Patent Application
20170370194
A perforating string includes one or more perforating guns, a setting tool, and a plug. The perforating guns may each include a switch having at least two positions. For example, when the switch in an “upper” perforating gun in the perforating string is in the first position, the switch may connect a computing system at the surface to a switch in a “lower” perforating gun in the perforating string. When the switch in the upper perforating gun is in the second position, the switch may cause a detonator in the upper perforating gun to detonate an explosive charge.
When the switch in the lower perforating gun is in the first position, the switch may connect the computing system to a switch in the setting tool, which may be used to set the plug. When the switch in the lower perforating gun is in the second position, the switch may cause a detonator in the lower perforating gun to detonate an explosive charge. Thus, as may be seen, multiple switches are used during the operation of the perforating string. However, as the number of switches in the perforating string increases, so to do the odds that an electrical failure may occur downhole.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A perforating gun is disclosed. The perforating gun includes a carrier, an explosive charge positioned within the carrier, a detonator positioned within the carrier, and a switch positioned within the carrier. The detonator detonates the explosive charge when the detonator receives power. The switch actuates between at least a first position and a second position. The switch transmits power to the detonator when the switch is in the first position, and the switch transmits power to a pyrotechnic device when the switch is in the second position. The pyrotechnic device detonates or deflagrates when the pyrotechnic device receives power.
A downhole tool is also disclosed. The downhole tool includes a perforating gun that includes a carrier, an explosive charge positioned within the carrier, a detonator positioned within the carrier, and a switch positioned within the carrier. The detonator detonates the explosive charge when the detonator receives power. The switch actuates between at least a first position and a second position. The switch transmits power to the detonator when the switch is in the first position. The switch transmits power to an ignitor when the switch is in the second position. The downhole tool also includes a setting tool coupled the perforating gun. The setting tool has the ignitor positioned therein. The downhole tool further includes a plug coupled to the setting tool. The ignitor causes the plug to actuate from a first state to a second state when the ignitor receives power.
A method for operating a downhole tool is also disclosed. The method includes running a downhole tool into a wellbore. The downhole tool includes a first gun, a setting tool, and a plug. A first signal is transmitted from a computing system to a first switch in the first perforating gun. The first switch actuates into a first position that transmits power to a first pyrotechnic device in response to receiving the first signal. The first pyrotechnic device causes the plug to actuate from a first state to a second state when the first pyrotechnic device receives power. A second signal is transmitted from the computing system to the first switch in the first perforating gun. The first switch actuates into a second position that transmits power to a second pyrotechnic device in response to receiving the second signal. The second pyrotechnic device causes a charge in the first perforating gun to explode when the second pyrotechnic device receives power.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the system and method disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details.
The downhole tool 100 may also include an adapter 150. As shown, the adapter 150 may be coupled to and positioned below the lowermost perforating gun 130. In one embodiment, the adapter 150 and/or the components therein may be integral with the lowermost perforating gun 130.
The downhole tool 100 may also include one or more setting tools (one is shown: 160) and one or more plugs (one is shown: 170). The setting tool 160 may be positioned below the perforating guns 110, 120, 130 and the adapter 150, and the plug 170 may be positioned below the setting tool 160. As described in greater detail below, when the setting tool 160 receives power from the surface, the setting tool 160 may actuate the plug 170 from a first, retracted state into a second, expanded state. Fluid may pass axially-through an annulus formed between the plug 170 and a surrounding tubular member (e.g., casing, liner, wellbore wall) when the plug 170 is in the first state. The plug 170 may expand radially-outward to contact the surrounding tubular member when the plug 170 actuates from the first state into the second state. The annulus may no longer be present when the plug 170 is in the second state. As such, the plug 170 may isolate a first (e.g., upper) portion of the wellbore from a second (e.g., lower) portion of the wellbore.
The perforating gun 130 may include a housing (referred to as a “carrier”) 132. The carrier 132 may be a hollow tubular member. A loading tube 134 may be positioned within the carrier 132. The loading tube 134 may have one or more explosive charges 136 positioned therein. The charges 136 may be axially and/or circumferentially-offset from one another with respect to the central longitudinal axis 102 through the downhole tool 100. The charges 136 may be configured to perforate the surrounding tubular member (e.g., casing, liner, wellbore wall) in preparation for production.
