CN106246145B - Flow-limited phasing perforating gun systems and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A flow-limited perforation phasing gun system and method for precise perforating in deviated/horizontal wellbores is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) having a shaped charge cluster deployed in a wellbore. The charges are spaced and angled so that when perforated, the charges intersect the preferred fracture face. When fracturing, fractures are initiated from the up and down positions of the wellbore at the location of minimum principal stress in the preferred fracture plane perpendicular to the wellbore. Fractures are then connected radially around the wellbore in the preferred fracture plane. The fracturing treatment in the preferred fracturing face creates a path with minimal tortuosity for longer extension of the fracture, which enables efficient oil and gas flow rates during production.

Description

Flow-limited phasing perforating gun systems and methods

Cross References to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. Continuation-in-Part Application Serial No. 14/598,868, entitled "LIMITEDENTRY PHASED PERFORATING GUN SYSTEM AND METHOD," filed January 16, 2015, and filed on Continuation-in-Part of US Nonprovisional Patent Application Serial No. 14/176,056, filed February 8, 2014, entitled "LIMITED ENTRYPHASED PERFORATING GUN SYSTEM AND METHOD," the entire contents of which applications are incorporated herein by way of example.

Partial Disclaimer of Copyright

All material in this patent application is protected by copyright under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. This material is protected as unpublished material as of the first effective filing date of this application.

However, reproduction of this material, as it appears in the patent files or records of the USPTO, is hereby permitted provided that the copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or patent disclosure by anyone, except that no matter what All copyright rights are reserved.

Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research and Development

Not applicable

Refer to Microfiche Addendum

Not applicable

technical field

This invention relates generally to a perforating gun used in the oil and gas industry to blast and perforate wellbore casings and subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and more particularly to a perforating gun for use in the wellbore casing and its surrounding Improved equipment for blasting perforation in preferred fracture faces of subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formations.

Prior Art and Background of the Invention

Background technique

During the well completion process, the gun string assembly is positioned in an isolated zone in the wellbore casing. A gun string assembly includes a plurality of perforating guns coupled to each other either by tandem or by looping. The perforating gun is then fired through the casing and cement and into the target rock to form a hole. These perforations connect oil and gas-bearing rock to the wellbore. According to U.S. document US 7,441,601, “During the completion of oil and/or natural gas wells, hydrocarbon-bearing formations are usually perforated with explosives to allow hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore. These charges are loaded in the perforating guns and are usually A shaped ammunition that produces a penetrating jet of explosion in a defined direction".

The use of angled shaped charge arrangements to provide intersecting perforations has generated significant interest in recent years. See, for example, the papers by Halliburton, Bersas et al.: Triple-Jet ^™ Perforating System, Perforation on Target in Oilfield Review, and Newpractices to Enhance Perforating Results in Oilfield Review (incorporated into the information disclosure of this application material). Intersecting perforation helps to clear debris in the perforation passage and is especially beneficial when there is crushed or unconsolidated material adjacent to the wellbore being perforated and in sandstone formations.

Hydrocarbon frac channels have a preferred orientation in which oil/gas extraction efficiency is maximized, i.e. when perforations are aligned along the channel, oil/gas is not taking a path that can become highly twisted restrictive flow through the perforation channel in case of an alternate path.

Fractures will initiate and propagate on the preferred fracture face of the formation. A directional perforation system can be used to more closely align the plane of the perforation tunnel to the preferred fracture surface. Misalignment between the preferred fracture surface and the perforations in the wellbore can result in significant pressure drops due to tortuosity in the flow path near the wellbore. Perforations phased at 90 degrees to the preferred fracture face create pinch points that lead to pressure loss and high torsion in the flow path.

Limited entry fracturing is based on the premise that each perforation will communicate with a hydraulic fracture and will contribute fluid at a predetermined rate during treatment. Therefore, if no perforation is involved, the incremental rate per perforation increases for every other perforation, resulting in higher perforation friction. Accordingly, there is a need to angularly and spatially space the ammunition to facilitate maximum productivity of the flow-restricted fracturing process.

By design, every perforation in the confinement is expected to participate in the treatment process. If all perforations are involved, and the perforations are fired at 60°, 90°, or 120° phases, then multiple fracture planes can be created, resulting in a large amount of near-wellbore friction and a well-positioned planned fracture Difficulty in handling. Therefore, a minimum number of initiations is required that does not create ineffective fracture surfaces. Currently, 4 to 8 perforations are fired, which will be reconnected to the main frac face during the frac treatment. Some perforation channels result in loss of energy and pressure during the fracturing treatment, which reduces the expected pressure in the fracturing channels. For example, if 100 bpm of fracturing fluid is pumped into each fracturing zone at 10,000 PSI with the intention of fracturing each perforation channel at 2-3 bpm, most of the energy is lost in The fracture injection rate is reduced to substantially less than 2-3 bpm in ineffective fractures. As a result, the range of fracture lengths is significantly reduced, resulting in less oil and gas flow during production. Therefore, there is a need for a system that achieves the highest and optimum fluid injection rate per perforation pass in order to achieve maximum fracture length. The more energy that passes through each perforation channel, the more fluid is passed across the preferred fracture surface, and the farther the fracture extends. Ideally, a frac length of 1,000 feet from the wellbore is desired. Therefore, there is a need to obtain longer extensions of the fracture with minimal distortion. For example, to achieve 2 bpm in each perforation pass, for 50 perforation passes, a total injection rate of 100 bpm at 1000 psi would require 12 clusters with 4 charges each. Therefore, more zones with 4 perforations, 2 above and 2 below, need to be fired in each cluster. A swivel/gimbal system is also required to orient the ammunition in the desired direction relative to the preferred frac surface.

It is required that the fracture be initiated first at the top and at the bottom with the least principal stress so that there is sufficient flow velocity to propagate the fracture. A perforating gun is required that perforates such that the fracture penetrates radially towards the wellbore.

Prior art United States US8327746 discloses a wellbore perforating device. In one embodiment, a wellbore perforating device includes a plurality of shaped charges and a holder holding the plurality of shaped charges such that when detonated the charges intersect a common plane extending transversely relative to the holder. However, it is necessary to fracture the intersecting jets into the preferred fracture plane so that the fracture initiates and propagates laterally into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Prior art US8127848A discloses a method of perforating a wellbore by forming perforations conforming to reservoir characteristics, such as maximum stress direction, property line of constant formation and formation dip. The wellbore can be perforated using a perforating system employing shaped charges, mechanical devices, or high-pressure fluids. The perforating system can be aligned by asymmetrical weights, motors, or manipulation from the wellbore surface. However, up and down fracturing is required to create a preferred fracture initiation point at a selected length in a preferred fracturing plane.

Prior art US7913758A discloses a method for completing oil and gas well completions. The perforators 10, 11 may be selected from any known or commonly used perforators and are typically arranged in perforating guns. The perforators are aligned such that the cutting jets 12, 13 and their associated shock waves converge toward each other such that their interaction causes increased formation fracturing. It is also possible to align the cutting jets so that impingement of the cutting jets is deliberately caused to cause further fracturing of the rock formation. In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is provided a shaped ammunition shroud having at least two concave regions, the shroud geometry being selected such that upon forced collapse of the shroud a plurality of cutting jets are formed, so that The jets converge or can collide in the rock formation. However, there is a need to fracture to a preferred fracture initiation point in a preferred fracture plane.

