Well completion method and apparatus

A method of perforating a formation in a well bore having a conduit and fluid therein using a perforating gun having a support means attached thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

• conveying said perforating gun into said well bore using a conveying means having a portion thereof releasably attached to said perforating gun;
• supporting said perforating gun in said conduit in said well bore at a position adjacent said formation using said support means to engage a portion of said conduit in said well bore to allow said fluid in said well bore to be capable of flowing around said perforating gun and said support means attached thereto by orienting said support means below said perforating gun;
• removing the conveying means from said well bore while said perforating gun remains supported in said conduit in said well bore at a position adjacent said formation to be perforated;
• and
• actuating said perforating gun to perforate said conduit and a portion of said formation.

An automatic perforating gun release and support apparatus for supporting said perforating gun in a wall bore and releasing said perforating gun for movement is said well bore after the actuation thereof, said apparatus comprising:

• annular housing means having a bore therethrough;
• mandrel means slidably received within a portion of the annular housing;
• slip support section means for engaging a portion of said well bore after the actuation thereof, the slip support section means having a portion thereof connected to a portion of the annular housing means and having a portion thereof engaging the mandrel means;
• and
• explosive charge means for perforating the mandrel means after the actuation thereof to allow relative movement between the housing means and the mandrel means to cause the slip means to disengage from said well bore.