Devices for actuating explosive charges in wellbores, and methods of perforating boreholes

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to the actuation of explosives in boreholes.

[0002] In particular, one aspect of the present invention relates to a device for actuating an explosive charge downhole in a wellbore, comprising means for actuating the explosive charge in response to an actuation signal.

[0003] Furthermore, a second aspect of the present invention relates particularly to a method of perforating the outer surface of a borehole, the steps of positioning a pressure actuable perforating means adjacent a desired location in the borehole and raising the pressure in the borehole to a level sufficient to initiate actuation of the perforating means.

[0004] Explosive charges are utilized in wellbores to perform various functions, for example, to perforate a well casing to complete or test a formation, or to set a packer or other device downhole. Due to the time and expense involved in these operations and the explosive power of these devices, it is essential that their operation be reliable. The typical wellbore environment poses severe difficulties for the operation of explosive devices downhole, which thus tends to reduce their reliability. For example, extremes of temperature are common which tend to degrade the operation of explosives, and the presence of heavy drilling muds and debris can interfere with a firing apparatus. Impact responsive firing heads can become fouled by debris and particles settling out from the drilling mud.

[0005] In some applications, it is not feasible to utilize an impact responsive firing head. In drill stem testing, a zone to be tested is perforated and various downhole parameters such as temperature and pressure are monitored by instruments mounted between the tubing and the firing head. These are non-fullbore opening devices which typically do not permit a detonating bar to pass through to the first head. In these applications, therefore, pressure responsive firing devices are desired for use.

[0006] A 'complication introduced in the use of pressure responsive firing devices is that they require the manipulation of pressure in the annulus or the tubing to actuate the firing device. There are, however, numerous applications which call for the maintenance of a relatively low pressure at the time of explosive actuation, such as where it is desired to perforate the casing underbalanced. This requirement may not be compatible, therefore, with the use of pressure responsive firing devices operated by increasing pressure above hydrostatic.

[0007] US-A-3189094 discloses a formation tester including a tubing string, packer means for isolating a zone to be tested from the submergence pressure of well fluid a formation tester valve operable to connect said zone with the interior of said tubing string to subject said zone to the reduced pressure present in the tubing string and a gun perforator for perforating said zone for flow of formation fluids into the tubing string. A firing pin and cartridge means for the gun perforator mechanism includes a hammer responsive to submergence pressures for engaging the firing pin and means responsive to submergence pressures for restraining the mechanism during movement of the formation tester to the zone to be tested. The restraining means is exposed to said reduced pressure on setting of the packer means and opening of said formation tester valve to release said mechanism to cause firing of the gun perforator. Thus the arrangement provides a firing apparatus which is armed or prepared for operation by utilising the submergent pressure exerted by the surrounding well fluid in which the gun perforator is lowered and subsequently operates after the accompanying packers have established a relatively low pressure zone in the region to be perforated. No provision is made for introducing a controlled delay in the operation of the perforator.

[0008] EP-A-0092476 discloses a well perforating technique utilising a predetermined pressure difference developed at different points in the borehole to actuate the firing mechanism of a tubing conveyed perforating gun. In accordance with one arrangement described, part of a well test string includes a packer for isolating a wellbore interval and a perforating gun connected in the string below the packer which is fired in response to development of a greater pressure in the annulus above the packer than in the isolated interval, thereby causing perforation at "underbalanced" conditions. Again there is no provision for a controlled delay in the actuation of the explosive charge.

[0009] The device of the first aspect of this invention is characterised by initiation means for providing an initiation signal in response to a first pressure condition in at least a portion of the wellbore and delay means responsive to the initiation signal for producing the actuation signal after a time delay period providing sufficient time for an operator to alter the first pressure condition to a second pressure condition desired at the time of explosive actuation.

[0010] The method of the second aspect of this invention is characterised by the steps of providing a time delay between attainment of the initiation pressure and the actuation of the perforating means and reducing the pressure within the borehole adjacent the desired location from the initiating pressure to a desired perforating pressure prior to actuation of the perforating means.

[0011] Accordingly, it is thus possible to actuate the explosive charge by means of pressure downhole, while having the capability of reducing the pressure to a desired value, for example, a value desired for shooting underbalancedly, before the perforating guns are actuated.

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises means for providing a signal indicating the actuation of the actuation means in a form adapted to be transmitted to the surface of the wellbore. Accordingly, the operator can be informed that the delay means has been actuated so that he can begin to bleed off pressure in the wellbore, if so desired, prior to actuation of the explosive.

[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of a preferred embodiment, the delay means is disposed in a chamber to which it is adapted to release combustion gas as its combustive reaction proceeds. The device further comprises means for venting the combustion gas released by the delay means from the chamber outwardly of the device. Thus, heat and pressure from the delay means is dissipated outside the device as the combustive reaction proceeds. This aids in preventing a build up of temperature and pressure in the chamber which, if not prevented, will cause the time delay to become unpredictable.

