Perforating gun system
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorChristian C. Spring
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and methodology are provided for improving the triggering (firing) of perforating guns, such as perforating guns deployed downhole via tubing. According to an embodiment, a methodology is provided for dependably communicating with an electronic firing head. The electronic firing head receives signals via wireless telemetry, such as either electromagnetic or acoustical telemetry. The methodology prevents surface or off depth detonation of the perforating guns by utilizing a fire command protocol.
Claims18
A method for perforating in a well environment, comprising:
- deploying a perforating gun assembly downhole in a wellbore;
- communicating with an electronic firing system associated with an electronic firing head in the perforating gun assembly;
- and
- using a fire command protocol to prevent unintended firing of a perforating gun of the perforating gun assembly while the perforating gun assembly is on surface or off depth,
- wherein the fire command protocol comprises two unique fire commands with a specified time delay between the first fire command and the second fire command to enable firing of the perforating gun of the perforating gun assembly.
A perforating system comprising:
- a perforating gun comprising an electronic firing head configured to receive commands from an electronic firing system;
- a control system configured to deliver commands to the electronic firing system;
- and
- a telemetry system configured to convey commands between the control system and the electronic firing system,
- herein the electronic firing head is configured to initiate firing of the perforating gun only when two distinct firing commands are received within a predetermined period of time.
A method comprising:
- deploying a perforating gun assembly downhole in a wellbore;
- communicating with an electronic firing system associated with an electronic firing head in the perforating gun assembly;
- and
- firing the perforating gun assembly upon receipt of a first fire command and a second fire command by the electronic firing system,
- wherein the first fire command is unique from the second fire command, and
- wherein firing the perforating gun assembly occurs when the first and second fire commands are received by the electronic firing system within a predefined time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.