Patent Grant
11286758
All of the material in this patent application is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. As of the first effective filing date of the present application, this material is protected as unpublished material.
However, permission to copy this material is hereby granted to the extent that the copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentation or patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention generally relates to oil and gas extraction. Specifically, the invention attempts to pre-wire and connect plural perforating guns to pre-wired switch subs without manual wiring and connections.
The process of extracting oil and gas typically consists of operations that include preparation, drilling, completion, production and abandonment.
The first step in completing a well is to create a connection between the final casing and the rock which is holding the oil and gas. There are various operations in which it may become necessary to isolate particular zones within the well. This is typically accomplished by temporarily plugging off the well casing at a given point or points with a plug.
A special tool, called a perforating gun, is lowered to the rock layer. This perforating gun is then fired, creating holes through the casing and the cement and into the targeted rock. These perforating holes connect the rock holding the oil and gas and the well bore.
The perforating gun consists of four components, a conveyance for the shaped charge such as a hollow carrier (charge holder tube), the individual shaped charge, the detonator cord, and the detonator. A shaped charge perforating gun detonates almost instantaneously when the electrical charge is sent from the perforating truck. The detonation creates a jet that has a velocity of 25,000 to 30,000 ft/second. The impact pressure caused by the jet is approximately 10 to 15 million psi.
In a detonation train there is a detonator/transfer, detonating cord and energetic device (shaped charge/propellant). The shaped charges are sequentially detonated by the denoting cord from one end to other end of the perforating gun. The shaped charges perforate through scalps on the outside of the perforating gun so that the burr created is on the inside and not on the outside of the gun.
A gun string assembly is a system with cascaded guns that are connected to each other by tandems. Inside a tandem, a transfer happens between the detonating cords to detonate the next gun in the daisy chained gun string. Detonation can be initiated from the wireline used to deploy the gun string assembly electrically, pressure activated or electronic means.
In tandem systems there is a single detonating cord passing through the guns. There are no pressure barriers. However, in select fire systems (SFS) there is a pressure isolation switch between each gun. Each gun is selectively fired though its own detonation train. A detonator feeds off each switch. When the lowermost perforating gun is perforated, pressure enters the inside of the gun. When the first gun is actuated, the second detonator gets armed when the pressure in the first gun switch moves into the next position, actuating a firing pin to enable detonation in the next gun.
As generally seen in the system diagram of
As generally seen in the system diagram of
As generally seen in the method of
As generally seen in the method of
The prior art as detailed above suffers from certain deficiencies. For example, prior art systems do not provide for reliable connection mechanism needed to perforate hydrocarbon formations with a gun string assembly. Prior art systems also do not provide for a pre-wired perforating gun and switch sub system that does not require manual wiring connections. Prior art systems do not provide for a connection mechanism with no manual connection steps. Prior art systems do not provide for a reliable ground wire for the detonator in a perforating gun system for the detonation to function as desired.
While some of the prior art may teach some solutions to several of these problems, the core issue of reacting to unsafe gun pressure has not been addressed by prior art.
Accordingly, the objectives of the present invention are (among others) to circumvent the deficiencies in the prior art and affect the following objectives, which includes providing for a reliable connection mechanism needed to perforate hydrocarbon formations with a gun string assembly; providing for a pre-wired perforating gun and switch sub system that does not require manual wiring connections; providing for a connection mechanism with no manual connection steps; and providing for a reliable ground wire for the detonator in a perforating gun system for the detonation to function as desired.
While these objectives should not be understood to limit the teachings of the present invention, in general these objectives are achieved in part or in whole by the disclosed invention that is discussed in the following sections. One skilled in the art will no doubt be able to select aspects of the present invention as disclosed to affect any combination of the objectives described above.
The present invention in various embodiments addresses one or more of the above objectives in the following manner. The present invention provides a system that includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with plural perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a multi conductor single cable that is connected to electrical contacts or rings on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are screwed into the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.
The present invention system may be utilized in the context of an overall gas extraction method, wherein the wellbore gun perforating system described previously is controlled by a method having the following steps:
Integration of this and other preferred exemplary embodiment methods in conjunction with a variety of preferred exemplary embodiment systems are described herein in anticipation of the overall scope of the present invention.
For a fuller understanding of the advantages provided by the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.
The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described, with particular reference to the presently preferred embodiment, wherein these innovative teachings are advantageously applied to the particular problems of a wellbore gun perforating system and method. However, it should be understood that this embodiment is only one example of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features, but not to others.
