DOWNHOLE PERFORATION TOOL

Abstract

A downhole perforation drone includes a body comprising a material configured to dissolve over time. The body includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes one or more sensors to determine a depth and position of the drone within a wellbore, a communications system configured to exchange wireless signals with a surface device, a perforation charge circuit to cause perforation charges to ignite, and a microcontroller to perform operations, including causing the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges. The second portion includes a plurality of perforation charges, the plurality of perforation charges to ignite upon receiving an instruction from the perforation charge circuit. The microcontroller can determine the position of the drone within the wellbore from sensor information and automatically instruct the perforation charges to ignite based on the position of the downhole perforation drone within the wellbore.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure pertains to a downhole perforation tool, and more particularly, a downhole perforation tool that can travel through an oil or gas wellbore.

BACKGROUND

In the oil industry, perforation jobs are performed across the pay zone to create a flow path from the formation into the wellbore. Perforation jobs can be performed using downhole tools that include a perforation gun or similar type of tool. A perforating gun is used to create openings in casings used in oil and gas well drilling. These guns generally hold several explosive-shaped charges to create the type of openings called for in opening different types and sizes of casings.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a downhole perforation drone (DPD) that includes a perforation gun and can travel through an oil or gas wellbore to the desired depth and establish the communication between the formation zone and the wellbore by creating a flow path through the wellbore for oil and/or gas production. The DPD can be self-travelling to the required depth without the use of Slickline or Coiled Tubing or other well intervention techniques for conveying the perforating guns. Other advantages include the ability to selectively perforate the thin formations that could not be conducted by conventional methods, while also reducing manpower utilization and reducing surface footprint.

Aspects of the embodiments are directed to a downhole perforation drone that includes a body including a material configured to dissolve over time, the body including a first portion with one or more sensors, the one or more sensors to determine a depth and position of the downhole perforation drone within a wellbore, a communications system configured to send wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from a surface device, a perforation charge circuit to cause perforation charges to discharge, and a microcontroller to perform operations, the operations including causing the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges. A second portion includes a plurality of perforation charges, the plurality of perforation charges to ignite upon receiving an instruction from the perforation charge circuit.

Some embodiments include a microcontroller to determine that a depth of the downhole perforation drone corresponds to a depth of a target perforation area of the wellbore, and cause the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller can automatically cause the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges upon the determination that the downhole perforation drone has reached the depth of the target perforation area.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller can send, by the communications system, a wireless signal to the surface indicating that the depth of the downhole perforation drone corresponds to the depth of a target perforation area of the wellbore; receive, by the communications system, a wireless signal an instruction to ignite the charges; and cause the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges based on receiving the instruction.

Some embodiments include extendable support structures actuated upon instruction from the microcontroller to support the downhole perforation drone in place in the wellbore.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller can retract the extendable support structures after the perforation charges are ignited.

In some embodiments, the one or more sensors include one or more of a gyroscope, a gamma ray detector, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensors.

Some embodiments include a hook loop rigidly affixed to a distal end of the body.

In some embodiments, the body includes poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV).

In some embodiments, the body includes an aluminum alloy.

Aspects of the embodiments include a method of perforating a wellbore, the method including traversing a wellbore by a downhole perforation drone, the downhole perforation drone comprising one or more sensors, perforation charge circuitry, and a plurality of perforation charges; determining, by the one or more sensors, that the downhole perforation drone has reached a target position in the wellbore; extending a plurality of support structures to secure the downhole perforation drone in place in the wellbore; igniting, by the perforation charge circuitry, the plurality of perforation charges; retracting the plurality of support structures; and causing the downhole perforation drone to reside at a rat hole in the wellbore.

Some embodiments include determining that the wellbore was perforated by comparing a pressure at depth with a surface pressure.