Prior art US7303017A discloses a perforating gun assembly 60 for creating a passage for fluid between a formation 64 and a cased wellbore 66 comprising a housing 84, a A detonator 86 and a detonating cord 90 operatively associated to the detonator 86 . The perforating gun assembly 60 also includes one or more collections 92 , 94 , 96 , 98 of substantially axially oriented shaped charges. Each shaped charge in sets 92 , 94 , 96 , 98 is operably associated to a detonating cord 90 . In addition, adjacent shaped rounds in each collection 92, 94, 96, 98 of shaped rounds are oriented to converge toward each other such that upon detonation, the shaped rounds in each collection 92, 94, 96, 98 The ammunition forms jets that interact with each other to create a perforation cavity in the formation 64 . However, there is a need to fracture up and down to the preferred fracture plane perpendicular (transverse) to the wellbore direction.

Defects in the prior art

Above-mentioned prior art has following defective:

• Prior art systems do not provide for minimizing multiple initiations in a fracture stage.

• Prior art systems do not provide for 2 or 4 directed shaped charges in clusters that intersect the preferred fracture face when perforated.

• Prior art systems do not provide for the use of internal swivels to direct shaped charge ammunition.

• Prior art systems do not provide effective reduction of twist and energy loss in the perforation tunnel.

• Prior art systems do not provide radially extending longer fractures in the preferred perforation plane.

• Prior art systems do not provide for perforating more areas with fewer perforation numbers per cluster to increase wellbore productivity.

• Prior art systems do not provide a system for fracturing to a preferred fracture initiation point in a preferred fracture face.

While some of the prior art may teach some solutions to several of these problems, the prior art does not address the core problem of dealing with unsafe spray gun pressures.

purpose of invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is (among other things) to avoid the drawbacks of the prior art and to achieve the following:

• Provides for minimizing multiple initiations in a fracture stage.

• Provide 2 or 4 directed shaped charges in clusters that intersect the preferred fracture face when perforated.

• Provides for directing shaped charges using an internal swivel attached to the perforating gun.

• Provides effective reduction of twist, energy loss and pressure loss in the perforation channel.

- Provide radially longer fractures in preferred perforation planes.

• Provides for perforating more areas with fewer perforations per cluster to increase wellbore productivity.

- Provides a system for fracturing to a preferred fracture initiation point in a preferred fracture face.

These objects, however, should not be construed as limiting the teachings of the present invention, and generally these objects have been achieved in part or in whole by the disclosed inventions discussed in the following sections. A person skilled in the art will no doubt be able to select any combination of aspects of the invention as disclosed to achieve the above objects.

Contents of the invention

The present invention, in various embodiments, addresses one or more of the above objectives in the manner described below. The present invention provides a system that includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with a shaped charge cluster. The charges are spaced and angled such that when perforated, the charges intersect the preferred fracture face. When fracturing, fractures are initiated from positions up and down the wellbore at the location of minimum principal stress in the preferred fracture plane perpendicular to the wellbore. The fractures are then connected radially around the wellbore in a preferred fracture plane. Fracturing in the preferred fracture face creates a path with minimal tortuosity for longer extension of the fracture, enabling efficient oil and gas flow rates during production.

The system of the present invention may be used in the context of a globally restricted phased perforating method, wherein a phased perforating gun system as previously described is controlled by a method having the following steps:

(1) positioning the gun with a plurality of upward ammunition and a plurality of downward ammunition in the wellbore casing;

(2) orienting a plurality of upward munitions and a plurality of downward munitions in a desired direction; and

(3) Perforating into the hydrocarbon containing formation with multiple upward charges and multiple downward charges such that the multiple upward charges and the multiple downward charges intersect the preferred fracture surface.

Combinations of this preferred exemplary method embodiment and other preferred exemplary method embodiments with various preferred exemplary system embodiments are disclosed by the general scope of the present invention.

Description of drawings

For a fuller understanding of the advantages offered by the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a perforating gun assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the perforating gun shown in FIG. 1 .

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the barrel and shaped charge of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 .

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the barrel of an embodiment of the present invention showing the placement of shaped charges on a support bar.

Figure 6 is a side view of a shaped charge suitable for use in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary system cross-section of a shaped charge alternatively positioned in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7A shows an exemplary system perspective view of a shaped charge alternatively positioned in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 shows an exemplary system cross-section of a shaped charge in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8A shows an exemplary system perspective view of a shaped charge in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary system block diagram of a preferred fracture face in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 shows an exemplary system cross-section of upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun for preferred fracture initiation in a preferred fracture face, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention point.

FIG. 11 shows a detailed flowchart of a preferred exemplary phased perforating method using shaped munitions in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows an exemplary 3-round asymmetric intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 shows an exemplary 6-round asymmetric intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14a shows an exemplary 4-round symmetrical intersection configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14b illustrates reduced lead lengths in an exemplary 4-round symmetrical intersection configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 shows an exemplary 6-round symmetrical intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 shows an exemplary 6-round mixed (intersecting and non-intersecting) configuration system for up and down shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 illustrates an exemplary 6-round off-phase intersection configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 illustrates another exemplary 6-round off-phase intersection configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 shows an exemplary 2-shot non-intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 illustrates an exemplary 3-round non-intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary 4-round non-intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 22 illustrates an exemplary 5-round non-intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 23 illustrates an exemplary 6-round non-intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 24 illustrates an exemplary 7-round non-intersecting configuration system for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 shows an exemplary 5-round non-intersecting configuration system for mixing up and down shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 26 shows an exemplary 6-round non-intersecting configuration system for mixing upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 27 illustrates an exemplary combination of 6- and 7-round non-intersecting configuration systems for upward and downward shaped charges in a perforating gun in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 28 shows an exemplary combination of a 7-round non-intersecting configuration system and a 6-round intersecting configuration system in a perforating gun, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

While the invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described a detailed preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that this disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not to It is intended that the broad scope of the invention be limited to the illustrated embodiments.

The many innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to the presently preferred embodiments, where these innovative teachings are advantageously applied to the specific problems of flow-restricted phasing perforating gun systems and methods. It should be understood, however, that this embodiment is but one example of many advantageous applications of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Furthermore, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others.

The present invention provides an improved tool (gun) and method for mounting shaped charges at variable angles within a carrier assembly such that two or more perforating passages intersect at prescribed intervals outside the wellbore casing . All known prior methods require special tools, have long and costly production lead times and lack actual fixation of the intercept angle. Embodiments of the tool of the present invention help ensure that the ammunition impacts at a defined location outside the sleeve. The disclosed apparatus (tool) includes a support bar welded or otherwise secured to a tubular support. The spacing of the individual ammunition on the support can be adjusted, and the flat support base can be inserted into the support member at different angles to precisely control the point of intersection. The flat surface provides a solid base for securing the shaped charge, and the circular tubing provides the structure needed to form a rigid geometric frame. Flat support bars are described and preferred, but concave or convex geometries can also be used as support bases to optimize ammunition performance. The present system provides an improvement over other known embodiments by safely and precisely focusing shaped charges in the formation at variable intervals.

In a broad scope, perforating tools of the present invention include;

Cylindrical barrel with angled circular cutouts for the placement of shaped charges,

ammunition case;

a support bar comprising a metal bar having a central hole to receive a shaped charge case,

wherein the shaped charge case has a circumferential protrusion that does not pass through the hole and provides support for the shaped charge case on the strip;

Slots cut into the cylindrical barrel to support the edges of the support bars are cut at predetermined angles to provide locations for perforation from shaped charges.

