Perforating gun for oil and gas wells, and system and method for using the same
AssigneeExpro Americas, LLC
InventorKerry Daly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A perforating gun, system and method is provided. The perforating gun includes a body, a plurality of shaped charges, at least one initial propellant and may include an actuating mechanism. The plurality of shaped charges are mounted within the body, and each shaped charge has an amount of an explosive material. The actuating mechanism is in communication with each shaped charge and the at least one initial propellant. The actuating mechanism is configured to fire the at least one initial propellant before firing any of the plurality of shaped charges.
Claims21
A perforating gun, comprising:
- a body;
- a plurality of shaped charges mounted within the body, each shaped charge having an amount of an explosive material;
- at least one initial propellant;
- and
- an actuating mechanism, in communication with each shaped charge and the at least one initial propellant, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to fire the at least one initial propellant before firing any of the plurality of shaped charges.
A well casing perforation system for perforating a well casing within a subterranean well, the well casing containing a well fluid, and the well casing having an inner passage defined by an inner surface, comprising:
- a perforating gun having a body, a plurality of shaped charges mounted within the body, and at least one initial propellant, wherein the perforating gun has an exterior diameter proximate the plurality of shaped charges;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively cause the perforating gun to actuate when the perforating gun is disposed within the well casing, which actuation of the perforating gun includes first causing the at least one initial propellant to fire, and second causing the plurality of shaped charges to fire.
A method of perforating a well casing within a subterranean well, the well casing containing a well fluid, and the well casing having an inner passage, the method comprising:
- providing a perforating gun having a body, a plurality of shaped charges mounted within the body, and at least one initial propellant, wherein the perforating gun body has an exterior surface proximate the plurality of shaped charges;
- disposing the perforating gun within the well casing inner passage at a position where a diameter of the body exterior surface is less than an inner diameter of the well casing inner passage, at which position an annular region is disposed around the perforating gun and between the perforating gun and the well casing, and the annular region is filled with said well fluid;
- driving the well fluid out of the annular region by firing the at least one initial propellant in a manner the maintains the well fluid out of the annular region for a period of time;
- and
- perforating the well casing by firing the plurality of shaped charges during the period of time in which the well fluid is maintained out of the annular region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.