EP1930541A2 - Thermally activated well perforating safety system - Google Patents

Thermally activated well perforating safety system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1930541A2
EP1930541A2 EP07254713A EP07254713A EP1930541A2 EP 1930541 A2 EP1930541 A2 EP 1930541A2 EP 07254713 A EP07254713 A EP 07254713A EP 07254713 A EP07254713 A EP 07254713A EP 1930541 A2 EP1930541 A2 EP 1930541A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
detonation
response
volume
explosive component
actuator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07254713A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Antony F. Grattan
John D. Burleson
Flint R. George
John H. Hales
Ryan A. Harrison
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Original Assignee
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Halliburton Energy Services Inc filed Critical Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Publication of EP1930541A2 publication Critical patent/EP1930541A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
    • E21B43/116—Gun or shaped-charge perforators
    • E21B43/1185—Ignition systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/005—Combination-type safety mechanisms, i.e. two or more safeties are moved in a predetermined sequence to each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/34—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected by a blocking-member in the pyrotechnic or explosive train between primer and main charge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/36—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein arming is effected by combustion or fusion of an element; Arming methods using temperature gradients
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C15/00—Arming-means in fuzes; Safety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges
    • F42C15/44—Arrangements for disarming, or for rendering harmless, fuzes after arming, e.g. after launch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to equipment used and operations conducted in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a thermally activated explosives safety system.
  • explosives safety systems and associated methods are provided which solve at least one problem in the art.
  • a thermal actuator is used to alternately permit and prevent detonation of an explosive component.
  • a material has a volume which varies in response to a temperature change, and the variable material volume is used to alternately permit and prevent detonation of an explosive component.
  • a thermally activated explosives safety system in one aspect of the invention, includes an explosive component and a blocking member displaceable to selectively permit and prevent detonation of the explosive component.
  • a thermal actuator of the system is responsive to temperature change. The actuator is configured to displace the blocking member in response to the temperature change.
  • a thermally activated explosives safety system in another aspect of the invention, includes a thermal actuator responsive to temperature change, the actuator including a material having a volume which is variable in response to the temperature change. Detonation of the explosive component is selectively permitted and prevented by the actuator when the material volume changes.
  • a method of preventing undesired detonation of an explosive component includes the steps of: providing a material having a volume which is variable in response to a change in a temperature of the material; positioning the material and the explosive component in a subterranean well, thereby increasing the temperature of the material; increasing the volume of the material in response to the temperature increasing step; and permitting detonation of the explosive component in response to the volume increasing step.
  • thermoly activated explosives safety system comprising:
  • the actuator includes a material, a volume of the material being variable in response to the temperature change.
  • the material volume increases in response to a temperature increase, and wherein the material volume decreases in response to a temperature decrease.
  • the blocking member displaces to a position preventing detonation of the explosive component in response to an increase in the material volume.
  • the blocking member displaces to a position permitting detonation of the explosive component in response to an increase in the material volume.
  • the actuator displaces the blocking member to a position preventing detonation of the explosive component in response to a temperature decrease.
  • the actuator displaces the blocking member to a position permitting detonation of the explosive component in response to a temperature increase.
  • the blocking member is positioned between a firing head and a perforating gun.
  • the blocking member is positioned between perforating guns.
  • the blocking member is positioned between a firing pin and the explosive component.
  • the system includes at least two explosive components, and wherein the blocking member is positioned between the explosive components.
  • the blocking member is displaced laterally relative to a passage by the actuator in response to the temperature change.
  • the blocking member is rotated by the actuator about an axis parallel to a passage in response to the temperature change.
  • the blocking member is rotated by the actuator about an axis orthogonal to a passage in response to the temperature change.
  • the blocking member blocks a passage to prevent detonation of the explosive component.
  • the blocking member has an opening which is aligned with a passage to permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the system further comprises a biasing device which biases the blocking member in a direction to prevent detonation of the explosive component.
  • the system includes at least two of the thermal actuators, and wherein the actuators are cooperatively operable to displace the blocking member.
  • the actuator includes a bimetallic structure which changes shape in response to the temperature change.
  • the actuator includes a shape memory alloy material which changes shape in response to the temperature change.
