Intelligent Electronic Firing Heads: Advancements in Efficiency, Flexibility, and Safety

AbstractFiring heads are widely used for initiation of perforating guns and other pyrotechnic devices in non-wireline deployments. For the last 25 years, these devices have been overwhelmingly based on hydraulic and mechanical designs; typically they require the shearing of pins through pressure activation or drop bar release. Features such as firing delays or multiple pressure cycle operation have been developed with additional complexity. These mechanical systems are less precise in operation due to tolerances and are also influenced by variations in downhole conditions such as temperature, pressure, and duration. Contrarily, electronic firing heads can be immune to these variations, while offering improved accuracy and control. No longer are high pressures needed to activate a firing head, instead low pressure coded command sequence of pulses can be used for communication. Delays can be extremely precise and simply programmed into the operation. The option to abort firing is also available, as well as the ability to measure and record dynamic pressures during the perforating event. Electronic firing heads have become the preferred solution due to the benefits they provide in safety, reliability and flexibility across numerous applications and deployments around the globe.The ability to use a low pressure coded command for initiation has many advantages in operational logistics and safety. For slickline applications the firing process is controlled using line tension pulses; this combination provides a reliable solution with simplified deployment while still giving the operator control of the initiation process.This paper describes the operation of an advanced electronic firing system and provides a number of case studies demonstrating the benefits for TCP, coiled tubing, and slickline perforating operations.