Perforating Gun Assembly with Tandem Sensor Package

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional perforating methods in cased-hole wells require multiple steps and significant time to determine fluid production areas and types, as they necessitate withdrawing the perforating gun and running a separate production logging tool downhole after perforation.

Innovation Solution

A perforating gun assembly equipped with sensors and an electronics package that measures flowrate and identifies fluid characteristics in real-time, allowing for immediate determination of production areas and fluid types without additional tools or steps, using a tandem with differential pressure and other sensors to transmit data to the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate production logging tool is run downhole after perforation to determine fluid production areas and types, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational time and process complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid production measurementVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the perforating gun with a production logging tool into an integrated assembly. The logging tool is positioned within the perforating gun, allowing both perforation and production logging functions to be performed by a single downhole device. This merging eliminates the need to withdraw the perforating gun and run a separate logging tool, thereby reducing operational time while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If a separate production logging tool is run downhole after perforation to determine fluid production areas and types, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and number of operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid production measurementVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the perforating gun and production logging tool into a single integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate devices and operations required. The logging tool is housed within the perforating gun structure, allowing both functions to be performed in one deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated assembly performs multiple functions: it conducts perforation operations and simultaneously performs production logging to determine fluid production areas and types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate operations, simplifying the overall process while maintaining measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the perforating gun is withdrawn from the borehole after perforation to run a logging tool, then measurement capability is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid production measurementVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The production logging tool is pre-positioned within the perforating gun before deployment. This allows the logging measurements to be taken immediately after perforation without requiring withdrawal of the device, enabling continuous operation and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables real-time monitoring of fluid production and types directly after perforation, reducing operational time and enhancing efficiency by integrating sensing capabilities within the perforating gun assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor package that is operable to determine a flowrate of formation fluid flowing around the tandem

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential pressure measurement: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a second sensor package that is operable to identify the formation fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid property sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS11506048B2Perforating gun assembly for use within a borehole

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A perforating gun assembly for use within a borehole. The perforating gun assembly may include a first perforating charge section, a second perforating charge section, and a tandem coupling the first perforating charge section to the second perforating charge section. The tandem may include a first sensor package that may be operable to determine a flowrate of formation fluid flowing around the tandem and a second sensor package that may be operable to identify the formation fluid.