Perforating Gun Propellant Container for Fissure-Forming Perforations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing perforating guns used in hydrocarbon wells create perforations with less permeable surfaces due to copper particles pushing and heating the rock, inhibiting the flow of liquids and gases.
Innovation Solution
A propellant container for a perforating gun that includes a cap structure housing propellant pieces with through-holes and a filler material, which combusts at a greater than linear rate, producing high pressure to break apart the rock and create fissures for enhanced fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If copper particles are used to perforate the rock, then the perforation is created, but the rock surface becomes less permeable due to pushing and heating
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant is divided into multiple separate pieces instead of a single continuous charge. This segmentation allows the propellant to burn in stages, controlling the pressure buildup and combustion rate. The multiple pieces ensure complete combustion of all propellant material, maximizing the generation of hot gas that can effectively open fissures in the rock without creating a sealed perforation tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and combustion characteristics of the propellant by using multiple separate pieces with varying sizes and shapes. This creates a more controlled and extended combustion process that generates hot gas over a longer duration, allowing the gas to penetrate and open rock fissures effectively while maintaining permeability rather than creating a sealed structure.
2Productivity
If propellant combustion rate is increased to break apart rock, then fissures are created, but pressure control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant is divided into multiple separate pieces that can burn at different rates and in different stages. This segmentation naturally regulates pressure buildup by distributing the combustion over time, preventing a sudden pressure spike while still generating enough hot gas to break rock and create fissures.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion of multiple propellant pieces creates a periodic or staged burning process rather than a single continuous burn. This periodic combustion pattern allows pressure to build gradually in waves, maintaining control over the pressure profile while still achieving effective rock fracturing and fissure creation.
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
The propellant container enhances the permeability of well perforations by creating a star pattern of fissures, facilitating the flow of hydrocarbons, and the filler material helps maintain pressure control and prop open the fissures for improved hydrocarbon recovery.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pieces of propellant positioned and secured within the cap... a rate of combustion of each piece of propellant increases at a greater than linear rate
Implementation Method 2
producing high pressure to break apart the rock and create fissures for enhanced fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
the filler material helps maintain pressure control and prop open the fissures
Data Source
AI summary
A propellant container for a perforating gun includes a lower cap, one or more pieces of propellant positioned within the lower cap, wherein at least one of the one or more pieces of propellant defines one or more through-holes, and an upper cap matable with the lower cap to secure the one or more pieces of propellant within the lower cap. A filler material is present within interstitial spaces between the one or more pieces of propellant.