[0014] There follows a description, by way of example, of an embodiment of the device and an example of the method according to the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partially cross-sectional view of a device for actuating an explosive charge downhole in a wellbore;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1 of a primer assembly for use in the device thereof;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partially cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a partially cross-sectional view of a borehole in the earth wherein tubing conveyed perforating guns have been positioned to perforate the casing at a desired depth and utilizing the device of Figures 1-4; and

Figure 6 is a partially cross-sectional view of a borehole in the earth illustrating a different arrangement for perforating the casing utilizing tubing conveyed perforating guns and utilizing the device of Figures 1-4.

[0015] With reference first to Figure 1, the device 10 thereof includes an upper sub-assembly or sub 12 having an upper set of threads 14 for coupling the device 10 to a tubing string for lowering into a well, or for coupling other downhole devices to device 10.

[0016] Upper sub 12 has a reduced diameter, lower portion 16 forming a pin threadedly coupled to a housing 18 and sealed thereagainst by a pair of 0- rings 17. Housing 18 is threaded at a lower portion 20 thereof for coupling the device 10 to a perforating gun or other downhole explosive device.

[0017] Immediately beneath the threaded portion 14, upper sub 12 has a first relatively large diameter counterbore 22 bounded at its lower extremity by an annular shoulder 24. Beginning at an inner edge of shoulder 24 is a downwardly extending second, relatively smaller diameter counterbore 26 extending through a lower extremity of upper sub 12. A piston ram 30 has an upper piston 32 fitting closely against the counterbore 26 of upper sub 12 and having two 0-ring seals 34 providing a fluid tight seal between the piston 32 and the counterbore 26. Piston 32 extends upwardly from counterbore 26 and is spaced concentrically from counterbore 22. An annularly shaped piston retainer 35 is fitted within and threadedly coupled to the counterbore 22 and is prevented from moving downwardly within the upper sub 12 by the shoulder 24. Retainer 35 has an inner surface dimensioned to fit closely against the outer surface of the piston 32. In the embodiment of Figures 1-6 six shear pins 36 couple the piston ram 30 to the piston retainer 35 to restrain the piston ram 30 against movement downwardly with respect to upper sub 12 until such time as a sufficient pressure differential is applied across the piston 32 of piston ram 30 to shear the pins 36. Piston ram 30 also includes a downwardly extending, reduced diameter projection 40 having a plurality of radially extending fins 42 which serve in part to center the projection 40 in the counterbore 26. Fins 42 also limit the downward travel of ram 30, as described more fully below.

[0018] Immediately below the upper sub 12 and piston ram 30, a generally cylindrical upper plug 44 is threadedly retained within a counterbore 46 of the housing 18. Upper plug 44 has a pair of 0-ring seals 48 forming a fluid tight seal with the housing 18 at the counterbore 46. Upper plug 44 has a first concentric relatively large diameter counterbore 50 extending from an opening in an upper surface of the plug 44 outwardly to an inwardly extending shoulder 52. Extending downwardly from an inner extremity of the shoulder 52 is a second relatively smaller diameter concentric counterbore 54 which terminates at a shoulder 56. Extending downwardly from an inner extremity of shoulder 56 is a third counterbore 58 having yet a smaller diameter. Extending from the counterbore 58 through the lower extremity of upper plug 44 is a relatively small concentric cylindrical opening 60. The lower extremity of opening 60 is hermetically sealed by a circular stainless steel closure disk 62 spot welded to the upper plug 44.

[0019] A firing pin 66 is held within the counterbore 50 and above the counterbore 54 by a shear pin 68. Firing pin 66 has an upper surface 70 positioned to receive the impact of projection 40 of piston ram 30 in order to force the firing pin 66 downwardly within counterbore 50 of upper plug 44. A lower portion of firing pin 66 is formed as a relatively narrow projection 72 which impacts against a percussion primer assembly 100 when the firing pin 66 is forced downwardly from counterbore 50. Assembly 100 is held within counterbore 58 by a primer retainer 102 which is threaded into counterbore 54. Retainer 102 has a concentric opening therethrough shaped to receive the lower portion of firing pin 66 and guide the projection 72 into engagement with the primer assembly 100. The firing pin 66 has a number of depressions 104 in an outer surface of its upper, relatively large diameter portion to permit air beneath firing pin 66 to flow upwardly past it as firing pin 66 moves downwardly.

[0020] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the percussion primer assembly 100 includes a generally cylindrical primer cup 102 having an upper flat surface 104 and a lower flat surface 106. The surface 106 has a concentric, cylindrical bore 108 formed therethrough toward surface 104. A concentric, cylindrical counterbore 110 also is formed in cup 102 from an upper boundary of bore 108 and terminating a short distance from surface 104, thus to form a thin well or web 112 therebetween. Counterbore 110 forms an annular shoulder 114 at the upper boundary of bore 108. Primer cup 102 may be made, for example, of stainless steel.