Some embodiments include sending a wireless communications signal from the downhole perforation drone to the surface indicating that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target position in the wellbore; receiving a wireless communications signal from the surface instructing the downhole perforation drone to ignite the plurality perforation charges; and causing, by the perforation charge circuitry, the plurality of perforation charges to ignite.

Some embodiments include automatically igniting the plurality of perforation charges based on the determination that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target position in the wellbore.

In some embodiments, determining, by the one or more sensors, that the downhole perforation drone has reached a target position in the wellbore includes comparing sensor information from the one or more sensors against reference values stored in memory.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the Detailed Description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the Detailed Description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example perforation drone according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2E are schematic diagrams illustrating example downhole operation of a perforation drone in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram for operating a perforation drone in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system used to provide computational functionalities associated with described algorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures as described in the present disclosure, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. Drawings are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes techniques for creating downhole perforations using a perforation drone. Various modifications, alterations, and permutations of the disclosed implementations can be made and will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined may be applied to other implementations and applications, without departing from scope of the disclosure. In some instances, details unnecessary to obtain an understanding of the described subject matter may be omitted so as to not obscure one or more described implementations with unnecessary detail and inasmuch as such details are within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the described or illustrated implementations, but to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the described principles and features.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example perforation drone 100 according to some implementations of the present disclosure. In the oil industry, perforation jobs are performed across the pay zone to create a flow path from the formation into the wellbore. The productivity of the wells can be affected by the success of perforation jobs. Perforations in the wellbore are performed using downhole tools, such as downhole perforation guns. Perforation guns can be conveyed from the surface to the desired depth using different well intervention techniques, such as wireline, E-line and Coil tubing. This disclosure describes a Downhole Perforation Drone (DPD) 100, which is a device that provides the leverage to perforate across the target depth with the routine well intervention methods. DPD 100 equipped with a perforation gun and can travel through an oil or gas well to the desired depth without the need of wireline or coil tubing.

The DPD 100 can fall down to the rat hole after executing the perforation job. The debris will be dissolved within some period of time since the drone will be made from biodegradable materials. Some advantages from the new drone is to some advantages includes save time from retrieving the drone to the service after completing the perforation job and avoid any possibility of stuck for retrieving the drone to the surface.

FIG. 1 shows a DPD 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The DPD is designed to fit the completion of an oil/gas well with the variety of sizes starting from 1¾″ radius. The body of the DPD 100 can be made of dissolvable material. In embodiments, the body of the DPD 100 can dissolve at the bottom of the wellbore, e.g., resting in the rat hole. The body of the DPD 100 can be constructed from dissolvable aluminum alloys. The body of the DPD 100 can be constructed using certain dissolvable materials, including PHBV (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)) bio-composites). The design of the DPD 100 using the cheaper dissolvable materials described above can eliminate cost of POOH and the risk of the DPD 100 being stuck downhole and requiring removal via fish-hook.

The DPD 100 includes multiple sections. In a first section 102, various electronic components can be securely housed. For the example, the DPD 100 includes a microcontroller 104 for controlling various aspects of the DPD 100. Microcontroller 104 can include hardware and in some cases software elements for executing instructions for performing various operations for the DPD 100. Microcontroller 104 can be a computing system, similar to that described in FIG. 4 below. The microcontroller 104 can include an on-board memory or can communicate with an external memory 124. Memory 124 can store various data for controlling operation of the DPD 100, including instructions. For example, memory 124 can store depth information for the pay zone, instructions for controlling charges 132, communications protocols for wirelessly communicating with surface devices, propulsion instructions, global positioning data, support structure triggering information, stability and orientation information, information about the wellbore, fluid density measurements, flow rate, and image data from a camera that will be utilized to monitor downhole conditions, and other information.

The DPD 100 can also include a communications system 106. Communications system 106 can include hardware and software elements to facilitate wireless communications between the DPD 100 and a surface device. Communications system 106 can include an antenna for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals. Communications system 106 can support one or more communications protocols. Generally, communications system 106 can use radio frequency communications protocols to communicate information about DPD 100 to the surface and to receive information and instructions from the surface. The use of wireless communications protocols allows for the operation of the DPD 100 while avoiding disruption of flow during operation downhole the oil/gas wells.

