Downhole perforating tool and method of use

• US 9,598,939 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2015
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Bernard Lee
• Original Assignee: Paul Bernard Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Paul Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): LOIKITH, CATHERINE A
• Application Number:
  US14/712,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20150267513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/12 Packers; Plugs used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/122 Multiple string packers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/126 with fluid-pressure-operated elastic cup or skirt E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1285 by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/13 Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/11 Perforators; Permeators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/112 Perforators with extendable perforating members, e.g. actuated by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/26 by forming crevices or fractures

Abstract

A perforating tool usable in a well casing to perforate the well casing. Perforating tool includes an activation member disposed in body wherein the activation member is moveable relative to the body to move at least one working member between and inwardly retracted condition an outwardly deployed condition relative to the body. A plurality of pistons is arranged to move the activation member relative to the body, each piston being disposed in a respective pressure chamber arranged to be filled with fluid in response to an increase in fluid pressure in the body.

Claims

1. A perforating tool for perforating a downhole well casing, the tool comprising:

a body arranged to be disposed in a well casing and at least one cutter block moveable relative to the body between an inwardly retracted condition and an outwardly deployed condition to cut a perforation in the well casing;

an activation member disposed in the body, wherein the activation member is moveable relative to the body to move at least one said cutter block between the inwardly retracted condition and the outwardly deployed condition relative to the body;

a plurality of pistons arranged to move the activation member relative to the body, each said piston being disposed in a respective pressure chamber; and

wherein the activation member defines a bore disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body, and wherein a plurality of ports are formed in the activation member to enable fluid to flow from the bore to each said pressure chamber such that an increase in fluid pressure in the body increases fluid pressure in each said pressure chamber to move each of the plurality of pistons relative to the body and cause the activation member to move relative to the body.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein each said piston is disposed concentrically around the activation member.

3. The tool according to claim 2, wherein each said pressure chamber defines an annular chamber arranged concentrically around the activation member.

4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein each said pressure chamber further comprises a stationary seal ring to provide a seal with the body for the respective pressure chamber.

5. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of annular pressure ports formed through the body adjacent each said pressure chamber to enable each said piston to move relative to the body.

6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one said cutter block is slidably moveable along an inclined track to be moveable between the inwardly retracted condition and outwardly deployed condition, wherein the inclined track is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the body such that pulling the tool upwardly out of the well casing in which it is located pushes at least one said cutter block into the inwardly retracted condition.

7. The tool according to claim 6, further comprising at least one drive member disposed on the activation member to push at least one said cutter block along the inclined track in response to movement of the activation member.

8. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising a floating piston disposed in the bore, wherein the bore is filled with oil or another working fluid and the floating piston is moveable in the bore to change the pressure of the oil or other working fluid to cause movement of the activation member.

9. A method of perforating a well casing, the method comprising:

disposing a perforating tool according to claim 1 in a well casing; and

operating the perforating tool to form a plurality of perforations through the well casing.

10. A downhole work string comprising:

a perforating tool according to claim 1; and

at least one cup tool disposed in the work string at a location above the perforating tool in use.

11. A downhole work string comprising:

a perforating tool according to claim 1; and

at least one packer apparatus disposed in the work string at a location above the perforating tool in use.

12. A method of completion of a hydrocarbon well in which a well casing has been disposed, the method comprising:

disposing a downhole work string in the well casing, wherein the downhole work string comprises a perforating tool according to claim 1 and at least one cup apparatus or at least one packer apparatus, wherein the at least one cup apparatus or the at least one packer apparatus is disposed in the work string at a location above the perforating tool in use;

operating the perforating tool to form a plurality of perforations through the well casing;

lowering the work string to position wherein at least one said cup tool or packer apparatus is adjacent the plurality of perforations; and

pumping fracturing fluid down the hydrocarbon well to fracture the formation in use.

13. A downhole work string comprising:

a perforating tool according to claim 1; and

at least one packer apparatus for providing an annular seal in a downhole well casing or an open borehole disposed in the work string at a location above the perforating tool in use, wherein the packer apparatus comprises;

a body arranged to be disposed in the well casing;

an activation member mounted to the body, wherein the activation member is moveable relative to the body to deform an elastomeric packer element outwardly relative to the body to form an annular seal in a well casing in use; and

a plurality of pistons arranged to move the activation member relative to the body, each said piston defining a respective pressure chamber arranged to be filled with fluid in response to an increase in fluid pressure in the body to move each of the plurality of pistons relative to the body and cause the activation member to move relative to the body.

14. A method of completion of a hydrocarbon well in which a well casing has been disposed, the method comprising:

using a perforating tool of a work string according to claim 13 to form a plurality of perforations through the well casing in use;

lowering the work string to position at least one said packer apparatus adjacent the plurality of perforations; and

pumping fracturing fluid down the hydrocarbon well to both activate the packer apparatus to form an annular seal in the well and fracture the formation in use.