Ballistic Transfer Delay Device for Wellbore Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for perforating multiple zones in a wellbore require extended length bottomhole assemblies, increased time, and larger drilling units, and are prone to pressure drops affecting delay times, which can lead to inaccurate detonation and safety issues due to the use of hydraulic and pressure-activated systems.
Innovation Solution
A ballistic transfer delay device comprising a time delay fuse, a through-bulkhead initiator, and an output booster that is ballistically initiated and does not require a firing pin, hydraulic mechanism, or pressure activation, allowing for precise and safe perforation of multiple zones with reduced assembly length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic delay firing heads with pressure activation are used, then time delay can be achieved for multi-zone perforation, but pressure drops affect delay time accuracy and safety is compromised due to potential pressure leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure-activated system with a ballistic initiation system. The ballistic train uses mechanical impact from a firing pin to initiate the delay charge, eliminating the need for hydraulic pressure communication. This substitution removes the source of pressure leaks while maintaining reliable time delay functionality through the ballistic train mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic pressure activation mechanism from the delay firing head. By eliminating the hydraulic system entirely and using only ballistic initiation, the patent removes the harmful pressure leak pathway while preserving the essential time delay function through the ballistic train and delay charge combination.
2Productivity
If extended length bottomhole assemblies with blank spacer sections are used to perforate multiple zones, then multiple zones can be perforated in one trip, but assembly length and weight increase requiring larger drilling units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a compact ballistic train design that eliminates the need for extended mechanical spacer sections. The ballistic initiation system allows for a more compact BHA configuration while maintaining multi-zone perforation capability through sequential detonation of multiple gun sections using the same firing head.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes a single firing head universal for multiple gun sections by using the ballistic train to sequentially initiate different zones. Instead of requiring separate firing heads or extended spacers for each zone, the same firing head can detonate multiple gun sections in sequence through the ballistic delay mechanism, reducing overall assembly length.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic piston or firing pin mechanisms are used for initiation, then detonation can be triggered, but moving parts increase device complexity and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic piston mechanisms with a simpler ballistic firing pin system. The firing pin is directly actuated by the ballistic train without requiring hydraulic pressure, valves, or complex sealing mechanisms. This substitution maintains initiation capability while significantly reducing mechanical complexity and potential failure points.
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
Enables precise and safe perforation of multiple zones with reduced assembly length, eliminating the need for pressure activation and mechanical initiation, thereby improving safety and accuracy by using a ballistic transfer delay system that ensures consistent detonation timing without pressure communication.
Implementation Method 1
an output booster to ballistically transfer the energy from the initiated time delay fuse
Implementation Method 2
a time delay fuse, a through-bulkhead initiator to initiate the time delay fuse
Data Source
AI summary
A ballistic transfer delay device and method of use. The ballistic transfer delay device does not include a firing pin and it is not pressure initiated. The device comprises a time delay fuse, a through-bulkhead initiator to initiate the time delay fuse, and an output booster to ballistically transfer the energy from the initiated time delay fuse.