MXPA97009363A - Drilling system with strip in spiral uondul - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a perforating gun for carrying a plurality of shaped charge explosives which are connected by a detonation cord to perforate a section of a well in a selected pattern, characterized in that it comprises: an elongated, spiral strip, which has an outer diameter sized to be conveniently inserted and removed from a well, a series of openings spaced at intervals along a length of the spiral strip to serve as assemblies for the configured charge explosives to be arranged in a ratio of angular phase to correspond with said selected drilling pattern in the well, the cross-sectional area of the spiral strip around each opening being selected to avoid fragmentation of the carrier in the detonation of the charges, whereby the spiral strip is can place in the well, detonated explosives to create holes in the pattern selected and the spiral strip is retrieved from the well, wherein the openings of the spiral strip are threaded, and wherein the perforating gun has an explosive capsule charge comprising: a cap having a threaded nozzle for coupling with a threaded opening of the spiral strip, the lid being hollow to contain the explosive and ending in an annular internal thread, with a threaded section of selected width, a hollow body to contain the explosive and having an open end with external threads having a width less than the width of the threaded section in the cap to allow free rotation of the body in the cap after it has been screwed in; a slot and holder to receive a detonation cord on a closed end of the hollow body; Hollow body can be rotated freely to align said groove and fastener for convenient threading and connection of detonation cord with burst capsule charge

Description

DRILLING SYSTEM WITH TIRR IN ESPIRRL U ONDULRDR TECHNICAL CRAM The present invention relates to punching guns through pipes, used to withstand explosive charges in a hole to form perforations through which water, oil or minerals are extracted.

BACKGROUND OF LR TECNICR Es + a Lnvención is an improvement over drilling systems through pipelines, in phases, of the prior art, since it allows a widely varied phase orientation (ie the orientation of multiple directional loads in several boxes) while allowing the recovery of the carrier. Perforated capsule perforation systems of the prior art can generally be classified into categories: (1) the frigid base strip in phases (U.S. Patent 4,951,744); (2) the recoverable base strip with friable retention means (U.S. Patent 5,095,999); and (3) the expandable articulation in phases (US Patent 5,241,891). The disadvantages of the first category (illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings) is that the broken pieces of the base strip are not recovered from the well leaving a substantial amount of waste. As a result, it can not be determined if all charges were detonated properly. Also, because the base is broken after the gun is fired, the strip must be brittle and can thus be broken when it is undesirable (for example, when transported in the well). The disadvantage of the second category (illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings) is that the base strip is composed of a heavy gauge steel bar that limits the possible orientation in phases (usually + 45 degrees, -45 degrees) and that is distorted (when the configured loads are triggered) making recovery difficult. Also, because only a relatively weak breakable fastener retains the capsule load on the base t ra, it can break when it is undesirable (e.g., when transported in the well). The advantage of this system is that it allows some orientation in simple phases (two rows at +/- 45 degrees typically) and the strip is resistant and recoverable. The disadvantages of the third category (illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings) is that it leaves more debris in the well and that the system is weak (the pins and joints often break when they hit blockages in the pipe), resulting in the use of simple drilling operations only. The main advantage of the third category is that very flexible phase orientation is possible. This high degree of phase orientation of the capsules is important for well productivity in many types of formation.

