A New Tubing-Conveyed Perforating Method

Abstract Two new innovations — an automatically released gun hanger, and a modular gun-deployment system — have recently been introduced to the oilfield to better support perforating needs in wells in which the completion configurations differ from the older, traditionally accepted designs. The first design, an automatically-released gun hanger, was planned originally for monobore completions to allow a zone to be perforated and tested without imposing any downhole restrictions. This gun hanger can be used below a retrievable or permanent packer, a polished bore receptacle, or an electric submersible pump. A new modular gun system has also been designed to be run in conjunction with the gun hanger. This system allows operators to deploy long gun intervals, a section at a time, into a well The guns are run into the wellbore individually and stacked on a gun hanger until the appropriate length is achieved. Since this method avoids any gun length restrictions that could be caused by a lubricator, it is ideal for rigless completions. In addition, the capability of the system to allow retrieval of any or all of the modules under pressure makes it ideal for use in wells with limited rathole. The combined technological advantages of these new completion tools increase production capability of the wellbore by allowing 1) maximum tubular ID usage and 2) perforating capabilities that include maximum gun size, optimum shot patterns and density, and maximum underbalance or overbalance. These enhancements are in keeping with the current operational and economic needs in today’s oilfield.