Explosive Assembly for Wellbore Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a quick and effective communication path between subterranean wellbores to control uncontrolled fluid flow and facilitate the diversion or plugging of fluids is challenging due to the need for a large flow area and precise orientation, which existing methods fail to address efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An explosive assembly is positioned in one wellbore, comprising an explosive device with multiple charges producing longitudinal shock waves that collide to create a laterally directed shock wave, focused by a circumferential shield to form a large flow path between wellbores, allowing for rapid fluid communication, with an optional orienting device for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to establish communication between wellbores, then the process is slower and less effective, but the equipment complexity and cost are lower
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive device is divided into multiple separate charges positioned at different locations within the assembly. Each charge can be independently controlled and detonated at different times, allowing the system to create the complex flow path geometry needed for rapid wellbore communication while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The explosive assembly is pre-positioned in the wellbore before detonation, with all charges and focusing mechanisms already in place. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex real-time assembly operations and allows rapid execution of the communication-establishing function when detonation occurs
2Area of stationary object
If a large flow area is created between wellbores, then fluid communication is more effective, but the precision of shock wave focusing becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the explosive assembly have different charge densities, positions, and detonation timing characteristics. The charges are locally optimized to create shock waves that converge at specific focal points, allowing the system to generate a large overall flow area while maintaining precise local focusing control through spatially varying charge properties
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple explosive charges are detonated in a sequential or coordinated periodic manner rather than simultaneously. This timed sequence allows each charge to contribute to the overall flow path creation while maintaining individual focus precision, as each detonation event can be precisely controlled and timed to work with the previous charges
3Measurement precision
If precise alignment of the explosive assembly is achieved, then the flow path orientation is more accurate, but the difficulty of positioning and orienting the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
An orienting device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the explosive assembly and the wellbore environment. This device provides mechanical means for aligning the assembly with the desired orientation and includes features for engagement with the wellbore structure, thereby achieving precise alignment without requiring complex manual positioning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The explosive assembly includes self-aligning features such as gravity-dependent orientation mechanisms or geometric constraints that automatically position the assembly in the correct orientation during deployment. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external positioning equipment and operations while achieving the required alignment precision
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 method enables rapid and controlled fluid communication between wellbores, providing a large flow area and ensuring accurate alignment, allowing for efficient diversion or plugging of fluids, with the ability to handle various wellbore configurations and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
an explosive device with multiple charges producing longitudinal shock waves that collide to create a laterally directed shock wave
Data Source
AI summary
A method of establishing fluid communication between wellbores can include forming a flow path from one wellbore to another wellbore, a flow area of the flow path increasing in a direction from the first wellbore toward the second wellbore. An explosive assembly for use in a well can include an explosive device having multiple explosive charges, the explosive charges producing longitudinal shock waves that collide with each other and result in a laterally directed shock wave, and a shield that focuses the laterally directed shock wave into a predetermined angular range of less than 360 degrees. A method of establishing fluid communication between wellbores can include forming a flow path from one wellbore to another wellbore, the flow path intersecting an uncased portion of the second wellbore.