Referring to Figures 1 through 5, a gun assembly 100 of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, there is a cylindrical gun body 130 inside which is provided a barrel 126 (loading tube). The barrel 126 has a plurality of precision cuts 127 that allow the cartridge case 124 to be inserted into the barrel 126 and then rest on the support bar 128 . The holes can be located on either side of the barrel circumference to achieve the desired targeted perforation. A hole is preferably cut through the barrel wall at an angle 900 to the plane of the direction of the support bar. The shaped charge case 124 is disposed in a hole in the support bar 128, resting on a protrusion 135 on the circumference of the case (see Figures 5 and 6). The shaped charge case (FIG. 6) has a protrusion 135 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole in the support bar such that the bottom of the protrusion 135 rests on the edge of the hole in the support bar. The ammunition is connected to a detonating wire (or other detonating means) at 139 . The ammunition cases are secured to the support bars 128, 129 by any suitable means. In prototypes (and possibly production models) there are thin strips cut into the inner barrel wall which can be folded over to press against the top of the boss of the cartridge case to provide a reversible fixation. Ammunition casings can be secured by small clamps, by gluing, or by welding. Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art of metal fabrication. The support bars 128, 129 are inserted into slots cut into the barrel. Support bars are usually flat sheet metal, but can also be curved. Slots in the barrel are angled as desired to allow for inclined ammunition paths in any configuration. If the support bar is metal (preferred), it will be welded into the groove, but it can also be attached by other means such as superglue, a locking mechanism built into the groove and support bar, or any other means to A secure attachment is achieved as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. This arrangement of the cartridge casings resting securely on and secured to the support plate, together with the ability to angle the plate into the barrel at any desired angle, provides relatively simple, accurate and reliable angled cartridge placement and is supported by This perforation layout.

The barrel is secured at each end 125 and 132 in the gun body as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or by other suitable means within the skill of those in the art. Computer Aided Laser Machining greatly facilitates the precision and reliability of the cuts required in making the tooling of embodiments of the present invention, particularly the precision and reliability of the barrel cut openings 127 and slots for the ammunition plates.

In operation, the desired angle is predetermined to achieve the desired perforation intersection pattern and thus the barrel cut designed and machined. A barrel is disposed in the gun body for use in a wellbore.

Preferred Exemplary System Block Diagram for Flow-Limited Phasing Gun System (0700-0800)

The invention can be understood in more detail as shown generally in Figure 7 (0700), wherein a perforating gun is deployed within a wellbore casing along with a plurality of shaped charges 0703, 0704, 0705, 0706. Together, multiple shaped rounds within a gun may be referred to herein as a "cluster." Although four rounds have been shown in Figure 7 (0700), according to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a cluster may include two angled rounds.

Restricted perforating provides an excellent method of transferring fracturing treatments over multiple target zones at a given injection rate. In a given hydrocarbon-bearing formation, multiple fractures are not efficient because they create a distorted path for the fracturing fluid, resulting in loss of pressure and energy. In a given wellbore, it is more effective to isolate more areas with clusters comprising fewer shaped charges than to isolate fewer areas with clusters comprising more shaped charges. For example, to achieve a flow rate of 2 barrels per minute per perforation channel at 10,000 PSI, 12 to 20 zones and 12 to 15 clusters with 15 to 20 shaped charges each are currently used. Conversely, to achieve the same flow rate, a more efficient method and system would be to use more clusters to isolate the 80 zones, and use 2 or 4 shaped charges per cluster to intersect the preferred fracture surface when perforating. Preferred fracture surfaces may be determined based on hydrocarbon geology. It has been found in field studies in this field that the orientation of the fracture plane perpendicular to the wellbore casing is preferred.

As generally shown in Figure 7 (0700), it is preferred that the perforation face 0710 is transverse to the direction 0720 of the wellbore. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the borehole direction 0720 may be at a slight angle to the horizontal. Micro angle can be within ±30 degrees.

According to another preferred exemplary embodiment, increasing the number of fracturing zones using an increased number of clusters while limiting shaped charges to 2 or 4 per cluster provides more flexibility for fracturing a preferred fracturing surface. high efficiency. Conventional perforating systems use 12 to 15 shaped charges per cluster when perforating at 60/90/120 degree or 0/180 degree phasing. This creates multiple fracture faces that are not efficient for the fracture treatment because the fracture fluid flows along twisted paths leaking energy/pressure for each fracture. It is desirable to create a minimum number of multiple fractures near the wellbore so that energy is primarily concentrated on the preferred fracture plane, rather than leaking or losing energy to undesired fractures. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, orienting a limited number of shaped charges per cluster that intersect the preferred fracture face produces longer extensions of fractures due to minimal twist and minimal multiple initiation. Ideally, 6 rounds could be positioned radially around the gun so that they perforate in the same plane. However, this configuration required smaller ammunition and a larger diameter gun. Due to the physical limitations of ammunition effectiveness and perforating gun diameter, it may be desirable to limit shaped ammunition to 2 or 4 per cluster. Such a system would allow the fracturing fluid to travel down the length of the perforation channel and intersect the plane where the fracturing occurred while connecting to the underlying fractures to create a path of least twist. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, 60 to 80 clusters with 2 or 4 ammunition per cluster may be used in well completions to achieve maximum efficiency during oil and gas production.

After a stage has been isolated for perforation, a perforating gun string assembly (GSA) may be deployed and positioned in the isolated stage. The GSA can include a string of perforating guns, such as guns 0700 mechanically coupled to each other by tandem, loop or switch. After the GSA is pumped into the wellbore casing 0701, the GSA can be positioned on the bottom surface of the casing due to gravity. The GSA is capable of self-orienting such that the ammunition 0703, 0704, 0705, 0706 within the ammunition support tube (CHT) is angularly oriented. The aforementioned metal strip 0702 can be used to orient ammunition. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the inner pivot bearing is shaped as a gimbal to suspend the ammunition such that they are angled towards the preferred fracturing surface. The spacing between spaced ammunition 0703, 0704, 0705, 0706 may or may not be equal depending on the distance required to achieve the desired orientation. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the ammunition is spaced equidistantly at 3 inches. For example, spaced rounds 0703 and spaced rounds 0704 are positioned at a 3 inch spacing 0709 . The spacing between spaced rounds can be from 1 inch to 20 inches.

In another preferred exemplary embodiment, two spaced rounds 0703, 0705 are angularly oriented downwards ("downward rounds") and two spaced apart rounds 0704, 0706 are angularly oriented up ("up ammo"). The angle of the upward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the upward initiation point 0711 in the preferred fracture face 0710 . In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the upward ammunition 0704 is oriented at an angle 0707 of 13 degrees to the preferred frac surface 0710 and the upward ammunition 0706 is oriented at an angle 0708 of 35 degrees to the preferred frac surface 0710 . The angle of the upward ammunition to the preferred fracturing face 0710 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. Similarly, the angle of the downward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the downward initiation point 0712 of the preferred frac face 0710 . According to yet another preferred exemplary embodiment, the downward ammunition 0703 is oriented at a 35 degree angle to the preferred frac surface 0710 and the downward ammunition 0705 is oriented at a 13 degree angle to the preferred frac surface 0710 . The angle of the downward ammunition to the preferred fracturing face 0710 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the upward initiation point and the downward initiation point are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of said perforating gun 0700 . For example, the distance from downward initiation point 0712 to intersection point 0713 may be equal to the distance from upward initiation point 0711 to intersection point 0713 .