The co-pending application PCT / US9 / L5230 describes a perforation gun carrier with a slotted configuration and internal dimensions to allow the orientation of the capsule in selected phases between 0 and 360 degrees. The carrier has a fragile seam that fractures under detonation for recoverable forms, each supported by subaltern transport for recovery. The seam is a narrow bridge, formed by grooving the carrier partially, with a cross-sectional area that breaks under detonation of the configured loads. The remaining cross-sectional area and strength of each strip is sufficient to ensure recovery after detonation. The strips are preferably non-planar, arcuate or are a segment of a circle in cross section. When the capsule loads are arranged around many phases, by attaching both the front portion and the rear portion of the capsule charges to the regions of the non-fragile carrier, detonating cords are used for detonation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The general object of the invention is to provide a pistol for drilling a well, which overcomes the various disadvantages of the prior art devices with a carrier that produces perforations in a wide degree of patterns., including a 360 degree phase relationship, which is not fragmented and can therefore be removed from the well. This object is also achieved with a perforating gun having an elongated assembly having a selected spiral or wave, or non-linear, zig-zag shape, as shown in a plan view, with an outside surface diameter directed to the convenient insertion and removal from a well. The mounting strip has a serué of openings separated at intervals to mount the explosive charges of the capsule in a phase relationship between 0 and 360 degrees. The cross-sectional area of the mounting strip around each aber + ura is selected to prevent fragmentation of the carrier or detonation of the charges. The mounting surface is preferably metallic, with a selected wavelength and amplitude length. In each opening is a capsule of explosive with a + a? A? A? A hollow with a nozzle to be fixed to one of the openings. The cover has an internal thread, annular, with a threaded section of selected width. The explosive capsule has a hollow body having an open end with external threads and a width less than the width of the threaded section in the cap to allow free rotation of the body in the cap after the tap is made for convenient threading and connection with the detonation cord. The above, as well as additional, objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel aspects that are believed to be "racist" of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention per se, as well as a preferred mode of use, additional objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a prior art punching gun of the +? po using a fragile base strip; Figure 2 is a prior art punching gun of the type using a recoverable base strip with brittle holding means; Figure 3 is a prior art punching gun having multi-phase expandable joints; Figure 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a front view; Figure 5 is a later elevation view of the embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view of the modality of the Figure 4 shown from the top inside a housing to be perforated to illustrate the configured load orientations and perforations in the housing and in the geological formation; Figure 7 is a phase diagram showing the phase relationship of the capsule loads in the Fi 4 mode; Figure 8 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the carrier of the embodiment of Figure 4 to illustrate the means of assembly and configuration of the strip; Figure B-A is a cross-sectional view as seen along the corresponding lines and arrows of Figure 8; Figure 9 illustrates a capsule charge of the type used in the preferred embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 9-0 is a fragmented, amplified view taken from Figure 9; and Figure 10 is a plan view or front elevation of an alternative embodiment of the mounting means shown in the plane of the paper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to Figures 1-3 of the drawings, which illustrate three prior art perforating guns, the perforating gun 11 of Figure 1 uses a fragile base strip 13 having plural surfaces 15, 17 on which a plurality of capsule charges 19 oriented at different angles or phases are punched to drill a well in more than one direction. The base strip 13 is constructed of a material as explained in the specification of US Pat. No. 4,951,744 to be broken into a multitude of very small pieces in response to the detonation of the capsule charges, allowing the resulting waste of the base line fall ideally below the drilling zone to avoid obstruction of the oil or gas flow from the perforated well. The material of the base strip 13 is strong enough to avoid breaking during impact with an obstruction when it travels down into the hole. A recoverable base strip that will not break when the charges are detonated, and that can be recovered from the well, is described in US Patent 5,095,999. Here, the loads are retained on the base strip by support rings that will break into a multitude of pieces, allowing the charges to fall to the bottom of the well. This configuration of the drill gun is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings and is taken from US Patent 5,095,999. A non-friable strip 21 is recoverable from the well after the detonation of the capsule loads 23 ba or ignition of the detonation cord 25. The capsule charges 23 are retained on the base strip 21 by a plurality of support rings 26 that burst or detonation of the capsule charges. Another prior art perforating gun is shown in US Pat. No. 5,241,891 and in FIG. 3, where the explosive charges 27 are mounted on arming carriers 29 and detonated by ignition of the detonation cord 31. This configuration of the drillhole occupies a small diameter similar to that of the guns of the previous one * in the well while perrni + e the orientation in multiple phases of the loads and the recovery from a well. Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings and of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number 33 designates a perforating gun for drilling * a well having an elongated spiral mounting strip having an external diameter directed for convenient insertion and removal from a well containing geological formations to be drilled for improve the production of? e + .role or other minerals. The spiral strip 35 is manufactured using the capabilities of a multi-axis laser milling machine on overstretched mandrel tubes. The milling machine must have at least the X axis and rotational capabilities in order to make grooves in the spiral strip. Four (4) strips are manufactured from each complete tube started. The tube is left partially connected until all the spiral grooves are made over the length of the tube. The partial connection is subsequently broken to produce four (4) separate strips. The threaded holes on the strip are then completed on conventional machine centers. The drill gun 33 has at its upper end a connector 37 for mounting on a subaltern transport (not shown) to raise or lower and place the gun at the selected elevation in the well adjacent to the geological • formation to be drilled. . The strip 35 is connected to a lower end of the connector 4? with a plurality of fasteners 39 which may be screws with plug heads or the equivalent. Fastened to the connector 37 are the electrical ports 41 (see Fig. 5) adapted to supply electric power to a detonation cord 43. The outer surface of the strip 35 is cylindrical about a longitudinal axis (not shown). and is formed of a selected metal that forms a helical band with a step in the range of 30.48 to 86.36 crn. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 8A, a suitable thickness for the strip is 0.3175 crn and the circumference width W is 3,175 cm. At a lower end of the belt a belt 45 is connected to which a second spiral strip 47 can be secured. There are a series of openings in the spiral belt 35 for serving as assemblies for a plurality of explosive capsules. 49. These openings are separated at intervals along the length of the spiral track, so that they are arranged in a phase relationship to correspond to the selected hole pattern in the well. As shown in Figure 9, each of the explosive caps 49 has a cap 51 having a threaded nozzle 5 which engages the threads 55 of the t ra 35. The cross sectional area of the strip around * or adjacent each aperture is selected to prevent the fragmentation of the anger under the detonation of the load, taking into account the strength of the material used to form the strip, which in the preferred embodiment is a strong, flexible and flexible material to the steel 1018 or stainless steel 304. The cover 51 is hollow with an inner cavity -57 to receive an explosive charge and end in an angular internal thread 59 having a 6L thread length, as can best be seen * in the amplified fragmented view of Figure 9A. The threaded section 61 is wider than the threads 63 that are formed on the outside of the open end of a hollow body 64 that partially contains the explosive charge described above. The open ex-ring of the hollow body also has a seal 65 in an annular slot 67 to avoid contamination and degradation of the explosive charge. The opposite end of the hollow body 63 has a slot 69 for receiving the knock cord 43 shown in Figures 4 and 5 which is adjacent to a heat sensitive trigger pin 71 which detonated the explosive within the capsule. A slot 73 receives a retaining clip 75 (see Fig. 8) of conventional configuration to secure the knock cord in its position adjacent to the trigger pin 71. Referring now to Figure 10 of the drawings (and to an alternate embodiment of the present invention), the number 101 designates an overestimated mandrel tube (DOM) shown in the paper plane (not <; -s a real frontal or plan view) of which four (4) zig-zag non-linear mounting strips can be manufactured from each full turn of the tube with the use of a multi-axis milling machine l . One of the strips 103 is shown with a plurality of openings 105 on its non-linear length, in zig-zag, having edges 107, 109 defined by forming slots in the tube 101 with the laser router. The laser milling machine must have rotational capabilities to groove tube 101 and form the non-linear zig-zag strip. The tube is left partially connected until the non-linear zig-zag grooves are made over the length of the tube. The partial connection points are then separated to produce four (4) non-linear zig-zag strips per * separate. The openings 105 on the strip are then threaded and completed. In the embodiment of Figure 10, tube 101 is shown as being cut and rolled longitudinally in the plane of the paper, appearing to be rectangular. The circumference is marked in degrees 111 at the bottom of the tube. The degrees are used to define the edges 107, 109 of the strip 103 and its geometric shape. The dotted lines 113 are imaginary lines that are used to design the shape of the strip 103 and do not appear physically on the tube. Strip 103 is described as non-linear and in a zig-zag pattern. Another way to define the shape of strip 103 is with L2 reference to waveforms. The strip 1 3 has a waveform comprising a first triangular wave having a length of Li wave and an amplitude ai. This wave is directed and is continued by a second wave that has a wave length I2 and an amplitude a2. The waves can have * a variety of shapes such as triangular (not shown), square, rectangular or sinusoidal, to give * some examples. The waves can be in repetitions or identical or they can have different lengths and amplitudes as shown. The waveform is selected to provide the required pattern of openings 105 in which the formed load capsules are mounted and to increase to the maximum the number of strips 103 that can be cut from the tube 101. When cutting the strip 103 of the tube 101 the charges formed, when they are left in the openings L05 are accommodated in a + or a cylinder (or are of a circle in a scale of preferably 90-120 degrees) to match * the cylindrical shape of the wall in the well to be drilled. The openings 105 are preferably spaced apart from each other on a scale of 30.48 to 60.96 crn. In the preferred example of FIG. 10, the material is the same as that indicated for the spiral strip of Figure 4, with a thickness of 0.3175 crn. The dimensions for a suitable strip are: U = 3.175 cm. ll = 15.24 crn.

