EXTERNALLY-ORIENTATED INTERNALLY-CORRECTED PERFORATING GUN SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20160208587A1
• Filed: 04/03/2015
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GeoDynamics, Incorporated (Oil States International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: GeoDynamics, Incorporated (Oil States International Incorporated)
• Inventors: HARDESTY, John T., CLARK, Nathan G., ROLLINS, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,382,784 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/117 Shaped-charge perforators E21B43/118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/119 Details, e.g. for locating perforating place or direction

Abstract

An externally-oriented internally-corrected perforating gun system and method for accurate perforation in a deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with an external protuberance member (EPM) and an internal pivot support (IPS). With the EPM oriented to the high side of the wellbore, the center of mass of the GSA positions the GSA at the lower side of the wellbore surface. The IPS is attached to internal gun components such end plate, charge holder tube, detonating cord or charge case. The charges inside the charge holder tube move with the gravitational vector about the IPS and point more accurately in the desired direction for perforating. The external orientation of the EPM along with limited internal swing about the IPS provide for an accurate orientation of the charges that results in efficient and effective perforating through a hydrocarbon formation.

Claims

1. A perforating gun for use in a wellbore casing, comprising an elongated shaped scallop extending circumferentially within an outside wall of said perforating gun such that said scallop has a constant thickness portion and a variable thickness portion in said outside wall;

said variable thickness portion configured on either end of said constant thickness portion;

an end of said variable thickness portion configured with a thickness substantially equal to a thickness of said wall;

an arcuate length of said constant thickness portion subtending an angle at a center of said perforating gun;

said elongated shaped scallop is configured to align to plural shaped charges in said perforating gun;

said plural shaped charges are configured to orient along a desired perforating orientation;

wherein

when perforating, said plural shaped charges perforate through said elongated shaped scallop such that a burr created by said plural shaped charges does not substantially protrude past an outside diameter of said perforating gun.

3. The perforating gun of claim 1 wherein a thickness of said constant thickness portion ranges from 0.05 inches to 0.75 inches.

4. The perforating gun of claim 1 wherein a width of said constant thickness portion ranges from 0.25 inches to 2 inches.

5. The perforating gun of claim 1 wherein said angle is 45 degrees.

6. The perforating gun of claim 3 wherein said thickness is 0.125 inches.

7. The perforating gun of claim 4 wherein said width is 1.25 inches.

2. (canceled)

8. A perforating gun for use in a wellbore casing, comprising an elongated shaped scallop extending circumferentially within an outside wall of said perforating gun such that said scallop has a constant thickness portion and a variable thickness portion in said outside wall;

said variable thickness portion configured on either end of said constant thickness portion;

an end of said variable thickness portion configured with a thickness substantially equal to a thickness of said wall;

an arcuate length of said constant thickness portion subtending an angle at a center of said perforating gun.

9. The perforating gun of claim 8 wherein a thickness of said constant thickness portion ranges from 0.05 inches to 0.75 inches.

10. The perforating gun of claim 8 wherein a width of said constant thickness portion ranges from 0.25 inches to 2 inches.

11. The perforating gun of claim 8 wherein said angle is 45 degrees.

12. The perforating gun of claim 9 wherein said cut thickness is 0.125 inches.

13. The perforating gun of claim 10 wherein said width is 1.25 inches.