SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED WELLBORE PERFORATIONS

• US 20090183916A1
• Filed: 01/20/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen Oil Tools LP (Core Laboratories NV)
• Original Assignee: Owen Oil Tools LP (Core Laboratories NV)
• Inventors: Haney, Joseph, Montanez, Thomas C., Clay, Matthew, Pratt, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,913,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/2
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/117 Shaped-charge perforators E21B43/118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2605 using gas or liquefied gas

Abstract

A method for perforating a subterranean formation includes positioning a shaped charge and a reactant composite material in a carrier; positioning the carrier in the wellbore; detonating the shaped charge; and disintegrating the reactant composite material using a shock generated by the detonated shaped charge. The method may also include initiating a first deflagration by using carbon and heat resulting from the detonation of the shaped charge and an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material. A system for performing the method may include a carrier, a shaped charge positioned in the carrier; and a reactant composite material positioned in the carrier. The reactant composite material may be configured to disintegrate upon detonation of the shaped charge.

Claims

1. A method of perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

positioning a shaped charge and a reactant composite material in a carrier;

positioning the carrier in the wellbore;

detonating the shaped charge; and

disintegrating the reactant composite material using a shock generated by the detonated shaped charge.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating a first deflagration by using carbon and heat resulting from the detonation of the shaped charge and an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising initiating a second deflagration using heat from the first deflagration.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the initiating includes applying the heat to an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material and a fuel.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the fuel is supplied by one of:

(i) a case of the shaped charge; and

(ii) a support member for the shaped charge.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxidizer and an inert binder, the reactant composite material including substantially no fuel component.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the reactant composite material is oxygen overbalanced.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxidizer, a fuel component and an inert binder.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the reactant composite material is oxygen overbalanced.

10. A system for perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

a carrier;

a shaped charge positioned in the carrier; and

a reactant composite material positioned in the carrier, the reactant composite material being configured to disintegrate upon detonation of the shaped charge.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of shaped charges, the reactant composite material being interposed between two of the plurality of shaped charges.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the reactant composite material is formed as a plurality of pellets.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein an axial space separates each of the plurality of shaped charges, and wherein each axial space includes at least one pellet of the plurality of pellets.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxygen component in an amount sufficient to consume substantially all of the carbon resulting from detonation of the shaped charge.

15. A method of perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

positioning a plurality of shaped charges and a plurality of pellets formed at least partially of reactant composite material in a carrier;

positioning the carrier in the wellbore;

disintegrating the plurality of pellets by detonating the plurality of shaped charges;

generating a first quantity of gas using carbon and heat resulting from the detonation of the shaped charge and an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material; and

generating a second quantity of gas by applying heat resulting from the generation of the first quantity of gas to an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material and a fuel.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the reactant composite material is oxygen overbalanced.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxidizer, a fuel component and an inert binder.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the reactant composite material is oxygen overbalanced.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the pellets are interleaved with the shaped charges.