Method and apparatus for sealing and transfering force in a wellbore

Abstract

A wellbore is at least partially obstructed with a partition or obstruction member. A fluid slurry of an aggregate mixture of particulate matter is pumped into the wellbore adjacent the partition or obstruction member. The aggregate mixture of particulate material contains at least one component of particulate material, and each of the at least one particulate material components has an average discrete particle dimension different from that of the other particulate material components. Fluid pressure then is applied to the aggregate material and fluid is drained from the aggregate material through a fluid drainage passage in the partition or obstruction member. The fluid pressure and drainage of fluid from the aggregate mixture combined to compact the aggregate mixture into a substantially solid, load-bearing, force-transferring, substantially fluid-impermeable plug member, which seals a first wellbore region from fluid flow communication with a second wellbore region. The plug member is easily removed from the wellbore by directing a high-pressure fluid stream toward the plug member, thereby dissolving or disintegrating the particulate material of the plug member into a fluid slurry, which may be circulated out of or suctioned from the wellbore.