Abstract: A slip element installable about a downhole tool apparatus for use in anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore. The slip element has at least one slip button made of a metallic-ceramic composite material comprising an effective percentage by weight of a preselected titanium compound. The composite makes the slip button resistant to chipping upon setting but has favorable drillability characteristics upon drilling the downhole tool from a wellbore. The slip element may include at least one slip element made of a non-metallic material such as a laminated nonmetallic composite material. Preferably at least one slip button is made of a metallic-ceramic composite material comprising less than about 75 percent by weight of titanium carbide having a density ranging between about 5 to 7 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the slip button is cylindrically shaped and is installed in at least one slip element at a preselected angle and extends outwardly at a preselected distance from a face of the slip element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus particularly suitable for tools having a center mandrel, a plurality of slip segments disposed in an initial position around the mandrel and requiring a retaining means for holding the slip segments in an initial position prior to setting the tool downhole. The subject retaining system is characterized by at least one frangible retaining band extending at least partially around the slips and at least one elastic O-ring extending at least partially around the slips. Preferably the retaining band is non-metallic and both the retaining band and the elastic O-ring reside in a common groove formed in the outer face of each slip. The groove further preferably has an L-shape due to an under cut in the groove to form a lip extending over the retaining band. Hardened inserts may be molded into the slips. The inserts may be metallic, such as hardened steel, or non-metallic, such as a ceramic material.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus and method for limiting the extrusion of packer element seals of packers and bridge plugs which utilize segmented packer retaining shoes when such tools are of larger diameters, or when used at elevated differential pressures or elevated temperatures. Preferably the segmented packer shoes incorporate a plurality of gap-bridging disks to limit if not eliminate unwanted extrusion of the packer elements upon setting of the tool. By making the packer element shoes and disks of non-metallic material, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment while providing enhanced high temperature and high pressure performance, especially in larger nominal outside diameter downhole tools.