According to yet another preferred exemplary embodiment, two upward charges are positioned at the ends of the cluster and two downward charges are positioned between the upward charges. The munitions are arranged such that at least two munitions having the same orientation are between at least two munitions having opposite orientations. For example, as shown in Figure 8 (0800), upwardly directed ammunition 0804, 0806 are positioned at the ends of the cluster and downwardly directed ammunition 0803, 0805 are positioned between the upwardly directed ammunition. Alternatively, downward munitions 0803, 0805 may be positioned at the ends of the cluster and upward munitions 0804, 0806 between the downward munitions. The angle of the upward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the upward initiation point 0811 of the preferred frac face 0810 . The angle of the downward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the downward initiation point 0812 of the preferred frac face 0810 . In other preferred exemplary embodiments, the upwardly directed ammunition is oriented at an angle of 52 degrees to the borehole direction 0820 . As shown generally in FIG. 8 ( 0800 ), the upwardly directed ammunition 0804 is at an angle of 52 degrees to the borehole direction 0820 . Similarly, the upwardly directed ammunition 0806 is at an angle 0807 of 52 degrees to the borehole direction 0820 . The angle of the upward ammunition to the borehole direction 0820 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. In other preferred exemplary embodiments, the downward ammunition is oriented at an angle 0808 of 13 degrees to the borehole direction. The angle of the downward ammunition to the borehole direction 0820 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. According to other exemplary embodiments, the upward and downward initiation points are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 0800 . For example, the distance from downward initiation point 0812 to intersection point 0813 may be equal to the distance from upward initiation point 0811 to intersection point 0813 . It should be noted that the orientation of the shaped charge is shown for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will select the angle such that the charge intersects the preferred fracture plane.

Preferred Exemplary System Block Diagram for Preferred Fracturing Surface (0900)

FIG. 9 ( 0900 ) illustrates multiple fracturing zones 0902 fracturing using directional shaped charges by angularly oriented charges intersecting a preferred fracturing plane, according to an exemplary embodiment. Perforated to get. After the zone is isolated, the gun string assembly (GAS) is lowered into the wellbore casing 0901 . The perforating gun system as previously described perforates the stage with directed charges intersecting the preferred fracture face 0910 . According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is preferred that the fracture surface 0910 is nearly transverse to the wellbore direction 0920. Preferably, the fracture face 0910 may be at a slight offset angle from the transverse vertical. The slight offset angle can be ±45 degrees. For example, the fracture face 0910 may be at an angle of 80 degrees to the wellbore direction. In another example, the fracture face 0910 may be at a 45 degree angle to the wellbore direction. In another example, the fracture face 0910 may be at a 90 degree angle (transversely perpendicular) to the wellbore direction. Using the wireline, the GSA is pulled from the wellbore in the zone to the next stage and perforated in a similar manner until all stages in the fractured zone are perforated. The fracturing fluid is then pumped at high pressure such that the fracturing fluid maximizes the extension of the fracture in the preferred perforation direction. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the fracture can extend radially outward from the wellbore casing to an extent of 1000 feet.

Preferred Exemplary System Block Diagram (1000) of a Preferred Initiation Point of a Perforating Gun System in a Preferred Fracture Face

The invention can be understood in more detail as shown generally in Figure 10 (1000), wherein a perforating gun is deployed within a wellbore casing along with a plurality of shaped charges 1003,1004. Together, multiple shaped rounds within a gun may be referred to herein as a "cluster". Although two rounds have been shown in Figure 10 (1000), according to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a cluster may include four angled rounds.

As generally shown in FIG. 10 ( 1000 ), preferably the perforation plane 1010 may be transversely perpendicular to the wellbore direction 1020 . According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the wellbore direction 1020 may be at a slight angle to the horizontal.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the orientation of the limited number of shaped charges per cluster to intersect the preferred fracture face results in longer extension of the fracture due to minimal twist and minimal multiple initiation. The shaped charges may be oriented such that upon perforation, the upward facing charge 1003 creates a preferred upward initiation point 1011 in the frac channel and the downward facing charge 1004 produces a preferred downward frac initiation point in the frac channel. Breakpoint 1012. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the preferred upward initiation point 1011 and the preferred downward initiation point 1012 may be located on the same preferred fracture surface. Similarly, a preferred upward initiation point 1002 and a preferred downward initiation point 1005 can be created by the ammunition to produce the desired initiation length for efficient fracturing and minimal torsion conditions. The preferred burst length can be customized by positioning the ammo at a desired angle. For example, an upwardly directed charge 1003 may be angled 1007 to create a preferred initiation point 1011 in a preferred fracture surface 1010 . Similarly, downward ammunition 1004 may be angled 1008 to create a preferred initiation point 1012 at a preferred fracture surface 1010 . According to an exemplary embodiment, a preferred fracture initiation point may be created at a selected distance in a preferred fracture plane to effectively fracture channels with minimal twist. The upward and downward charges may be oriented at an angle from 1 degree to 75 degrees to the preferred fracturing face 1010 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance from the preferred upward crack initiation point 1011 to the intersecting longitudinal axis point 1013 may be equal to the distance from the preferred downward crack initiation point 1012 to the intersecting longitudinal axis point 1013 . The upward and downward initiation points are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun. In another preferred embodiment, the upward and downward initiation points are equidistant from the centerline of the wellbore casing. In some cases, the centerline of the wellbore casing and the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun may be the same. In other cases, the centerline of the wellbore casing may be higher than the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun.

Preferred Exemplary Flow Diagram of an Embodiment of Phased Wellbore Perforation (1100)

As shown generally in FIG. 11 , a preferred exemplary phased wellbore perforating method 1100 using angularly oriented shaped charges may generally be described in terms of the following steps:

(1) 1101: positioning at least one of the plurality of upwardly directed ammunition and at least one of the plurality of downwardly directed ammunition and the gun in the wellbore casing;

(2) 1102: orienting at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and at least one of the plurality of downward munitions in a desired direction; and

(3) 1103: Perforate the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and at least one of the plurality of downward munitions, so that at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and the plurality of downward munitions At least one of the munitions intersects the preferred fracturing surface.

Preferred Exemplary System Block Diagram of Preferred Initiation Point of Perforation System in Preferred Fracture Face (1200–1600)

It should be noted that the term "3 rounds" means 3 ammunition located in the perforating gun, where the number indicates the number of ammunition located in the perforating gun. For example, a 6-round configuration indicates 6 rounds located in the perforating gun. As used herein, the term "asymmetrical" means that the number of ammunition directed upwards is not equal to the number of ammunition directed downwards. For example, 2 rounds directed upwards and 1 round directed downwards are asymmetrical. Similarly, 3 upwardly directed rounds and 2 downwardly directed rounds can be considered asymmetrical. It should be noted that the terms "preferred perforation face" and "preferred fracture face" are used interchangeably.

Example 3-round asymmetric intersection configuration:

The invention can be understood in more detail as shown generally in FIG. 12 , where a perforating gun 1205 is located within a wellbore casing 1204 along with a plurality of shaped charges 1201 , 1202 , 1211 . A front cross-sectional view 1210 , a perspective view 1220 , another front view 1230 , and a side view (end view) 1240 are generally shown in FIG. 12 . Preferably the perforation face 1206 may be transversely perpendicular to the wellbore direction. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the wellbore may be oriented at a slight angle to the horizontal.

