Shaped Charge Liner with Thermite for Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perforation tunnels in hydrocarbon formations often become obstructed by debris from perforating jets, which degrades the formation's permeability and requires additional cleaning to enhance fluid communication between the reservoir and wellbore.
Innovation Solution
A shaped charge with a conical liner containing an energetic material, such as thermite, that generates a perforating jet and promotes an exothermic reaction to create a pressure wave, forcing debris out of the tunnel and potentially inducing thermal stress cracks in the rock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a shaped charge is used to create perforation tunnels, then fluid communication between reservoir and wellbore is enhanced, but debris obstructs the tunnels and degrades formation permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful debris and powder left in the perforation tunnel into a beneficial outcome by using them as fuel for an exothermic reaction. The thermite material in the liner reacts with the debris and powder, transforming these obstructions into a source of energy that generates a pressure wave to clear the tunnel and enhance permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter within the perforation tunnel by initiating an exothermic reaction that raises the temperature to extreme levels. This temperature change drives the chemical reaction between thermite and debris, ultimately creating a pressure wave that clears the tunnel.
2Productivity
If additional cleaning operations are performed to remove debris, then formation permeability is improved, but operational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate operations (perforation and cleaning) into a single integrated process. The shaped charge simultaneously creates the perforation tunnel and initiates the exothermic reaction that clears debris, eliminating the need for separate cleaning operations and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the cleaning action preliminarily within the perforation process itself. By incorporating the exothermic reaction into the initial perforation operation, the debris is cleared at the same time the tunnel is created, rather than requiring a subsequent separate cleaning step.
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
Effectively clears debris from perforation tunnels, increases formation permeability, and reduces the required fracture initiation pressure for subsequent fracturing operations by using a pressure wave generated from an exothermic reaction within the tunnel.
Implementation Method 1
The shaped charge includes a case, an explosive and a liner. The liner is adapted to form a perforating jet to form a perforation tunnel
Implementation Method 2
The liner is adapted to form a perforating jet to form a perforation tunnel and promote an exothermic reaction inside the tunnel
Implementation Method 3
The rapid rise in temperature due to the exothermic reaction may have other beneficial effects, such as inducing thermal stress-related cracks in the formation rock
Data Source
AI summary
A perforating apparatus that is usable with a well includes a shaped charge. The shaped charge includes a case, an explosive and a liner. The liner is adapted to form a perforation jet to form a perforation tunnel and promote an exothermic reaction inside the tunnel to create a pressure wave to force debris from the tunnel.