Microcontroller 104 can also control movement of the DPD 100 via propulsion instructions 122. Propulsion instructions 122 can control the movement of the DPD 100 through the wellbore. The propulsion instructions 122 can make use of sensor data to control alignment and directionality of the DPD 100, as well as to propel the DPD 100 downhole. In embodiments, the DPD 100 traverses a fluid downhole and uses buoyancy forces in the vertical section of the wellbore to control movement and alignment. The DPD 100 can use gamma ray tool 110 and CCL 112 to determine that the DPD 100 has reached the desired area of the wellbore for perforation operation (e.g., the pay zone). The perforation operation can be verified using, for example, pressure response at the surface, production response post-perforation, imagery from cameras, flow rate sensors, etc.

The DPD 100 can also be equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) 108. Gamma Ray tool 110, Casing-Collar Locator (CCL) 112 and a sensor suite 114. The GPS 108, Gamma Ray tool 110, CCL 112, and sensor suite 114 can work in concert to navigate through the wellbore and determine the exact location of the predetermine targeted formation. Sensor suite 114 can include one or more of a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and an imaging system 126.

Extra sensors can facilitate higher resolution job evaluation. Imaging system 126 can include an optical, IR, and/or other optical system to visualize the wellbore and can be used to evaluate the perforations. Imaging system 126 can also be used to determine that the DPD 100 is in the desired location in the wellbore for the perforation job. Visual cues or symbols can be used in the wellbore to indicate the pay zone. The imaging system 126 can visually detect these visual cues. The microcontroller 104 can process the image data to determine whether the DPD 100 is at the desired location in the wellbore for the perforation job.

GPS 108 can provide position information of the DPD 100. GPS 108 can be aided by CCL 112 and gamma ray tool 110 to provide position information to a surface computer.

Gamma ray tool 110 can be used for gamma ray detection and logging. Gamma ray information can be converted into electrical signals by gamma ray tool 110. The resulting electrical signals representative of gamma radiation can be processed by the microcontroller 104 to aid in navigating the drone to the target destination within the wellbore. The gamma ray logging can also be communicated to the surface via the wireless communications system 106.

Casing-collar locator (CCL) 112 uses a passive system of magnets and coils to detect increased thickness/mass in a wellbore casing at portions where coupling collars connect two sections of wellbore casing. The DPD 100 equipped with a CCL 112 may be moved through a portion of the wellbore casing having the collar. The increased wellbore wall thickness/mass the collar results in a distortion of the magnetic field (flux) around the magnet of the CCL 112. This magnetic field distortion, in turn, results in a small current being induced in a coil; this induced current is detected by a processor/onboard computer which is part of the CCL 112. In a typical embodiment of known CCL 112, the microcontroller 104 counts the number of coupling collars detected and calculates a location along the wellbore based on the running count. Some knowledge of the wellbore casing vis-à-vis the pay zone is helpful in using CCL 112 information to locate the point along the wellbore to perform the perforation job. In some embodiments, CCL 112 can also provide information useful for deriving linear velocity of the DPD 100 as it traverses the wellbore. The rate that the DPD 100 can be measured as a function of distance between detected collars as a function of time.

Among the sensors can include a gyroscope. The gyroscope can be used by the DPD 100 for navigating through the wellbore, including scenarios where the wellbore traverses vertical and horizontal distances. The gyroscope can provide information to the microcontroller 104 about the orientation and direction of the DPD 100, which further aids the DPD to navigate to the desired location along the wellbore for the perforation job. Likewise, a pressure sensor can also be used to provide information to the microcontroller 104 about the depth of the DPD 100.