After a section has been isolated for the perforation, a perforating gun string assembly (GSA) may be deployed and positioned in the isolated section. The GSA can include a string of perforating guns, such as guns 1205 that are mechanically coupled to each other by tandem, ring, or switch. After the GSA is pumped into the wellbore casing 1204, the GSA can be positioned on the bottom surface of the casing due to gravity. The GSA is capable of self-orientation such that the ammunition 1201, 1202, 1211 within the ammunition support tube (CHT) is angularly oriented. The aforementioned metal strips may be used to orient ammunition. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the inner pivot bearing is shaped as a gimbal to suspend the ammunition such that they are angled towards the preferred fracturing surface. The spacing between spaced ammunition 1201, 1202, 1211 may or may not be equal depending on the distance required to achieve the desired orientation. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, two ammunition 1201 , 1202 are directed in an upward direction and one ammunition 1211 is directed in a downward direction. When perforating, the charges are oriented such that they intersect the preferred perforating face 1206 . The upward charges 1201 , 1202 intersect at a preferred initiation point 1208 in the preferred fracture face 1206 , while the downward charges intersect at the preferred initiation point 1207 of the preferred fracture face 1206 . The perforations created by upward ammunition (upward holes) are generally smaller than the perforations created by downward ammunition (downward holes). Therefore, during production, the pressure drop in the upward direction is smaller than the pressure drop in the downward direction. Therefore, when pumping oil and gas, more oil and gas is drawn from the bottom holes than from the upward holes, creating an asymmetrical fluid flow. In order to maximize and balance flow in both upward and downward directions, 2 ammunition can be directed upwards and one ammunition can be directed downwards. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric arrangement of the charges in the perforating gun, that is, more charges are oriented and perforated in one direction than in the other, allows for Direction of substantially balanced fluid flow.

Exemplary 6-round asymmetric intersection configuration:

Similar to the 3-round asymmetric intersecting configuration described above in FIG. 12, a 6-round asymmetric intersecting configuration is shown generally in FIG. , 1312, 1313 are positioned together within the wellbore casing 1304. A frontal cross-sectional view 1310 , a perspective view 1320 , another frontal view 1330 , and a side view (end view) 1340 are generally shown in FIG. 13 . Preferably the perforation face 1306 may be transversely perpendicular to the wellbore direction.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, four ammunition 1301 , 1302 , 1303 , 1313 are directed in an upward direction and two ammunition 1311 , 1312 are directed in a downward direction. When perforating, the charges are oriented such that they intersect the preferred perforating face 1306 . Upward charges 1301 , 1302 , 1303 , 1313 intersect preferred fracture face 1306 at preferred initiation point 1308 , while downward charges 1311 , 1312 intersect preferred fracture face 1306 at initiation point 1307 . The perforations created by upward ammunition (upward holes) are generally smaller than the perforations created by downward ammunition (downward holes). Therefore, during production, the pressure drop in the upward direction is smaller than the pressure drop in the downward direction. Therefore, when pumping oil and gas, more oil and gas is drawn from the bottom holes than from the upward holes, creating an asymmetrical fluid flow. In order to maximize and balance flow in both the upward and downward directions, 4 munitions may be directed upwards and 2 munitions downwards. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric arrangement of the charges in the perforating gun, that is, more charges are oriented and perforated in one direction than in the other, allows for Direction of substantially balanced fluid flow.

It should be noted that the 3-round and 6-round ammunition arrangements shown in Figures 12 and 13, respectively, are not to be construed as limiting. Any configuration of upward and downward charges may be used to intersect the preferred fracture surface at multiple preferred initiation points. For example, in a 6-round configuration, 5 rounds may be directed upward and one round downward. In another example, a 5-round configuration with upwardly directed 3 rounds and downwardly directed two rounds may be used. The number of ammunition can range from 3 to 12 depending on the need to achieve the desired preferred initiation point in the preferred fracture face.

Exemplary 4-shot intersection configuration:

The invention can be understood in more detail as shown generally in Figure 14a, wherein a perforating gun 1405 is deployed within a wellbore casing 1404 along with a plurality of shaped charges 1401, 1402, 1411, 1412. A front cross-sectional view 1410, a perspective view 1420, another front view 1430, and a side view (end view) 1440 are generally shown in Figure 14a.

In the preferred exemplary embodiment, two spaced rounds 1411, 1412 are angularly oriented downwards ("downward rounds") and two spaced rounds 1401, 1402 are angularly oriented upwards ("downward rounds"). "Up Ammunition"). The angle of the upward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the upward initiation point 1408 of the preferred frac face 1406 . The angle of the upward ammunition to the preferred fracturing face 1406 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. Similarly, the angle of the downward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the downward initiation point 1407 of the preferred frac face 1406 . The angle of the downward ammunition to the preferred fracturing face 1406 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the upward initiation point and the downward initiation point are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 1405 . For example, the distance from the downward initiation point 1407 to the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 1405 may be equal to the distance from the upward initiation point 1408 to the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 1405 .

Figure 14b (1450) generally shows a detonating cord 1414 connected to each spaced ammunition 1401, 1402, 1411, 1412. In this configuration of ammunition, the length of the detonating cord is shorter than in the other configurations shown in Figures 7 (0700) and 8 (0800). According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the detonating cord length reduction is greater than 10% with a configuration in which upwardly directed ammunition is placed consecutively and downwardly directed ammunition is placed consecutively.

Exemplary 6-shot intersection configuration:

The present invention can be understood in more detail as shown generally in FIG. 15 , wherein a perforating gun 1505 is positioned within a wellbore casing 1504 along with a plurality of shaped charges 1501 , 1502 , 1503 , 1511 , 1512 , 1513 . A front cross-sectional view 1510 , a perspective view 1520 , another front view 1530 , and a side view (end view) 1540 are generally shown in FIG. 15 .

In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the three spaced rounds 1511, 1512, 1513 are angled downwards ("downward rounds") and the three spaced rounds 1501, 1502, 1503 are angled downwards. Oriented upwards ("upward ammo"). The angle of the upward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the upward initiation point 1508 of the preferred frac face 1506 . The angle of the upward ammunition to the preferred fracturing face 1506 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. Similarly, the angle of the downward charges may be such that they are oriented to intersect at the downward initiation point 1507 of the preferred frac face 1506 . The angle of the downward ammunition to the preferred fracturing face 1506 can be from 1 degree to 75 degrees. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the upward initiation point and the downward initiation point are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 1505 . For example, the distance from the downward initiation point 1507 to the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 1505 may be equal to the distance from the upward initiation point 1508 to the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun 1505 .

It should be noted that the 4-round and 6-round ammunition arrangements shown in Figures 14a and 15, respectively, are not to be construed as limiting. Any configuration of upward and downward charges may be used to intersect the preferred fracture surface at multiple preferred initiation points. For example, in an 8-round configuration, 4 rounds may be directed upward and 4 rounds may be directed downward. In another example, a 10-round configuration with upwardly directed 5 rounds and downwardly directed 5 rounds may be utilized. The number of ammunition can range from 4 to 16 rounds depending on achieving the desired preferred initiation point in the preferred fracture face.

