Perforating Fluid Shock Dampener for Wellbore Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing perforating tools cause excessive wellbore pressure changes during perforation operations, leading to issues like perforation tunnel collapse, excessive transient sand production, impaired perforations, and shock damage to downhole components due to the passage of pressure transients.

Innovation Solution

A dampening housing is integrated into the perforating tool, which acts as a pulsation dampener or accumulator to absorb fluid shock and mitigate pressure changes by using a tubular structure with a piston and pressurized gas, allowing the piston to traverse the chamber and absorb pressure fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional perforating tools are used to create perforations through detonation, then perforation effectiveness is achieved, but excessive wellbore pressure changes occur causing tunnel collapse and sand production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation effectivenessVSAvoidwellbore pressure changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dampening housing filled with compressible fluid is introduced as an intermediary between the perforating charges and the wellbore environment. The housing absorbs pressure transients generated during detonation, mediating the harmful pressure changes while allowing the perforation function to proceed effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dampening housing changes the pressure parameters in the wellbore by absorbing and attenuating pressure transients. This modifies the pressure profile from sharp, damaging peaks to smoother, controlled variations, resolving the contradiction between effective perforation and pressure stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If high explosive charges are detonated for perforation, then perforation penetration is achieved, but shock damage occurs to downhole components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation penetrationVSAvoidshock damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dampening housing is pre-filled with compressible fluid before deployment to provide cushioning against upcoming pressure shocks. This beforehand preparation allows the system to absorb and mitigate shock waves from detonation, protecting downhole components while maintaining perforation penetration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If traditional perforating operations are performed, then formation penetration is achieved, but transient sand production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation penetrationVSAvoidsand production

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dampening housing acts as an intermediary that filters and smooths pressure transients during the perforation process. By controlling the pressure environment, it prevents the excessive sand production that would otherwise occur during traditional high-intensity perforation operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12158060B1Perforating fluid shock dampener

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A dampening housing that may comprise a tubular structure, a chamber disposed within the tubular structure, and a first port disposed within the tubular structure about a first end of the chamber and providing fluid communication between the chamber to a wellbore. The dampening housing may further include a piston disposed within the chamber and configured to traverse the length of the chamber.