Adjustable Perforating Gun Sections for Casing Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforating gun systems in the oil and gas industry face inefficiencies in achieving high percent casing removal in a single trip, leading to increased time and cost due to unpredictable hole size variations and overlapping perforations, especially when multiple trips are required to achieve adequate openings in well casings.
Innovation Solution
A perforating gun system comprising adjustable gun sections that can be offset relative to each other, allowing each section to be positioned and fired at the same interval, ensuring non-overlapping patterns and maximizing the area open to flow by minimizing the water gap through precise decentralization and spiral phasing of charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fixed-position perforating guns are used, then the gun system structure is simple, but the percent casing removal is insufficient and requires multiple trips
Solution Approach 1:
The gun system is divided into multiple adjustable gun sections that can be independently positioned and offset relative to each other. Each section can be dec independently to create non-overlapping perforation patterns, maximizing casing removal in a single trip without requiring multiple runs.
Solution Approach 2:
The gun sections are designed with adjustable and movable connections that allow dynamic repositioning of each section relative to the others. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt the perforation pattern to achieve optimal casing removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Productivity
If multiple trips are made to achieve adequate casing removal, then the percent casing removal is sufficient, but the operational time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the gun system into multiple adjustable sections that can create non-overlapping perforation patterns in a single deployment, the system achieves adequate casing removal in one trip, eliminating the need for multiple trips and reducing operational time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple gun sections with different angular offsets into a single deployable unit, merging their perforation capabilities to achieve comprehensive casing removal in one operation rather than requiring separate trips for each section.
3Productivity
If gun sections are fixed in position, then the system is easier to operate, but the perforation pattern overlaps and reduces effective casing removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the gun into multiple sections with predetermined angular offsets that create non-overlapping perforation patterns. This segmentation allows each section to target different circumferential areas of the casing, maximizing effective removal without requiring complex real-time positioning during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular offsets between gun sections are predetermined and configured before deployment. This preliminary configuration ensures non-overlapping perforation patterns without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation, maintaining ease of use while achieving effective casing removal.
4Productivity
If the water gap is not minimized, then the gun system is easier to deploy, but the hole size varies unpredictably and casing removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements localized decentralization features at each gun section that enable independent positioning to minimize the water gap between the gun and casing. This local optimization ensures consistent hole sizes and effective casing removal without requiring complex system-wide adjustments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves higher percent casing removal, such as 2.5% or greater in a single trip, reducing operational time and costs by ensuring consistent and optimized perforation patterns across the well casing, thereby enhancing fluid flow and plug-and-abandonment operations.
Implementation Method 1
These charges are loaded in a perforation gun and are typically 'shaped charges' that produce an explosively formed penetrating jet that is propelled in a chosen direction, when detonated
Implementation Method 2
When a charge in a perforating gun system is detonated and the well perforated, entrance holes are created in the well casing and explosives create a jet that penetrates into the hydrocarbon formation
Data Source
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AI summary
A perforating gun system having gun sections coupled together with adapters. Each of the gun sections are adjustable to be offset relative to one another and each gun section is also decentralized with respect to the inside diameter of the wellbore casing. Each of the gun sections are movable in succession to an interval in the wellbore casing to create perforations such that the percentage of the casing openings is large for substantial fluid flow. The alignment and diameters of the gun sections are chosen to occupy the entire inner diameter of the casing.