The DPD 100 can include a propulsion system 122. Propulsion system 122 can include spinners, fans, thrusters, or other types of propulsion devices. The propulsion system 122 can be powered by a power supply 120. The propulsion system 122 can use information from gamma ray tool 110 and CCL 112 to determine that the DPD 100 has reached the pay zone or other target destination. The propulsion system 122 can maintain the position of the DPD 100 temporarily until support structures 140 can be extended.

The DPD 100 can also include support structures 140. Support structures 140 can extend when the DPD 100 is at the desired position in the wellbore so as to secure the DPD against the side of the wellbore surface and hold the DPD in place for the perforation job. Support structures 140 hinge or extend into place. Support structures 140 can be controlled electronically by microcontroller 104 executing supports instructions 116. Upon reaching the desired location in the wellbore and prior to discharging the charges 132, the microcontroller 104 can cause the support structures 140 to extend to support the DPD 100 in place.

The DPD 100 also includes a power supply 120. Power supply 120 can include a battery that provides sufficient power to operate various electrical components of the DPD 100. In embodiments, the power supply 120 can be made from materials that have minimal toxicity so that the DPD 100 can remain in the rat hole after the perforation job is completed. Voltage regulators can be used to manage power delivery to the various electrical components, including propulsion spinners.

The DPD also includes a second portion 130. Second portion 130 includes charges 132. Charges 132 can be shape charges that can be detonated to shoot a projectile at high velocities at towards the wellbore, thereby perforating the wellbore and the surrounding formation. Charges 132 can be detonated (e.g., by charges circuitry 118 controlled by microcontroller 104). Charges 132 can discharge perforation jet from apertures 134 into the wellbore in a controlled direction, and into the pay zone formation to create perforations. In embodiments, once the DPD 100 reaches a desired location in the wellbore, the DPD 100 can signal to an operator at the surface to fire the charges to perforate the wellbore and pay zone formation. In some embodiments, the DPD 100 can act autonomously to discharge the charges: the microcontroller 104 can determined from sensor data that the DPD 100 is in the desired location. Upon so concluding, the microcontroller 104 can then automatically cause the charges circuitry 118 to detonate the charges 132.

After the detonation, perforations can be confirmed by observing differences in surface and downhole pressure. In embodiments, an imager 126 can be used to evaluate the perforations. The evaluation of the perforations can be signaled to the surface using communications system 106. In embodiments, if the perforation job is not performed successfully, the DPD 100 can be retracted by a hook using loop 150. The microcontroller 104 can reset the support structures 140. For example, pulling on the loop 150 can indicate to the microcontroller 104 that the support structures 140 can be retracted. In embodiments, the support structures 140 can be made from a pliable material, so the DPD 100 can be retrieved without retracting the support structures 140. An operator can manually reset the support structures 140 at the surface. The charges 132 can be replaced, and the DPD 100 can be reintroduced into the wellbore.

FIGS. 2A-2E are schematic diagrams illustrating example downhole operation of a perforation drone in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram 200 that shows the DPD 100 having reached the desired position in the wellbore 202. In this case, the DPD 100 has reached a position in the wellbore 202 near the pay zone 204. At some point in the wellbore 202 beneath the pay zone 204 is the rat hole 206. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram 210 showing support structure deployment and bullet discharge. In FIG. 2B, upon determining that the DPD 100 has reached its desired location in the wellbore 202 (e.g., via sensor information), the DPD 100 deploys support structures 140. The support structures 140 can keep the DPD 100 in place at least for the time period needed to detonate charges 132.

In FIG. 2B, perforation jets 212 are shown to be discharged from apertures 134 during the perforation job. The perforation gun can detonate charges 132 by a command received wirelessly from an operator on the surface. The perforation gun can automatically detonate charges 132 after the DPD 100 determines that it has reached the desired depth or position in the wellbore. The imaging system 126 or other system can be used for validation of the DPD 100 position prior to detonating the charges 132.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram 220 of the DPD 100 being retracted after the perforation job is completed. The DPD 100 can include a loop 150 or other shaped structure that allows for a string 224 to be sent down into the wellbore to recover the DPD 100 e.g., using a hook. In this example, the DPD 100 is shown to be recovered using string 224 after the DPD 100 has formed perforations 222. However, the DPD 100 can be recovered at any time during operations, such as if the DPD 100 gets stuck in the wellbore or if the DPD 100 fails to produce perforations for operation of the well.

