Wireless Perforating Gun Using Composite Fragmenting Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perforating guns for oil and gas wells require wireline conveyance and electric signals for operation, which are costly, labor-intensive, and disrupt continuous pumping processes.
Innovation Solution
A fragmenting perforating gun using a composite body with a trigger, detonator, and depth correlation device that can be deployed via pump pressure, eliminating the need for wireline conveyance and electric power, and fragments after detonation, allowing for continuous operation and easy disposal of debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireline conveyance and electric signals are used for perforating guns, then reliable firing control is achieved, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the wireline conveyance system and electric signaling components from the perforating gun system. The invention uses a self-contained depth correlation device and trigger mechanism that operates independently without external wireline connection, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining reliable firing control through automated depth-based triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforating gun is equipped with an integrated depth correlation device that automatically determines when to fire based on pre-programmed depth criteria. The system serves itself by autonomously correlating depth with trigger activation, eliminating the need for external wireline control and electric signals from surface equipment.
2Measurement precision
If wireline conveyance is used for perforating guns, then precise depth control is achieved, but operational continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous pumping operations by eliminating the need to stop for wireline conveyance and firing operations. The fragmenting perforating gun can be deployed continuously via pump pressure, and the depth correlation device ensures precise firing at predetermined depths without interrupting the overall operational workflow, thereby maintaining continuous productive action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline conveyance and electric firing system with a pump-pressure-driven deployment system and a self-contained depth correlation trigger system. This substitution allows the perforating gun to be deployed and fired without requiring wireline equipment, enabling continuous pumping operations while maintaining precise depth control through the depth correlation device.
3Strength
If steel hollow carrier guns are used, then structural strength is sufficient, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional steel hollow carrier guns with a composite structure consisting of a fabric-reinforced polymer matrix. This composite material provides sufficient structural strength to contain the explosive charge and withstand wellbore conditions while significantly reducing weight compared to steel. The fabric reinforcement provides tensile strength, and the polymer matrix binds the fibers together to create a lightweight yet strong carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable fragmenting perforating gun design where the carrier body is intended to be consumed or left in the wellbore after use. The composite fabric-reinforced polymer structure is designed to be sufficiently strong for the single-use application but lightweight and cost-effective compared to reusable steel carriers, eliminating the need for retrieval and reducing overall system cost.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guns are run in combination, then perforation coverage is improved, but equipment and personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the perforation task into multiple individual fragmenting perforating guns that can be deployed separately or in combination. Each gun is a self-contained unit with its own explosive charge and depth correlation device, allowing flexible deployment strategies. Multiple segmented guns can be run in combination to achieve comprehensive perforation coverage while simplifying equipment requirements compared to traditional multi-gun wireline systems.
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 continuous 24-hour pumping without interruption, reduces equipment and personnel needs, and is more cost-efficient, safer, and less risky for wellbore operations by using composite materials that fragment and can be easily dissolved or pumped into the formation.
Implementation Method 1
the depth correlation device is programed to activate the trigger at a certain pre-set variable
Implementation Method 2
the trigger activates the detonator, and in turn, the detonator cord and the explosive charge
Implementation Method 3
the explosive charge...creates a channel between the pay zone and the wellbore
Implementation Method 4
The gun fires and the charges will fragment once the perforation is made. All parts of the gun will be composed of composite materials that are either acid soluble, or small enough to be pumped through the perforations into the formation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for wirelessly perforating a wellbore casing. The apparatus includes a body, at least one explosive charge, a trigger, a depth correlation device, a detonator cord, and a detonator. The depth correlation device is programmed to send a signal to the trigger to ignite/fire the detonator, which ignites the detonator cord and explosive charges. The method utilizes the apparatus of the present invention to perforate a wellbore casing.