Phased Perforating Gun for Deviated Wellbore Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforation systems in the oil and gas industry fail to minimize multiple fracture initiations, efficiently reduce tortuosity and energy loss, and achieve optimal fracturing in a preferred plane, leading to reduced oil and gas flow rates due to inefficient fracture extension and pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A system with a gun string assembly deploying shaped charge clusters angled to intersect at a preferred fracturing plane, utilizing a support strip and cylindrical barrel with precision cut slots to secure and orient shaped charges, ensuring they collide at a prescribed location outside the well casing, thereby initiating fractures radially and reducing tortuosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shaped charges are fired in conventional perforation systems, then perforations are created through casing and cement into the formation, but multiple fracture initiations occur causing increased tortuosity and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating perforations with specific angular orientations (e.g., 60-degree angles) at specific locations around the wellbore circumference. This selective angular positioning ensures that perforations align with the preferred fracture plane while minimizing tortuosity, thereby reducing energy loss and improving flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric charge placement and angular orientation rather than uniform distribution. By positioning charges at specific asymmetric angles relative to the wellbore axis and using different charge orientations (e.g., some charges at 60 degrees, others at different angles), the system optimizes fracture initiation in the preferred plane while minimizing unnecessary fracture paths that cause energy loss.
2Reliability
If multiple fracture planes are created by conventional charge orientation, then more perforations are made, but fracture extension efficiency decreases due to tortuosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating perforations with specific angular orientations (e.g., 60-degree angles) at specific locations around the wellbore circumference. This selective angular positioning ensures that perforations align with the preferred fracture plane while minimizing tortuosity, thereby reducing energy loss and improving flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of multiple fracture initiations into a benefit by strategically orienting charges so that while multiple perforations are created, they all converge on or align with the preferred fracture plane. This ensures that multiple fracture initiation points actually enhance rather than hinder fracture extension efficiency.
3Device complexity
If charges are oriented without precise angular control, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment with preferred fracture plane is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-orienting the shaped charges at specific angles (e.g., 60 degrees) relative to the wellbore axis before deployment. The charge holders and support structures are designed with built-in angular features that automatically position charges at the correct orientation, eliminating the need for complex active orientation mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the charge orientation function into separate modular components: charge holders with built-in angular features, support structures with positioning elements, and modular gun assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured with precise angular tolerances independently, achieving high alignment precision without requiring a complex integrated orientation system.
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 energy loss, and extends fractures efficiently in a preferred plane, enhancing oil and gas flow rates by focusing energy on the most productive fracturing paths.
Implementation Method 1
a gun string assembly positioned in an isolated zone in the wellbore casing comprising a plurality of upwardly oriented shaped charges (upward charges) and a plurality of downwardly oriented shaped charges (downward charges)
Implementation Method 2
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 3
the plural upward charges and the plural downward charges are configured to intersect in 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
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.