Apparatus and Method for Quick Connect of a Plurality of Guns for Well Perforation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for use for gun assembly for perforating wells comprising a plurality of guns with shape charges aligned centrically. The apparatus allows easier and more reliable assembly on site with more secure connections. The apparatus provides for the conducting of electrical signals and pressure through the end caps while preventing debris from the blast of one gun from entering and damaging the electrical connections and components of the next gun. The end caps being interconnected physically and electrically by specialized intermediate subs or by utilization with industry standard intermediate subs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and P.C.T. Rule 4.10 from co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT / US2015 / 31047 filed in the U.S. Receiving Office, by Sergio F. Goyeneche, “Apparatus For Electromechanically Connecting A Plurality Of Guns For Well Perforation” filed 15 May 2015, which, by this statement, is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]This invention refers in general to an integral assembly (a “perf assembly”) of a plurality of perforating guns (“guns”) containing a plurality of shaped charges (“charges”). This perf assembly is used for perforation of wells to increase flow. This invention is particularly directed to a new coupling between a plurality of perf guns to allow faster and more reliable assembly and sequential firing of the guns during the perforation process of production wells.[0003]This process of well perforation...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes an improved design for perforating guns used in oil and gas wells. The design includes a more robust and reliable end cap for each gun, which allows for better assembly and operation. The end caps are designed to securely hold a pressure / diode switch, which simplifies the connection between guns in a perf assembly. The design also eliminates the need for a through hole in the bottom end cap, making it easier to properly wire and operate the guns. The use of a disposable short sub assembly simplifies the assembly process and reduces the risk of misfires. Overall, the improved design improves the reliability and safety of the perforating guns used in oil and gas wells.

Problems solved by technology

However, wires are often twisted, broken, or can pull loose during the assembly process during the act of screwing the subs together.

This results in the assembly having to be deconstructed and repaired.

Additionally, weakened wires may pass initial test during construction only to fail during the process of lowering the assembly to depth, or due to vibrations of early charges in the sequence.

Additionally, the manual assembly process, when rushed, may be prone to wiring mistakes and other human error.

This is because the explosion / pressure / debris from one gun's firing can possibly damage adjacent guns.

Wires can break or connectors can loosen during shockwave vibrations, or by blast force.

Addressable switches allow a damaged section to be skipped, but still result in unfired guns, which must be retrieved from the hole.

Unfired guns are highly undesirable, as they are hazardous to bring to the surface due to the dangers of handling explosives which are not known to be in a safe condition or state.

While this assembly process should be carefully completed and verified multiple times, it is just human nature to rush and possibly shortcut while performing this operation in the rain, cold weather, or other adverse conditions that are undesirable to the operator.

Hours are controlled by working against the clock and by penalizing setbacks; to that respect, it is absolutely necessary that the strictest safety norms be followed while handling explosive material; all of these factors together contribute to an increased likelihood that operators may commit errors while wiring or assembling the guns into a perf assembly to be introduced into the well.

Further, even if the operators do everything correctly, the actions required to connect the pipe sections that make up the perf assembly may still produce a costly mistake.

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