  • the blocking member engages a firing pin to prevent displacement of the firing pin and thereby prevent detonation of the explosive component.
  • thermoly activated explosives safety system comprising:
  • detonation of the explosive component is prevented when the material volume increases.
  • detonation of the explosive component is prevented when the material volume decreases.
  • the material volume increases in response to a temperature increase, and wherein the material volume decreases in response to a temperature decrease.
  • a blocking member displaces to a position preventing detonation of the explosive component in response to an increase in the material volume.
  • a blocking member displaces to a position permitting detonation of the explosive component in response to an increase in the material volume.
  • the actuator displaces a blocking member to a position preventing detonation of the explosive component in response to a temperature decrease.
  • the actuator displaces a blocking member to a position permitting detonation of the explosive component in response to a temperature increase.
  • a blocking member displaceable by the actuator blocks a passage to prevent detonation of the explosive component.
  • the actuator includes a bimetallic structure which changes shape in response to the temperature change.
  • the actuator includes a shape memory alloy material which changes shape in response to the temperature change.
  • the actuator reduces a gap between elements of the system to thereby permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the actuator extends a firing pin outwardly to thereby permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the actuator aligns multiple elements of an explosive train to thereby permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the actuator displaces a blocking member to thereby permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the actuator aligns an opening with a passage to thereby permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the actuator rotates a blocking member to thereby permit detonation of the explosive component.
  • the method further comprises the steps of decreasing the volume of the material in response to decreasing the temperature of the material, and preventing detonation of the explosive component in response to the volume decreasing step.
  • the volume decreasing and detonation preventing steps are performed after the volume increasing and detonation permitting steps.
  • the step of preventing detonation of the explosive component and wherein the detonation preventing step is performed prior to the volume increasing and detonation permitting steps.
  • the method further comprises the step of containing the material in an enclosure, thereby forming an assembly which becomes increasingly rigid as the volume of the material increases.
  • the method further comprises the step of transmitting a force through the assembly when the assembly has an increased rigidity to thereby detonate the explosive component.
  • the method further comprises the step of preventing detonation of the explosive component by preventing effective transmission of a force through the assembly when the assembly has a reduced rigidity.
  • the providing step further comprises providing the material as part of a thermal actuator.
  • the detonation permitting step further comprises the actuator displacing a blocking member in response to the volume increasing step.
  • the detonation permitting step further comprises the actuator rotating a blocking member in response to the volume increasing step.
  • the detonation permitting step further comprises the actuator extending a firing pin outward in response to the volume increasing step.
  • the detonation permitting step further comprises the actuator decreasing a gap in response to the volume increasing step.
  • the detonation permitting step further comprises the actuator aligning multiple explosive components in response to the volume increasing step.
  • FIG. 1 Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a well system 10 and associated method which embody principles of the present invention.
  • a tubular string 12 is installed in a wellbore 14 lined with casing 16.
  • a perforating assembly 18 Suspended from the tubular string 12 is a perforating assembly 18 which is used to form perforations 20 through the casing 16, through cement 22 surrounding the casing, and into one or more subterranean formations or zones 24.
  • perforating assembly 18 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being of the type known to those skilled in the art as a "tubing conveyed" perforating assembly, other types of perforating assemblies may be used in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • the perforating assembly 18 could be conveyed by wireline, slickline or any other form of conveyance.
  • perforating assembly 18 is used as an example of an assembly which utilizes explosive components
  • other types of assemblies may be used in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • casing cutters, setting tools and other types of well tools and equipment are known which include explosive components, and which can benefit from the principles of the present invention to enhance the safety of their operation.
  • the perforating assembly 18 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a firing head 26 for initiating detonation of explosive perforating charges (not visible in FIG. 1 ) of perforating guns 28.
  • the firing head 26 may be actuated in any manner to initiate detonation of the perforating charges.
  • pressure, telemetry such as acoustic, pressure pulse, electromagnetic or other form of telemetry
  • mechanical force, electrical signal, or other stimulus may be used.
