Soluble Liner Shaped Charge for Wellbore Perforation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Perforating tunnel residues from shaped charges in wellbore operations can impede fluid injection and production, as the charge liner residue can compact and alter the flow field, increasing injection pressures and reducing well performance.

Innovation Solution

A shaped charge with a liner made of soluble materials, such as powdered metals, that dissolves in acids or fluids like fracturing or completions fluids, allowing for the removal of residues from the perforation tunnel, thereby enhancing fluid flow and reducing operational challenges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional shaped charge liner is used in perforation operations, then the perforation tunnel is formed effectively, but charge liner residue remains in the tunnel causing increased injection pressures and reduced fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flowVSAvoidcharge liner residue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liner material composition is changed from traditional non-soluble materials to soluble materials that can dissolve in acidizing or fracturing fluids. This parameter change allows the liner to perform its structural function during perforation and then dissolve afterward, eliminating residue that would otherwise impede fluid flow and reduce productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful residue that traditionally remains after perforation is converted into a beneficial dissolving process. The soluble liner material reacts with the injected acidizing or fracturing fluids, transforming from a harmful obstruction into a temporary structural element that safely degrades, improving subsequent fluid flow and well performance

Inventive Principle:

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

2Object-generated harmful factors

If soluble liner material is used in the shaped charge, then charge liner residue is removed from the perforation tunnel, but the liner must be soluble with acidizing or fracturing fluids which limits material selection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge liner residueVSAvoidliner material compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The liner material is specifically selected and formulated to be soluble in acidizing or fracturing fluids. This parameter change in material composition enables the liner to dissolve after perforation, removing harmful residue while maintaining compatibility with the chemical environment of acidizing or fracturing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If charge liner residue remains in the perforation tunnel, then the perforation structure is maintained, but injection pressures increase and pumping power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation structureVSAvoidpumping power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is designed to dissolve automatically when contacted by acidizing or fracturing fluids, performing the residue removal action preliminarily before it can cause significant harm. This eliminates the need for additional mechanical removal operations and reduces the pumping power required for subsequent fluid injection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harmful effect of liner residue blocking the tunnel is converted into a beneficial self-dissolving process. The liner material is chosen to react with the injected fluids, transforming from a permanent obstruction into a temporary structure that safely degrades, reducing pumping power requirements

Inventive Principle:

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

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 effectively removes charge liner residues, improving injection efficiency and reducing pumping power requirements, leading to optimized well performance and productivity.

Implementation Method 1

the liner comprises a material soluble (or otherwise reactive) with a fluid, wherein the fluid is one of the following: an acid or acidizing matrix, a fracturing fluid, or a completions fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

detonating the shaped charge to form a perforation tunnel in a formation zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentUS7909115B2Method for perforating utilizing a shaped charge in acidizing operations

Publication Date: 2011.03.22 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A shaped charge includes: a charge case; an explosive disposed inside the charge case; and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner is fabricated from a material soluble with a selected dissolving fluid (e.g., an acid, an acid matrix, an injection fluid, a completion fluid, and/or a wellbore fluid). A method for perforating in a well includes the steps of: disposing a perforating gun in the well, wherein the perforating gun comprises a shaped charge having a charge case, an explosive disposed inside the charge case, and a liner for retaining the explosive in the charge case, wherein the liner is fabricated from a material soluble with a selected dissolving fluid; detonating the shaped charge to form a perforation tunnel in a formation zone; and exposing the material comprising the liner to the selected dissolving fluid.