Abstract: A plunger for oil and gas wells includes a shaft and a sleeve carried by the shaft. The sleeve defines a passageway located between a surface of the sleeve and a portion of the shaft, and the sleeve is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa. In the first configuration the plunger inhibits fluid flow through the passageway, and in the second configuration the plunger permits fluid flow through the passageway. The plunger further includes a force dissipating element interposed between the shaft and the sleeve. The force dissipating element at least partially dissipates forces caused by at least one of (1) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the first configuration to the second configuration; and (2) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the second configuration to the first configuration.

Abstract: A plunger for oil and gas wells includes a shaft and a sleeve carried by the shaft. The sleeve defines a passageway located between a surface of the sleeve and a portion of the shaft, and the sleeve is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa. In the first configuration the plunger inhibits fluid flow through the passageway, and in the second configuration the plunger permits fluid flow through the passageway. The plunger further includes a force dissipating element interposed between the shaft and the sleeve. The force dissipating element at least partially dissipates forces caused by at least one of (1) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the first configuration to the second configuration; and (2) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the second configuration to the first configuration.

Abstract: A slip assembly for a downhole tool, such as a composite plug, has a slip body and at least one insert. The slip body has an incline at one end that interfaces with an inclined surface of a cone. As this occurs, the slip body is pushed away from the tool's mandrel against a surrounding casing wall. The insert is disposed in the slip body with the axis of the insert angled away from the cone. In particular, the insert's axis is preferably angled normal to the slip body's incline and the inclined surface of the cone.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The uphole assembly has inserts composed of ceramic material, and the downhole assembly has inserts composed of a metallic material. When the tool is used as a bridge plug, the uphole assembly supports the sealing element compressed, and the downhole assembly supports fluid pressure downhole of the tool. In one particular embodiment, the metallic material is a powdered metal material, such as a sintered-hardened powdered metal steel having a balance of iron, an admixture of carbon, and alloy components of molybdenum, chromium, and manganese.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The uphole assembly has inserts composed of ceramic material, and the downhole assembly has inserts composed of a metallic material. When the tool is used as a bridge plug, the uphole assembly supports the sealing element compressed, and the downhole assembly supports fluid pressure downhole of the tool. In one particular embodiment, the metallic material is a powdered metal material, such as a sintered-hardened powdered metal steel having a balance of iron, an admixture of carbon, and alloy components of molybdenum, chromium, and manganese.

Abstract: A slip assembly for a downhole tool, such as a composite plug, has a slip body and at least one insert. The slip body has an incline at one end that interfaces with an inclined surface of a cone. As this occurs, the slip body is pushed away from the tool's mandrel against a surrounding casing wall. The insert is disposed in the slip body with the axis of the insert angled away from the cone. In particular, the insert's axis is preferably angled normal to the slip body's incline and the inclined surface of the cone.