Abstract:
A loading tube for installation in the body of a perforating gun is disclosed. The loading tube holds a plurality of shaped charges whose detonation is electrically initiated, and the loading tube, when installed in the body, comprises at least a portion of the electrical circuit used to initiate detonation the shaped charge. In one embodiment, the loading tube comprises the hot portion of the electrical circuit, the body comprises the ground portion of the electrical circuit and the loading tube and the body are insulated from one another. Alternatively, the loading tube may comprise two distinct portions of conductive material which are electrically isolated from one another where the two portions of conductive material comprise the hot and ground portions of the electrical circuit. Additionally, a loading tube according to the present invention may comprise a conductor which is disposed in the loading tube near the outer surface of the loading tube and which is insulated from the loading tube. A system is disclosed comprising a loading tube having the aforesaid characteristics and a method is provided which utilizes the loading tube as a portion of the electrical circuit to initiate detonation of the charges.
Abstract:
A perforating system connection sub comprising a vent valve for providing fluid flow communication through the connection sub wall. The vent valve is selectively opened and may include a frangible member. The frangible member is rupterable by the shock wave produced by ignition of an associated detonation cord.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a system and methods to actuate downhole tools by transmitting an optical signal through an optical fiber (10) to the downhole tool (15). The optical signal can comprise a specific optical signal frequency, signal, wavelength or intensity. The downhole tool can comprise packers, perforating guns, flow control valves, such as sleeve valves and ball valves, samplers, sensors, pumps, screens (such as to expand), chemical cutters, plugs, detonators, or nipples.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for determining whether a tubing conveyed perforating (TCP) gun has fired by detecting a change in characteristics of the flow of an oil well. A method and apparatus detects the presence of fluorescent tracer dye to determine whether or not a TCP gun has fired. The method and apparatus detects a change is capacitance, or fiber optic electrical properties to determine whether or not a TCP gun has fired. The method and apparatus detects the number of charges fired to determine whether or not all TCP guns have fired and also provides a method and apparatus for determining the contributions of injection wells to producing wells by introducing fluorescent tracers into injection wells and detecting the presence of the fluorescent tracers at production wells. A method and apparatus is provided for placing fluorescent dye particles in a gravel pack to sense when a gravel pack is deteriorating by detecting the tracer dye particles in the well flow.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for plugging a wellbore (10) in a trip saving manner includes a cement retainer (30) disposed on a run-in string (40) and a radially expanded perforating assembly disposed below the cement retainer. In a single run, the apparatus provides for perforating a wellbore and squeezing cement (8) through the perforations and into the formation (7) therearound. After the cement retainer is set, a firing head is actuated to cause the perforating gun to discharge. After perforations are formed, cement is introduced from the cement retainer into the isolated area and squeezed through the perforations. Thereafter, the run-in string disengages from the cement retainer leaving behind the plug formed. In yet another aspect, a firing head (70) capable of being actuated by different means is used to discharge the perforating assembly.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a detonation system for detonators, which can be tripped by radio, comprised of at least one tripping device to which at least one electric or electronic detonator is connected. The inventive system also comprises a detonation device which can be arranged at a spatial distance from the tripping device, whereby at least the detonation device can communicate with the tripping device via radio signals. The inventive system is characterized in that at least one of the tripping units (2a, 2b) contains a removable data carrier (6a, 6b) which can be inserted into the detonation unit (3). In addition, the detonation unit (3) comprises a reading device (15) for the data of the inserted data carrier (6a, 6b). The tripping device (2a, 2b) and the data support (6a, 6b) allocated thereto contain identical identification characteristics and information necessary for tripping the connected detonator (10a to 10n, 10a' to 10n'). The tripping device (2a, 2b) is activated by removing the data carrier (6a, 6b) and can be placed in a receiving state or, in the case of possible bi-directional communication, can be placed in a transmitting and receiving state. The detonation device (3) is likewise placed in a transmitting standby mode or in a transmitting and receiving standby mode after inputting the data.
Abstract:
A perforating gun (15) or other downhole tool includes one or more explosive devices (20) that are activable by corresponding one or more initiator devices (21), such as capacitor discharge units (CDUs). Each CDU (21) includes an explosive foil initiator (EFI) (22) or some other type of a high-energy bridge-type initiator, an energy source (18) (e.g., a slapper capacitor), and a switch (62) coupling the energy source (18) and the EFI (22) or other bridge-type initiator. An electrical cable (17) is coupled to the CDUs (21) for providing a voltage to energize the energy source (18) in the CDUs (21) to provide energy to each EFI (22). In response to activation of a trigger signal down the electrical cable (17), the switch (62) is closed to couple the energy source (18) to the EFI (22).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for perforating and stimulating a subterranean formation (16) which is penetrated by a well bore (10) having casing positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. Substantially rigid, flexible, or liquid propellant (20) is interposed between the casing (12) and at least one shaped charge (40) in a subterranean well bore and is ignited due to the shock, heat and/or pressure generated from the detonated charge. Upon burning, the propellant material generates gases which clean perforations formed in the formation by detonation of the shaped charge(s) and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.
Abstract:
An electrical safety switch for use with an electrically actuated wellbore tool, the switch having a first electrically conductive (25) member and a second electrically conductive member (35). At least one biasing member (27), including a thermally responsive biasing member, is arranged to prevent electrical communication between the first and second electrically conductive members until a selected thermal condition is obtained.
Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a well bore is described herein. The apparatus includes a one-piece housing having a length in an axial direction from a first end to a second end, and end wall and a sidewall defining a cavity within the housing. The apparatus also includes a frame inside the cavity. The frame includes a charge receptacle, a detonator receptacle, a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The apparatus further includes a conductive material coupled with the first electrical contact.