[0021] Counterbore 110 is filled with a primer mix 116, described in greater detail below. A stainless steel closure disc 118 is positioned against shoulder 114 to retain the primer mix 116 in counterbore 110. Disc 118 is pressed upwardly against shoulder 114 by a cylindrically shaped stainless steel anvil 120 positioned within bore 108. A lower surface 122 of anvil 120 is flush with surface 106. A second stainless steel closure disc 124 is spot welded to surface 106 to support the anvil 120 within cup 120 and to provide a hermetic seal to protect the primer mix 116 against moisture as well as gases produced by other pyrotechnic material in the device 10.

[0022] The primer mix 116 is a pyrotechnic mixture of titanium and potassium perchlorate mixed in a weight ratio of 41% titanium to 59% potassium perchlorate. The titanium is provided in powdered form with particles ranging from 1 to 3 microns in diameter and the potassium perchlorate is provided in powdered form with particles less than 10 microns in diameter. After the powders are thoroughly mixed, they are compacted in counterbore 110 preferably with a pressure of 40,000 psi (280 MN/m²). Thereafter, the disc 118, the anvil 120 and the closure disc 124 are in turn assembled with the cup 102 and primer mix 116. Further details of the primer mix 116 are disclosed in European Patent Application No. 85301430.6, Publication No. EP-A-0159122 dated 1st March 1985, a copy of which is available in the official file for the present application.

[0023] The thickness of the web 112 and the depth of the counterbore 110, together with the compaction of the primer mix 116, are selected to achieve the desired impact sensitivity. That is, as the thickness of web 112 is increased, impact sensitivity of the primer mix 116 in the assembly 100 is decreased, and as the depth of counterbore 110 is increased, so likewise is the impact sensitivity decreased. Moreover, as the density of the primer mix is increased (by increasing the compaction pressure), so also is the impact sensitivity increased. In the disclosed, embodiment, the thickness of the web 112 is nominally 0.011 inch (0.28mm) thick and the depth of the counterbore 110 is nominally 0.035 (0.89 mm) inch deep. When the primer mix is compacted from 68% to 81 % of crystal density in this housing, an impact sensitivity in excess of 4 feet Ibf (5.4 J) can be achieved and often is.

[0024] In use, the projection 72 of firing pin 66 impacts the web 112 to deform it inwardly, thus forcing the primer mix 116 against the anvil 120 to ignite it. Web 112 is made sufficiently thin so that it will be deformed adequately by the impact of the projection to ensure ignition. Upon ignition, the hot gases thus produced shatter the thin closure disc 118. Anvil 120 is provided with four longitudinally extending openings 128 therethrough which then form four jets of hot ignition gas and steel particles from disc 118. These jets of gas then burst through disc 124 to provide a means of igniting a flash sensitive, first fire mix, such as A1A.

[0025] With reference again to Figure 1, a lower plug 130 is threadedly received within a counterbore 132 of the lower portion 20 of housing 18. Lower plug 130 has a central aperture 134 therethrough with a threaded lower portion. An elongate, generally cylindrical delay element assembly 136 is threaded at a reduced diameter lower portion 138 thereof. Portion 138 of assembly 136 is threaded into the aperture 134 so that a lower surface of portion 138 is flush with a lower surface of plug 130. An upper relatively large diameter portion 142 of assembly 136 extends upwardly from plug 130. An upper surface 144 of portion 142 is disposed adjacent aperture 60 of upper plug 44. Housing 18 has a further counterbore 146 spaced from upper portion 142 of assembly 136 to define a plenum chamber therebetween.

[0026] In operation, the jet of gases and hot particles emitted through aperture 60 by primer assembly 100 in response to the impact of projection 72 of firing pin 66 acts as a signal to initiate a combustion reaction within assembly 136. This combustive reaction proceeds for a period of time sufficient to permit an operator at the wellhead to reduce the pressure in the well to a lower value desired at the time that the perforating guns are detonated by the device 10. At the end of this time delay, a detonation initiator within the lower end of portion 138 detonates a detonating cord (not shown) coupled to the lower end of portion 138 in order to detonate the guns. As the combustive reaction proceeds within assembly 136, combustion gas exits from assembly 136 and fills the plenum chamber.

[0027] Lower plug 130 is provided with a plurality of vent apertures 150 therethrough and sealed at their upper ends by closure discs 152. As the combustion gases accumulate within the plenum chamber, they build up a slight pressure differential across the closure discs 152, causing them to rupture and permit the gases to pass downwardly through the apertures 150 so that the gases vent into the gun carriers coupled with the lower portion 20 of housing 18. Since the interior of the device 10 below the piston 32 of the piston ram 30 is sealed against fluid pressure and the gun carrier likewise is sealed against fluid pressure, the pressure within the plenum chamber will remain essentially at one atmosphere. In addition, the venting of the combustion gases dissipates heat from the assembly 136. Accordingly, the principal factor in determining the length of the delay provided by the delay element assembly 136 is the downhole ambient temperature.

