Hydraulic Wellbore Perforation Assembly Without Explosive Charges
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of explosive perforating charges in wellbore completion for hydraulic fracturing is costly, time-consuming, hazardous, and generates waste, due to strict regulations and handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method and assembly utilizing hydraulic actuation means with a frac plug and perforating apparatus, eliminating the need for explosive charges by using hydraulic cylinders, fluid accumulators, and pumping means to set the frac plug and perforate wellbore casing, allowing for multiple operations without retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explosive perforating charges are used to perforate wellbore casing, then the casing can be perforated effectively, but the operation becomes hazardous, costly, and time-consuming due to strict regulations and waste generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the explosive mechanical system with a hydraulic mechanical system. Instead of using explosive charges that create shock waves to perforate casing, the invention uses hydraulic cylinders actuated by pumped fluid to mechanically push cutting elements through the casing, thereby eliminating hazardous explosives while achieving effective perforation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic actuation means comprising a fluid accumulator and pumping means to generate and control hydraulic pressure. The pumped fluid actsuates hydraulic cylinders that drive the perforating apparatus, providing a controlled, non-explosive method to achieve casing perforation while reducing harm and waste
2Productivity
If explosive charges and perf guns are used for plug and perf operations, then the operation can be completed, but the cost and time increase due to strict regulations on transportation and use of explosive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces explosive-based perforating systems with a hydraulic actuation system that can be deployed and activated on-demand. The hydraulic system eliminates the need for transporting, storing, and handling explosive materials, thereby reducing regulatory delays and accelerating operation completion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a fluid accumulator pre-filled with hydraulic fluid as part of the assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the assembly is deployed in the wellbore, the hydraulic system can be actuated immediately without requiring external fluid supply, reducing operation time and eliminating the need for complex surface pumping operations
3Reliability
If explosive charges are used for perforation, then the casing can be perforated, but the operation generates waste that must be disposed of or recycled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces explosive charges with a reusable hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic cylinders, perforating elements, and associated components can be retrieved, inspected, and reused for subsequent operations, eliminating the waste generation inherent in single-use explosive devices and reducing substance loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the perforating assembly components. Instead of discarding explosive charges and perf guns after single use, the hydraulic actuation means and perforating apparatus can be retrieved from the wellbore, refurbished if necessary, and deployed for additional plug and perf operations, thereby reducing waste and operational costs
4Device complexity
If a single perf gun is used for perforation, then the operation is simple, but the assembly must be retrieved to the surface for second and subsequent perforating operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the assembly with a reusable hydraulic actuation system that can perform multiple perforating operations without retrieval. The universal design allows the same assembly to be deployed at different wellbore positions and actuated repeatedly to create multiple perforations, eliminating the need for surface retrieval and reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly includes a fluid accumulator pre-loaded with hydraulic fluid and powered by an umbilical-connected power source. This preliminary preparation enables the assembly to perform multiple actuation cycles at different positions without requiring surface intervention, as all necessary fluids and power are self-contained or continuously supplied via umbilical
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
Reduces costs and complexity by enabling multiple perforations without explosive charges, ensures uniform fluid distribution, and allows for reusability, thereby minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fluid accumulator configured to store hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
pumping means arranged to pump said fluid into said at least one hydraulic cylinder to actuate said at least one hydraulic cylinder
Implementation Method 3
hydraulic actuation means comprising: at least one hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly (2) for use in completion of a wellbore to enable hydraulic fracturing to be conducted on the wellbore is described. Assembly (2) comprises hydraulic actuation means comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder (4) and at least one fluid accumulator (6) configured to store hydraulic fluid. Pumping means (8) is arranged to pump fluid into said at least one hydraulic cylinder (4) to actuate said at least one hydraulic cylinder (4). At least one hydraulic setting tool (10) is configured to set a frac plug (12) in a wellbore in response to actuation of said at least one hydraulic cylinder (4). Perforating apparatus (14) comprises at least one perforating element (16) moveable to an outwardly deployed condition to cut a perforation in a wellbore casing.