| CPC E21B 23/0416 (2020.05) [E21B 31/18 (2013.01); E21B 33/1208 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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13. A method, comprising, conveying a plug into a wellbore on a conveyance, the plug including:
a base;
a plurality of arm bars pivotably attached to the base;
a set of expandable blades comprising at least two expandable blades and operatively coupled to and angularly interposing each pair of angularly adjacent arm bars of the plurality of arm bars;
an inflatable element attached to the base and engageable with the plurality of arm bars; and
an expandable seal mounted to the plurality of arm bars and each set of expandable blades,
inflating the inflatable element and thereby urging the plurality of arm bars to move from a stowed configuration toward an extended configuration;
transitioning each set of expandable blades from a stacked state to a fanned state as the plurality of arm bars move to the extended configuration;
radially expanding the expandable seal as the plurality of arm bars move to the extended configuration and each set of expandable blades transitions to the fanned state; and
sealingly engaging an inner wall of the wellbore with the expandable seal as the expandable seal radially expands.
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