Modulated Fluidic Jetting Perforation for Wellbore Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore perforation methods, particularly those using explosives, cause excessive damage to casing, cement, and formations, leading to reduced well inflow and contamination, and lack the ability to create precise, oriented, and controlled perforations for efficient material recovery or injection.

Innovation Solution

A system with a modulated, throttled velocity of mechanical work that uses a fuel source with controlled mass flow and burn rate, combined with a perforating head and anchoring system, to create precise, oriented openings in wellbores with minimal collateral damage, allowing for adjustable energy application and debris-free perforations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high energy force applications (explosives) are used to perforate the formation, then penetration through casing and formation is achieved, but excessive damage to casing, cement, and formation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration capabilityVSAvoidcollateral damage to casing, cement, and formation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional explosive mechanical system with a fluidic jetting system that uses high-velocity fluid jets to erode and penetrate the formation. This substitution eliminates the shock wave and blast effects that cause collateral damage, while still achieving effective penetration through controlled fluid erosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs high-velocity fluid jets (hydraulic or pneumatic) to deliver energy to the formation. The fluidic jetting system uses pressurized fluid to create focused jets that erode the formation material, providing penetration capability without the harmful side effects of explosives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If mechanical drilling systems are used to create penetrations, then opening is achieved, but undercutting occurs requiring added time and deployments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration creation efficiencyVSAvoidperforation geometry control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical drilling with fluidic jetting, which erodes material through focused fluid impact rather than mechanical cutting. This allows for precise control of the erosion pattern and eliminates undercutting, as the fluid jets can be directed and controlled to create clean, accurate penetrations without requiring additional corrective operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If explosives are used for perforation, then penetration is achieved, but near-wellbore damage results in reduced wellbore inflow and contamination migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation effectivenessVSAvoidnear-wellbore damage reducing inflow and causing contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses high-velocity fluid jets to create penetrations without the blast effects that cause near-wellbore damage. The controlled fluid erosion process maintains formation integrity around the wellbore, preventing contamination migration and preserving formation permeability, thereby maintaining or improving wellbore inflow capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy delivery parameters from explosive shock waves to controlled fluid jet erosion. By adjusting fluid pressure, velocity, and jet configuration, the system achieves effective penetration while controlling the zone of influence to minimize formation damage and prevent contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system effectively minimizes damage to casing and formations while enabling precise, multi-planar, and oriented perforations, facilitating efficient material recovery and injection, and can be adapted to various wellbore conditions and orientations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one fuel source disposed in the body and having a characteristic that produces a selected mass flow rate, a selected burn rate, or combinations thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS9388684B2Modulated formation perforating apparatus and method for fluidic jetting, drilling services or other formation penetration requirements

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 ROBERTSON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES LLC

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods, for perforating a downhole object while minimizing collateral damage to other objects, include use of a perforating device having a body, at least one fuel source having a characteristic that produces a selected mass flow rate, a selected burn rate, or combinations thereof, and an initiator for reacting the fuel to project a force through at least one port in the body. Characteristics of the at least one fuel source can include use of differing fuel types, shapes, and placement to achieve the desired mass flow rate or burn rate, and thus, a controlled force from the apparatus. An anchor or similar orienting device can be used to control the direction and position from which the force exits the apparatus. Openings formed in downhole objects can include a chamfered profile for facilitating future orientation or for injecting or removing substances from a formation.