  • firing head 26 above the perforating guns 28 is illustrated in FIG. 1
  • a firing head may be attached at a lower end of the perforating assembly 18 below the perforating guns, and different types of firing heads may be used, in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • the perforating assembly 18 also includes thermally activated explosives safety systems 30, 32.
  • the safety system 30 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being interconnected between the firing head 26 and the upper perforating gun 28, in order to prevent the firing head from undesirably initiating detonation of the perforating guns
  • the safety system 32 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being interconnected between the perforating guns, in order to prevent undesirable transfer of detonation between the perforating guns.
  • these positions of the safety systems 30, 32 are merely examples of a variety of different positions in which the safety systems can have beneficial use.
  • FIG. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of a thermally activated explosives safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the safety system 40 may be used for the safety systems 30, 32 in the well system 10 of FIG.
  • the safety system 40 includes an assembly 42 positioned between a firing pin 44 and an explosive component.
  • the details of the assembly 42 are not visible in FIG. 2 , but examples of the assembly will be described in detail below.
  • the assembly 42 selectively prevents the firing pin 44 from contacting the explosive component 46 to thereby prevent detonation of the explosive component.
  • the assembly 42 may prevent such contact between the firing pin 44 and the explosive component 46 in various ways, for example, by blocking a passage 48 between the firing pin and the explosive component.
  • the assembly 42 may prevent contact between the firing pin 44 and the explosive component 46 in any manner (some of which are described in detail below) in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • the firing pin 44 may be a part of the firing head 26, or it may be part of another portion of the perforating assembly 18 (such as a detonation transfer sub).
  • the firing pin 44 may be displaced in response to any type of stimulus, such as mechanical force, pressure, detonation of another explosive component adjacent the firing pin, etc.
  • the explosive component 46 is depicted in FIG. 2 as being of the type known to those skilled in the art as an initiator. Detonation of the initiator is transferred to another explosive component 50 of the type known to those skilled in the art as a booster, and detonation of the booster is transferred to yet another explosive component 52 of the type known to those skilled in the art as a detonating cord.
  • the explosive components 46, 50, 52 described above are merely examples of the wide variety of explosive components for which detonation may be selectively permitted and prevented using the safety system 40.
  • Other types include, but are not limited to, perforating charges, cutting charges, strip charges, linear charges, setting charges, etc.
  • the assembly 42 is used to selectively permit and prevent transfer of detonation between multiple boosters (explosive components 50) connected to multiple lengths of detonating cord (explosive components 52).
  • the assembly 42 may prevent such detonation transfer by, for example, blocking the passage 48 between the explosive components 50.
  • the assembly 42 may prevent detonation transfer between the explosive components 50 in any manner (some of which are described in detail below) in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • this configuration of the assembly 42 includes a blocking member 54 in the form of a plate which blocks the passage 48 to prevent detonation of an explosive component (for example, by preventing contact between the firing pin 44 and the explosive component 46, by preventing detonation transfer between the explosive components 50, etc.).
  • the assembly 42 further includes a thermal actuator 56 for displacing the blocking member 54 relative to the passage 48.
  • the thermal actuator 56 is preferably of the type which includes a material having a volume which varies in response to temperature change.
  • Suitable thermal actuators are manufactured by Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc. (which actuators include a material that changes phase at a predetermined temperature), Caltherm Corporation, Rostra Vernatherm LLC, and others. Thermal actuators are available which extend or lengthen upon a temperature increase and retract upon a temperature decrease, which retract upon a temperature increase and extend or lengthen upon a temperature decrease, and others which rotate in response to a temperature change.
  • the thermal actuator 56 is of the type which extends upon a temperature increase, but the actuator is shown in its retraced configuration.
  • a rod 58 of the actuator 56 is connected to the blocking member 54.
  • the actuator 56 may be assisted in maintaining the blocking member 54 in its position blocking the passage 48 by means of biasing devices 60 (such as springs, etc.). Alternatively, the actuator 56 may be capable of exerting sufficient force to displace the member 54 to this position, and to maintain the member in this position, without use of the biasing devices 60.
  • biasing devices 60 such as springs, etc.
  • the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated after a temperature increase has caused the actuator 56 to extend the rod 58 further outward and thereby displace the blocking member 54 so that it no longer blocks the passage 48. Detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 in either of the configurations of FIGS. 2 & 3 is now permitted by the safety system 40.
