Firing trigger apparatus and method for downhole tools

A method for controlling detonation of explosives in a well bore, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a trigger system having a central processing unit (CPU), memory and at least one sensor disposed for measuring at least one downhole condition;
• b. running a sensor into the well bore and measuring at least one downhole condition at a desired location of perforation;
• c. withdrawing the sensor;
• d. programming detonation parameters into the CPU based on the measured downhole condition;
• e. attaching a detonator to the trigger system;
• f. running the detonator and trigger system into the well bore on a physical deployment line;
• g. measuring downhole conditions adjacent the detonator and trigger system;
• and
• h. arming the detonator once the measuring downhole conditions adjacent the detonator and trigger system fall within the programmed detonation parameters.

A blasting control system for controlling initiation of downhole explosive induced activity within a well bore, said system comprising:

• a. a central processing unit (CPU) being electronically coupled to an electronically fired detonator;
• b. a first battery having a first voltage and powering said CPU;
• c. a real time clock powered by said first battery and coupled with said CPU;
• d. a sensor circuit being electronically coupled with said CPU and being adapted for sensing a condition in the well bore;
• e. non-volatile memory capable of storing said sensed condition, wherein said non-volatile memory is coupled to said CPU;
• f. a second battery having a second voltage greater than said first voltage;
• and
• g. wherein the CPU is programmed to record a sensed condition in the wellbore at a first time and subsequently monitor for said sensed condition at a later second time and upon detection of said sensed condition at the second time, causing said second battery to be electronically coupled to said detonator.

A method for controlling detonation of explosives in a well bore, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a trigger system having a central processing unit (CPU), memory and at least one sensor disposed for measuring at least one downhole condition;
• b. running said trigger system into the well bore and measuring at least one downhole condition at a desired location of perforation;
• c. measuring the time required to run the trigger system from a first reference point to a second reference point, wherein the sensor is positioned adjacent the desired location of perforation when the triggering system is at said second reference point;
• d. withdrawing the trigger system and programming a detonation time window into the CPU based on the measured time;
• e. attaching a detonator to the trigger system;
• f. running the detonator and trigger system into the well bore;
• g. during the step of running the detonator and trigger system into the well bore, measuring the time from the first reference point to the second reference point;
• and
• h. arming the detonator only after a period of time has elapsed during step g that is at least equal to or longer than the measured time of step c.

A method for controlling detonation of explosives in a well bore, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a trigger system having a central processing unit (CPU), memory and at least one sensor disposed for measuring at least one downhole condition;
• b. running a sensor into the well bore and measuring at least one downhole condition at the desired location of perforation;
• c. as the sensor is being run into the well, measuring a reference time between a first reference point and a second reference point, wherein the sensor is positioned adjacent the desired location of perforation at said second reference point;
• d. withdrawing the sensor and programming a detonation time window into the CPU based on the measured reference time;
• e. attaching a detonator to the trigger system;
• f. running the detonator and trigger system into the well bore;
• g. during the step of running the detonator and trigger system into the well bore, measuring the time from the first reference point to the second reference point;
• and
• h. arming the detonator only after a period of time has elapsed during step g that is at least equal to or longer than the measured time during step c.