Casing conveyed perforating process and apparatus

A process for completing a subterranean well comprising:

• positioning at least two explosive charges in a subterranean well bore outside of casing, one of said at least two explosive charges being positioned adjacent a first subterranean formation while another of said at least two explosive charges being positioned adjacent a second subterranean formation;
• cementing said at least two explosive charges and said casing in said well bore;
• detonating said one of said at least two explosive charges so as to perforate said casing and said first subterranean formation while the interior of said casing remains unoccupied by perforating guns or other equipment, tools, tubulars or lines;
• and
• detonating said another of said at least two explosive charges so as to perforate said casing and said second subterranean formation while the interior of said casing remains unoccupied by perforating guns or other equipment, tools, tubulars or lines.

A subterranean completion system comprising:

• a casing which is at least partially positioned within a subterranean well bore;
• at least one perforating gun assembly which is positioned external to said casing and within said well bore, said perforating gun assembly having at least one explosive charge aimed in the direction of said casing;
• and
• a signaling device for transmitting signals from the surface of the earth to said perforating gun, said signaling device being positioned external to said casing.

A completion system comprising:

• a casing;
• at least one perforating gun connected to the exterior of said casing and having at least one explosive charge aimed toward said casing;
• and
• a control system for providing signals to said at least one perforating gun which is connected to said at least one perforating gun and is positioned exterior of said casing.

A completion system comprising:

• a casing;
• at least two perforating guns connected to the exterior of said casing, each of said at least two perforating guns having at least one explosive charge aimed toward said casing;
• and
• a control system for providing signals to said at least two perforating guns which is connected to said perforating guns and is positioned exterior of said casing.

A process for completing a subterranean well comprising:

• positioning at least one explosive charge in a subterranean well bore outside of casing;
• cementing said at least one explosive charge and said casing in said well bore;
• placing fluid within said subterranean well bore;
• and
• thereafter, detonating said at least one explosive charge so as to perforate said casing while the interior of said casing remains unoccupied by perforating guns or other equipment, tools, tubulars or lines.

A process for completing a subterranean well comprising:

• positioning at least one explosive charge in a subterranean well bore outside of casing;
• positioning control line in said subterranean well bore outside of said casing which is connected to said at least one explosive charge;
• and
• detonating said at least one explosive charge so as to perforate said casing.

A subterranean completion system comprising:

• a casing which is at least partially positioned within a subterranean well bore;
• at least one perforating gun assembly which is positioned external to said casing and within said well bore and which is connected to said casing, said perforating gun assembly having at least one explosive charge aimed in the direction of said casting;
• and
• a signaling device for transmitting signals from the surface of the earth to said perforating gun, said signaling device being positioned external to said casing.