  • the temperature increase is preferably due to installation of the safety system 40 in the well.
  • the local geothermal gradient and the depth at which the safety system 40 is to be installed are factors which will influence the available temperature increase and, thus, the design of the thermal actuator 56, so that reliable operation of the assembly 42 in a particular well system is assured.
  • the displacement of the blocking member 54 by the thermal actuator 56 is reversible, and may be reversible multiple times. That is, the thermal actuator 56 may displace the blocking member 54 to its positions depicted in FIGS. 4 & 5 in response to any number of respective temperature increases and decreases.
  • the safety system 40 may be used to prevent detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 while the perforating assembly 18 is near the surface (i.e., at a relatively low temperature).
  • the perforating assembly 18 including the safety system 40
  • the resulting temperature increase will cause the actuator 56 to displace the blocking member 54, so that detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 is permitted (as depicted in FIG. 5 ).
  • the resulting temperature decrease will cause the actuator 56 to displace the blocking member 54 back to its position blocking the passage 48 and preventing detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52.
  • FIGS. 6 & 7 schematic cross-sectional views of an alternative configuration of the safety system 40 are representatively illustrated.
  • the blocking member 54 is pivoted or rotated about a pivot 62 by the actuator 56, instead of being displaced laterally relative to the passage 48 as in the configuration of FIGS. 4 & 5 .
  • the member 54 blocks the passage 48, and detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 is thereby prevented at a corresponding relatively low temperature.
  • the member 54 does not block the passage 48, and detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 is thereby permitted at a corresponding relatively high temperature.
  • the displacement of the blocking member 54 is reversible.
  • the safety system 40 always prevents detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 at any time the safety system is at a sufficiently low temperature (such as near the surface or at a depth relatively shallow in the well).
  • FIG. 8 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the blocking member 54 is displaced laterally by the actuator 56 in a recess 64 which intersects the passage 48.
  • the blocking member 54 has an opening 66 formed therein which may be aligned with the passage 48 when it is desired to permit detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52. As depicted in FIG. 8 , the member 54 is in a position in which the opening 66 is not aligned with the passage 48, and so detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 is prevented.
  • the actuator 56 will displace the member 54 to align the opening 66 and passage 48 in response to a sufficient increase in temperature.
  • the firing pin 44 is propelled through the passage 48 in response to detonation of a detonating cord (explosive component 52) and booster (explosive component 50) above the firing pin. Until such detonation occurs, the firing pin 44 is secured in place by shear pins 68 or other suitable fasteners.
  • a vent passage 70 prevents undesirable pressure increase in the passage 48 below the firing pin 44 when the firing pin is propelled downward through the passage.
  • FIG. 9 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated. This configuration is similar in many respects to the configuration of FIG. 8 .
  • the blocking member 54 does not include the opening 66. Instead, the blocking member 54 is displaced by the actuator 56 to a position in which it no longer blocks the passage 48 in response to a sufficient temperature increase.
  • the actuator 56 is of the type in which the rod 58 is retracted (to thereby laterally displace the member 54 so that it no longer blocks the passage 48) in response to a temperature increase.
  • the actuator 56 will extend the rod 58 (to thereby laterally displace the member 54 so that it again blocks the passage 48) in response to a subsequent temperature decrease.
  • the actuator 56 is preferably of the type which is known to those skilled in the art as a "reverse" thermal actuator.
  • Such actuators still include a material having a volume which varies in response to a temperature change, but the actuators are constructed in a manner causing the actuators to lengthen or extend in response to a temperature decrease, and causing the actuators to retract in response to a temperature increase.
  • detonation of an explosive component may be prevented by blocking a passage (for example, to block displacement of a firing pin through the passage, or to prevent detonation transfer between explosive components, etc.), and detonation of the explosive component may be permitted by unblocking the passage.
  • a passage for example, to block displacement of a firing pin through the passage, or to prevent detonation transfer between explosive components, etc.
  • detonation of the explosive component may be permitted by unblocking the passage.
  • FIGS. 10 & 11 schematic cross-sectional views of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated, in which another manner of blocking and unblocking the passage 48 may be accomplished.
