System and method for enhanced wellbore perforations

• US 7,913,761 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2009
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen Oil Tools LP (Core Laboratories NV)
• Original Assignee: Owen Oil Tools LP (Core Laboratories NV)
• Inventors: Haney, Joseph, Montanez, Thomas C., Clay, Matthew, Pratt, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder; William P
• Application Number:
  US12/356,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20090183916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 166/297, 166/298, 166/55, 175/4.6
• US Class Current: 166/297
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/117 Shaped-charge perforators E21B43/118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2605 using gas or liquefied gas

Abstract

A method for perforating a subterranean formation includes positioning a shaped charge and a reactant composite material in a carrier; positioning the carrier in the wellbore; detonating the shaped charge; and disintegrating the reactant composite material using a shock generated by the detonated shaped charge. The method may also include initiating a first deflagration by using carbon and heat resulting from the detonation of the shaped charge and an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material. A system for performing the method may include a carrier, a shaped charge positioned in the carrier; and a reactant composite material positioned in the carrier. The reactant composite material may be configured to disintegrate upon detonation of the shaped charge.

Claims

1. A method of perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

forming a plurality of pellets at least partially of a reactant composite material;

positioning a plurality of shaped charges along a charge holder;

interleaving the plurality of pellets with the plurality of shaped charges, wherein the plurality of pellets are inside the charge holder;

positioning the charge holder inside a carrier;

conveying the carrier in the wellbore using a conveyance device;

detonating the shaped charges with a detonating cord, the detonation of the shaped charges thereby releasing carbon;

preventing the detonator cord from detonating the plurality of pellets;

disintegrating the plurality of pellets using a shock generated by the detonated shaped charges to thereby release oxygen;

perforating the formation using the shaped charges;

mixing the released oxygen and the released carbon; and

initiating a first deflagration using the mixture of released carbon and released oxygen to generate a pressure that is applied to the perforations formed by the shaped charges.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating the first deflagration by using heat resulting from the detonation of the shaped charges, wherein the reactant composite material is not detonated by the detonator cord.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising initiating a second deflagration using heat from the first deflagration.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the initiating the second deflagration includes applying the heat to an oxygen component of the disintegrated reactant composite material and a fuel.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the fuel is supplied by one of:

(i) a case of the shaped charge; and

(ii) a support member for the shaped charge.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxidizer and an inert binder, the reactant composite material including substantially no fuel component.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactant composite material is oxygen overbalanced.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxidizer, a fuel component and an inert binder, and wherein the reactant composite material is oxygen overbalanced relative to the released carbon.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the pellets are disk-shaped.

10. A system for perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

a carrier;

a charge holder positioned inside the carrier;

a plurality of shaped charges positioned along the charge holder;

a plurality of pellets at least partially formed of a reactant composite material positioned in the charge holder and interleaved with the plurality of shaped charges, the plurality of pellets being configured to disintegrate upon detonation of the plurality of shaped charges, wherein an axial space separates each of the plurality of shaped charges, and wherein each axial space includes at least one pellet of the plurality of pellets; and

a detonator cord configured to detonate the plurality of shaped charges but not the plurality of pellets.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one pellet of the plurality of pellets is interposed between two of the plurality of shaped charges.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the plurality of pellets are disk-shaped.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the reactant composite material includes an oxygen component in an amount sufficient to consume substantially all of the carbon resulting from detonation of the shaped charge.

14. A system for perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

a carrier;

a charge holder positioned inside the carrier;

a plurality of shaped-charges positioned along the charge holder;

a plurality of disk-shaped pellets formed at least partially formed of a reactant composite material positioned in the charge holder;

wherein the plurality of pellets are interleaved with the plurality of shaped-charges such that one pellet is positioned between two shaped charges.

15. A method for perforating a formation intersected by a wellbore, comprising:

perforating the formation using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising;

a carrier;

a charge holder positioned inside the carrier;

a plurality of shaped charges positioned along the charge holder;

a plurality of pellets at least partially formed of a reactant composite material positioned in the charge holder and interleaved with the plurality of shaped charges, the plurality of pellets being configured to disintegrate upon detonation of the plurality of shaped charges, wherein an axial space separates each of the plurality of shaped charges, and wherein each axial space includes at least one pellet of the plurality of pellets; and

a detonator cord configured to detonate the plurality of shaped charges but not the plurality of pellets.