# US 10,502,036 B2 · Perforating gun system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,036 B2 - Document ID: US10502036B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/189,056 - Filed: 2016-06-22 - Published: 2017-01-12 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-06 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Christian C. Spring - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502036B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/1185: Ignition systems - E21B 43/117: Shaped-charge perforators (E21B43/118 takes precedence) - E21B 47/13: by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency - 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 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein communicating comprises communicating with the electronic firing system from surface equipment having a surface control system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises restricting storage locations of fire commands. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises installing a dongle in surface equipment before firing the perforating gun. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises initiating a firing command by providing a selected gun position and a unique electronic firing system serial number and pin code. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises storing a firing command in static ram or in a “write only” history file. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises using a timeout feature with respect to firing commands. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein communicating comprises employing mono-directional communications. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein communicating comprises employing bidirectional communications. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The perforating system of claim 10 wherein the telemetry system is a wireless acoustical telemetry system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The perforating system of claim 11 wherein the wireless acoustical telemetry system comprises repeaters located along a tubing string in a wellbore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The perforating system of claim 10 wherein the telemetry system is an electromagnetic telemetry system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The perforating system of claim 10 wherein the electronic firing head is configured to confirm a state of the electronic firing head to the control system before firing the perforating gun. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The perforating system of claim 10 further comprising a safety key configured to interface with the control system to initiate a firing command. ### Claim 16 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the first fire command is confirmed by the electronic firing system before the second fire command can be sent. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein input of a fire command requires installation of a dongle with surface equipment in operable communication with the electronic firing system.