It should be noted that the term “downstream” is used to indicate a position that is closer to the toe end of the wellbore casing, and term “upstream” is used to indicate a position that is closer to the heel end of the wellbore casing. The term “fire wire” or “arming wire” is used to indicate an input that is electrically connected to a detonator. The term “through wire” is used to indicate a conducting electrical wire that is part of a wireline cable that is connected to a gun string assembly. The term “actuate” or “arming” or “activate” is used to indicate the connection of a through wire to a fire wire that is connected to a detonator. The term “ground wire” is used to indicate an electrical ground. The term “firing a detonator or perforating gun” is used to indicate an event when an electrical signal is transmitted through a through wire to the fire wire of a detonator.
The present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in
The present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in
The switch sub (0702) may comprise an adapter configured with electrical contacts. The electrical contacts may be a through wire contact (0708), a ground contact (0709) and a fire/power contact (0707). The adapter may be a hollow member that can accept a switch (0703) that is connected to a detonator (0704) through a retaining member (0731). According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the switch may be a pressure switch. Pressure switches are conventionally used in perforating gun systems wherein a pressure acted upon a piston in the switch enables a connection between a through wire and a fire wire which is in turn connected to a detonator. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the switch may be an electronic switch. According to another preferred exemplary embodiment, the switch is configured with a pre-determined electronic time delay. For example, the switch may be programmed with a delay such that a firing event in a perforating gun activates a timer in the next switch. The switch may then be actuated when the timer expired. Subsequently, another timer in an upstream switch may be initiated and, upon expiration of the timer, the upstream switch may be armed without the need for actuation forces to actuate the switch. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the switch is actuated by the pre-determined time delay or actuation forces, or a combination thereof. The pre-determined electronic time delay may be programmed to 1 minute. The pre-determined electronic time delay may be programmed in the range of 10 seconds to 10 minutes. The output of the switch may be 3 conducting wires, a ground wire (0719), a through wire (0718), and a power wire (0717). According to yet another preferred exemplary embodiment, the switch is configured with a pre-determined ballistic time delay. For example, the switch may be programmed with a ballistic delay such that a firing event in a perforating gun with a detonator activates a timer in a switch attached to the detonator without the need for actuation forces from a perforation gun or wellbore pressure. The ballistic time delay is the time required to burn the length of a ballistic wire connected to the detonator. The length of the ballistic wire may be customized to achieve the desired time for the ballistic time delay. For example, a length of 10 inches might provide a ballistic time delay of 1 minute. Plural detonating members may be strung together to achieve the desired ballistic time delay. For example, one detonating member may result in a 6 minute delay, 2 detonating members in series may produce a 12 minute delay, and so on. The output of the switch may be connected to the other end of the switch sub to electrical contacts in an adapter. The connections between the adapters at both ends of the switch may be solid conducting rods or conducting wires.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the pre wired switch sub (0702) is screwed/attached into the pre wired perforating gun (0701) so that the electrical contacts in the perforating gun are connected to electrical contacts in the switch sub respectively. The electrical contacts may be machined in the end plate (0710) of the perforating gun. When the perforating gun (0701) is fired the detonator receives a signal from the surface, which then initiates a detonating or ballistic event. The ballistic event is transferred via an aligned bidi transfer (0705) to a detonating cord (0706). Plural shaped charges that are attached to the detonating cord carry out the perforation into a hydrocarbon formation.
According to a further exemplary embodiment, when the perforating gun (0701) is fired, the switch (0703) is activated, which then arms the detonator upstream of the switch sub (0703) by connecting the through wire (0718) to the fire/power line of the detonator upstream.
The present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in
The switch is positioned in a switch sub. The electrical connection includes a switch (0902) electrically connected to a detonator (0903) that is positioned upstream of the switch (0902) and downstream of the switch (0901). The power/fire output (0907) of switch (0902) is connected to the input of the upstream detonator (0903). The ground output (0916) of switch (0902) is connected to the other input of the upstream detonator (0903) and also to the upstream switch (0901) through a cable in a perforating gun. The through wire output (0915) of the downstream switch (0902) is connected to the input of the upstream switch (0901) through a cable in a perforating gun. The inputs to the downstream switch (0902) are through wire (0905) and ground wire (0906), which are outputs from a switch downstream of switch (0902). The outputs of upstream switch (0901), through wire (0925), and ground wire (0926) are connected to the inputs of a switch positioned upstream of switch (0901). Similarly, fire wire (0927) is further connected to a detonator positioned upstream of switch (0901). When a perforating gun fires downstream of switch (0902), it enables switch (0902) i.e., connects the through wire (0905) to the fire wire (0907) whereby detonator (0903) is enabled. Similarly, when detonator (0903) is fired, it enables upstream switch (0901) by connecting the through wire (0925) to the fire/power wire (0927) that is connected to the input of an upstream detonator.
