Reactive Shaped Charge Liner for Debris-Free Perforation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shaped charge liners in perforation tools often leave behind debris and residues that clog tunnels in subterranean formations, reducing the effectiveness of fluid flow and requiring deeper penetration to improve tunnel quality.

Innovation Solution

A shaped charge liner comprising a dense material concentrated in the middle and reactive materials in the apex and skirt areas, which react to heat and pressure to reduce slug mass and create a pressure differential for debris removal, promoting deeper penetration and tunnel cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional shaped charge liners are used in perforation tools, then the liners can be manufactured with simple materials, but they leave behind debris and residues that clog tunnels in subterranean formations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner manufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddebris and residues clogging tunnels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shaped charge liner uses a composite material consisting of a dense material (such as tungsten, tantalum, or depleted uranium) combined with a reactive material (such as thermite or other pyrotechnic compositions). This composite structure allows the liner to maintain manufacturing simplicity while eliminating debris clogging through the reactive material's ability to react and consume itself during perforation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The liner's material composition is changed by incorporating reactive materials that undergo chemical reactions during the perforation process. This parameter change in material properties enables the liner to transform from a passive structural component to an active participant that consumes itself through exothermic reactions, thereby preventing debris accumulation in the formed tunnels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the liner uses dense material to penetrate deeper, then tunnel penetration depth increases, but the mass of the slug remaining after perforation increases causing more clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetunnel penetration depthVSAvoidslug mass remaining after perforation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of dense material (which creates deep penetration but leaves heavy slug residue) into a benefit by combining it with reactive material. The reactive material undergoes exothermic reactions that consume the dense material and other components, transforming the potential harm of slug residue into a beneficial self-consuming process that maintains penetration depth while minimizing remaining mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The reactive material undergoes phase transitions and chemical reactions during the perforation process, transforming from a solid inert material to reactive states that consume energy and mass. This phase change enables the dense material to be utilized for penetration while being subsequently consumed through the reactive material's transformation, reducing the final slug mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Speed

If the liner is designed to create high velocity jet for penetration, then tunnel depth increases, but debris and fines are more likely to be generated and clog the tunnels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejet velocity for penetrationVSAvoiddebris and fines generated during perforation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reactive material continues the useful action of the high-velocity jet by maintaining the energetic process throughout the perforation event. The exothermic reactions provide continuous energy that sustains the jet's penetrating action while simultaneously consuming materials that would otherwise become debris, thereby maintaining high speed penetration while reducing harmful debris generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution enhances tunnel penetration and cleanliness by reducing the mass of the slug that remains after perforation, minimizing clogging, and using the energetic reaction to flush out debris, thereby improving fluid flow and reducing tunnel fouling.

Implementation Method 1

The reactive material reacts to heat and pressure to reduce slug mass and create a pressure differential for debris removal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

A shaped charge liner is provided. The shaped charge liner comprises a first material denser than 10 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc) and a reactive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShaped charge: Shaped Charge

Data Source

PatentUS9617194B2Shaped charge liner comprised of reactive materials

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A shaped charge liner comprises a powder, and the powder comprises a blend of particles. The particles comprise a core material, a first reactant material in intimate contact with the core material, and a second reactant material in intimate contact with the first reactant, where the core material has a density greater than 10 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc).