Fluid-Driven Perforating Gun With Fragmenting Sleeve Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing perforating guns used in wellbores require time-consuming wireline operations for deployment and retrieval, which can be hindered by debris and are inefficient for horizontal sections.
Innovation Solution
A perforating gun design that allows deployment and retrieval using only fluid pressure, featuring a sleeve with a helical groove for rotation and a charge housing with sensors for controlled detonation, fragmenting into pieces for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireline operations are used for deployment and retrieval of perforating guns, then the guns can be deployed and retrieved, but the operations are time-consuming and can be hindered by debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fluid pressure (hydraulics) to deploy and retrieve the perforating gun. The gun is lowered into the wellbore using only fluid pressure, and the same fluid pressure is used to fragment the gun into pieces for easy removal. This eliminates the need for wireline operations, significantly reducing operational time and eliminating debris-related hindrances.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforating gun is designed to fragment into multiple pieces after use. The sleeve is configured to break apart when exposed to fluid pressure, transforming the single large component into several smaller fragments that can be easily removed from the wellbore without requiring time-consuming wireline operations.
2Ease of operation
If the perforating gun is designed to fragment into pieces, then retrieval is simplified, but the structural integrity during operation must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The perforating gun transitions from a static, intact structure during deployment and operation to a dynamic, fragmenting structure during retrieval. The sleeve maintains its structural integrity through the helical groove design during lowering, then dynamically responds to fluid pressure by fragmenting into pieces for easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical groove is pre-formed in the sleeve structure before deployment. This preliminary structural feature is designed to guide the fragmentation process when fluid pressure is applied, ensuring the gun breaks into manageable pieces at the appropriate time while maintaining strength during operation.
3Productivity
If the sleeve has a helical groove for rotation, then deployment is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical groove introduces a curved, three-dimensional feature to the otherwise simple cylindrical sleeve. This curved geometry enables rotation during deployment, improving deployment efficiency, while representing a relatively simple manufacturing feature that can be created through standard machining or forming processes.
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
Facilitates rapid and debris-free deployment and retrieval of perforating guns in wellbores, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
A helical groove is formed in an outer surface of the sleeve and the groove is configured to rotate the gun as the gun is carried into the horizontal section of the wellbore by fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
The gun is carried by fluid flow into a horizontal section of a wellbore
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of explosive charges are configured to be installed within the charge housing and the gun is configured to fragment into a plurality of pieces upon detonation of the explosive charges
Data Source
AI summary
A perforating gun for use in oil and gas operations. The gun is carried to a desired area of a wellbore using only fluid pressure. The gun comprises a charge housing disposed within a removable sleeve. The charge housing comprises a plurality of shaped charges in communication with one or more sensors. The sensors are programmed to initiate the detonation sequence of the shaped charges upon measuring set parameters. Upon detonation, the gun fragments into a plurality of pieces that may be washed away from the detonation site.