Abstract:
An apparatus for stimulating a subterranean formation includes a first tube, a second tube, a combustion body and an ignition propagator. The second tube is positioned within the first tube interior and the second tube interior is sealed from the first tube interior to substantially prevent fluid communication between the first tube interior and the second tube interior. The combustion body is formed from a solid propellant and is positioned within the first tube interior external to the second tube interior. The ignition propagator is positioned within the second tube interior and is substantially free from fluid contact with fluid residing in the surrounding environment external to the first tube wall.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for perforating and stimulating a subterranean formation which is penetrated by a well bore (10) having casing (12) positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. A shell, sheath or sleeve (20) of propellant material is positioned so as to substantially encircle at least one shaped charge (40) in a subterranean well bore and is ignited due to the shock, heat and/or pressure generated from the detonated charge. Upon burning, the propellant material generates gases which clean perforations formed in the formation by detonation of the shaped charge(s) and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for controlling the pressure at which a fluid is introduced into a well penetrating a subterranean formation. The apparatus comprises a blow out sub having a sealed chamber (34) between two plugs (18, 26). The chamber is filled with a fluid at a known pressure. Thus, the pressure required to release the first plug (18) is independent of the pressure in the well below the sub. The sub is attached to a tubular and positioned within the well. The first plug is then released upon application of a predetermined pressure fluid pressure, and the second plug (26) is released upon application of a lesser pressure. The blow out sub may additionally comprise a tube (152) forming a channel through the first plug (118), the chamber (134), and the second plug (126), with a means (154, 156) for controlling fluid flow through the channel. A first fluid may be introduced into the well via the channel prior to releasing the first plug (118).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for perforating and fracturing subterranean formations to enhance fluid production. At least one unlined punch charge is loaded into at least one punch charge carrier (26), and the void spaces in the punch charge carrier are filled with sand. The punch charge carrier is assembled with at least one perforating charge carrier (32), loaded with at least one perforating charge, and a means for detonation. The assembly is positioned in a well containing a pressurized fluid adjacent the interval to be perforated and/or fractured, and the charges are detonated. The one or more punch charges create one or more apertures in the punch charge carrier, allowing sand to enter the well and be carried by the fluid in the well into the perforations and/or fractures created by the perforating charges and the pressurized fluid. The sand scours and/or props the perforations and/or fractures.
Abstract:
An apparatus for stimulating a subterranean formation includes a first tube, a second tube, a combustion body and an ignition propagator. The second tube is positioned within the first tube interior and the second tube interior is sealed from the first tube interior to substantially prevent fluid communication between the first tube interior and the second tube interior. The combustion body is formed from a solid propellant and is positioned within the first tube interior external to the second tube interior. The ignition propagator is positioned within the second tube interior and is substantially free from fluid contact with fluid residing in the surrounding environment external to the first tube wall.
Abstract:
A method for stimulating a subterranean formation (14) which is penetrated by a well bore (10) having casing (11) positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. Propellant (50) is secured to the outer surface (48) of a carrier (44) having a plurality of apertures (45) formed therein. Detonating cord is positioned within said carrier and when ignited causes the propellant to ignite initially at each aperture. In this manner, the propellant is caused to burn in controlled, uniform manner. Upon burning, the propellant generates gases which clean perforations previously formed through the casing into the formation and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.
Abstract:
A method for stimulating a subterranean formation (14) which is penetrated by a well bore (10) having casing (11) positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. Propellant (50) is secured to the outer surface (48) of a carrier (44) having a plurality of apertures (45) formed therein. Detonating cord is positioned within said carrier and when ignited causes the propellant to ignite initially at each aperture. In this manner, the propellant is caused to burn in controlled, uniform manner. Upon burning, the propellant generates gases which clean perforations previously formed through the casing into the formation and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for perforating and stimulating a subterranean formation which is penetrated by a well bore (10) having casing (12) positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. A shell, sheath or sleeve (20) of propellant material is positioned so as to substantially encircle at least one shaped charge (40) in a subterranean well bore and is ignited due to the shock, heat and/or pressure generated from the detonated charge. Upon burning, the propellant material generates gases which clean perforations formed in the formation by detonation of the shaped charge(s) and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.
Abstract:
A method for stimulating a subterranean formation (14) which is penetrated by a well bore (10) having casing (11) positioned therein so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and the well bore. Propellant (50) is secured to the outer surface (48) of a carrier (44) having a plurality of apertures (45) formed therein. Detonating cord is positioned within said carrier and when ignited causes the propellant to ignite initially at each aperture. In this manner, the propellant is caused to burn in controlled, uniform manner. Upon burning, the propellant generates gases which clean perforations previously formed through the casing into the formation and which extend fluid communication between the formation and the well bore.