Perforating gun assembly and method for enhancing perforation depth

A perforating gun assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• a detonator disposed within the housing;
• and
• at least one collection of shaped charges disposed within the housing and operably associated with the detonator, shaped charges in the at least one collection positioned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the housing, the shaped charges oriented such that jets formed upon detonation of the charges are directed substantially toward a focal point, the shaped charges being operatively associated with a detonation timing delay element configured such that a first portion of the shaped charges detonates first and perforation jets thereof interact to create a weakened region in a formation, the timing delay element configured such that the perforation jets of a second portion of the shaped charges detonated after a predetermined delay penetrate the weakened region.