[0028] With reference to Figure 4, delay element assembly 136 includes a generally cylindrical housing 160 having a central cylindrical aperture 162. A cylindrical pellet 164 of A1A first fire mix is positioned within aperture 162 so that an upper surface of pellet 164 is flush with the surface 144 of assembly 136 and extends downwardly a short distance therefrom. Aperture 162 is closed at surface 144 by an adhesive high temperature closure disc 166. Upon the ignition of primer assembly 100, the jet of hot gases and particles emitted through aperture 60 breaks through the closure disc 166 and ignites the A1A pellet 164.

[0029] A succession of tungsten delay composition discs 168 are positioned within aperture 162 to extend from pellet 164 downwardly to a point within aperture 162 approximately half way through the extent of aperture 162 through lower portion 138. In one embodiment, 55 tungsten composition discs (mil-T-23132) were utilized, each disc having 500 milligrams of composition compressed at 30,000 psi (210 MN/m²) and forming a column approximately 10 inches (250 mm) high. It was found that this embodiment provides a burn time of 460 seconds at room temperature, a burn time of 420 seconds at 250°F (120°C) after heating at 250°F (120°C) for 100 hours, a burn time of 388 seconds at 300°F (150°C) after heating at 300°F (150°C) for 100 hours, and a burn time of 312 seconds at 400°F (200°C) after heating at 400°F (200°C) for 100 hours.

[0030] Positioned within the aperture 162 immediately below the lowermost tungsten disc 168 is a second pellet of A1A 170. Immediately below the pellet 170 is a pellet of a titanium/potassium perchlorate flash charge 172. Immediately below the pellet 172 is a detonator having an upper booster 174 of lead azide (RD-1333) and a lower high explosive output charge 176 which may be either PYX or HNS-11. Aperture 162 is closed at its lower end by a closure disc 178 spot welded to the housing 160. When the last tungsten delay element 168 has burned through, it ignites the A1A charge 170 which in turn ignites the charge 172 which serves to provide a deflagrating output to the booster 174 which in turn detonates the high explosive charge 176. This detonation is transferred to the detonating cord of the perforating guns to cause them to fire, and may thus be regarded as an explosive actuation signal.

[0031] One possible downhole arrangement utilizing the device of Figures 1-4 is shown in Figure 5 illustrating a portion of a borehole formed in the earth and lined with a casing 190. A tubing string 192 terminates at its lower end by a perforated nipple 194. The upper sub 12 of the device 100 is threadedly coupled to the lower extremity of the nipple 194 and a lower portion 20 is threadedly coupled to a string of perforating guns 196 extending downwardly therefrom and positioned opposite a portion 198 of the casing 190 which it is desired to perforate with the guns 196. Coupled to the guns at their lowermost extremity is a shot detection device 200 which is operative to provide a signal transmitted upwardly through the tubing string 192 to the wellhead after a time delay provided by a combustion time delay element incorporated within the shot detection device 200. Shot detection device 200 may be, for example, that disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. EP 0129350A. Once the guns 196 have been positioned adjacent the desired location 198, a packer 202 carried by the tubing string 192 and positioned above the perforated nipple 194 is set to isolate the casing annulus therebelow from the annulus above the packer. If it is desired to perforate the casing with an underbalanced condition in the lower annulus, the hydrostatic pressure in the lower annulus is adjusted accordingly, for example by swabbing well fluids from the tubing string 192. When it is desired to fire the guns 196, the heavier fluid in the tubing 192 is replaced with a lighter fluid to give the desired underbalance and then the pressure in the tubing string is increased until the pins 36 (Figure 1) shear causing the piston ram 30 to move downwardly very rapidly to impact the firing pin 66, thus shearing the pin 68 holding the pin 66 and ramming the projection 72 into the assembly 100 to initiate the combustion reaction within delay assembly 136. With reference again to Figure 1, the downward motion of the piston ram 30 is arrested when the fins 42 thereof impact upon the upper plug 44. This impact generates a distinctive vibration which can be detected at the wellhead through acoustic sensors, for example in the manner described in EP 0129350A.

[0032] At this point the operator at the wellhead begins to reduce the pressure in the annulus beneath packer 202 as the combustive reaction proceeds within the assembly 136. When the desired downhole pressure has been achieved, the combustive reaction within assembly 136 terminates with the detonation of the high explosive charge 176, thus detonating the guns 196. Several seconds after the firing of the guns, the device 200 emits a second vibrational signal through the tubing string to the surface in the event that the detonating cord within the guns 196 has detonated its entire length.

[0033] The arrangement of Figure 6 differs from that of Figure 5 in that the device 10 has been mounted beneath the perforating guns 198 and in an upside-down arrangement so that its normally upper end 12 is now the lowermost portion of the device 10. A perforated bull plug 206 is threadedly coupled to end 12 of device 10 so that pressure within the annulus beneath the packer 202 can be applied to the piston 32 of device 10. The guns 198 are suspended from blank, fluid tight tubing 208 which in turn is suspended from the shot detection device 200. Device 200 is in turn coupled at its upper end to the perforated nipple 194. An advantage of the Figure 6 arrangement is that if fluid pressure invades the guns 198 or blank tubing prior to detonation, fluids will accumulate in the device 10. By utilizing a fluid sensitive detonator in device 10, so that fluid in the guns 198 accumulates below in the device 10, detonation of a wet string of guns can be prevented in the arrangement of Figure 6.

