US3874461A - Perforating apparatus - Google Patents
Perforating apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3874461A US3874461A US388992A US38899273A US3874461A US 3874461 A US3874461 A US 3874461A US 388992 A US388992 A US 388992A US 38899273 A US38899273 A US 38899273A US 3874461 A US3874461 A US 3874461A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- groove
- charge
- receptacle
- perforating apparatus
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000005474 detonation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000002800 charge carrier Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- E21B43/117—Shaped-charge perforators
Definitions
- ABSTRACT A perforating apparatus is provided with a charge receptacle having a groove in the receptacle outer wall. Upon detonation of a shaped charge, the wall portion surrounded by the groove is cleanly sheared away leaving no burr on the receptacle wall. The sheared wall portion serves as a projectile in penetrating a well casing without leaving a burr on the casing wall.
- FIG. 1 A first figure.
- This invention relates to perforating apparatus for providing communication between a well bore and fluids in the formations surrounding the well bore so that the fluids can be retrieved More particularly, this inention relates to an improved shaped charge perforating apparatus.
- a well for example. an oil or gas well.
- the bore hole is typically cased and a shaped charge perforating apparatus is lowered into the bore hole.
- the perforating apparatus contains a series of shaped capsule charges suitably linked to one another to form a chain of charges for perforating the bore hole easing at selected locations. The perforations enable the fluid in the earth formation adjacent the bore hole casing to enter the casing and be retrieved therefrom.
- the shaped capsule charges for well perforating purposes contain high-brisance detonating explosives.
- the capsule is shaped with a cavity or hollow. generally of conical shape. and is aligned within a thin metal liner and inserted within a charge receptacle. When detonated. the major proportion of the generated explosive force is concentrated. by virtue of the shape of the hollow and the metal liner. into a relatively narrow gaseous jet of great penetrating force directed at the point to he perforated in the well bore lining.
- Shaped perfo rating charges normally depend substantially entirely upon the penetrating power of the narrow axially directed gaseous jet to effect the desired degree of perforation.
- the vertically spaced shaped "capsule" charges are interconnected for detonation by a blasting cord.
- the blasting cord can he detonated by conventional means such as a blasting cap and an electrical power means.
- a bullet gun employs a projectile such as a steel ball within a torpedo shell for penetrating the charge receptacle wall and the bore-hole casing.
- a projectile such as a steel ball within a torpedo shell for penetrating the charge receptacle wall and the bore-hole casing.
- An example of this type of charge is found in the Klotz. U.S. Pat. No. 2.779.278.
- Perforating apparatus may be operated in wells which are filled with hydraulic fluids and for this reason the charges are enclosed in a fluid-tight receptacle. Seep-age of fluid into the charge receptacles will cause misfires and other undesirable damage.
- the "capsule" charges are fastened in a desired location within the charge receptacle by a suitable fastening means and the thin metal capsule charge receptacle. is positioned within the bore hole.
- the tubular perforating apparatus used to complete the evacuation of fluid from the area surrounding the bore hole are generally classified as expendable and non-expendable.
- Nonexpendable perforating apparatus generally has a heavy walled cylindrical housing or receptacle having radially directed ports through which shaped charges can be repeatedly detonated. The ports are sealed after insertion of the shaped charges as by a sealing disc or cap to make the charge receptacle fluidtight.
- the tubular charge receptacle has not been ma chined and has uniform wall thickness.
- the tubular carrier is substantially blown outward by the charges and the tubular receptacle may be completely shattered. This type of expendablc perforating apparatus leaves substantial undesirable debris within the well casing.
- a primary object of the present invention is to provide a perforating apparatus characterized by the absence of a burr on the charge receptacle and well casing and by the elimination of debris in the well casing.
- Other objects are to provide a perforating apparatus having a tubular charge receptacle with a machined outer wall surface so that detonation causes a defined portion of the tubular wall to be sheared away without leaving a burr; and to provide a perforating apparatus using part ofa charge receptacle wall as a projectile for penetrating a well bore hole easing.
- a charge receptacle having an annular groove in its outer wall surface so that the wall thickness at the groove is less than the wall thickness of the wall portion surrounded by the annular groove.
- an explosive charge is positioned opposite the wall portion surrounded by the annular groove. Upon detonation of the charge. explosive pressures shear the receptacle wall at the groove and form a clean. burr-free aperture. and drive the sheared wall portion outwardly through the well casing.
- the perforating apparatus ofthe present invention leaves little or no debris within the well casing since the portion of the tubular wall sheared away is destroyed and/or ejected upon penetration of the well bore casing.
- the perforating apparatus of the present invention is easily and cheaply manufactured by simply providing an annular groove or ring notch in the outer wall of the tubular charge carrier.
