# US 10,246,975 B2 · System and method for shock mitigation

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- Number: US 10,246,975 B2
- Document ID: US10246975B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/188,644
- Filed: 2016-06-21
- Published: 2017-01-05
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-30
- Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
- Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
- Inventors: Christian C. Spring; Allan Goldberg; Sheryl Raezer; Christophe Rayssiguier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246975B2

## CPC

- E21B 43/1195: {Replacement of drilling mud; decrease of undesirable shock waves}
- E21B 17/07: Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
- E21B 43/116: Gun or shaped-charge perforators
- E21B 47/14: using acoustic waves
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A technique facilitates mitigation of shock loads. Subterranean communication systems may comprise components susceptible to various shock loads. A shock mitigation system is physically coupled with the subterranean communication system to mitigate such shock loads. The shock mitigation system comprises components selected to enable reduction of various effects of shock loads, e.g. shock loads resulting from perforating procedures, which could otherwise be detrimental to continued operation of the subterranean communication system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for use in a well, comprising:
a tool string deployed in a wellbore, the tool string having:
a perforating gun assembly;
an acoustical communication system; and
a shock mitigation system mounted along the tool string to mitigate shocks to the acoustical communication system resulting from firing of the perforating gun assembly, wherein the shock mitigation system comprises an acoustical clutch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the shock mitigation system further comprises an axial shock mitigator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the shock mitigation system further comprises a radial shock mitigator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the acoustical communication system comprises an acoustical rod member and the acoustical clutch comprises a saddle which is spring biased against the acoustical rod member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the saddle is spring biased via a Belleville washer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the saddle is spring biased via a plurality of Belleville washers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the saddle is spring biased via a clamp.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The system as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of the axial shock mitigator or radial shock mitigator comprises an elastomeric shock absorber.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The system as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of the axial shock mitigator or radial shock mitigator comprises a hydraulic shock absorber.

### Claim 10

A method, comprising:
coupling a perforating gun assembly into a tool string;
providing the tool string with a communication system for transmitting telemetry signals along the tool string, wherein the communication system is in the form of an acoustical communication system having an acoustical rod member used to carry acoustic signals; and
protecting the communication system against shock loads via a shock mitigation system operatively coupled with the communication system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as recited in claim 10, wherein protecting comprises biasing an acoustical clutch, of the shock mitigation system, against the acoustical rod member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein protecting comprises employing an axial shock mitigator, of the shock mitigation system, against the acoustical rod member.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein protecting comprises employing a radial shock mitigator, of the shock mitigation system, against the acoustical rod member.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein employing the acoustical clutch comprises spring biasing a saddle against acoustical rod member.

### Claim 15

A system, comprising:
a subterranean communication system susceptible to shock loads; and
a shock mitigation system physically coupled to the subterranean communication system, the shock mitigation system comprising a clutch which enables movement of at least a component of the subterranean communication system when subjected to a sufficient shock load, the shock mitigation system further comprising an axial shock mitigator and a lateral shock mitigator.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the subterranean communication system and the shock mitigation system are coupled into a tool string located in a wellbore.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising a perforating gun assembly coupled into the tool string.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the subterranean communication system comprises an acoustical communication system.