Phased Perforating Gun System for Fracture Plane Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well perforation technologies face inefficiencies due to multiple fracture initiations, high tortuosity, and energy loss, which reduce oil and gas flow rates and fracture length, as they fail to accurately orient shaped charges to intersect at a preferred fracturing plane, leading to suboptimal production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system with a gun string assembly that includes shaped charge clusters spaced and angled to intersect at a preferred fracturing plane, using an internal swivel mechanism to orient charges for radial fracture extension, minimizing tortuosity and energy loss, and increasing the number of fracturing zones with fewer perforations per cluster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shaped charges are oriented at 60°, 90°, or 120° phasing to create multiple fracture planes, then more fracture planes are created, but near wellbore friction increases and fracturing treatment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by orienting shaped charges at specific angles (30-60 degrees) relative to the wellbore axis to create fractures in a preferred plane. This localized angular orientation ensures that fracture initiation and propagation occur in the optimal direction for hydrocarbon flow, while avoiding the creation of multiple fracture planes that would increase near wellbore friction and complicate the fracturing treatment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple perforation holes are shot with 60°, 90°, or 120° phasing, then multiple fracture planes are created, but energy and pressure loss increase due to tortuosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular parameter of shaped charge orientation from conventional 60°, 90°, or 120° phasing to a specific 30-60 degree angle relative to the wellbore axis. This parameter change directs all perforation jets to intersect at a preferred fracturing plane, creating a single optimal fracture path that minimizes tortuosity and maximizes pressure efficiency, thereby reducing energy and pressure loss.
3Productivity
If more fracture zones are created with more perforations per cluster, then more fracture planes are created, but tortuosity increases and fracture length is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating shaped charges in specific angular orientations (30-60 degrees) rather than distributing them across multiple planes. This localized angular concentration ensures that all fractures initiate and propagate in the preferred plane, creating longer fracture lengths with minimal tortuosity, while avoiding the creation of multiple fracture zones that would reduce overall fracture length and increase complexity.
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 reduces tortuosity and energy loss, enabling longer fracture extensions and higher oil and gas flow rates by ensuring fractures initiate and propagate in the preferred plane, enhancing production efficiency and extending fracture length.
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
Implementation Method 3
There is also a need for a swivel/gimbal system to orient the charges in the desired direction to interest at the preferred fracturing plane
Data Source
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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.