NON-DETONABLE SHAPED CHARGE AND ACTIVATION

• US 20180087353A1
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Published: 03/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Skyler, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,443,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 31/00 Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/117 Shaped-charge perforators E21B43/118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/1185 Ignition systems
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 1/02 Shaped or hollow charges blasting cartridges with cavities in the charge F42B3/08; oil winning using shaped-charge perforators E21B43/116
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 1/032 characterised by the material of the liner
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 1/036 Manufacturing processes therefor F42B33/0214 - F42B33/0292 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 15/36 wherein arming is effected by combustion or fusion of an element; Arming methods using temperature gradientsF42C15/31 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 15/38 wherein arming is effected by chemical action F42C3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/00 Safety arrangements

Abstract

A non-detonable shaped charge capable of becoming detonable upon activation. The shaped charge may be utilized for use with a perforating gun in oilfield applications. In this regard, during transport and other handling in advance of reaching the application site, the charge may be non-detonable. However, upon an intentionally directed activation, such as through heating, the shaped charge may be detonable.

Claims

1. A method of perforating a well at an oilfield, the method comprising:

loading a shaped charge into a perforating gun in a non-detonable state;

advancing the perforating gun to a target location in the well;

activating the shaped charge to a detonable state; and

perforating the well at the target location with the detonable shaped charge.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating comprises:

heating the shaped charge; and

applying a targeted movement to the shaped charge by pivotally extending the shaped charge away from a housing of the perforating gun with a carrier thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating comprises exposing the shaped charge to a well condition during the advancing of the gun to the target location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating comprises one of heating the shaped charge, applying a targeted movement to the shaped charge, and initiating a chemical reaction at the shaped charge.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the heating of the shaped charge comprises inducing a substantially solid eutectic mixture of the shaped charge to reach a molten state.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the heating of the shaped charge encourages mixing of materials from separate fuel and oxidizer material layers of the shaped charge.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the heating of the shaped charge further comprises inducing the mixed materials to reach a eutectic point of solution.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising assembling the shaped charge at the oilfield from a casing accommodating one of the separate material layers and a liner accommodating the other of the separate material layers in advance of the loading.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the heating of the shaped charge comprises circulating a heated fluid to the perforating gun from a surface at the oilfield.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the circulating of heated fluid comprises directing steam through a coiled tubing conveyance line supporting the advancing of the gun to the target location.

11. A shaped charge comprising:

an oxidizer material component;

a fuel material component, the components in a non-detonable state relative one another; and

a casing for accommodating the components in detonable state upon activation thereof to at least a partially liquid mixture thereof.

12. The shaped charge of claim 11 wherein the at least partially liquid mixture thereof is a eutectic mixture of the components.

13. The shaped charge of claim 11 wherein the fuel component is an organic fuel.

14. The shaped charge of claim 11 wherein the oxidizer component is an inorganic oxidizer.

15. The shaped charge of claim 14 wherein oxidizer component is selected from a group consisting of ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate.

16. The shaped charge of claim 11 wherein the activation is heat-based and the components are heat responsive compressed powders.

17. The shaped charge of claim 11 wherein at least one of the components is a liquid in the non-detonable state, the charge further comprising a degradable barrier separating the components in advance of the activation.

18. A shaped charge system for perforating a well at an oilfield, the system comprising:

a perforating gun;

a conveyance coupled to the gun for advancement thereof into the well; and

a shaped charge secured within the gun, the charge housing oxidizer and fuel components in a non-detonable state relative one another in advance of activation thereof into at least a partially liquid mixture thereof.

19. The shaped charge system of claim 18 further comprising a thermal line coupled to the shaped charge to induce a temperature at the components for the activation.

20. The shaped charge system of claim 18 wherein the perforating gun comprises a carrier for the securing of the shaped charge, the carrier pivotable to introduce a targeted movement to the charge for the activation.