A body 138 may also be positioned within the carrier 132. As shown, the body 138 may be positioned below the charges 136. The body 138 may have one or more switches (one is shown: 140) coupled thereto and/or positioned therein. The switch 140 may have two or more positions. When the switch 140 is in a first, default position, the switch 140 is not connected to a pyrotechnic device or another switch. When the switch 140 is in a second position, the switch 140 may connect a line extending from a computing system 400 at the surface (see
When the switch 140 is in a third position, the switch 140 may connect the computing system 400 at the surface to a second pyrotechnic device 142. The second pyrotechnic device 142 may be a different type of pyrotechnic device than the first pyrotechnic device 152. In one example, the second pyrotechnic device 142 may be or include a detonator 142. As shown, the detonator 142 may be positioned within the body 138. When the switch 140 connects the computing system 400 to the detonator 142, power may be transmitted from the computing system 400, through the switch 140, and to the detonator 142. In response to receiving power, the detonator 142 may cause one of the charges 136 to explode to perforate the surrounding tubular member.
In at least one embodiment, the switch 140 may also include a fourth position. When the switch is in the fourth position, the switch 140 may connect the computing system 400 to another device 180 (see
The adapter 150 may be coupled to the carrier 132 and/or the body 138. As shown, in at least one embodiment, a connector 154 may be coupled to and positioned between the carrier 132 and/or the body 138 on one side and the adapter 150 on the other side.
The setting tool 160 may be coupled to the adapter 150. The body 138 may be a “plug-and-play” component. More particularly, the switch 140 may be placed into communication with computing system 400 when the body 138 is inserted into and/or coupled to the carrier 132 without the manual connection of any wires or cables. The switch 140 may be placed into communication with the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152 when the adapter 150 and/or the setting tool 160 are coupled to the body 138 without the manual connection of any wires or cables. The switch 140 may be in communication with the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142 before, during, and/or after the body 138 is inserted into and/or coupled with the carrier 132, without the manual connection of any wires or cables, because the switch 140 and the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142 may both be positioned within the body 138.
The method 300 may include running the downhole tool 100 into a wellbore, as at 302. When the downhole tool 100 is in the desired location in the wellbore, the method 300 may include transmitting one or more signals from a computing system at the surface to a switch in the first (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110, as at 304. For example, a first downgoing signal may be transmitted from the computing system 400 to the switch in the first (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. In response to this first downgoing signal, the computing system 400 may receive an upgoing signal indicating an identity (e.g., an address) of the switch in the first (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. The computing system 400 may then transmit a second downgoing signal to the switch in the first (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. In response to this second downgoing signal, the switch may actuate from a first, default position to a second position. In the first position, the switch is not connected to a pyrotechnic device or a switch in a component (e.g., perforating gun) therebelow. In the second position, the switch places the computing system 400 in communication with the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120, as discussed below.
The method 300 may also include transmitting one or more signals from the computing system 400, through the switch in the first perforating gun 110, to the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120, as at 306. For example, a first downgoing signal may be transmitted from the computing system 400 to the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. In response to this first downgoing signal, the computing system 400 may receive an upgoing signal indicating an identity (e.g., an address) of the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. The computing system 400 may then transmit a second downgoing signal to the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. In response to this second downgoing signal, the switch may actuate from a first, default position to a second position. In the first position, the switch is not connected to a pyrotechnic device or a switch in a component (e.g., perforating gun) therebelow. In the second position, the switch places the computing system 400 in communication with the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130, as discussed below.
The method 300 may also include transmitting one or more signals from the computing system 400 to the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130, as at 308. For example, the method 300 may include transmitting a first downgoing signal from the computing system 400, through the switches in the first and second perforating guns 110, 120, to the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130, as at 310. In response to this first downgoing signal, the method 300 may include the computing system 400 receiving an upgoing signal indicating an identity (e.g., an address) of the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130, as at 312. The method 300 may then include transmitting a second downgoing signal from the computing system 400 to the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130, as at 314. In response to this second downgoing signal, the switch 140 may actuate from a first, default position into a second position. In the first position, the switch 140 is not connected to a pyrotechnic device or a switch in a component (e.g., setting tool 160) therebelow. In the second position, the switch 140 connects the computing system 400 with the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152. In another embodiment, a single second downgoing signal may not actuate the switch 140 (e.g., for safety reasons), and the computing system 400 may instead transmit two separate second downgoing signals that cause the switch 140 to actuate into the second position after both second downgoing signals are received.