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram 230 showing the DPD 100 resting in the rat hole 206. The DPD 100 can be designed to be a once-off device that can be used to create perforations and then discarded at the bottom of the wellbore 202. FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram 240 of the remnants 242 of DPD 100. The body of DPD 100 can be constructed from material that can dissolve or disintegrate.

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram 300 for operating a perforation drone in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. At the outset, the DPD 100 can be configured by an operator at the surface (302). For example, an operator can configure the DPD 100 with the number, shape, and type of charges used to create the perforations in the wellbore and in the formation. The number, shape, and type of charges can depend on the material through which the perforation jets are to pierce. The operator can also program the DPD 100 with depth information for the pay zone, as well as provide the DPD 100 with reference values for pressure, depth, location, etc. The DPD 100 is programed at surface prior launch with the exact depth and location for the perforation job. Upon launching the DPD 100, the DPD 100 travels all the way to the desired depth by correlating the device depth with the available logs and depth determination by the installed sensors (304). Once the DPD 100 is in the target depth, the stationary position of the drone is activated by extending the drone's support structures across the casing (306). The support structures can be extended by manual operation or automatically. After the support structures are extended, the drone can fire the charges (308). In embodiments, a command is sent from the surface to DPD 100 for igniting the charges. In embodiments, the DPD 100 can be programmed at the surface to ignite and shoot when the DPD 100 reaches the desired depth. Once the perforation is done, the channels will be created across the pay zone and confirmation can be detected by the surface and downhole pressure difference. In embodiments, the DPD 100 can retract support structures (310). In embodiments, the firing of charges from DPD 100 can cause the support structures to retract (e.g., after some predetermined amount of time and/or after verifying that the perforations were done correctly, the microcontroller can retract the support structures). If the perforations are not done correctly, the microcontroller can forgo retracting the support structures to await retrieval of the DPD 100.

Assuming that the perforations were done correctly, after the support structures are retracted, the DPD 100 can fall down to the rat hole 312. By that the job is completed and the well can produce normally. In embodiments, the DPD 100 can deteriorate or dissolve (314).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example computer system 400 used to provide computational functionalities associated with described algorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures described in the present disclosure, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. The illustrated computer 402 is intended to encompass any computing device such as a server, a desktop computer, a laptop/notebook computer, a wireless data port, a smart phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a tablet computing device, or one or more processors within these devices, including physical instances, virtual instances, or both. The computer 402 can include input devices such as keypads, keyboards, and touch screens that can accept user information. Also, the computer 402 can include output devices that can convey information associated with the operation of the computer 402. The information can include digital data, visual data, audio information, or a combination of information. The information can be presented in a graphical user interface (UI) (or GUI).

The computer 402 can serve in a role as a client, a network component, a server, a database, a persistency, or components of a computer system for performing the subject matter described in the present disclosure. The illustrated computer 402 is communicably coupled with a network 430. In some implementations, one or more components of the computer 402 can be configured to operate within different environments, including cloud-computing-based environments, local environments, global environments, and combinations of environments.

At a top level, the computer 402 is an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process, store, and manage data and information associated with the described subject matter. According to some implementations, the computer 402 can also include, or be communicably coupled with, an application server, an email server, a web server, a caching server, a streaming data server, or a combination of servers.

The computer 402 can receive requests over network 430 from a client application (for example, executing on another computer 402). The computer 402 can respond to the received requests by processing the received requests using software applications. Requests can also be sent to the computer 402 from internal users (for example, from a command console), external (or third) parties, automated applications, entities, individuals, systems, and computers.

