Well tool assemblies with quick connectors and shock mitigating capabilities

• US 8,875,796 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2013
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Hales, John H., Burleson, John D., Martinez, Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Yong-Suk (Philip)
• Application Number:
  US13/848,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20130213668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 166/378, 166/55, 166/297, 166/299, 175/4.5, 175/4.55, 285/137.11, 285/141, 285/222, 285/331
• US Class Current: 166/378
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/04 between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/07 Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/11 Perforators; Permeators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/116 Gun or shaped-charge perforators

Abstract

A method can include interconnecting a well tool in a well tool assembly with a shock mitigating connection, the interconnecting being performed without threading, and positioning the well tool assembly in a wellbore. A well perforating assembly can include at least two perforating devices, a detonation train extending through the perforating devices, and a shock absorber positioned between the perforating devices. A method of assembling a perforating assembly can include, prior to installing the perforating assembly in a wellbore, pushing one perforating device connector into another perforating device connector without threading the connectors together, thereby: a) preventing disconnection of the connectors and b) making a connection in a detonation train. A well system can include a perforating assembly including multiple perforating guns and multiple shock absorbers. Each shock absorber may be interconnected between at least two of the perforating guns.

Claims

1. A method of interconnecting and securing a well tool in a well tool assembly, comprising:

interconnecting and securing the well tool in the well tool assembly with a shock mitigating connection, the shock mitigating connection being made by inserting a first connector into a second connector without relative rotation between the first and second connectors, wherein an engagement device permits relative displacement between the first and second connectors in one longitudinal direction, but prevents relative displacement between the first and second connectors in an opposite longitudinal direction; and

then positioning the well tool assembly in a wellbore.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection comprises at least one shock absorber positioned between the first and second connectors.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the engagement device comprises a sleeve having relatively coarse pitch profiles on one side, and the sleeve having relatively fine pitch profiles on an opposite side.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein engagement between the first and second connectors prevents disconnection of the shock mitigating connection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the interconnecting and securing further comprises making a detonation train connection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the well tool is selected from a group comprising:

a perforating gun, a firing head, a packer, an instrument carrier, a fluid sampler and an electronics module.

7. A well perforating assembly, comprising:

at least two perforating devices;

a detonation train extending through the perforating devices, the detonation train including a detonation booster; and

a shock absorbing connection including a shock absorber, the shock absorbing connection being positioned between the perforating devices, wherein the detonation train extends through the shock absorbing connection, and wherein the detonation booster is disposed within the shock absorbing connection.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the shock absorber absorbs longitudinally directed shock generated by firing at least one of the perforating devices.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the detonation train extends longitudinally through the shock absorbing connection.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the perforating devices comprise perforating guns.

11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the perforating devices comprise a perforating gun and a firing head.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the shock absorbing connection connects the perforating devices, and wherein an engagement device of the connection permits longitudinal compression of the connection, but prevents elongation of the connection.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the connection comprises connectors attached to the respective perforating devices, and wherein the engagement device permits relative displacement between the connectors in one longitudinal direction, but prevents relative displacement between the connectors in an opposite longitudinal direction.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the connectors are connected to each other by inserting a first connector into a second connector without relative rotation between the first and second connectors.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the detonation train extends through the connectors.

16. A method of assembling a perforating assembly, the method comprising:

prior to installing the perforating assembly in a wellbore, pushing a first perforating device connector into a second perforating device connector without relative rotation between the first and second connectors, thereby;

a) preventing disconnection of the first connector from the second connector and b) making a connection in a detonation train, wherein an engagement device permits relative displacement between the first and second connectors in one longitudinal direction, but prevents relative displacement between the first and second connectors in an opposite longitudinal direction.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning a shock absorber between the connectors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the shock absorber absorbs longitudinally directed shock generated by firing at least one perforating device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the detonation train extends longitudinally through the shock absorber.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the perforating device connectors is attached to a perforating gun.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the perforating device connectors is attached to a perforating gun.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the perforating device connectors is attached to a firing head.

23. A well system, comprising:

a perforating assembly including multiple perforating guns and multiple shock absorbing connections, each shock absorbing connection including a shock absorber, wherein each shock absorbing connection is made by inserting a first connector into a second connector without relative rotation between the first and second connectors, and wherein an engagement device permits relative displacement between the first and second connectors in one longitudinal direction, but prevents relative displacement between the first and second connectors in an opposite longitudinal direction.

24. The well system of claim 23, wherein each shock absorbing connection mitigates transmission of shock, and wherein each shock absorbing connection is longitudinally compressible but prevented from elongating.

25. The well system of claim 23, wherein a detonation train extends through at least one of the shock absorbing connections, wherein the detonation train includes a detonation booster.