  • the blocking member 54 is in the form of a shaft which is rotated in the recess 64 intersecting the passage 48. This rotation of the shaft is caused by the actuator 56 which extends or retracts the rod 58 in response to corresponding increases or decreases in temperature.
  • the rod 58 is connected to the blocking member 54 by means of a yoke 72 and arm 74.
  • the yoke 72 and arm 74 transfer linear displacement of the rod 58 into rotational displacement of the blocking member 54.
  • the opening 66 is rotated so that it is not aligned with the passage 48, and the passage is thus blocked, preventing detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52.
  • the opening is rotated so that it is aligned with the passage 48, and the passage is thus unblocked, permitting detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52.
  • the blocking member 54 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 10 in response to a temperature decrease, and the blocking member is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 11 in response to a temperature increase. As with the other configurations of the safety system 40 described herein, these displacements of the blocking member 54 are reversible and repeatable.
  • the blocking member 54 is rotated about an axis (defined by the recess 64) which is orthogonal to the passage 48.
  • the blocking member 54 is rotated about an axis (defined by the pivot 62) which is parallel to the passage 48.
  • greater displacement may be desired than can conveniently be obtained from a single thermal actuator 56.
  • multiple thermal actuators 56 may be used, with the actuators being connected in series.
  • greater force may be desired than can conveniently be obtained from a single thermal actuator 56.
  • multiple thermal actuators 56 may be used, with the actuators being connected in parallel.
  • FIGS. 12 & 13 an example is representatively illustrated of multiple actuators 56 connected in series. Although only two actuators 56 are depicted, any number of actuators may be connected in series (and/or in parallel).
  • the actuators 56 are in their retracted configurations. In FIG. 13 , the actuators 56 are in their extended configurations. It will be readily appreciated that the actuators 56 connected in series can produce greater displacement than a single one of the actuators can produce.
  • FIG. 14 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • multiple actuators 56 are used to produce sufficient displacement to rotate the blocking member 54 relative to the passage 48.
  • the displacement produced by the actuators 56 is transmitted to the arm 74 connected to the blocking member 54 via a rod 76, and the yoke 72 is integrally formed with the arm 74.
  • the biasing device 60 biases the rod 76 downward, i.e., so that the blocking member 54 is rotated to its position blocking the passage 48 when the actuators 56 are in their retracted configurations.
  • the biasing device 60 may not be used if the actuators 56 produce sufficient retracting force to rotate the blocking member 54 without assistance from the biasing device.
  • FIG. 15 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the safety system 40 does not selectively block and unblock the passage 48 to thereby respectively prevent and permit detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52.
  • additional explosive components 50, 52 contained in a shuttle 80 are displaced by a material 78 having a volume which varies in response to changes in temperature.
  • This material 78 may be the same as the material used in the actuators 56 described above.
  • the material 78 may be a solid, a liquid, a gas, a gel, a plastic, a combination thereof, or any other type of material.
  • the material 78 may change phase to produce relatively large changes in volume.
  • THERMOLOIDTM a material known as THERMOLOIDTM is used in the thermal actuators available from Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc. This material (as well as other materials) may be suitable for use as the material 78 in the safety system 40 of FIG. 15 . Indeed, the combination of the shuttle 80 and the material 78 in a chamber 82 of the assembly 42 may be considered as the thermal actuator 56 in this embodiment of the safety system 40.
  • the material 78 increases in volume in response to a temperature increase.
  • the shuttle 80 is displaced laterally relative to the passage 48.
  • the explosive components 50, 52 contained in the shuttle 80 are aligned with the explosive components 50 in the passage 48, and detonation transfer through the passage is permitted.
  • the biasing device 60 biases the shuttle 80 toward the chamber 82 so that, when the temperature decreases and the volume of the material 78 correspondingly decreases, the shuttle will displace laterally and the explosive components 50, 52 in the shuttle will no longer be aligned with the explosive components in the passage 48. Detonation transfer through the passage 48 will thereby be prevented.
  • thermal actuators such as the thermal actuators 56 described above and depicted in FIGS. 2-14 , may be used in place of the material 78 in the chamber 82 to displace the shuttle 80, if desired.
