Abstract: A well plug for use in a subterranean well can include a generally tubular mandrel, a seal element positioned on the mandrel, and a setting rod releasably secured relative to the mandrel by an annular shaped shear ring or a bonded sleeve. The setting rod is releasable for longitudinal displacement relative to the mandrel in response to a predetermined shear force applied to the shear ring or bonded sleeve. A method of setting a well plug in a subterranean well can include displacing a generally tubular mandrel with a setting rod relative to an outer housing of the well plug, outwardly extending a seal element of the well plug in response to the displacing, and shearing a releasable attachment securing the setting rod relative to the mandrel, the releasable attachment comprising an annular shaped shear ring, or a bond between a sleeve and a surface.

Abstract: A downhole tool with a radially expandable sealing element, such as a packer or plug. The sealing element employs metallic support rings disposed on the sealing element outer surface for preventing extrusion during run-in and for clamping the sealing element to the tool.

Abstract: A downhole tool with a radially expandable sealing element, such as a packer or plug. The sealing element employs metallic support rings disposed on the sealing element outer surface for preventing extrusion during run-in and for clamping the sealing element to the tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a well plug setting tool having a retrievable dog assembly, which replaces a mule shoe structure used in a state-of-the-art setting tool. The well plug setting tool according to the present disclosure reduces the amount of drillable or dissolvable material used for setting well plugs.

Abstract: A setting tool can include a hydraulic setting mechanism that actuates in response to a level of a pressure differential between a central flow passage and an exterior of the setting tool, and a check valve assembly that permits flow between sections of the central flow passage in one direction but prevents flow in an opposite direction. One of the sections is in fluid communication with an exterior of the setting tool. A method of setting a well tool can include deploying the well tool and a setting tool into a well, and applying a pressure differential across a check valve assembly of the setting tool, thereby setting the well tool. In the deploying step, the setting tool includes the check valve assembly.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for use in a tubular can include: a mandrel having a first end shoulder; a first slip disposed on the mandrel adjacent the first end shoulder and abutting against a mule shoe; a cone disposed on the mandrel adjacent the first slip and movable relative to the first end shoulder to engage the first slip toward the tubular; a seal element disposed on the mandrel adjacent the cone and being expandable outward from the mandrel; and wherein at least one component selected from the group consisting of the mandrel, the first slip, the cone, the seal element, and the mule shoe is a filler-doped degradable component that comprise a degradable material and a filler.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for use in a tubular can include: a mandrel having a first end shoulder; a first slip disposed on the mandrel adjacent the first end shoulder and abutting against a mule shoe; a cone disposed on the mandrel adjacent the first slip and movable relative to the first end shoulder to engage the first slip toward the tubular; a seal element disposed on the mandrel adjacent the cone and being expandable outward from the mandrel; and wherein at least one component selected from the group consisting of the mandrel, the first slip, the cone, the seal element, and the mule shoe is a filler-doped degradable component that comprise a degradable material and a filler.

Abstract: A well plug for use in a subterranean well can include a generally tubular mandrel, a seal element positioned on the mandrel, and a setting rod releasably secured relative to the mandrel by an annular shaped shear ring or a bonded sleeve. The setting rod is releasable for longitudinal displacement relative to the mandrel in response to a predetermined shear force applied to the shear ring or bonded sleeve. A method of setting a well plug in a subterranean well can include displacing a generally tubular mandrel with a setting rod relative to an outer housing of the well plug, outwardly extending a seal element of the well plug in response to the displacing, and shearing a releasable attachment securing the setting rod relative to the mandrel, the releasable attachment comprising an annular shaped shear ring, or a bond between a sleeve and a surface.

Abstract: A composite ball is formed with wound filament in a winding machine by winding the filament on a core, which can be permanent and form part of the finished ball. Alternatively, the core can be temporary. When winding is completed, the wound body is removed from the winding machine, an exterior of the wound body is finished, and the wound body is cured. When the core is permanent, at least a portion of the core is removed from the winding machine along with the wound body so any excess of the permanent core can be removed. The temporary core, however, is removed from the wound body, and the void is filled with filler material.

Abstract: A composite ball is formed with wound filament in a winding machine by winding the filament on a core, which can be permanent and form part of the finished ball. Alternatively, the core can be temporary. When winding is completed, the wound body is removed from the winding machine, an exterior of the wound body is finished, and the wound body is cured. When the core is permanent, at least a portion of the core is removed from the winding machine along with the wound body so any excess of the permanent core can be removed. The temporary core, however, is removed from the wound body, and the void is filled with filler material.