Exemplary 6-shot intersecting hybrid configuration:

The present invention can be understood in more detail as shown generally in FIG. 16, wherein a perforating gun 1605 is positioned within a wellbore casing 1604 along with a plurality of shaped charges 1601, 1602, 1603, 1611, 1612, 1613. . A frontal cross-sectional view 1610 , a perspective view 1620 , another frontal view 1630 , and a side view (end view) 1640 are generally shown in FIG. 16 . This configuration with 2 shots up and 2 shots down is used for the dominant directional perforating, although it has perforations out of phase with the upper and lower axes for robustness. In the 6-round hybrid configuration shown in FIG. 16, two upwardly directed rounds 1602, 1603 intersect a preferred initiation point 1608 in a preferred fracture face 1606, and another upwardly directed round 1613 intersects a preferred fracture face 1606. Intersecting another preferred initiation 1617, two downwardly directed charges 1611, 1612 intersect a preferred initiation point 1607 in a preferred fracture face 1606, another downwardly directed charge 1601 intersects the preferred fracture face 1606 at Another preferred crack initiation point 1618.

Exemplary 6-shot intersecting hybrid phasing configuration:

An exemplary 6-shot intersecting hybrid phasing configuration of the present invention can be shown more generally in FIG. Inside the wellbore casing 1704. A front cross-sectional view 1710 , a perspective view 1720 , another front view 1730 , and a side view (end view) 1740 are generally shown in FIG. 17 . In the 6-round hybrid phased configuration shown in FIG. 17 , three upwardly directed ammunition 1701 , 1702 , 1703 can create preferred initiation points 1707 , 1708 , 1709 at small angles to the preferred fracture surface 1706 . In the illustration shown, an upwardly directed charge 1701 can intersect the PFP 1706 at a preferred initiation point 1707 at a slight angle relative to the PFP (preferably the frac face) 1706, and an upwardly directed charge 1702 can directly intersect the PFP with no spread angle 1706 intersects at a preferred initiation point 1708 , and upwardly directed ammunition 1703 may intersect PFP 1706 at a preferred initiation point 1708 at a divergence angle relative to PFP 1706 . The aforementioned diffusion angle may be 0 degrees to 90 degrees. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a wider range of initiation points is generated by associating preferred fracture surfaces with divergence angles at multiple preferred initiation points. A wider range of initiation points can be achieved by 3 preferred initiation points 1707, 1708, 1709 with a slight divergence angle 1722 between each other. Similarly, three upwardly directed munitions 1711 , 1712 , 1713 may create preferred initiation points 1717 , 1718 , 1719 at small angles to the preferred fracture surface 1706 .

FIG. 18 generally illustrates a 6-shot intersecting hybrid phasing configuration with a larger divergence angle 1822 than the divergence angle 1722 configuration shown in FIG. 17 . According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the diffusion angle may be 0 degrees to 90 degrees. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the number of rounds in the perforating gun may be 2 to 12 to create a larger spread angle.

Exemplary 2-shot non-intersecting configuration:

An exemplary 2-shot non-intersecting configuration of the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 19 , wherein a perforating gun 1905 is positioned within a wellbore casing 1904 along with ammunition 1901 , 1902 . A frontal cross-sectional view 1910 , a side view 1920 , and a perspective view 1930 are generally shown in FIG. 19 . In the foregoing configurations, the ammunition may not require a mechanical support system for orientation. The decentering of the perforating gun relative to the wellbore casing allows for offsetting the angle of the ammunition. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the dispersion of the perforating guns offsets the angles of the charges so that they all end at the same distance from the wellbore. For example, round 1901 and round 1902 terminate at preferred initiation point 1908 and preferred initiation point 1907 . The initiation points 1907, 1908 may be the same distance from the wellbore.

Exemplary 3-shot, 4-shot, 5-shot, 6-shot and 7-shot non-intersecting configurations:

Similar to the 2-shot configuration shown in FIG. 19 , the 3-shot non-intersecting configuration is shown in detail in FIG. 20 . According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a charge is located directly along the preferred perforation plane. For example, in a 3-shot configuration, ammunition 2003 is located in preferred perforation face 2006 . The other two rounds 2001, 2002 are angled such that they end at the same distance from the borehole.

Figure 21 (2100) shows a 4-round non-intersecting configuration with 4 rounds positioned within the perforating gun. Figure 22 (2200) shows a 5-round non-intersecting configuration with 5 rounds positioned within the perforating gun. Figure 23 (2300) shows a 6-round non-intersecting configuration with 6 rounds positioned within the perforating gun. Figure 24 (2400) shows a 7-round non-intersecting configuration with 7 charges positioned within the perforating gun. It should be noted that the number of ammunition in FIGS. 19-24 is for illustration purposes only and should not be considered limiting. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the perforating gun may comprise 2 to 12 charges which, when perforating, intersect the preferred perforating face but are not associated with each other.

Exemplary 5-round non-intersecting mixed ammunition configuration:

An exemplary 5-round non-intersecting mixed ammunition configuration of the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 25, wherein a perforating gun 2505 is positioned in the wellbore casing along with shaped charges 2501, 2502, 2503, 2511, 2512. Within 2504. A front cross-sectional view 2510 , a perspective view 2520 , another front view 2530 , and a side view 2540 are generally shown in FIG. 25 . Ammunition includes a variety of ammunition designs such as large bore, deep penetrating, good holes, reactive, conventional, and combinations thereof. One or more of the munitions may be of a different design to place a larger hole on the high side of the casing to supply fracturing fluid or deeper penetration onto the lower side. Shown in FIG. 25 is a 5-round system with upward facing large bore design ammunition 2503 . It should be understood that the concept can be applied to any other phasing or system, and that 3 or more ammunition designs can be combined in a single system. For example, in a 7 round design 2 rounds could be large bore, 2 rounds could be deep penetrating, and 3 rounds could be high bore design. In the 5-round hybrid configuration shown in FIG. 25 , ammunition 2501 , 2502 , 2511 , 2512 intersect at preferred initiation points 2507 , 2508 , 2517 , 2518 in preferred fracture face 2506 , while upwardly oriented large bore design ammunition 2503 intersects the preferred fracture face 2506 at another preferred initiation point 2509. The penetration depth of the large bore ammunition 2503 into the preferred fracture surface may be less than the penetration depth into the other ammunition 2501 , 2502 , 2511 , 2512 . According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the combination of charge designs incorporated into the perforating gun design allows for perforations with varying penetration depths and larger apertures in the gun such that fluid flow is substantially equal in all directions during production. According to another preferred exemplary embodiment, the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition designs in the perforating gun are similar to each other. According to another preferred exemplary embodiment, the ballistic properties of the ammunition designs in the perforating guns are different from each other. Similar to the 5-round configuration shown in FIG. 25 , an exemplary 7-round non-intersecting mixed ammunition configuration is shown generally in FIG. 26 ( 2600 ).

Exemplary 6-shot intersect and 7-shot intersect configurations:

Front cross-sectional views of exemplary 6-round and 7-round configurations of the present invention are generally detailed in FIG. 27 (2700), wherein a perforating gun 2701 and another perforating gun 2702 are positioned at inside the wellbore casing. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the gun string assembly may include a plurality of perforating guns, each loaded with the same or a different number of perforating charges. For example, as shown in Figure 27, perforating gun 2701 is loaded with 7 ammunition and perforating gun 2702 is loaded with 6 ammunition. During perforating, charges in the perforating gun are configured to intersect the preferred fracture surface. The amount of ammunition in the perforating gun can be configured to achieve the best preferred initiation point based on the formation and desired penetration depth. It should be noted that the number of ammunition shown in perforating gun 2701 and perforating gun 2702 is for illustration purposes only and should not be considered limiting. To achieve optimal fluid flow during production, each of the perforating guns can be configured with a number of ammunition ranging from 2 to 12 and each ammunition can be the same or a different type.