  • the thermal actuator 56 includes an arm 84 made of a material which changes shape in response to changes in temperature.
  • the arm 84 is connected to the blocking member 54. At relatively low temperature, the arm 84 has a shape which positions the blocking member 54 so that it blocks the passage 48, thereby preventing detonation of explosive components 50, 52 on one side of the member, as depicted in FIG. 16 .
  • the arm 84 has another shape which positions the blocking member 54 so that it does not block the passage 48, thereby permitting detonation of the explosive components 50, 52 on either side of the recess 64, as depicted in FIG. 17 .
  • the arm 84 could be constructed of various different materials. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, bimetallics, shape memory alloys, etc.
  • the assembly 42 includes the variable volume material 78 contained within an enclosure 86 positioned between a rod 88 and the firing pin 44 in the passage 48.
  • the rod 88 is propelled downward in response to detonation of explosive components 50, 52 above a piston 90 at an upper end of the rod.
  • the enclosure 86 is preferably somewhat flexible, so that if the material 78 is at a relatively low temperature (and the material thus has a reduced volume), insufficient force will be transmitted from the rod 88 to the firing pin 44 to shear the shear pin 68 retaining the firing pin in the position shown in FIG. 18 .
  • the increase in volume of the material causes the combined material and enclosure 86 in the assembly 42 to become more rigid.
  • the material 78 and enclosure 86 in the assembly 42 can transmit sufficient force from the rod 88 to the firing pin 44 to shear the shear pins 68 and propel the firing pin into contact with the explosive component 46, thereby detonating the explosive components 46, 50, 52.
  • FIG. 19 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated. This configuration is similar in many respects to the configuration of FIG. 18 . However, the rod 88, piston 90 and associated biasing device 60 and shear pins 68 are not used in the configuration of FIG. 19 .
  • detonation of the explosive components 50, 52 above the assembly 42 applies a downwardly directed force to the assembly. If the material 78 is at a relatively high temperature (and thus has an increased volume), then the assembly 42 will have increased rigidity and sufficient force will be transmitted through the assembly to the firing pin 44 to propel the firing pin into contact with the explosive component 46. If, however, the material 78 is at a relatively low temperature (and thus has a reduced volume), then the assembly 42 will have a correspondingly reduced rigidity and sufficient force will not be transmitted through the assembly to the firing pin 44 to cause detonation of the explosive component 46.
  • the enclosure 86 may be made of any material suitable to contain the material 78 when it has increased volume, and to withstand the resulting stress caused by the expansion of the material 78, while being sufficiently flexible to reduce force transmission through the assembly 42 when the material 78 has a reduced volume.
  • the enclosure 86 could be made of high strength polymers, relatively thin metals, etc.
  • FIG. 20 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the actuator 56 is used to extend and retract the firing pin 44 in response to corresponding increases and decreases in temperature of the material 78 in the actuator.
  • the firing pin 44 is a part of the actuator 56 in the configuration of FIG. 20 .
  • the firing pin 44 may be formed on an end of the rod 58.
  • shear pins 68 When a sufficient force 92 is applied to the upper end of the actuator 56, shear pins 68 will shear and the actuator will be propelled downward through the passage 48 toward the explosive component 46.
  • the force 92 may be applied mechanically, by pressure, such as detonation of explosive components above the actuator 56, or by other means.
  • the firing pin 44 extends outwardly from the actuator 56 a sufficient distance, then the firing pin will contact the explosive component 46 and cause detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52. If, however, the firing pin 44 is retracted into the actuator 56 (as depicted in FIG. 20 ), then the firing pin will not contact the explosive component 46.
  • the firing pin 44 extends outwardly from the actuator 56 in response to a temperature increase, which causes the volume of the material 78 to increase.
  • a piston 94 at an upper end of the rod 58 is displaced downward when the material 78 volume increases, thereby downwardly displacing and outwardly extending the firing pin.
  • the firing pin 44 is retracted when the material 78 is at a relatively low temperature and has a corresponding reduced volume.