Once the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130 actuates into the second position, power may be supplied from the surface, through the switch 140, and to the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152. When the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152 receives the power, the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152 may cause the setting tool 160 to actuate the plug 170 from the first state to the second state. More particularly, the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152 may deflagrate. This may produce a gas that drives a piston in the setting tool 160 that actuates the plug 170 from the first state to the second state.
After the plug 170 is actuated, the method 300 may include transmitting a third downgoing signal from the computing system 400 to the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130, as at 316. In response to this third downgoing signal, the switch 140 may actuate into a third position that connects the computing system 400 with the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142. In another embodiment, a single third downgoing signal may not actuate the switch 140 (e.g., for safety reasons), and the computing system 400 may instead transmit two separate third downgoing signals that cause the switch 140 to actuate into the second position after both third downgoing signals are received.
Once the switch 140 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130 actuates into the third position, power may be supplied from the surface, through the switch 140, and to the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142. When the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142 receives the power, the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142 may detonate one of the charges 136 in the third (e.g., lower) perforating gun 130.
In at least one embodiment, rather than having one identity (e.g., address) with first and second switch positions, the switch 140 may include two separate identities (e.g., addresses). The first identity (e.g., address) may be used to cause the switch 140 to connect the computing system 400 to the first pyrotechnic device (e.g., the ignitor) 152, and the second identity (e.g., address) may be used to cause the switch 140 to connect the computing system 400 to the second pyrotechnic device (e.g., the detonator) 142.
The method 300 may then include transmitting one or more signals from the computing system 400 to the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120, as at 318. For example, a first downgoing signal may be transmitted from the computing system 400 to the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. In response to this first downgoing signal, the computing system 400 may receive an upgoing signal indicating an identity (e.g., an address) of the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. The computing system 400 may then transmit a second downgoing signal to the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. In response to this second downgoing signal, the switch may actuate into a third position that connects the computing system 400 with the detonator in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. In another embodiment, a single second downgoing signal may not actuate the switch (e.g., for safety reasons), and the computing system 400 may instead transmit two separate second downgoing signals that cause the switch to actuate into the second position after both second downgoing signals are received.
Once the switch in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120 actuates into the third position, power may be supplied from the surface, through the switch, and to the detonator in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120. When the detonator receives the power, the detonator may detonate one of the charges in the second (e.g., intermediate) perforating gun 120.
The method 300 may then include transmitting one or more signals from the computing system 400 to the switch in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110, as at 320. For example, a first downgoing signal may be transmitted from the computing system 400 to the switch in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. In response to this first downgoing signal, the computing system 400 may receive an upgoing signal indicating an identity (e.g., an address) of the switch in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. The computing system 400 may then transmit a second downgoing signal to the switch in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. In response to this second downgoing signal, the switch may actuate into a third position that connects the computing system 400 with the detonator in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. In another embodiment, a single second downgoing signal may not actuate the switch (e.g., for safety reasons), and the computing system 400 may instead transmit two separate second downgoing signals that cause the switch to actuate into the second position after both second downgoing signals are received.
Once the switch in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110 actuates into the third position, power may be supplied from the surface, through the switch, and to the detonator in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110. When the detonator receives the power, the detonator may detonate one of the charges in the third (e.g., upper) perforating gun 110.
In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure may be executed by a computing system.
A processor may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, processor module or subsystem, programmable integrated circuit, programmable gate array, or another control or computing device.
The storage media 406 may be implemented as one or more computer-readable or machine-readable storage media. Note that while in the example embodiment of
In some embodiments, the computing system 400 contains one or more perforation module(s) 408. The perforation module(s) 408 may be used to perform at least a portion of one or more embodiments of the methods disclosed herein (e.g., method 300).
It should be appreciated that computing system 400 is only one example of a computing system, and that computing system 400 may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine additional components not depicted in the example embodiment of
Further, the steps in the processing methods described herein may be implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors or application specific chips, such as ASICs, FPGAs, PLDs, or other appropriate devices. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination with general hardware are all included within the scope of protection of the invention.
As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer”; “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upward” and “downward”; “above” and “below”; “inward” and “outward”; and other like terms as used herein refer to relative positions to one another and are not intended to denote a particular direction or spatial orientation. The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connection,” “connected,” “in connection with,” and “connecting” refer to “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via one or more intermediate elements or members.”
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Moreover, the order in which the elements of the methods described herein are illustrate and described may be re-arranged, and/or two or more elements may occur simultaneously. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principals of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
