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What Is a Bridge Plug Setting Tool For?

The core mission of a bridge plug is to temporarily or permanently isolate a well interval inside the casing or tubing — separating the formations above and below to create conditions for staged fracturing, channel-leak control and plugging, and well abandonment. Whether a plug “sets securely and seals reliably” often depends less on the plug itself than on the setting tool that runs with it.

The setting tool does two jobs: first, it safely delivers the bridge plug to the designed depth; second, it applies a setting force so the plug completes two actions — “anchoring + sealing” — then releases from the plug and is pulled out of the hole. In short, the setting tool is the final push that turns a bridge plug from a run-in tool into an in-well barrier.

Structure of the Bridge Plug Body

1. Center tube — transfers the setting force and provides a subsequent flow passage.
2. Setting mechanism — takes the force from the setting tool and converts it into slip expansion and packing-element compression.
3. Slips — bite into the casing wall to provide axial anchoring and prevent the plug from moving.
4. Packing element — expands radially under compression to press against the casing and seal the annulus.
5. Release mechanism — releases the setting tool after setting, leaving the plug in the well.
6. Bottom plug — closes the lower passage of the plug to form a complete seal.

How the Three Types of Setting Tools Work

Mechanical setting tool: relies on the pipe string’s own weight, or on rotation/pressing during run-in or pull-out, to transmit mechanical force through the center tube to the setting mechanism, expanding the slips and compressing the packing element. Simple in structure, no hydraulic equipment required; suitable for conventional workover and staged operations.

Hydraulic setting tool: pressure is applied from surface down the tubing or drill pipe; hydraulic pressure drives the piston upward, converting the setting force into slip expansion and packing-element compression. One tool size can fit a range of casing sizes, and the setting load is easy to control precisely.

Wireline (electric-line) setting tool: the bridge plug is conveyed directly to the target depth by cable from surface, with no need to run or pull a pipe string; once in place it is set hydraulically and released. Especially suited to wells that are already perforated or where running pipe is not advisable — more efficient, used mainly abroad.

Five Steps of a Complete Setting Operation

1. Run in — the setting tool and bridge plug are made up and conveyed with the pipe string or cable to the designed depth.
2. Depth correlation — the setting depth is verified against well-log curves or pipe-string data to avoid interval error.
3. Set — mechanical or hydraulic force is applied and the setting mechanism starts to act.
4. Anchor and seal — the slips bite into the casing wall and the packing element compresses to form a seal.
5. Release — the setting tool is released and pulled out of the hole; the plug stays in place to complete the isolation.

Four Control Points for Setting Quality

• The slips must bite into the casing wall to a certain depth for reliable anchoring; in deformed or collapsed casing, the well should be drifted and scraped beforehand.
• The packing element must be compressed sufficiently; a one-piece element provides more uniform sealing than a segmented one.
• The setting load must be held to avoid premature pressure bleed-off that leaves the plug incompletely set.
• A one-piece slip design helps avoid obstruction mid-run and improves run-in success.

How to Choose a Setting Tool

• Conventional workover and staged operations: mechanical setting — economical and reliable.
• Multiple casing sizes and precise pressure control needed: hydraulic setting.
• Already perforated, or pipe running not advisable: wireline setting.
• If the plug will later be milled out: choose a drillable bridge plug with the matching setting tool; for long-term isolation: choose a permanent bridge plug.

Puyang Kerui Mechanical Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. supplies bridge plugs and matching selection plus field technical service for mechanical, hydraulic and wireline setting tools. If the on-site well conditions are special (deformed casing, high H2S, highly deviated wells, etc.), a standard model may not fit. Kerui has years of experience in custom downhole tools and can provide a targeted solution based on the actual wellbore geometry and operational requirements.

Recently, two Wells in the fourth zone of Wenliu Oil Production plant of Zhongyuan Oilfield of Sinopec successfully sealed the well using the integrated drilling uniform produced by Kerui. Highly praised by the user.

KR series integrated drillable bridge plugs are mainly used for temporary and permanent plugging of oil, gas and water layers. Specifically, it can be used in production well sealing channeling, water plugging, fracturing, acidification, testing and other construction. It has the characteristics of compact structure, small outside diameter, easy to drill and so on. Suitable for a variety of casing specifications.

KR series integrated drillable bridge plugs are currently available in 2 tools for 5 1/2 “and 7” casing, and other size tools can be customized.

KR series integrated drillable bridge plug has the following advantages: 1, the structure is short; 2, no special setting tool setting, easy milling and drilling; 3. The string can be set and squeezed in one trip; 4, ratchet lock ring to maintain the setting load, to ensure that the pressure changes can still be safely set; 5, integral rubber cylinder and smooth metal back ring to form a reliable sealing system; 6, emergency can be right-handed release; 7, high pressure capacity, can withstand 70MPa(10000psi) pressure difference; 8. The recommended use temperature of conventional rubber cylinder is within 138℃ (280℉), and the recommended use temperature of high temperature rubber cylinder is within 170℃ (340℉).