Modular Perforating Gun Storage Containers for Variable Tool Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The onshore oil and gas industry faces challenges in efficiently shipping, storing, and disposing of perforating gun assemblies and tool strings due to the limitations of current wooden transport boxes, which are often single-use, prone to damage, and difficult to standardize for varying gun lengths.
Innovation Solution
A modular storage container system comprising fixation panels with aligned openings to securely hold and transport tubular structures like perforating guns. This system allows for flexible configuration, easy assembly, and reusability, addressing the challenges of standardization and waste reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wooden transport boxes are used for perforating guns, then the guns can be transported, but the boxes are easily damaged during opening or handling and are difficult to standardize for different gun lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The transport box is divided into a reusable outer shell and removable internal components (dividers, cushions, lids) that can be configured for different gun lengths. This segmentation allows the durable shell to be retained while adapting the internal configuration to various perforating gun sizes, resolving the contradiction between durability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport box design incorporates universal features such as standardized opening mechanisms, consistent external dimensions, and configurable internal dividers that can accommodate multiple gun lengths (1-shot to 8-shot configurations). This multi-functionality allows a single box design to serve various purposes, achieving both durability through standardization and versatility through configurable internals.
2Ease of manufacture
If single-use wooden boxes are used, then manufacturing is simple, but disposal of excessive packaging creates waste problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention shifts from a disposable box model to a recoverable and reusable model. The durable transport box is designed to be returned to the manufacturer after use, where it can be inspected, maintained, and reused for subsequent shipments. This recovery system eliminates the need for continuous manufacturing of new boxes and prevents packaging waste, while the initial manufacturing remains relatively simple using materials like plastic or metal.
3Productivity
If pre-configured perforating gun assemblies are shipped, then operational efficiency improves, but shipping and receiving logistics become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Perforating gun assemblies are pre-configured and pre-assembled at the manufacturer's facility before shipping. This preliminary action ensures that the guns are ready for immediate deployment, improving operational efficiency at the wellsite. The transport box is designed to protect these pre-configured assemblies during shipping, and the standardized receiving process simplifies the logistics despite the complexity of the pre-assembled units.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for storage and/or transport of tubular structures, such as perforating guns for use in wellbores. Some embodiments relate to modular storage containers, for example which may be height adjustable depending on the length of the tubular structure to be held therein. Some embodiments relate to mobile storage banks, which may be configured for use with the modular storage containers. In some embodiments, the storage bank may further be configured with one or more longitudinal compartments configured to hold used tool strings or portions thereof.