According to another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gun string assembly may include a plurality of perforating guns, each loaded with the same or different types of perforating charges. For example, as shown in Figure 28 (2800), the perforating gun 2801 is loaded with 7 charges that intersect the preferred fracture face but not at the preferred initiation point. While the perforating gun 2802 is loaded with 6 rounds that intersect the preferred perforation face and also intersect the upward preferred initiation point and the downward preferred initiation point. During perforating, charges in the perforating gun are configured to intersect the preferred fracture surface. The amount of ammunition in the perforating gun can be configured to achieve the best preferred initiation point based on the formation and desired penetration depth. It should be noted that the number of ammunition shown in perforating gun 2801 and perforating gun 2802 is for illustration purposes only and should not be considered limiting. To achieve optimal fluid flow during production, each perforating gun can be configured with a number of ammunition ranging from 2 to 12 and each ammunition can be the same or a different type.

systematic review

The system of the present invention contemplates a wide variety of variations on the basic theme of a phased perforating gun orientation system in wellbore casing comprising multiple upwardly directed shaped charges (upward charge) and multiple downwardly directed Directed shaped charge munitions (downward facing munitions) in which:

at least one of the upward munitions is configured to be positioned in an upward direction at an angle relative to the direction of the wellbore casing;

at least one of the downward munitions is configured to be positioned in an angled downward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing; and

When perforating, the plurality of upward charges and the plurality of downward charges are configured to intersect in a preferred fracture plane; the preferred fracture plane is transverse to the direction of the wellbore casing.

This general system overview can be augmented by the various elements described herein to make a wide variety of inventive embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

method review

The method of the present invention contemplates a wide variety of variations on the basic subject matter of implementation, but it can be generalized as a flow-limited phased perforating gun method, wherein the method is carried out in a phased perforating gun system, said system Consists of multiple upwardly directed shaped rounds (upward rounds) and multiple downwardly directed shaped rounds (downward rounds), where:

at least one of the upward munitions is configured to be oriented in an upward direction at an angle relative to the direction of the wellbore casing;

at least one of the downward munitions is configured to be oriented in an angled downward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing; and

When perforating, the plurality of upward charges and the plurality of downward charges are configured to intersect in a preferred fracture plane; the preferred fracture plane transverse to the direction of the wellbore casing;

Wherein, the method includes the steps of:

(1) positioning at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and at least one of the plurality of downward munitions and the gun in the wellbore casing;

(2) orienting at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and at least one of the plurality of downward munitions in a desired direction; and

(3) perforating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and at least one of the plurality of downward munitions such that at least one of the plurality of upward munitions and the plurality of downward munitions At least one of the intersects the preferred fracture face.

This general method summary can be extended by the various elements described herein to make a wide variety of inventive embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

System/Method Variations

The invention contemplates a wide variety of variations on the basic theme of oil and gas extraction. The previously presented examples do not represent the entire range of possible uses. It is intended only to enumerate a few of the nearly infinite possibilities.

The basic system and method can be augmented with a variety of auxiliary embodiments, including but not limited to:

- An embodiment in which multiple upwardly spaced rounds are equally spaced.

- An embodiment in which multiple downward ammunition are equally spaced.

- An embodiment in which the perforating gun comprises an upward and a downward facing charge.

- An embodiment in which the perforating gun comprises two upward and two downward charges.

- wherein the upward charge is configured to intersect an upward initiation point in the preferred frac face; the downward charge is configured to intersect a downward initiation point in the preferred frac face; and the upward initiation point and embodiments where the distance from the downward initiation point to the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun is equal.

• An embodiment in which a plurality of downward ammunition is disposed between a plurality of upward ammunition.

• wherein the angle between the direction of the at least one upward charge and the direction of the wellbore casing is from 1 degree to 75 degrees.

• Embodiments in which the angle between the direction of the at least one downward charge and the direction of the wellbore casing is from 1 degree to 75 degrees.

• An embodiment in which the angle between the direction of at least one upwardly directed charge and the direction of the wellbore casing is 52 degrees.

- An embodiment in which the angle between the direction of at least one downward charge and the direction of the wellbore casing is 13 degrees.

• Embodiments in which upwardly directed charges and downwardly directed charges are alternately positioned in the perforating gun.

• Embodiments in which the angle between the direction of at least one upward munition and the preferred fracturing plane is from 1 degree to 75 degrees.

- An embodiment in which the angle between the direction of at least one downward munition and said preferred fracturing plane is from 1 degree to 75 degrees.

An embodiment wherein:

The angle between at least one upward projecting charge and the preferred fracturing surface is 13 degrees;

The angle between at least one upward projecting charge and the preferred fracturing surface is 35 degrees;

The angle between at least one downward projecting charge and the preferred fracturing face is 13 degrees;

The angle between at least one downward projecting charge and the preferred fracturing surface is 35 degrees;

• An embodiment in which the direction of the wellbore casing is horizontal.

• An embodiment in which the direction of the wellbore casing is at an angle to the horizontal.

• An embodiment in which a swivel is used to direct the shaped charge; the swivel is internally attached to the perforating gun.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible based on the combination of elements taught in the above description of the invention.

Alternative Systematic Reviews

The system of the present invention contemplates a wide variety of variations on the basic theme of a perforating gun system in a wellbore casing comprising multiple charges configured to create multiple preferred a fracture initiation point, and a plurality of preferred fracture initiation points intersecting the preferred fracture surface.

This general system overview can be extended by the various elements described herein to make a wide variety of inventive embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

Overview of Alternatives

The method of the present invention contemplates a wide variety of variations on the basic subject matter of implementation, but it can be generalized as a method of perforating in a wellbore casing using a system of perforating guns; the munitions are configured to create a plurality of preferred initiation points during the perforation; and the plurality of preferred initiation points intersect the preferred fracture surface;

Wherein, the method includes the steps of:

(1) positioning the gun and multiple ammunition in the wellbore casing;

(2) positioning at least one of the plurality of munitions in a desired direction; and

(3) Perforating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the plurality of charges such that at least one of the plurality of charges intersects the preferred fracture surface at one of the plurality of preferred fracture initiation points.

This general method summary can be extended by the various elements described herein to make a wide variety of inventive embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

Alternative System/Method Variations

The invention contemplates a wide variety of variations on the basic theme of oil and gas extraction. The previously presented examples do not represent the entire range of possible uses. It is intended only to enumerate a few of the nearly infinite possibilities.

The basic system and method can be augmented with a variety of auxiliary embodiments, including but not limited to:

• Embodiments in which the fracture plane is preferred to be nearly transverse to the direction of the wellbore casing.

- An embodiment in which multiple charges are equally phased about the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun.

- An embodiment in which multiple charges are phased unequally about the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun.

• Embodiments in which multiple preferred initiation points are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun.

- wherein multiple preferred initiation points are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the wellbore casing.

• Embodiments in which the preferred initiation points are unequal distances from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun.

- An embodiment in which at least one of the plurality of preferred fracture initiation points is at a divergence angle from the preferred fracture plane.

- An embodiment in which at least one of the plurality of munitions is located in a preferred fracture face.