- FlGv l is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a perforating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and positioned within a well casing;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tubular charge carrier or charge receptacle of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
- H6. 3 is a cross sectional view of the tubular charge carrier taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the charge carrier after detonation of a shaped charge.
- FIG. 1 there is illustrated perforating apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention and designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10.
- Apparatus 10 is provided with a tubular charge carrier of novel eon figuration and generally designated by the reference numeral 1].
- the apparatus 10 is lowered into the well in accordance with conventional practice for the purpose of perforating a well casing 12 so that oil, gas, water or other fluid within the surrounding earth formation 14 can enter the well bore 16 and be raised to the surface either by pressure existing in the earth formation or by pumping.
- a positioning device (not shown) such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,338.3]? or that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3.l l(l,257 may be em ployed to osition the perforating apparatus 10 within the casing 12.
- One or more shaped or capsule charges 18 are positioned within the tubular charge carrier 11.
- the charges [8 are spaced vertically from one another and are connected for detonation by an igniting means 20 such as. for example. a conventional primacord.
- a detonator or blasting cap (not shown) for the primacord can be connected as by an electrical cable so that the firing of the charges [8 may be electrically initiated at the surface.
- the shaped charges 18 may be of any conventional type. such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. to Christopher-3.128J02; Sweetman-l734.45b or Levier-3,(l4ls,l(l2.
- the wall of the tubular charge carrier I] immediately in front of each shaped charge 18 is provided with a groove 24 best seen in FlGS. 2 and 3.
- a thin wall 26 underlies the groove 24 and surrounds a thicker central wall portion 28. Since generally cylindrical charges 18 are normally used.
- the groove 25 is preferably circular.
- the diameter of the groove 24 is preferably equal to or larger than the diameter of the axially directed gaseous jet stream resulting from detonation ofthe shaped charge 18. lt is preferred to machine the groove to a substantial depth. for example, approximately half of the receptacle wall thickness.
- the bottom of the machine groove 24 (the top of the thin wall portion 26) can be flat, but a flat surface is not necessary. For example.
- a V-notch or other configuration can be provided.
- the shaped charges 18 should be positioned centrally of the relatively thick wall portions 28 so that the narrow axially directed gaseous jet stream created by the detonation of the shaped charges will create a substantially concentric force on the inner surface of wall portion 28.
- wall portion 28 The explosive pressure against the inner surface of wall portion 28 causes wall portion 28 to be sheared S away from the tubular charge carrier ll in a pattern leaves no irregular protrusion on the inner surface of the wall casing 12 and is therefore more desirable for penetrating the casing than the use of explosive gas pressure only. Moreover due to the fact that wall portion 28 is cleanly sheared and driven into the well cas' ing. the problem of debris within the casing 12 is minimized.
- a charge carrier having a shaped charge carried therein, said carrier having in an outer wall surface thereof a groove defining a thin wall area. said groove surrounding a thicker wall area. said surrounded thicker wall area having a thickness greater than the thickness of said thin wall area over substantially the entire surrounded area.
- the shaped charge is mounted within the charge carrier and positioned substantially centrally of the receptacle wall portion surrounded by said groove.
- a perforating charge receptacle adapted to receive shaped charges comprising:
- a tubular member having a shaped charge carried therein and having in an outer wall surface thereof an annular groove defining an annular receptacle wall portion having a thickness less than the thick ness ofthe receptacle wall surrounded by the annular groove over substantially the entire surrounded area.
- said groove in said wall defining a thin wall area.
- said groove surrounding a thicker wall area, said surrounded thicker wall area having a thickness greater than the thickness of said thin wall area over substantially the entire surrounded area.
