Electrically Actuated Explosives for Controlled Downhole Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore servicing methods, particularly hydraulic fracturing and explosive fracturing, face challenges such as high costs, complexity, safety concerns due to volatile explosives, and inefficiencies in creating and controlling fractures and perforations for hydrocarbon extraction and well maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrically actuated, excited, or ignited charge carriers with electrically ignitable and controllable explosive materials (EIECEM) to create controlled perforations and fractures, reducing unintended explosions and enhancing safety and control over the perforation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional volatile explosives (pure nitroglycerin) are used for fracturing, then fracturing effectiveness is achieved, but safety risks increase due to shock sensitivity, static electricity sensitivity, and heat sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the explosive material from traditional volatile nitroglycerin to electrically ignitable compositions with controlled sensitivity. The new explosive composition includes oxidizer, fuel, and binder in specific ratios, creating a material that is insensitive to shock, static electricity, and heat but can be reliably ignited by electrical stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical ignition methods (which rely on physical impact or friction) with electrical ignition. The explosive is designed to be ignited by electrical discharge through electrodes, eliminating the need for mechanical detonators and reducing sensitivity to mechanical shocks and static electricity.
2Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to stimulate production, then hydrocarbon flow is improved, but equipment complexity and cost increase due to requirement for enormous downhole hydraulic pressures exceeding 10,000 p.s.i.
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex hydraulic pressure generation system with a simpler explosive fracturing system. Instead of requiring surface equipment to generate and pump 10,000+ p.s.i. hydraulic pressure, the invention uses downhole explosive charges that directly create fractures through controlled detonation, eliminating the need for high-pressure pumping equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses controlled periodic explosive actions to create and extend fractures. Multiple explosive charges can be detonated in sequence or simultaneously at different locations, creating a network of fractures that stimulate hydrocarbon flow without requiring continuous high-pressure fluid injection.
3Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to create fractures, then production stimulation is achieved, but process duration increases due to the lengthy nature of the fracturing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rapid sequential detonation of multiple explosive charges to quickly create and extend fractures. The periodic explosive actions occur in rapid succession, completing the fracturing process in minutes rather than the hours or days required by hydraulic fracturing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The explosive charges are pre-positioned in the wellbore at desired locations before detonation. This preliminary placement eliminates the need for complex real-time positioning equipment and allows for rapid execution of the fracturing operation once detonation begins.
4Ease of manufacture
If explosive liquids are pumped into formation pores for fracturing, then fracture creation is achieved, but safety risks and cost increase due to sensitivity to shock, static electricity, heat and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and chemical composition of the explosive material from liquid explosive solutions to solid or semi-solid electrically ignitable compositions. The new material formulation includes oxidizer, fuel, and binder components that create a stable, insensitive explosive that can be safely handled and stored but ignites reliably when electrical current is applied.
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 allows for safer, more controlled, and efficient creation of fractures and perforations, minimizing damage and maximizing the effectiveness of hydrocarbon extraction and well maintenance operations by using stable, electrically actuated explosives that can be reignited multiple times.
Implementation Method 1
electrically ignitable and controllable explosive materials (EIECEM) to create controlled perforations and fractures
Implementation Method 2
igniting the EIECEM of each shaped charge causes an explosion of the EIECEM
Data Source
AI summary
Electrically ignitable and electrically controllable explosive material (EIECEM) may be disposed within a shaped charge for deployment downhole. An explosion of the EIECEM is controlled by limiting the duration of excitation at the EIECEM, for example, the duration that an electrical source provides an electrical charge, electrical current or electrical signal. The shaped charge may be insulated from an electrical source to prevent explosion of the EIECEM and coupled to the electrical source to create ignite or explode the EIECEM. A plurality of shaped charges may be disposed downhole and may be ignited or exploded in any suitable order. The EIECEM may be ignited multiple times such that multiple explosions are created. The explosion of the EIECEM creates or extends a perforation or fracture in a formation. The shaped charges may be excited in a predetermined sequence and for a predetermined duration of time.