Perforating Gun Ballistic Interrupter for Reliable Detonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing perforating guns used in oil and gas completions operations lack an effective mechanism to ensure reliable detonation of perforating charges, leading to inconsistent well perforation and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a ballistic interrupter within the detonation housing of the perforating gun, which can be actuated between a disarmed and armed state, effectively controls the detonation sequence by blocking or allowing ballistic communication between the detonator and the detonating cord.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ballistic interrupter mechanism is added to control detonation, then reliability of perforation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic interrupter is nested within the detonation housing, with the interrupter positioned inside the housing that already contains the detonator and detonating cord. This nested arrangement allows the safety mechanism to be integrated into the existing structure without requiring separate external components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic interrupter acts as an intermediary component between the detonator and the detonating cord. It controls the transmission of the detonation impulse, allowing or blocking it based on the operational state. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable control over the detonation sequence while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ballistic communication is blocked for safety, then safety hazards are reduced, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic interrupter is designed to be movable between two positions: a safe position where it blocks ballistic communication and prevents premature detonation, and a operational position where it allows the detonation impulse to pass through. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between safety mode and operational mode, reducing safety hazards during handling while maintaining operational efficiency during actual perforation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A perforating gun used in oil and gas completions operations, the perforating gun including a ballistic interrupter actuable from a disarmed state or configuration, in which ballistic communication between a detonator and a detonation cord is impeded, to an armed state or configuration, in which ballistic communication between the detonator and the detonating cord is permitted. A gun string includes the perforating gun and one or more additional perforating guns substantially identical to the perforating gun.