Each of the components of the computer 402 can communicate using a system bus 403. In some implementations, any or all of the components of the computer 402, including hardware or software components, can interface with each other or the interface 404 (or a combination of both) over the system bus 403. Interfaces can use an application programming interface (API) 412, a service layer 413, or a combination of the API 412 and service layer 413. The API 412 can include specifications for routines, data structures, and object classes. The API 412 can be either computer-language independent or dependent. The API 412 can refer to a complete interface, a single function, or a set of APIs.

The service layer 413 can provide software services to the computer 402 and other components (whether illustrated or not) that are communicably coupled to the computer 402. The functionality of the computer 402 can be accessible for all service consumers using this service layer. Software services, such as those provided by the service layer 413, can provide reusable, defined functionalities through a defined interface. For example, the interface can be software written in JAVA, C++, or a language providing data in extensible markup language (XML) format. While illustrated as an integrated component of the computer 402, in alternative implementations, the API 412 or the service layer 413 can be stand-alone components in relation to other components of the computer 402 and other components communicably coupled to the computer 402. Moreover, any or all parts of the API 412 or the service layer 413 can be implemented as child or sub-modules of another software module, enterprise application, or hardware module without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The computer 402 includes an interface 404. Although illustrated as a single interface 404 in FIG. 4, two or more interfaces 404 can be used according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. The interface 404 can be used by the computer 402 for communicating with other systems that are connected to the network 430 (whether illustrated or not) in a distributed environment. Generally, the interface 404 can include, or be implemented using, logic encoded in software or hardware (or a combination of software and hardware) operable to communicate with the network 430. More specifically, the interface 404 can include software supporting one or more communication protocols associated with communications. As such, the network 430 or the interface's hardware can be operable to communicate physical signals within and outside of the illustrated computer 402.

The computer 402 includes a processor 405. Although illustrated as a single processor 405 in FIG. 4, two or more processors 405 can be used according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. Generally, the processor 405 can execute instructions and can manipulate data to perform the operations of the computer 402, including operations using algorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures as described in the present disclosure.

The computer 402 also includes a database 406 that can hold data for the computer 402 and other components connected to the network 430 (whether illustrated or not). For example, database 406 can be an in-memory, conventional, or a database storing data consistent with the present disclosure. In some implementations, database 406 can be a combination of two or more different database types (for example, hybrid in-memory and conventional databases) according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. Although illustrated as a single database 406 in FIG. 4, two or more databases (of the same, different, or combination of types) can be used according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. While database 406 is illustrated as an internal component of the computer 402, in alternative implementations, database 406 can be external to the computer 402.

The computer 402 also includes a memory 407 that can hold data for the computer 402 or a combination of components connected to the network 430 (whether illustrated or not). Memory 407 can store any data consistent with the present disclosure. In some implementations, memory 407 can be a combination of two or more different types of memory (for example, a combination of semiconductor and magnetic storage) according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. Although illustrated as a single memory 407 in FIG. 4, two or more memories 407 (of the same, different, or combination of types) can be used according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. While memory 407 is illustrated as an internal component of the computer 402, in alternative implementations, memory 407 can be external to the computer 402.

The application 408 can be an algorithmic software engine providing functionality according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 402 and the described functionality. For example, application 408 can serve as one or more components, modules, or applications. Further, although illustrated as a single application 408, the application 408 can be implemented as multiple applications 408 on the computer 402. In addition, although illustrated as internal to the computer 402, in alternative implementations, the application 408 can be external to the computer 402.

The computer 402 can also include a power supply 414. The power supply 414 can include a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery that can be configured to be either user- or non-user-replaceable. In some implementations, the power supply 414 can include power-conversion and management circuits, including recharging, standby, and power management functionalities. In some implementations, the power-supply 414 can include a power plug to allow the computer 402 to be plugged into a wall socket or a power source to, for example, power the computer 402 or recharge a rechargeable battery.

