WELLBORE PERFORATING DEVICES

• US 20100269676A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Black, Francois, Behrmann, Lawrence A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,327,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/117 Shaped-charge perforators E21B43/118 takes precedence

Abstract

Wellbore perforating devices are disclosed. In one example, a wellbore perforating device includes a plurality of shaped charges and a holder that holds the plurality of shaped charges so that upon detonation the charges intersect a common plane extending transversely to the holder.

Claims

1. A wellbore perforating device comprising:

a plurality of shaped charges and a holder that holds the plurality of shaped charges, wherein upon detonation of the charges, the charges form charge jets that intersect a common plane extending transversely to the holder at a predetermined radial distance from the wellbore;

wherein the holder is elongated in a longitudinal direction and wherein the plurality of shaped charges are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction;

wherein the plurality of shaped charges comprises at least three charges, including a pair of outer charges and an inner charge disposed between the pair of outer charges in the longitudinal direction;

wherein the outer charges are tilted towards the inner charge with respect to the longitudinal direction; and

wherein the outer charges are each phased at an azimuth angle that is greater than zero with respect to the inner charge in the longitudinal direction.

2. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 1, wherein the inner charge is held by the holder at a perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal direction.

3. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 2, wherein upon detonation, the inner charge forms a charge jet that travels outwardly from the holder in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and that extends along the common plane.

4. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 1, wherein upon detonation, the outer charges form charge jets that travel outwardly from the holder at an angle to the radial direction so as to intersect with the common plane at the predetermined radial distance.

5. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 1, wherein the outer charges are azimuthally phased within 15 degrees of the inner charge.

6. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 1, wherein the outer charges are azimuthally phased within 30 degrees of the inner charge.

7. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 1, wherein the outer charges are azimuthally phased within 120 degrees of the inner charge.

8. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 1, wherein the outer charges are phased at an azimuth angle greater than zero with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction.

9. A wellbore perforating device comprising:

first and second gun sections connected together in series, each gun section comprising a holder that holds a respective plurality of shaped charges such that upon detonation of the plurality of shaped charges, the plurality of shaped charges form charge jets that intersect a common plane extending transversely to the wellbore, the charged jets intersecting the common plane at a predetermined radial distance from the wellbore;

wherein the first and second gun sections are arranged such that upon detonation, the charge jets of each respective plurality of shaped charges forms charge jets that intersect a different common plane;

wherein each plurality of shaped charges comprises a pair of outer charges and an inner charge disposed between the pair of outer charges in the longitudinal direction;

wherein each of the outer charges in the pair is tilted inwards towards the inner charge in the longitudinal direction;

wherein the outer charges are each phased at an azimuth angle that is greater than zero with respect to the inner charge in the longitudinal direction.

10. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 9, wherein a charge jet from an inner charge of the first gun section travels in a radial direction that is azimuthally angled with respect to a direction of travel of a charge jet from an inner charge of the second gun section.

11. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 10, wherein the azimuth angle between the respective inner charges of the first and second gun sections is 180 degrees.

12. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 9, wherein the inner charge is held by the holder at a perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal direction such that upon detonation the inner charge forms a charge jet that travels outwardly from the holder in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

13. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 9, comprising a clip connecting the first and second gun sections together.

14. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 13, wherein the first and second gun sections comprise at least one end flange for mating with an adjacent gun section.

15. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 14, wherein the end flange has at least one of a male or female part for connecting with at least one of a corresponding male or female part on an end flange of an adjacent gun section.

16. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one male or female part is spaced apart from another at least one male or female part on the respective end flange to allow for selective rotational positioning of the gun section at predetermined angles of rotation with respect to an adjacent gun section.

17. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 13, wherein each clip engages with opposing flanges on different gun sections.

18. A wellbore perforating device according to claim 10, comprising three gun sections, wherein an azimuth phase angle between a respective inner charge of each gun section is 120 degrees.