- Perforating apparatus as defined by claim 9 including a plurality of shaped charges and a plurality of continuous grooves carried by said charge carrier each m shaped charge disposed adjacent one of said grooves in said wall.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (10)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US388992A US3874461A (en) | 1973-08-16 | 1973-08-16 | Perforating apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US388992A US3874461A (en) | 1973-08-16 | 1973-08-16 | Perforating apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3874461A true US3874461A (en) | 1975-04-01 |
Family
ID=23536401
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US388992A Expired - Lifetime US3874461A (en) | 1973-08-16 | 1973-08-16 | Perforating apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3874461A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4071096A (en) * | 1977-01-10 | 1978-01-31 | Jet Research Center, Inc. | Shaped charge well perforating apparatus |
US4282812A (en) * | 1979-04-06 | 1981-08-11 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Company | Field-primable chub cartridge having a longitudinal threading tunnel integral therewith |
US5636692A (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1997-06-10 | Weatherford Enterra U.S., Inc. | Casing window formation |
US5709265A (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1998-01-20 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore window formation |
US5791417A (en) * | 1995-09-22 | 1998-08-11 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubular window formation |
US6394184B2 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2002-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US6543538B2 (en) | 2000-07-18 | 2003-04-08 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method for treating multiple wellbore intervals |
US6672405B2 (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2004-01-06 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Perforating gun assembly for use in multi-stage stimulation operations |
US8905139B2 (en) | 2009-04-24 | 2014-12-09 | Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Blapper valve tools and related methods |
US9382784B1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-05 | Geodynamics, Inc. | Externally-orientated internally-corrected perforating gun system and method |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2067408A (en) * | 1935-03-15 | 1937-01-12 | Paul R Robb | Apparatus for cleaning wells |
US2411862A (en) * | 1942-12-17 | 1946-12-03 | Harmon W Arnold | Method of forming frangible explosive containers and the product so produced |
US2925775A (en) * | 1955-12-13 | 1960-02-23 | Borg Warner | Well casing perforator |
US2968243A (en) * | 1956-07-09 | 1961-01-17 | Tubing gun | |
US3093072A (en) * | 1957-01-30 | 1963-06-11 | George L Pigman | Spin-induced dispersal bomb |
US3346057A (en) * | 1966-10-10 | 1967-10-10 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Well bore perforating apparatus |
US3366188A (en) * | 1965-06-28 | 1968-01-30 | Dresser Ind | Burr-free shaped charge perforating |
US3429384A (en) * | 1967-10-09 | 1969-02-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Perforating apparatus |
US3580174A (en) * | 1968-03-07 | 1971-05-25 | Oerlikon Buehrle Ag | Projectile with hollow explosive charge |
US3739723A (en) * | 1971-08-23 | 1973-06-19 | Harrison Jet Guns Inc | Perforating gun |
-
1973
- 1973-08-16 US US388992A patent/US3874461A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2067408A (en) * | 1935-03-15 | 1937-01-12 | Paul R Robb | Apparatus for cleaning wells |
US2411862A (en) * | 1942-12-17 | 1946-12-03 | Harmon W Arnold | Method of forming frangible explosive containers and the product so produced |
US2925775A (en) * | 1955-12-13 | 1960-02-23 | Borg Warner | Well casing perforator |
US2968243A (en) * | 1956-07-09 | 1961-01-17 | Tubing gun | |
US3093072A (en) * | 1957-01-30 | 1963-06-11 | George L Pigman | Spin-induced dispersal bomb |
US3366188A (en) * | 1965-06-28 | 1968-01-30 | Dresser Ind | Burr-free shaped charge perforating |
US3346057A (en) * | 1966-10-10 | 1967-10-10 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Well bore perforating apparatus |
US3429384A (en) * | 1967-10-09 | 1969-02-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Perforating apparatus |
US3580174A (en) * | 1968-03-07 | 1971-05-25 | Oerlikon Buehrle Ag | Projectile with hollow explosive charge |
US3739723A (en) * | 1971-08-23 | 1973-06-19 | Harrison Jet Guns Inc | Perforating gun |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4071096A (en) * | 1977-01-10 | 1978-01-31 | Jet Research Center, Inc. | Shaped charge well perforating apparatus |
US4282812A (en) * | 1979-04-06 | 1981-08-11 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Company | Field-primable chub cartridge having a longitudinal threading tunnel integral therewith |
US5791417A (en) * | 1995-09-22 | 1998-08-11 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Tubular window formation |
US5636692A (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1997-06-10 | Weatherford Enterra U.S., Inc. | Casing window formation |
US5709265A (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1998-01-20 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Wellbore window formation |
US6024169A (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 2000-02-15 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Method for window formation in wellbore tubulars |
US20030051876A1 (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2003-03-20 | Tolman Randy C. | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US6520255B2 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2003-02-18 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US6394184B2 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2002-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US20050178551A1 (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2005-08-18 | Tolman Randy C. | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US6957701B2 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2005-10-25 | Exxonmobile Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US7059407B2 (en) | 2000-02-15 | 2006-06-13 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
US6543538B2 (en) | 2000-07-18 | 2003-04-08 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method for treating multiple wellbore intervals |
US6672405B2 (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2004-01-06 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Perforating gun assembly for use in multi-stage stimulation operations |
US8905139B2 (en) | 2009-04-24 | 2014-12-09 | Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Blapper valve tools and related methods |
US9382784B1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-05 | Geodynamics, Inc. | Externally-orientated internally-corrected perforating gun system and method |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CITIBANK, N.A. Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK THE (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: MBANK HOUSTON NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: FIRST CITY NATIONAL BANK OF HOUSTON Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: TORONTO-DOMINION ATLANTA AGENCY THE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA THE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUTCHER RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004570/0273 Effective date: 19850529 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MBANK HOUSTON NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: TORONTO-DOMINION BANK ATLANTA AGENCY Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK THE (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA THE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: FIRST CITY NATIONAL BANK OF HOUSTON Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 Owner name: CITIBANK, N.A. Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRC WIRELINE, INC., A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004573/0123 Effective date: 19850529 |