Phased Perforating Gun Shaped Charge Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforation systems in the oil and gas industry face inefficiencies due to multiple fracture initiations, tortuosity, energy loss, and limited extension of fractures, which reduce oil and gas production efficiency, as they fail to accurately orient shaped charges at a preferred fracturing plane and minimize pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A system with a gun string assembly that includes shaped charge clusters spaced and angled to intersect at a preferred fracturing plane, allowing fractures to initiate at the least principal stress location and connect radially, reducing tortuosity and increasing fracture length, using a perforating gun with internal swivel and precision-cut slots for secure charge placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shaped charges are placed at multiple orientations to create intersecting perforations, then cleaning of debris from perforated channels is improved, but multiple fracture initiations occur causing pressure loss and high tortuosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by orienting shaped charges at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the wellbore axis to create perforations that intersect at targeted locations. This selective angular orientation ensures that perforations are positioned to effectively clean debris while minimizing the creation of multiple fracture planes, thereby reducing pressure loss and tortuosity in the fracturing process.
2Productivity
If perforations are aligned along preferred fracture planes, then oil and gas flow efficiency is improved, but precise orientation control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-orienting the shaped charges at predetermined angles (such as 45 degrees) relative to the wellbore axis before deployment. This pre-planned angular configuration ensures that when the charges are fired, the resulting perforations will intersect and align with the preferred fracture planes, thereby optimizing hydrocarbon flow efficiency while maintaining precise orientation control through advance design.
3Productivity
If fracture extension is maximized, then production efficiency increases, but energy loss and tortuosity reduce the extent of fracture length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the orientation angle of shaped charges (e.g., setting at 45 degrees relative to wellbore axis) to optimize fracture propagation characteristics. This angular parameter adjustment ensures that fractures extend maximally along preferred planes with minimal tortuosity, thereby improving production efficiency while reducing energy loss during the fracturing process.
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 approach minimizes multiple fracture initiations, reduces tortuosity, and enhances oil and gas flow rates by focusing energy on a preferred fracturing plane, leading to longer fracture extensions and increased production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
These charges are loaded in a perforation gun and are typically shaped charges that produce an explosive formed penetrating jet in a chosen direction
Implementation Method 2
The perforating gun is then fired, creating holes through the casing and the cement and into the targeted rock
Data Source
AI summary
A limited entry perforating phased gun system and method for accurate perforation in a deviated/horizontal wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with shaped charge clusters. The charges are spaced and angled such that, when perforated, they intersect at a preferred fracturing plane. Upon fracturing, the fractures initiate at least principal stress location in a preferred fracturing plane perpendicular to the wellbore from an upward and downward location of the wellbore. Thereafter, the fractures connect radially about the wellbore in the preferred fracturing plane. The fracture treatment in the preferred fracturing plane creates minimal tortuosity paths for longer extension of fractures that enables efficient oil and gas flow rates during production.