Wired Drill Pipe Perforation Depth Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforating gun assemblies in oil wells face limitations in length, weight, and control, particularly in deviated and horizontal wells, due to lack of real-time communication and electrical signals, leading to inaccurate depth placement and safety risks during perforation operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wired drill pipe telemetry system that enables bi-directional communication between the surface and downhole tools, allowing for real-time depth correlation, precise gun placement, and confirmation of perforation events through electrical signals and data transmission, using tools like the eFire firing head and GR/CCL measurement tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wireline cable is used to convey perforating gun assemblies, then real-time depth correlation and electrical signal transmission are improved, but the tensile rating limits the length and number of gun assemblies that can be conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The perforating system is divided into multiple gun assemblies that can be conveyed in segments along the wireline cable, allowing the total length to exceed the cable's tensile limitation while maintaining real-time communication through the segmented architecture
Solution Approach 2:
A reel mechanism acts as an intermediary between the surface control system and the downhole gun assemblies, enabling the transmission of electrical signals and depth correlation data through the cable while accommodating the weight and length constraints
2Length of moving object
If wireline cable strength is increased to accommodate longer gun strings, then the length and number of perforating gun assemblies can be increased, but the cost and complexity of the wireline system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireline system incorporates dynamic elements including a reel mechanism that can rotate and extend, allowing the gun string length to be adjusted during operation without requiring a complete system redesign or increased cable strength
3Ease of manufacture
If slickline is used to convey perforating gun assemblies, then low cost and small footprint are improved, but no communication with the surface is possible and depth correlation is less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the advantages of slickline (low cost, small footprint) with wireline capabilities by integrating electrical signal transmission and depth correlation tools into the perforating gun assembly, allowing both surface communication and economical deployment
4Productivity
If tubing is used to convey perforating gun assemblies for permanent completion, then the ability to flow the well immediately is improved, but real-time depth correlation and electrical signal transmission are lost
Solution Approach 1:
Depth correlation tools and electrical signal transmission capabilities are installed in the gun assemblies before deployment, allowing real-time depth correlation and communication to be established prior to the well flowing, enabling immediate production while maintaining measurement accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include methods and systems for perforating a well using a wired work string assembly. According to embodiments of the invention, the method includes positioning a wired work string assembly in a wellbore, the work string assembly comprising a plurality of wired pipe communicatively coupled at each joint, a depth correlation tool, and a perforating gun assembly. A depth of the perforating gun assembly is determined from a depth correlation tool positioned within the wellbore, and an electrical signal related to the depth of the perforating gun assembly is transmitted to a surface above the wellbore. Firing of the perforating gun assembly is initiated via a signal transmitted from the surface above the wellbore. An electrical signal from the wellbore is transmitted to the surface to confirming the firing of perforating gun assembly. The system includes various tools for perforating the well using the disclosed methods.