L2 = 30.48 pn. I) = 7.62 < *? n "d - 1. 7 m. ai - 45 degrees a3 - 45 degrees It should be evident from the foregoing that an invention is provided that has significant advantages. The spiral strip 35 of Figure 4 can be configured to allow the orientation of explosive capsules in a wide variety of selected patterns, one of which is shown in Figure 6, in which the strip 35 is used to place the explosive capsule 49 and others like this to form the perforation 77 through the metal housing 79 and within the geological formation 81. This pattern has a phase relationship as shown in Figure 7, wherein the perforation 77 is indicated by the corresponding point in zero degrees. In addition, the configuration of the spiral wheel, when constructed as indicated above, avoids the fragmentation or major distortion that would prevent its recovery from a well hole after which the explosive capsules are detonated. The spiral could be considered to be a three-dimensional wave and continuous in a cylindrical periphery. The non-linear or corrugated strip 103 of Figure 10 is an alternate shape to achieve many of the advantages of the spiral strip of Figure 4. It is especially advantageous when the pattern perforations need not reach 360 degrees.

Because the plural strips can be formed from a tube 107, manufacturing efficiencies are obtained. Although the invention has been shown in only two of its forms, it is not limited to these but it is susceptible of vain changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the same.

Claims (17)

NOVELTY OF LR INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A perforating gun for carrying a plurality of explosives that are connected by a detonation cord to drill a section of a well in a selected pattern, characterized in that it comprises: an elongated, spiral strip having an outer diameter directed to be conveniently introduced and removed from a well; a series of openings spaced at intervals along a length of the spiral strip to serve as mounts for the explosives to be accommodated in an angular phase relationship to correspond to said selected borehole pattern; being the cross-sectional area of the strip around each opening selected to avoid the fragmentation of the carrier under detonation of the charges; whereby the spiral strip can be + ar * placed in the well, the explosives are detonated to create-perforations in the selected pattern and the spiral strip recovered from the well.

2. The drilling gun according to claim 1, further characterized in that the outer surface of the spiral strip is cylindrical about a longitudinal axis.