As generally seen in the flow chart of
As generally seen in the flow chart of
As generally seen in the flow chart of
The present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in
The present invention system anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of perforating, but can be generalized as a wellbore perforating system for use in a wellbore casing comprising:
This general system summary may be augmented by the various elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention embodiments consistent with this overall design description.
The present invention method anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of implementation, but can be generalized as a wellbore perforating method wherein the method is performed on a wellbore perforating system comprising:
This general method summary may be augmented by the various elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention embodiments consistent with this overall design description.
The present invention anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of oil and gas perforations. The examples presented previously do not represent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite a few of the almost limitless possibilities.
This basic system and method may be augmented with a variety of ancillary embodiments, including but not limited to an embodiment further comprises a second wired perforating gun, wherein: the second wired perforating gun comprises a second charge holder tube; the second charge holder tube is wired with a second cable comprising a second plurality of conducting wires; the second plurality of conducting wires are in operative electrical connection to a second plurality of electrical contacts; the second plurality of electrical contacts are located at a second downstream gun end in an end plate of the second wired perforating gun; wherein the wired switch sub further comprises a upstream sub end; the upstream sub end having an upstream adapter; and wherein the upstream adapter is configured to be screwed to the second downstream gun end; the upstream adapter is configured with a plurality of upstream sub electrical contacts; the plurality of upstream sub electrical contacts are each configured for operative connection to one of a plurality of the second electrical contacts in the second downstream gun end.
In another embodiment, the downstream adapter is configured to accept a detonator; wherein the detonator is configured to be connected to a switch; and whereby when perforating, and the detonator is received in the downstream adapter, the detonator transfers a ballistic event to a detonating cord in a the first wired perforating gun.
In another embodiment, the switch is configured to an operative electrical connection to the upstream adapter.
In another embodiment, the switch is a pressure activated switch.
In another embodiment, the switch is an electronic switch.
In another embodiment, the upstream adapter and the downstream adapter are configured to connect to each other to form a cartridge.
In another embodiment, the cartridge is loaded from one end of the wired switch sub.
In another embodiment, said switch is configured with a pre-determined electronic time delay.
In another embodiment, the switch is configured with a pre-determined ballistic time delay.
In another embodiment, the activating of a switch is initiated by an output of a detonator.
The present invention system anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of perforating, but can be generalized as wellbore perforating gun system for use in a wellbore casing comprising a wired perforating gun; the wired perforating gun comprises a charge holder tube; the charge holder tube is wired with a cable comprising a plurality of conducting wires; the plurality of conducting wires are configured for operative electrical connections to a switch sub.
The present invention anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of oil and gas perforations. The examples presented previously do not represent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite a few of the almost limitless possibilities.
This basic system and method may be augmented with a variety of ancillary embodiments, including but not limited to an embodiment wherein the charge holder tube comprises a plurality of holes; the plurality of holes are configured to allow the cable to pass through.
This system and method may be augmented with a an embodiment wherein the plurality of conducting wires are each configured for operative electrical connection to one of a plurality of electrical contacts; the plurality of electrical contacts are positioned in an end plate in the charge holder tube.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the cable is held by fastening means.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the cable is routed with clips attached to the charge holder tube.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the holes are machined at pre-determined points in the charge holder tube.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the cable further comprises three conducting wires.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the cable further comprises a ground wire, a through wire and a fire wire.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the cable further comprises a ground wire, a through wire, a fire wire and a communication wire.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the communication wire is configured to receive instructions electronically.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the communication wire is configured to transmit status electronically.
This system and method may be augmented with an embodiment wherein the cable is held by clips in the charge holder tube.
One skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible based on combinations of elements taught within the above invention description, but that at least one embodiment is directed to a wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/515,196, filed Jul. 18, 2019, which is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/831,054, filed Dec. 4, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,408,024, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/293,069, filed Oct. 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,835,015 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/887,067, filed Oct. 19, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,689,238, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/627,872, filed Feb. 20, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,219, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210002988 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |
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| Parent | 16515196 | Jul 2019 | US |
| Child | 17026607 | US | |
| Parent | 15831054 | Dec 2017 | US |
| Child | 16515196 | US | |
| Parent | 15293069 | Oct 2016 | US |
| Child | 15831054 | US | |
| Parent | 14887067 | Oct 2015 | US |
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