Angled Perforating Gun Charges for Proppant Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing perforation gun systems in the oil and gas industry face inefficiencies in proppant transport due to variations in hole diameters and penetration depths, leading to uneven proppant distribution across clusters, which affects the predictability and effectiveness of fracture stimulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a perforating gun system with angled charges and precision shaped charges to create angled perforation tunnels and optimize the geometry of perforation clusters, allowing for improved proppant transport efficiency by directing proppant particles more effectively into heel-ward clusters and reducing bridging in toe-ward clusters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional shaped charges are used to create perforations, then the perforation holes are formed with varying diameters and penetration depths, but this leads to uneven proppant distribution and reduces predictability of stage design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different charges with specific angles and orientations at different positions along the gun barrel. Each charge is locally optimized with its own angle (e.g., 45 degrees, 60 degrees) and orientation to create perforations with controlled diameters and penetration depths, thereby achieving consistent proppant distribution while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic local variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by using charges with non-uniform angular orientations rather than symmetric arrangements. The charges are angled at different degrees (e.g., combination of 45° and 60° angles) and oriented in specific directions to create asymmetric perforation patterns that optimize proppant flow distribution, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity through deliberate asymmetric design.
2Productivity
If high flow rate is used to transport proppant, then proppant particles experience inertial differences between heel-ward and toe-ward clusters, but this prevents proppant from entering heel-ward clusters effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating clusters with different charge configurations at different locations along the wellbore. Heel-ward clusters use charges angled to direct proppant flow toward the heel, while toe-ward clusters use differently angled charges. This local optimization ensures that proppant distribution remains uniform across all clusters even at high flow rates, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-configuring the charge angles and orientations before the fracturing operation. The charges are pre-set at specific angles (e.g., 45°, 60°) and orientations to create perforations that will guide proppant flow in the desired direction during the high-flow-rate fracturing process, ensuring reliable proppant distribution without requiring post-operation adjustments.
3Quantity of substance
If smaller hole diameters are used in traditional perforations, then fluid leaks into heel-ward perforations while proppant concentration increases, but this reduces proppant transport efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating clusters with different charge configurations at different locations along the wellbore. Heel-ward clusters use charges angled to direct proppant flow toward the heel, while toe-ward clusters use differently angled charges. This local optimization ensures that proppant distribution remains uniform across all clusters even at high flow rates, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-configuring the charge angles and orientations before the fracturing operation. The charges are pre-set at specific angles (e.g., 45°, 60°) and orientations to create perforations that will guide proppant flow in the desired direction during the high-flow-rate fracturing process, ensuring reliable proppant distribution without requiring post-operation 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
This approach enhances proppant transport efficiency by increasing the fraction of proppant entering heel-ward clusters, reducing fluid leakage, and maintaining consistent proppant distribution across clusters, thereby improving fracture conductivity and reducing the need for larger entrance hole diameters and explosive charges.
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
the perforating gun is then fired, creating holes through the casing and the cement and into the targeted rock
Implementation Method 3
Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that in some instances with high wellbore flow rate, proppant particle inertial difference heel to toe-ward clusters may be large, preventing thus reducing the rate at which proppant particles enter into the heel-ward clusters relative to the toe-ward end.
Implementation Method 4
fracturing slurry, a mixture of a fluid and proppant, is injected into the well casing and is dispersed through the perforations along the well casing
Implementation Method 5
at slow flow rates proppant settling occurs through perforations existing on the low side of a casing with respect to a gravitational vector
Data Source
AI summary
A perforating gun system with at least one gun. Each of the perforating guns have charges disposed in a gun carrier that are angled to the longitudinal axis of the gun to achieve a predetermined proppant transport profile into clusters within a stage in a well casing. The perforation tunnels may also have burrs on each side of the casing and acts in initially aiding proppant transport during fracture treatment. A method of tuning a cluster to achieve a desired fracturing treatment based on a feedback from another cluster includes selecting a hole diameter, a hole angle for creating an angled opening, a discharge coefficient, and a proppant efficiency. Moreover, a method of improving perforation charge efficiency.