Perforation Tool Shock Load Mitigation via Energy Train Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perforation tool assemblies in wellbore servicing experience failures due to shock load amplification from detonation of explosive charges, leading to separation, buckling, or sticking in the wellbore, resulting in costly and time-consuming retrieval operations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a perforation tool assembly design that mitigates shock load by offsetting the speed of shock wave propagation through the use of energy train modifications, such as extending the energy train path, incorporating energy absorbers, and decouplers, to reduce the amplitude of shock waves and distribute the energy more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional perforation tool assembly design is used, then perforation function is achieved, but shock load amplification causes tool assembly failure
Solution Approach 1:
Energy absorbers are incorporated into the energy train to cushion and absorb shock loads before they propagate through the tool assembly. These energy absorbers are positioned in advance to mitigate the harmful effects of detonation shock waves, preventing tool assembly failure while maintaining perforation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Decouplers are introduced as intermediary elements between different sections of the tool assembly to reduce the transmission of shock loads. These decouplers act as mediators that isolate vibrational and shock energy, preventing amplification while allowing the perforation function to proceed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If energy train path is extended to mitigate shock load, then shock load amplification is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy train is segmented into multiple sections with energy absorbers and decouplers positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation allows the energy train to be divided into functional zones that manage shock load propagation separately, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the energy train are modified by extending its path length and adjusting the positioning of energy absorbers. These parameter changes are optimized to achieve shock load mitigation with minimal increase in overall device complexity, balancing performance and simplicity.
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
This design effectively reduces shock load amplification, preventing tool assembly separation and buckling, thereby minimizing the risk of wellbore losses and reducing the need for expensive retrieval operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more explosive charges that may be selectively activated, the detonation of the explosive charges desirably piercing the casing and penetrating at least partly into the formation proximate to the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
analyzing a speed of propagation of a shock wave through a tool body of a perforation tool assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A perforation tool assembly is provided. The perforation tool assembly comprises an energy train, a first perforation gun, and a second perforation gun. The energy train comprises a moderator to reduce the speed of propagation of a detonation in a direction parallel to the axis of the perforation tool assembly. The first perforation gun comprises a plurality of explosive charges coupled to a first portion of the energy train. The second perforation gun comprises a plurality of explosive charges coupled to a second portion of the energy train, wherein the second portion of the energy train is coupled to the first portion of the energy train.