• An embodiment in which the plurality of ammunition is positioned such that the spacing between two adjacent ones of the plurality of ammunition is equal.

• An embodiment in which the plurality of ammunition is positioned such that the spacing between two adjacent ones of the plurality of ammunition is not equal.

- wherein at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be oriented in an upward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing, and at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be oriented in an upward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing An embodiment that is oriented in a downward direction.

- An embodiment in which at least two of the plurality of charges are positioned such that upon perforation, at least two of the plurality of charges intersect at a single preferred initiation point in the preferred fracture face.

• An embodiment in which the multiple charges are oriented such that when perforated, the multiple charges do not intersect at a single preferred initiation point in the preferred fracture face.

• Embodiments in which multiple ammunition are not oriented by mechanical strips.

• Embodiments in which the penetration depths of multiple munitions are not equal.

• Embodiments in which the ballistic properties of a plurality of munitions are substantially similar to each other.

• Embodiments in which the ballistic properties of multiple munitions are different from each other.

• Embodiments in which the plurality of ammunition is selected from: large bore, deep penetrating, excellent bore, reactive or conventional ammunition.

• An embodiment in which multiple rounds are directed by a swivel; the swivel is internally attached to the perforating gun.

in conclusion

A flow-limited perforation phasing gun system and method for precise perforating in deviated/horizontal wellbores is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) having a shaped charge cluster deployed in a wellbore. The charges are spaced and angled so that when perforated, the charges intersect the preferred fracture face. When fracturing, fractures are initiated from the up and down positions of the wellbore at the location of minimum principal stress in the preferred fracture plane perpendicular to the wellbore. Fractures are then connected radially around the wellbore in the preferred fracture plane. The fracturing treatment in the preferred fracturing face produces a path with minimal tortuosity for longer extension of the fracture, which enables efficient oil and gas flow rates during production.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but can be made without departing from the foregoing description. Various rearrangements, modifications and substitutions are possible within the spirit of the invention and the spirit as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (34)

1. A perforating gun system in a horizontal wellbore casing comprising a plurality of charges, wherein the plurality of charges are configured to be oriented toward a fracture face; the fracture face being transverse to the wellbore casing the longitudinal axis of the tube; the plurality of ammunition is configured to create a plurality of initiation points during perforation; and at least one of the plurality of initiation points is located in the fracture surface, wherein the plurality of initiation points at least one of the breakpoints is laterally positioned relative to the longitudinal axis in a direction other than laterally upward and laterally downward from the longitudinal axis; wherein at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be relative to the oriented in an upward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing, and at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be oriented in a downward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing, and one of the ammunition At least two of the are also configured to be oriented in an upward direction such that their initiation points intersect at a single point. 2. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charges are equally oriented about a longitudinal axis of the perforating gun system. 3. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charges are unequally oriented about a longitudinal axis of the perforating gun system. 4. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of initiation points are equidistant from a longitudinal axis of the perforating gun system. 5. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of initiation points are equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the wellbore casing. 6. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of initiation points are unequal distances from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun. 7. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of initiation points is at a diverging angle from the fracture surface. 8. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of charges is located in the fracture face. 9. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charges are positioned such that the spacing between two adjacent ones of the plurality of charges is the same. 10. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charges are positioned such that the spacing between two adjacent ones of the plurality of charges is different. 11. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charges are oriented such that when perforating, the plurality of charges do not intersect a single initiation point in the fracture face. 12. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charges are not oriented by mechanical bars. 13. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the penetration depths of the plurality of charges are unequal. 14. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein ballistic properties of the plurality of ammunition are different from each other. 15. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ammunition is selected from the group consisting of: large bore, deep penetrating, excellent hole, or reactive ammunition. 16. The perforating gun system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ammunition is oriented using a swivel; the swivel is internally attached to the perforating gun. 17. A method of perforating in a wellbore casing using a perforating gun system; said system comprising a plurality of charges, wherein said plurality of charges are configured to be oriented towards a fracture face; said fracture face being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the wellbore casing; the plurality of munitions configured to create a plurality of initiation points during perforation; and at least one of the plurality of initiation points is located extending laterally upward from the longitudinal axis and at least one of said plurality of initiation points is located in said fracture surface extending transversely downward from said longitudinal axis; and at least one of said plurality of initiation points located in the fracture surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of initiation points is positioned laterally relative to the longitudinal axis in a direction different from laterally upward and laterally downward from the longitudinal axis; the plurality of At least one of the ammunition is configured to be oriented in an upward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing, and at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be oriented in an orientation relative to the wellbore casing oriented in a downward direction, and at least two of the munitions are also configured to be oriented in an upward direction such that their initiation points intersect at a single point; Wherein, the method comprises the steps of: (1) positioning the system and the plurality of munitions in the wellbore casing; (2) orienting at least one of the plurality of munitions in a desired direction; and (3) perforating into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with at least one of the plurality of ammunition such that at least one of the plurality of ammunition intersects the fracturing surface at one of the plurality of initiation points . 18. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be oriented in an upward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing, and the plurality of At least one of the munitions is configured to be oriented in a downward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing. 19. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of charges are oriented such that when perforating, the plurality of charges do not intersect a single initiation point in the fracture face. 20. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of ammunition is not oriented by a mechanical strip. 21. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein the penetration depths of the plurality of ammunition are unequal. 22. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein ballistic properties of the plurality of ammunition are different from each other. 23. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of ammunition is selected from the group consisting of: large bore, deep penetrating, excellent hole, or reactive ammunition. 24. The perforating method of claim 17, wherein a swivel is used to orient the plurality of ammunition; the swivel is internally attached to the perforating gun. 25. A perforating gun system in a horizontal wellbore casing comprising a plurality of charges, wherein the plurality of charges are configured to be oriented toward a fracture face; the fracture face being transverse to the wellbore casing a longitudinal axis of the tube; the plurality of munitions configured to create a plurality of initiation points during perforation; at least one of the plurality of initiation points is located on the fracture surface extending laterally upward from the longitudinal axis in; at least one of the plurality of initiation points is located in the fracture surface extending laterally downward from the longitudinal axis; and at least one of the plurality of initiation points is located in the fracture surface , wherein at least one of said plurality of initiation points is laterally positioned relative to said longitudinal axis in a direction different from laterally upward and laterally downward from said longitudinal axis; wherein at least one of said plurality of munitions is positioned by configured to be oriented in an upward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing, and at least one of the plurality of ammunition is configured to be oriented in a downward direction relative to the direction of the wellbore casing oriented, and at least two of the munitions are further configured to be oriented in an upward direction such that their initiation points intersect at a single point. 26. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of charges are equally oriented about a longitudinal axis of the perforating gun system. 27. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of charges are unequally oriented about a longitudinal axis of the perforating gun system. 28. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of initiation points are unequal distances from the longitudinal axis of the perforating gun system. 29. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of charges are positioned such that the spacing between two adjacent ones of the plurality of charges is the same. 30. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of charges are positioned such that the spacing between two adjacent ones of the plurality of charges is different. 31. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of charges are oriented such that when perforating, the plurality of charges do not intersect a single initiation point in the fracture face. 32. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein ballistic properties of the plurality of ammunition are different from each other. 33. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of ammunition is selected from the group consisting of: large bore, deep penetrating, excellent hole, or reactive ammunition. 34. The perforating gun system of claim 25, wherein a swivel is used to orient the plurality of charges; the swivel is internally attached to the perforating gun.