contact surface or point for the energizing ring.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective views of a load ring assembly <NUM> when outer circumference <NUM> is enlarged via an energizing ring contacting inner surface <NUM> of load ring assembly <NUM>. An increase in the size of outer circumference <NUM> is indicated by the increase in the size of gap <NUM>. The further the energizing ring is advanced into load ring assembly <NUM>, the larger outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> becomes, as indicated by an increase in the size of gap <NUM>. As illustrated and discussed above, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring assembly <NUM> is enlarged by bending or is rolled open. This makes it easier to energize the load ring assembly, which enhances the gripping and sealing of the load ring. This enhanced gripping and sealing is not only during the initial setting and deployment of the load ring, but may increase during the actual fracking or stimulation.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views of load ring <NUM> and energizing ring <NUM> inside tubular <NUM>, which has a downhole end <NUM> and an uphole end <NUM>. Tubular <NUM> also has inner diameter <NUM> and inner surface <NUM>. In <FIG>, energizing ring <NUM> is shown in a position where it not energizing or significantly energizing load ring <NUM>. In other words, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is smaller than inner diameter <NUM> of tubular <NUM> leaving a gap <NUM>, which allows the load ring and energizing ring to traverse from uphole end <NUM> to downhole end <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrate that outer surface <NUM> may include at least one shoulder extending to or above textured surface <NUM>. For example, shoulder <NUM> extends to or above textured surface <NUM>. In this embodiment, shoulder <NUM> includes a surface that engages inner surface <NUM> of tubular <NUM> to increase the friction force between the load ring <NUM> and tubular <NUM>. In <FIG>, energizing ring <NUM> and load ring <NUM> are shown at setting location <NUM>. The outer surface of energizing ring <NUM> is contacting the inner surface of load ring <NUM> to enlarge outer circumference <NUM> of the load ring in a radial direction thereby causing the outer surface of the load ring, including shoulder <NUM>, to contact inner surface <NUM> of tubular <NUM> at setting location <NUM>. This contact may provide a seal between inner surface <NUM> of tubular <NUM> and outer surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM>, as well as a seal between load ring <NUM> and energizing ring <NUM>. The further energizing ring <NUM> is advanced into load ring <NUM>, the larger outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> becomes, which further increases the friction force at shoulder <NUM>. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the present invention is not limited to the shoulder geometry or shape illustrated, and may include a number of different shapes or geometries. As discussed, including shoulders in outer surface <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is intended to increase the friction force between the load ring and the subterranean well.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional views of energizing ring <NUM>, load ring <NUM>, core <NUM>, and ball <NUM> are shown inside of tubular <NUM> positioned on deployment device <NUM>. Tubular <NUM> has inner diameter <NUM>, inner surface <NUM>, downhole end <NUM>, and uphole end <NUM>. As illustrated, energizing ring <NUM> is not significantly contacting or significantly energizing load ring <NUM>. In other words, outer circumference <NUM> of load ring <NUM> is smaller than inner diameter <NUM> of tubular <NUM> leaving a gap <NUM>, which allows the energizing ring <NUM>, load ring <NUM>, core <NUM>, ball <NUM>, and deployment device <NUM> to traverse from uphole end <NUM> to downhole end <NUM> in formation <NUM>.

The illustrated deployment device <NUM> is attached to a setting tool <NUM> and includes a setting sleeve <NUM>, a release mechanism <NUM> and a pivot point <NUM>. The shown deployment device is relatively common for the field of use, except for the addition of several pivot points. When one or more pivot points are touching the tubular wall, the energizing ring <NUM> and gauge ring <NUM> will be lifted by the weight of the setting tool <NUM> and/or other uphole connected devices such that the frictional contact of the energizing ring or gauge ring rubbing against the tubular wall is reduced. <FIG> shows the pivot points added to the circumference of the setting sleeve, but they may also be added to another part of the deployment device.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a pivot point illustrated in <FIG>. The pivot point may consist of a ball <NUM> and spring <NUM> mounted with mounting equipment <NUM> such that the ball and spring are contained. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pivot points may also be accomplished by simple rigid knobs. As discussed, pivot point <NUM> reduces the friction force between load ring <NUM>, energizing ring <NUM>, core <NUM>, deployment device <NUM> and tubular <NUM>. This reduces the wear on these components and makes them easier to install.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" or similar terminology means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment and may not necessarily be present in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" or similar terminology in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment may be able to be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, components, systems, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, product, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, product, article, or apparatus.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) configured to be deployed in a subterranean well (<NUM>) at a setting location (<NUM>), the apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a load ring (<NUM>) comprising an outer surface (<NUM>) having an outer circumference (<NUM>), an inner surface (<NUM>), a central axis (<NUM>), and a wall having a wall thickness (<NUM>), wherein the wall includes at least one slot (<NUM>) extending through the entire wall thickness (<NUM>), and the at least one slot (<NUM>) follows a circuitous path (<NUM>) from a front face (<NUM>) of the load ring (<NUM>) to a back face (<NUM>) of the load ring (<NUM>), the slot (<NUM>) having a first inner surface (<NUM>) and a second inner surface (<NUM>), wherein a portion (<NUM>) of the first inner surface (<NUM>) and a portion (<NUM>) of the second inner surface (<NUM>) are configured to contact one another when the outer circumference (<NUM>) of the load ring (<NUM>) is enlarged, providing a seal thereby closing the slot;
an energizing ring (<NUM>) having an outer surface (<NUM>), an inner surface (<NUM>), and a central axis (<NUM>), wherein the outer surface (<NUM>) of the energizing ring (<NUM>) is configured to contact the inner surface (<NUM>) of the load ring (<NUM>) and to enlarge the outer circumference (<NUM>) of the load ring (<NUM>) in a radial direction thereby causing the outer surface (<NUM>) of the load ring (<NUM>) to seal to an inner surface (<NUM>) of the subterranean well (<NUM>) at the setting location (<NUM>).