3. The perforation gun according to claim 2, further characterized in that the spiral strip is a metal and helical strip with a pitch on a scale of 30.40 to 60.96 c "n" 4.- The perforation pistol according to with claim 1, further characterized in that the apertures of the spiral thread are threaded. 5. The perforation gun according to claim 4, further characterized in that it includes a capsule charge of pLosivo comprising: a cap having a threaded nozzle to mate with a threaded aperture of the spiral strip; the hollow lid being to contain the explosive and ending in an internal, annular thread, with a threaded section of selected width; a hollow body for containing an explosive and having an open end with external threads having a width less than the width of the threaded section in the cover to allow free rotation of the body on the cover after the threading has been made; a slot and retainer for receiving a detonation cord on a closed end of the hollow body; whereby the hollow body can be freely rotated to align said slot and retainer for convenient threading and connection of the detonation cord with the explosive capsule charge. 6. A perforation gun for carrying a plurality of explosives that are connected by a detonation cord to perforate a section of a well in a selected pattern, characterized because it comprises: a non-linear strip in zig-zag, elongated that it has a generally tubular wall dimensioned to be introduced and removed conveniently and from the well; a series of separate openings at intervals along a length of the non-linear Zig-zag strip will serve as mounts for the explosives to be accommodated in an angular phase relaon to correspond to said selected drilling pattern. In the well; being the area of cross section (j) The strip around each opening selected to enter the fragmentation of the carrier * under the detonation of LÍAS loads, by * so that the non-linear strip in zig-zag can be placed in the well, the explosives detonated to create perforations in the selected pattern and recovered from the well 7. The pis + drill wave according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of the non-linear zig-zag strip forms an arc of 8. The drill pistol according to claim 2, further characterized in that the arc is on a scale of approximately 90 to 120 degrees. according to claim 3, further characterized in that the zig-zag non-linear strip is metal and the openings are separated from one another on a scale of 30.48 to 60.96 crn. rmity with claim 1, further characterized in that said openings of the non-linear zig-zag strip are threaded to receive shaped charge capsules. 11. The perforating gun according to claim 1, further characterized in that it includes a charge (Je capsule of explosive that comprises: a cap having a threaded nozzle to be coupled with a threaded opening of the non-linear zig-strip. -zag; The hollow cover being to contain the explosive and ending in an annular internal thread with a threaded section of selected width; a hollow body for containing explosive dlcho and having an open end with external threads having a width less than the width < j l + threaded bouquet in the lid to allow free rotation of the body in the lid after the thread has been made; an opening and a retainer for receiving a detonation cord on a closed end of the hollow body; whereby the hollow body can be freely rotated to align the slot and retainer for convenient threading and connection of the detonation cord with the explosive capsule charge. 12. A perforation gun for carrying a plurality of explosives that are connected by a detonation cord to perforate a section of a well in a selected pattern, characterized in that it comprises: an elongated strip sized for the convenient introduction and removal from the well and is in the form of a selected wave; a series of openings separated at intervals along a length of the strip to serve as mounts for the explosives to be accommodated in an angular phase relationship to correspond to said pa + ron (Je drilling selected in the well; The cross-sectional area of the strip around each selected aperture to enter the fragmentation of the carrier under detonation of the charges, so that the strip can be * placed in the well, the explosives detonated to create perforations in the selected pattern and recovered from the well 13. The perforating pistol according to claim 7, further characterized in that the outer surface of the strip forms an arc of a circle around a longitudinal axis 1

4. The perforation gun according to claim 8, further characterized in that the arc is on a scale of approximately 90 to 120 degrees 15.- The compliance drill with claim 9, further characterized in that said strip is metallic and said aber + urao are spaced from one another on a scale of 30.48 to 60.96 crn. 16. The drilling gun according to claim 10, further characterized in that the openings of the zig-zag non-linear strip are threaded. 17. The perforating gun according to claim 4, further characterized in that it includes an explosive capsule charge comprising: a cap having a threaded nozzle for coupling with a threaded opening of the non-linear zig-zag strip.; the hollow lid being to contain the explosive and ending in an internal thread *, annular *, with a threaded section of selected width; a hollow body for containing the explosive and having an open end with external threads having a width less than the width of the threaded bouquet in the cap to allow free rotation of the body in the cap after the thread has been made; a slot and retainer for receiving a detonation cord on a closed end of the hollow body; so that the hollow body can be freely rotated to align said groove and retainer for the threading and connection convemen + of the detonation cord with the explosive capsule charge.