METHOD AND APPARATUS TO IMPROVE PERFORATING EFFECTIVENESS USING A UNIQUE MULTIPLE POINT INITIATED SHAPED CHARGE PERFORATOR
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180° apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. (canceled)
-
2. (canceled)
-
20. A method for forming substantially linear perforations in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation surrounding a wellbore using a non-linear, shaped charge perforator, said method comprising:
-
(a) placing said non-linear, shaped charge perforator in said wellbore, said shaped charge perforator comprising (1) a single case having a hollow interior, an open front end and a closed back end, (2) a jet-producing liner disposed within said case and closing said open end and (3) a main explosive charge disposed within said hollow interior between said liner and the closed back end of said case, wherein said main explosive charge has a back that conforms to and is substantially flush with said closed back end, sides that conform to and are substantially flush with said side walls, and a front that conforms to and is substantially flush with said liner; and
(b) detonating said non-linear, shaped charge perforator by initiating said main explosive charge at two points between about 165° and
about 195°
apart on the outside surface of said main explosive charge such that said liner is formed into a jet that penetrates said hydrocarbon-bearing formation in such a manner as to make a substantially linear perforation in said formation, wherein said main explosive charge is initiated at no other point. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
-
23. A non-linear shaped charge perforator comprising:
-
(a) a single axisymmetric case having a hollow interior defined by (1) side walls, (2) a closed back end and (3) an open front end, wherein said closed back end and/or side walls of said case contain at least two passageways communicating with said hollow interior;
(b) a jet-producing, axisymmetric liner disposed within said axisymmetric case and closing said open front end;
(c) a main explosive charge disposed within said hollow interior between said liner and the closed back end of said axisymmetric case, wherein said main explosive charge has (1) a back conforming to and substantially flush with said closed back end (2) sides conforming to and substantially flush with said side walls and (3) a front conforming to and substantially flush with said liner; and
(d) a booster explosive occupying said passageways in said single axisymmetric case and communicating with the back or sides of said main explosive charge at two initiation points located between about 165° and
about 195°
apart on either the back or the sides of said main explosive charge. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
-
-
24. (canceled)
-
25. (canceled)
-
26. A non-linear shaped charge perforator for forming perforations in subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formations comprising:
-
(a) a single axisymmetric case having a hollow interior defined by (1) side walls, (2) a closed back end and (3) an open front end;
(b) a jet-producing axisymmetric liner disposed within said axisymmetric case and closing said open front end;
(c) a main explosive charge disposed within said hollow interior between said liner and the closed back end of said axisymmetric case, wherein said main explosive charge has (1) a back conforming to and substantially flush with said closed back end (2) sides conforming to and substantially flush with said side walls and (3) a front conforming to and substantially flush with the said liner; and
(e) means for initiating said main explosive charge at two locations between about 165° and
about 195°
apart on either the back or sides of said main explosive charge, wherein said shaped charge perforator contains no means of initiating said main explosive charge at any other location. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
37. A method for forming perforations in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation surrounding a wellbore using a non-linear, shaped charge perforator, said method comprising:
-
(a) placing said non-linear, shaped charge perforator in said wellbore, said shaped charge perforator comprising (1) a single, axisymmetric case having a hollow interior, an open front end, side walls, and a closed back end, (2) a jet-producing, axisymmetric liner disposed within said axisymmetric case and closing said open front end and (3) a main explosive charge disposed within said hollow interior between said liner and the closed back end of said axisymmetric case, wherein said main explosive charge has a back that conforms to and is substantially flush with said closed back end, sides that conform to and are substantially flush with said side walls, and a front that conforms to and is substantially flush with said liner; and
(b) detonating said non-linear, shaped charge perforator by initiating said main explosive charge at at least two points between about 165° and
about 195°
apart such that said liner is formed into a jet that penetrates said hydrocarbon-bearing formation. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 36)
-
Specification