Stackable Perforating Gun System for Extended Wellbore Reach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing perforating systems face limitations in wellbore perforation due to space constraints at the well site, which restrict the length of the perforating gun string and require multiple trips for longer wellbores, increasing operational time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for forming a perforating string by anchoring each perforating gun to the wellbore wall, allowing guns to be stacked and coupled sequentially, with a selectively deployable anchoring device and communication modules for efficient deployment and detonation of shaped charges, enabling longer perforating strings and reduced operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length of the perforating gun string is increased to perforate longer wellbores, then the ability to hydraulically connect earth formations is improved, but space constraints at the well site limit the length of the gun string
Solution Approach 1:
The perforating gun string is divided into multiple individual perforating guns that can be deployed sequentially. Each gun is lowered separately into the wellbore and anchored to the wellbore wall, allowing the system to achieve greater total length without requiring proportionally increased surface space for handling the entire string at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal stacking of guns at the surface to vertical stacking within the wellbore. By anchoring each gun to the wellbore wall and lowering subsequent guns into the wellbore, the system utilizes the vertical dimension of the wellbore to accommodate longer gun strings without increasing surface footprint.
2Loss of time
If the length of the perforating gun string is increased to reduce multiple trips, then operational time is reduced, but the complexity of handling and deploying longer strings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment process is segmented into discrete steps for each individual gun. Each gun is lowered, anchored to the wellbore wall, and then the next gun is deployed in sequence. This segmentation simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the deployment of a long string into manageable individual operations rather than handling the entire string as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore wall serves as an intermediary structure for anchoring each perforating gun during deployment. This anchoring mechanism provides a stable reference point and simplifies the deployment process by allowing each gun to be secured independently to the wellbore wall, reducing the complexity of coordinating deployment of multiple guns simultaneously.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple trips are used to deploy perforating guns due to space constraints, then space limitations are respected, but operational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves the space-time tradeoff by utilizing the vertical dimension of the wellbore. Instead of making multiple trips to the surface to deploy guns in segments, the system lowers multiple guns sequentially into the wellbore and anchors them to the wellbore wall, effectively stacking them vertically within the wellbore space. This allows longer gun strings to be deployed in a single operational sequence, improving productivity without requiring additional surface space.
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
Enables the formation of longer perforating strings that can be efficiently deployed and operated, reducing the need for multiple trips and enhancing the ability to hydraulically connect earth formations, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of wellbore perforation.
Implementation Method 1
Included with the perforating gun 6 are shaped charges 8 that typically include a housing, a liner, and a quantity of high explosive inserted between the liner and the housing. When the high explosive is detonated, the force of the detonation collapses the liner and ejects it from one end of the charge 8 at very high velocity in a pattern called a 'jet' 12.
Implementation Method 2
When the high explosive is detonated, the force of the detonation collapses the liner and ejects it from one end of the charge 8 at very high velocity
Implementation Method 3
an anchor can be added onto the perforating gun, so that by deploying the anchor from the perforating gun into contact with the wall of the wellbore the perforating gun is anchored in the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of perforating by stacking a perforating string within a wellbore, then deploying the perforating string to a designated depth for detonating shaped charges in the perforating string. The string can be formed by anchoring a single perforating gun in the wellbore, then landing subsequent guns on one another atop the anchored gun. Wet connects on the ends of the perforating guns enable mechanical engagement of each adjacent gun as well as signal communication through the connections.