US RE50399

3.1. Patent RE50399 Summary**

• Title: Multi-stage hydraulic fracturing using composite frac plug and method
• Assignee: SHINE TONG INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (Taiwan)
• Inventors: TSAI, Wen-Lin (Kaohsiung, TW); HSU, Tzu-Chieh (Kaohsiung, TW); CHANG, Yu-Hsiang (Kaohsiung, TW)
• Filing Date: June 17, 2019
• Issue Date: August 27, 2024
• Abstract: The patent describes a multi-stage hydraulic fracturing method and a composite frac plug. The method involves deploying multiple composite frac plugs into a wellbore to isolate different fracturing sections. Each composite frac plug is designed with a metal casing, a sealing element, and slips. The plug is set to withstand high pressure during fracturing operations. After fracturing, a milling tool is used to remove the frac plug, allowing for fluid flow through the wellbore. The composite frac plug itself is characterized by its internal components that facilitate its setting and sealing within the wellbore, and its subsequent drillability.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. It involves:

  1. Drilling a wellbore into an underground formation.
  2. Inserting a first composite frac plug into the wellbore to a target depth, which is above a first zone to be fractured.
  3. Setting this first plug against the wellbore's inner wall to isolate the first zone.
  4. Performing hydraulic fracturing on the first zone.
  5. Inserting a second composite frac plug above a second zone and setting it.
  6. Performing hydraulic fracturing on the second zone.
  7. Repeating this process for additional zones.
  8. After fracturing is complete, removing all the frac plugs from the wellbore.
     The key here is the sequence of setting plugs, fracturing, and then removing the plugs for each stage.

• Independent Claim 9 (Apparatus Claim - Composite Frac Plug): This claim describes the composite frac plug itself. It comprises:

  1. A main body that includes an upper coupling, a lower coupling, and a middle connecting rod.
  2. At least one sealing element around the main body, made of a malleable material, designed to seal against the wellbore.
  3. At least one pair of slips positioned above and below the sealing element. These slips have inner teeth that engage the main body and outer teeth that grip the wellbore wall when the plug is set.
  4. A metal casing that encloses the sealing element and slips. The casing has a weak point (e.g., a perforated section or a reduced thickness) to allow it to deform or break when the plug is set, enabling the slips to expand and the sealing element to compress.
     The essence of this claim is the specific construction of the frac plug with its metal casing, sealing element, and slips, designed for efficient setting and later removal.

• Independent Claim 15 (Apparatus Claim - Composite Frac Plug with specific material): This claim is similar to Claim 9 but specifies that the slips are made of a composite material. This implies a focus on the drillability and breakdown of the slips during the removal process. The other components (main body, sealing element, metal casing with a weak point) are also present as in Claim 9.

Uncertainty Regarding CAFC Dockets:

I could not authoritatively determine from the provided search results whether US patent RE50399 is currently involved in any litigation within the CAFC 2026 dockets. While the search provided links to scheduled cases for May, June, and July 2026, I am unable to directly access and search the content of these PDF documents to confirm the presence or absence of RE50399. The general search for "RE50399 Federal Circuit 2026 dockets" did not yield specific results indicating active litigation for this patent number within the CAFC.US patent RE50399, titled "Multi-stage hydraulic fracturing using composite frac plug and method," was issued to SHINE TONG INDUSTRY CO., LTD. of Taiwan on August 27, 2024, from an application filed on June 17, 2019. The inventors are TSAI, Wen-Lin; HSU, Tzu-Chieh; and CHANG, Yu-Hsiang.

The patent describes a multi-stage hydraulic fracturing method and a composite frac plug designed for use in such operations. The abstract explains that the method involves deploying multiple composite frac plugs into a wellbore to isolate different fracturing sections. Each plug includes a metal casing, a sealing element, and slips, configured to withstand high pressure during fracturing. After fracturing, the frac plugs are removed using a milling tool.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim outlines a method for performing multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in an underground formation. The steps involve:

  1. Drilling a wellbore.
  2. Inserting and setting a first composite frac plug above a first target zone to isolate it.
  3. Performing hydraulic fracturing on this first isolated zone.
  4. Inserting and setting a second composite frac plug above a second target zone to isolate it.
  5. Performing hydraulic fracturing on this second isolated zone.
  6. Repeating these steps for any additional desired fracturing zones.
  7. Finally, removing all the frac plugs from the wellbore.

• Independent Claim 9 (Apparatus Claim - Composite Frac Plug): This claim describes the structure of the composite frac plug. It includes:

  1. A main body made of an upper coupling, a lower coupling, and a middle connecting rod.
  2. At least one deformable sealing element surrounding the main body, designed to create a seal against the wellbore wall.
  3. At least one pair of slips located above and below the sealing element, featuring inner teeth to engage the main body and outer teeth to grip the wellbore.
  4. A metal casing that surrounds the sealing element and slips, having a "weak point" (like perforations or a thinner section) that allows it to deform or break when the plug is set, thus enabling the slips to expand and the sealing element to compress.

• Independent Claim 15 (Apparatus Claim - Composite Frac Plug with specific material): This claim is similar to Claim 9 but specifies that the slips of the composite frac plug are made of a composite material. It retains the features of the main body, the sealing element, and the metal casing with a weak point, but emphasizes the material composition of the slips for potentially easier drill-out.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

I could not authoritatively confirm whether US patent RE50399 is presently involved in any litigation within the CAFC 2026 dockets. While links to the Federal Circuit's scheduled cases for May, June, and July 2026 were identified, I am unable to directly access and search the content of these PDF documents to ascertain the presence or absence of RE50399 in active cases. General searches for "RE50399 Federal Circuit 2026 dockets" did not yield specific results indicating ongoing litigation for this patent number.