Degradable High Shock Impedance Material for Perforating Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforating systems for wellbores leave residual liner material in perforations, reducing efficiency and requiring costly and time-consuming removal operations, and existing technologies fail to provide efficient hydraulic communication between wellbores and earth formations.
Innovation Solution
A selectively corrodible perforating system using a powder compact with a cellular nanomatrix and dispersed particles, where the system components are designed to be corroded or dissolved by wellbore fluids, allowing for the removal of residual liner material and enhancing fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If metal liners are used in shaped charges to penetrate formation, then penetration depth and jet velocity are improved, but residual liner material is left in perforations reducing hydraulic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the liner from traditional metal to a biodegradable polymer composition with specific properties (density 0.9-1.2 g/cm³, tensile strength 2-10 MPa). This parameter change allows the liner to achieve sufficient jet velocity for penetration while enabling the residue to degrade naturally, eliminating the harmful residual material problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material composition for the liner including biodegradable polymers (30-70 wt%), plasticizers (10-40 wt%), and stabilizers (1-10 wt%). This composite approach combines the advantages of adequate mechanical strength for jet formation with biodegradability for residue removal, resolving the contradiction between penetration performance and residue elimination.
2Productivity
If traditional perforating systems are used, then initial hydraulic communication is achieved, but additional costly and time-consuming removal operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the liner material to automatically degrade and remove itself through natural biodegradation processes after serving its penetration function. The liner residue is broken down by microorganisms in the formation environment, eliminating the need for separate removal operations and reducing both time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing the liner material to be discarded through controlled biodegradation after its useful life. The breakdown products are recovered by natural environmental processes, converting the waste removal problem into a self-resolving process that eliminates additional operational requirements.
3Strength
If high density particle materials are dispersed in nanomatrix, then shock impedance and structural integrity are improved, but material complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous nanomatrix material with controlled pore structure to disperse high-density particles. The porous structure provides a framework that maintains structural integrity while accommodating the dense particles, achieving shock impedance enhancement without proportionally increasing overall material complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses relatively simple biodegradable polymer matrices rather than complex permanent structural materials. This approach accepts that the matrix will degrade over time, simplifying the initial material composition and manufacturing process while still achieving the required structural integrity during the operational period.
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 solution enables efficient hydraulic communication and increased productivity by removing residual liner material, facilitating unhindered fluid flow and simplifying the removal of perforating system components from the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
Degradable high shock impedance material
Implementation Method 2
a cellular nanomatrix comprising a nanomatrix material
Implementation Method 3
a bond layer extending throughout the cellular nanomatrix between the dispersed particles
Implementation Method 4
selectively corrodible powder compact
Implementation Method 5
designed to be corroded or dissolved by wellbore fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively corrodible powder compact that may be used to make the components of a selectively corrodible perforating system is disclosed. The selectively corrodible powder compact includes a cellular nanomatrix comprising a nanomatrix material. The selectively corrodible powder compact also includes a plurality of dispersed particles comprising a particle core material having a density of about 7.5 g/cm3 or more, dispersed in the cellular nanomatrix. The selectively corrodible powder compact further includes a bond layer extending throughout the cellular nanomatrix between the dispersed particles.