[0034] In applications wherein long strings of guns are to be detonated by the device 10, requiring the use of boosters to transfer the detonation from one length of detonating cord to the next, it is preferable that non-directional boosters be employed. Such boosters include a single secondary high explosive which acts both as an acceptor and donor. The high explosive can be, for example, HMX compacted to a density of 1.71 gm/cm³ in a cup of guilding metal, stainless steel or aluminium, or PYX compacted to a density of 1.4555 gm/cm³ in such a cup. An open end of the cup is then crimped over the end of the detonating cord.

[0035] The device of the present invention is also advantageous for use in drill stem testing, wherein non-fullbore opening devices are suspended in the tubing string above the perforating guns. Such devices render it difficult to pass a detonating bar downwardly through the tubing to impact upon a mechanical firing head, but do not affect the operation of a pressure actuated initiator such as device 10.

[0036] Other advantageous applications of the device 10 include multiple zone firing operations wherein two or more zones are to be perforated simultaneously or at different respective times. Further uses for the present invention include the provision of redundant gun firing means, as disclosed in European Patent Application No. 85301429.8, Publication No. EP-A-0154532 dated 1 st March 1985, a copy of which is available in the official file for the present application.

Claims

1. A device for actuating an explosive charge downhole in a wellbore, comprising means for actuating the explosive charge in response to an actuation signal, characterized by initiation means (30, 66, 100) for providing an initiation signal in response to a first pressure condition in at least a portion of the wellbore and delay means (136) responsive to the initiation signal for producing the actuation signal after a time delay period providing sufficient time for an operator to alter the first pressure condition to a second pressure condition desired at the time of explosive actuation.

2. The device of claim 1, characterized by means for providing a signal indicating the actuation of the actuation means in a form adapted to be transmitted to the surface of the wellbore.

3. The device of claim 2, characterized in that the delay means is adapted to be initiated by percussion and the initiation means comprising a striker (40, 66) for impacting the delay means to provide the. initiation signal thereto, and the signalling means comprising means (42, 44) for producing the signal upon to a motion of the striker toward the time delay means.

4. The device of claim 3, characterized in that the device is adapted to be mounted in a tubing string (192), and the signalling means comprises an anvil (44) positioned to be struck by the striker after impact with the delay means and adapted to produce the signal as a vibration of the anvil and to transmit the vibration to the tubing string for onward transmission to the surface of the well bore.

5. The device of any preceding claim characterised in that the delay means provides a combustion reaction initiated by the initiating means and continuing for the time delay period.

6. A device of claim 5, characterised in that the delay means is operative to provide a time delay of at least 312 seconds at a downhole ambient temperature of at least 400°F (200°C).

7. The device of claim 6, characterised in that the device is operative to provide said time delay of at least 312 seconds after having been subjected to an average ambient temperature of at least 400°F (200°C) for at least 100 hours prior to the initiation of the initiator means.

8. The device of any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the delay means is operative to provide a time delay of at least 388 seconds at a downhole ambient temperature of at least 300°F (150°C).

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is operative to provide said time delay of at least 388 seconds after having been subjected to an average ambient temperature of at least 300°F (150°C) for at least 100 hours prior to the initiation of the initiation means.

10. The device of any of the claims 5 to 9 characterised in that the delay means is operative to provide a time delay of at least 430 seconds at a downhole ambient temperature of at least 250°F (120°C).

11. The device of claim 10, characterised in that the device is operative to provide said delay of 430 seconds after having been subjected to an average ambient temperature of at least 250°F (120°C) for at least 100 hours prior to the initiation of the initiation means.

12. The device of any of claims 5 to 11, characterised in that the delay means is disposed in a chamber (160) which is adapted to release combustion gas as its combustive reaction proceeds, the device further comprising means (150) for venting the combustion gas released by the delay means from the chamber outwardly of the device, whereby heat from the delay means is dissipated outside the device as the combustive reaction proceeds.

13. The device of claim 12 characterised in that, in the case where the device is adapted to be mounted in a tubing string, the device is adapted to vent the combustion gas into another element of the tubing string.

14. The device of claim 13, characterised in that said element is a carrier for the explosive charge.

15. The device of any of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the device is adapted to be joined to a carrier of the explosive charge for actuating the charge and to vent the combustion gas into the carrier.

16. The device of any of claims 5 to 15, characterised in that the delay means is operative to provide an intermetallic reaction as said combustive reaction.

17. The device of any of claims 5 to 16, characterised in that the delay means is arranged to cause said combustive reaction to continue for a period of time, while downhole in the well bore, which is substantially invariant at given downhole ambient temperature.