  • the biasing device 60 may assist in upwardly displacing the piston 94, rod 58 and firing pin 44 if the decreased volume of the material 78 does not produce sufficient force to do this without the aid of the biasing device.
  • FIG. 21 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the actuator 56 is used to alternately increase and decrease a gap G between the actuator and explosive components 50, 52 above the actuator.
  • the size of the gap G is determined by the volume of the material 78, which is positioned between a piston 96 connected to the firing pin 44 and an outer housing 98 of the actuator 56.
  • the housing 98 is displaced upward, thereby reducing the gap G.
  • the housing 98 When the material 78 volume decreases in response to reduced temperature, the housing 98 is displaced downward, thereby increasing the gap G.
  • the biasing device 60 may assist in displacing the housing 98 downward, if desired.
  • FIG. 22 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the thermal actuator 56 is used to rotate the blocking member 54 relative to the passage 48.
  • the blocking member 54 rotates about a pivot 100.
  • the pivot 100 defines an axis of rotation of the blocking member 54 which is orthogonal to the passage 48.
  • the actuator 56 has rotated the blocking member 54 to a position in which the passage 48 is unblocked, and so detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 below the assembly 42 is permitted.
  • the actuator 56 rotates the blocking member 54 to this position in response to increased temperature.
  • the actuator 56 will rotate the blocking member 54 (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 22 ) to a position in which the member blocks the passage 48 and detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 below the assembly 42 is prevented.
  • FIG. 23 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the blocking member 54 is displaced laterally by the actuator 56 in the recess 64 which intersects the passage 48.
  • the blocking member 54 has the opening 66 formed therein which may be aligned with the passage 48 when it is desired to permit detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 below the assembly 42. As depicted in FIG. 23 , the member 54 is in a position in which the opening 66 is not aligned with the passage 48, and so detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 below the assembly 42 is prevented.
  • the actuator 56 will displace the member 54 to align the opening 66 and passage 48 in response to a sufficient increase in temperature.
  • the member 54 is displaced laterally in response to extension and retraction of the rod 58 by the actuator 56. Specifically, a rounded end of the rod 58 engages a rounded end of the member 54 to thereby cause lateral displacement of the member, similar to a cam and follower arrangement.
  • the firing pin 44 is propelled through the passage 48 in response to detonation of the detonating cord (explosive component 52) and booster (explosive component 50) above the firing pin. Until such detonation occurs, the firing pin 44 is secured in place by the shear pins 68 or other suitable fasteners.
  • FIG. 24 a schematic cross-sectional view of another alternative configuration of the safety system 40 is representatively illustrated.
  • the actuator 56 rod 58 engages a recess 102 formed in the firing pin 44 to thereby prevent detonation of the explosive components 46, 50, 52 below the assembly 42.
  • the actuator 56 When the temperature is increased sufficiently, the actuator 56 will retract the rod 58 from the recess 102, thereby permitting the firing pin 44 to be propelled downward through the passage 48 in response to detonation of the explosive components 50, 52 above the firing pin.
  • the actuator 56 when the actuator 56 is at a relatively low temperature, engagement between the rod 58 and the recess 102 prevents displacement of the firing pin 44, even though detonation of the explosive components 50, 52 above the firing pin might produce sufficient force to shear the shear pins 68.
  • thermally activated explosives safety system 40 provides greatly improved safety in well operations utilizing explosive components.
  • the various configurations of the safety system 40 have been described above with each configuration oriented as if detonation transfer occurs in a downward direction through the safety system. It will be appreciated, however, that detonation transfer can occur in an upward direction (for example, if a firing head initiates detonation from the bottom of a perforating assembly, etc.) or horizontally, or at any inclination. Accordingly, it should be understood that the various configurations of the safety system 40 may be used in any orientation in keeping with the principles of the invention.

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  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
  • Pressure Welding/Diffusion-Bonding (AREA)
EP07254713A 2006-12-06 2007-12-05 Thermally activated well perforating safety system Withdrawn EP1930541A2 (en)

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US11/567,633 US20080134922A1 (en) 2006-12-06 2006-12-06 Thermally Activated Well Perforating Safety System

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US20080134922A1 (en) 2008-06-12
CA2612500A1 (en) 2008-06-06

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