There can be any number of computers 402 associated with, or external to, a computer system containing computer 402, with each computer 402 communicating over network 430. Further, the terms “client,” “user,” and other appropriate terminology can be used interchangeably, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the present disclosure contemplates that many users can use one computer 402 and one user can use multiple computers 402.

Claims

1. A downhole perforation drone comprising: a body comprising a material configured to dissolve over time, the body comprising: a first portion comprising: an on-board sensor suite to determine a depth and position of the downhole perforation drone within a wellbore, the on-board sensor suite comprising a global positioning system (GPS), a casing-collar locator (CCL), and a gamma ray tool,a communications system configured to send wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from a surface device,a perforation charge circuit to cause perforation charges to discharge, anda microcontroller to perform operations, the microcontroller preprogrammed with a target perforation area for creating perforations in the wellbore, the operations comprising:determining, based at least in part on information received from one or more of a data log and the on-board sensor suite, that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target area, wherein determining that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target area based on information detected by the GPS aided by the CCL and the gamma ray tool;causing the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges after the downhole perforation drone reaches the target area; and a second portion comprising a plurality of perforation charges, the plurality of perforation charges to ignite upon receiving an instruction from the perforation charge circuit.

2. The downhole perforation drone of claim 1, the operations further comprising: determining, based at least in part on information from one or more of the data log and the on-board sensor suite, that the downhole perforation drone has reached a target depth that corresponds to a depth of a target perforation area of the wellbore, andcausing the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges after the microcontroller has determined that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target depth.

3. The downhole perforation drone of claim 2, further comprising extendable support structures, the operations further comprising: extending the support structures after determining that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target depth to support the downhole perforation drone in place in the wellbore; andautomatically cause the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges upon the determination that the downhole perforation drone has reached the depth of the target perforation area and after extending the support structures.

4. The downhole perforation drone of claim 2, the microcontroller to: send, by the communications system, a wireless signal to the surface indicating that the depth of the downhole perforation drone corresponds to the depth of a target perforation area of the wellbore;receive, by the communications system, a wireless signal an instruction to ignite the charges; andcause the perforation charge circuit to ignite the perforation charges based on receiving the instruction.

5-6. (canceled)

7. The downhole perforation drone of the claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of a gyroscope, a gamma ray detector, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensors.

8. The downhole perforation drone of claim 1, further comprising a hook loop rigidly affixed to a distal end of the body.

9. The downhole perforation drone of claim 1, wherein the body comprises poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV).

10. The downhole perforation drone of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an aluminum alloy.

11. A method of perforating a wellbore comprising: traversing a wellbore by a downhole perforation drone, the downhole perforation drone comprising a sensor suite comprising a global positioning system, a gamma ray tool, and a casing-collar locator, perforation charge circuitry, and a plurality of perforation charges;determining, by the sensor suite, that the downhole perforation drone has reached a target position in the wellbore, the one or more sensors comprising;extending a plurality of support structures to secure the downhole perforation drone in place in the wellbore;igniting, by the perforation charge circuitry, the plurality of perforation charges;retracting the plurality of support structures; andcausing the downhole perforation drone to reside at a rat hole in the wellbore.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining that the wellbore was perforated by comparing a pressure at depth with a surface pressure.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: sending a wireless communications signal from the downhole perforation drone to a surface location of the wellbore indicating that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target position in the wellbore;receiving a wireless communications signal from the surface location instructing the downhole perforation drone to ignite the plurality perforation charges; andcausing, by the perforation charge circuitry, the plurality of perforation charges to ignite.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising automatically igniting the plurality of perforation charges based on the determination that the downhole perforation drone has reached the target position in the wellbore.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein determining, by the one or more sensors, that the downhole perforation drone has reached a target position in the wellbore comprises comparing sensor information from the one or more sensors against reference values stored in memory.