18. The device of any of claims 5 to 17, characterised by means of maintaining the delay means below a predetermined pressure as the combustive reaction proceeds.

19. A method of perforating the outer surface of a borehole, comprising the steps of positioning pressure actuable perforating means (196) adjacent a desired location in the borehole and raising the pressure in the borehole to a level sufficient to initiate actuation of the perforating means, characterised by the steps of providing a time delay between attainment of the initiation pressure and the actuation of the perforating means and reducing the pressure within the borehole adjacent the desired location from the initiating pressure to a desired perforating pressure prior to actuation of the perforating means.

20. The method of claim 19, characterised by the steps of signalling the commencement of the time delay to a location remote from the perforating means to indicate that the pressure adjacent the desired location should be reduced.

21. The method of claim 20, characterised in that the step of commencing the time delay comprises striking a combustion initiator with a striker when the initiating pressure has been attained and in that the step of signalling the commencement of the time delay includes the step of producing a vibrational signal by impact of the striker against an anvil when the initiating pressure has been attained.

22. The method of claim 21, characterised in that the step of signalling the commencement of. the time delay further includes the step of transmitting the vibrational signal to a tubing string running from the surface of the borehole to the perforating means.

23. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, characterised in that the time delay is at least 312 seconds while the downhole ambient temperature is at least 400°F (200°C).

24. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, characterised in that the time delay is at least 388 seconds while the downhole ambient temperature is not least 300°F (150°C).

25. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, characterised in that the time delay is at least 430 seconds while the downhole ambient temperature is not least 250°F (120°C)..

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Betätigen einer Explosivladung in einem Bohrloch, enthaltend Mittel zur Betätigung der Explosivladung auf ein Betätigungssignal, gekennzeichnet durch Zündmittel (33, 66, 100) zur Bildung eines Zündsignals beim Eintritt einer ersten Druckbedingung in wenigstens einem Teil des Bohrlochs und Verzögerungsmittel (136), die auf das Zündsignal ansprechen und ein Betätigungssignal nach einer Verzögerungszeit erzeugen, die einer Bedienungskraft genügend Zeit gibt, die erste Druckbedingung in eine zur Zeit der Betätigung des Explosivstoffs erwünschte zweite Druckbedingung umzuändern.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch Signalmittel zur Bildung eines Signals, das die Betätigung der Betätigungsmittel in einer zur Übertragung an die dem Bohrloch zugeordnete Oberfläche geeigneten Form anzeigt.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel zur Zündung durch Schlag eingerichtet sind und die Zündmittel einen Stößel (40, 66) zum Aufschlag auf die Verzögerungsmittel und zur Erzeugung deren Zündsignals aufweisen und daß die Signalmittel Mittel (42, 44) zur Signalerzeugung bei einer Bewegung des Stößels gegen die Verzögerungsmittel aufweisen.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung zur Montage in einem Rohrstrang (192) eingerichtet ist und die Signalmittel einen Amboß (44) aufweisen, der so positioniert ist, daß er von dem Stößel nach dem Aufschlag auf die Verzögerungsmittel getroffen wird, und so eingerichtet ist, daß er das Signal als ein Vibrieren des Amboß erzeugt und das Vibrieren auf den Rohrstrang zur Weiterleitung an die dem Bohrloch zugeordnete Oberfläche überträgt.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel eine Verbrennungsreaktion unterhalten, die durch die Zündmittel gezündet wird und während der Verzögerungszeit andauert.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel bei ihrem Betrieb eine Zeitverzögerung von wenigstens 312 Sekunden bei einer Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch von wenigstens 400°F (200°C) erzeugen.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung bei ihrem Betrieb die Zeitverzögerung von wenigstens 312 Sekunden erzeugt, nachdem sie wenigstens 100 Stunden vor der Zündung der Zündmittel einer durchschnittlichen Umgebungstemperatur von wenigstens 400°F (200°C) ausgesetzt war.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel bei ihrem Betrieb eine Zeitverzögerung von wenigstens 388 Sekunden bei einer Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch von wenigstens 300°F (150°C) erzeugen.

9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung bei ihrem Betrieb die Zeitverzögerung von wenigstens 388 Sekunden erzeugt, nachdem sie wenigstens 100 Stunden vor der Zündung der Zündmittel einer durchschnittlichen Umgebungstemperatur von wenigstens 300°F (150°C) ausgesetzt war.

10. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel bei ihrem Betrieb eine Zeitverzögerung von wenigstens 430 Sekunden bei einer Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch von wenigstens 250°F (120°C) erzeugen.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung bei ihrem Betrieb die Zeitverzögerung von wenigstens 430 Sekunden erzeugt, nachdem sie wenigstens 100 Sekunden vor der Zündung der Zündmittel einer durchschnittliche Umgebungstemperatur von wenigstens 250°F (120°C) ausgesetzt war.

12. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel in einer Kammer (160) angeordnet sind, die zur Freigabe des Verbrennungsgases entsprechend dem Fortgang der Verbrennungsreaktion eingerichtet ist und die Vorrichtung weiterhin Mittel (105) zur Ableitung des von den Verzögerungsmitteln freigesetzten Verbrennungsgases aus der Kammer nach außen außerhalb der Vorrichtung aufweist, wobei die von den Verzögerungsmitteln erzeugte Wärme außerhalb der Vorrichtung entsprechend dem Fortgang der Verbrennungsreaktion verteilt wird.

13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung für den Fall ihrer Montage in einem Rohrstrang so eingerichtet ist, daß das Verbrennungsgas in ein anderes Element des Rohrstrangs abgeleitet wird.

14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Element ein Träger für die Explosivladung ist.

15. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung zur Verbindung mit einem Träger der Explosivladung zur Betätigung der Ladung und zur Ableitung des Verbrennungsgases in den Träger eingerichtet ist.

16. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel bei ihrem Betrieb eine intermetallische Reaktion als die Verbrennungsreaktion erzeugen.

17. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verzögerungsmittel so angeordnet sind, daß sie während ihrer Anwesenheit im Bohrloch den Fortgang der Verbrennungsreaktion während einer Zeitdauer bewirken, die bei einer gegebenen Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch im wesentlichen unveränderlich ist.

18. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 17, gekennzeichnet durch Mittel, welche die Verzögerungsmittel während des Fortgangs der Verbrennungsreaktion unterhalb eines vorgegebenen Drucks halten.

19. Verfahren zum Perforieren der Außenfläche eines Bohrlochs, enthaltend die Schritte Positionieren eines durch Druck betätigbaren Perforiermittels (196) an einem gewünschten Ort in dem Bohrloch und Erhöhen des Drucks im Bohrloch auf eine Höhe, die zur Zündung der Betätigung der Perforiermittel ausreicht, gekennzeichnet durch die Schritte Einführen einer Zeitverzögerung zwischem dem Erreichen des Zünddrucks und der Betätigung der Perforiermittel und Herabsetzen des Drucks im Bohrloch an dem gewünschten Ort von dem Zünddruck auf einen gewünschten Perforierdruck vor der Betätigung der Perforiermittel.

20. Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, gekennzeichnet durch die Schritte Signalisieren des Einsetzens der Zeitverzögerung an einem von den Perforiermitteln entfernten Ort zur Anzeige, daß der Druck an dem gewünschten Ort herabgesetzt werden sollte.

21. Verfahren nach Anspruch 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schritt des Beginns der Zeitverzögerung das Aufschlagen eines Stößels auf einen Verbrennungszünder bei Erreichen des Zünddrucks umfaßt und daß der Schritt des Signalisierens des Einsetzens der Zeitverzögerung den Schritt der Erzeugung eines Vibrationssignals durch den Aufschlag des Stößels an einem Amboß bei Erreichen des Zünddrucks enthält.

22. Verfahren nach Anspruch 21, daß der Schritt des Signalisierens des Einsetzens der Zeitverzö- geru.ng den weiteren Schritt der Übertragung des Vibrationssignals auf einen Rohrstrang enthält, der von der dem Bohrloch zugeordneten Oberfläche zu den Perforiermitteln verläuft.

23. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 22, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zeitverzögerung wenigstens 312 Sekunden bei einer Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch von wenigstsns 400°F (200°C) beträgt.

24. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 22, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zeitverzögerung wenigstens 388 Sekunden bei einer Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch von wenigstens 300°F (150°) beträgt.

25. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 19 bis 22, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zeitverzögerung wenigstens 430 Sekunden bei einer Umgebungstemperatur im Bohrloch von wenigstens 250°F (120°C) beträgt.

Revendications

1. Dispositif pour actionner une charge d'explosif de fond de forage dans un puits de forage, comprenant des moyens pour mettre à feu la charge explosive en réponse à un signal d'actionnement, caractérisé par des moyens de déclenchement (30, 66, 100) servant à émettre un signal de déclenchement en réponse à une première condition de pression dans au moins une partie du puits de forage et des moyens de retard (36) qui répondent aux signaux de déclenchement en produisant le signal de mise à feu après une période de retard qui donne à un opérateur suffisamment de temps pour modifier la première condition de pression et la transformer en une deuxième condition de pression désirée à l'instant de la mise à feu de l'explosif.

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par des moyens qui émettent un signal indiquant l'actionnement des moyens de mise à feu sous une forme adaptée pour être transmis à la surface du puits de forage.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard sont adaptés pour être déclenchés par percussion et que les moyens de déclenchement comprennent un percuteur (40, 66) destiné à frapper les moyens de retard pour leur transmettre le signal de déclenchement, et les moyens de signalisation comprennent des moyens (42, 44) destinés à produire le signal en réponse à un mouvement du percuteur en direction des moyens de retard.

4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif est adapté pour être monté dans un train de tubes (192) et les moyens de signalisation comprennent une enclume (44) positionnée pour être frappée par le percuteur après l'impact avec les moyens de retard et adaptée pour produire le signal sous la forme d'une vibration de l'enclume et transmettre la vibration au train de tubes pour qu'elle soit ensuite transmise au-delà jusqu'à la surface du puits de forage.

5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard engendrent une réaction de combustion déclenchée par les moyens de déclenchement et qui se poursuit pendant la période de retard.

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard ont pour action d'établir un temps de retard d'au moins 312 secondes à une température ambiante de fond de forage d'au moins 200°C (400°F).

7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif a pour action de fournir ce temps de retard d'au moins 312 secondes après avoir été soumis à une température ambiante moyenne d'au moins 200°C (400°F) pendant au moins 100 heures avant le déclenchement des moyens de dèclenchement.

8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 7, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard ont pour action d'engendrer un temps de retard d'au moins 388 seconds à une température ambiante de fond de forage d'au moins 150°C (300°F).

9. Dispositif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif a pour effet de fournir ledit temps de retard d'au moins 388 secondes aprè avoir été soumis à une température ambiante moyenne d'au moins 150°C (300°F) pendant au moins 100 heures avant le déclenchement des moyens de déclenchement.

10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard ont pour action d'établir un temps de retard d'au moins 430 secondes à une température ambiante de fond de forage d'au moins 120°F (250°F).

11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif a pour action d'établir ledit retard de 430 secondes après avoir été soumis à une température ambiante moyenne d'au moins 120°C (250°F) pendant au moins 100 heures avant le déclenchement des moyens de déclenchement.

12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 11, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard sont disposés dans une chambre (160) qui est adaptée pour relâcher des gaz de combustion au cours de la progression de la réaction de combustion, le dispositif comprenant en outre des moyens (150) pour laisser s'échapper les gaz de combustion dégagés par les moyens de retard hors de la chambre à l'extérieur du dispositif, de sorte que la chaleur émise par les moyens de retard est dissipée à l'extérieur du dispositif pendant la progression de la réaction de combustion.

13. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que, dans le cas où le dispositif est adapté pour être monté dans un train de tubes, le dispositif est adapté pour laisser les gaz de combustion s'échapper dans un autre élément du train de tubes.

14. Dispositif selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément est un support pour la charge explosive.

15. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 14, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif est adapté pour être réuni à un support de la charge explosive de façon à actionner la charge et à laisser les gaz de combustion s'échapper dans le support.

16. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 15, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard ont pour effet d'établir une réaction intermétallique qui constitue ladite réaction de combustion.

17. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 16, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retard sont agencés pour faire continuer ladite réaction de combustion pendant un certain temps, alors que ceci se produit au fond du forage dans le puits de forage, temps qui est sensiblement invariable à une température ambiante donnée au fond du forage.

18. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 17, caractérisé par des moyens servant à maintenir les moyens de retard au-dessous d'une pression prédéterminée pendant la progression de la réaction de combustion.

19. Procédé de perforation de la surface externe d'un trou de forage, comprenant les phases consistant à positionner les moyens de perforation (196) pouvant être actionnés par pression à proximité de la position désirée dans le trou de forage et à élever la pression intérieure du trou de forage à un niveau suffisant pour déclencher la mise à feu des moyens perforateurs, caractérisé par les phases consistant à introduire un temps de retard entre le moment où la pression de déclenchement est atteinte et la mise à feu des moyens perforateurs, et à réduire la pression dans le trou de forage dans la région adjacente à la position désirée, de la pression de déclenchement à une pression de perforation désirée avant la mise à feu des moyens perforateurs.

20. Procédé selon la revendication 19, caractérisé par les phases consistant à signaler le commencement du temps de retard à un emplacement éloigné des moyens perforateurs pour indiquer que la pression dans la région adjacente à la position désirée devrait être réduite.

21. Procédé selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que la phase de commencement du temps de retard consiste à frapper un déclencheur de combustion au moyen d'un percuteur lorsque la pression de déclenchement a été atteinte et en ce que la phase de signalisation du commencement du temps de retard comprend la phase consistant à produire un signal vibratoire par l'impact du percuteur contre une enclume au moment où la pression de déclenchement a été atteinte.

22. Procédé selon la revendication 21, caractérisé en ce que la phase de signalisation du commencement du temps de retard comprend en outre la phase consistant à transmettre le signal vibratoire à un train de tubes qui s'étend de la surface de trou de forage jusqu'au moyen perforateur.

23. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 19 à 22, caractérisé en ce que le temps de retard est d'au moins 312 secondes lorsque la température ambiante au fond du forage est d'au moins 200°C (400°F).

24. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 19 à 22, caractérisé en ce que le temps de retard est d'au moins 388 secondes lorsque la température ambiante au fond du forage est d'au moins 150°C (300°F).

25. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 19 à 22, caractérisé en ce que le temps de retard est d'au moins 430 secondes lorsque la température ambiante au fond du forage est d'au moins 120°C (250°F).

Drawing