Method and apparatus for controlling borehole pressure in perforating wells

Claim 2

A wireline operated well perforating apparatus adapted to be positioned below a packer mounted in a wellbore comprising: (a) a running tool adapted to be supported on a wireline; (b) a pressurized surge tank operably connected to said running tool; (c) means for supporting a perforating gun on said surge tank and means for selectively opening communication between said surge tank and said wellbore to reduce pressure in said wellbore adjacent said surge tank; and (d) frangible valve means in the upper end of said surge tank to close communication between pressure from well fluid above said surge tank and pressure in said wellbore below said surge tank.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 including pressure sensing means for sensing pressure in said wellbore below said surge tank.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 including pressure indicator means at the surface of the well to indicate pressure in said wellbore below the surge tank.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2 wherein said pressure sensing means includes a bypass conduit extending through said frangible valve and check valve means in said frangible valve for receiving said bypass conduit and for closing communication through said frangible valve when said bypass conduit is removed therefrom.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4 including check valve means in association with said bypass conduit for allowing displacement of well fluid below the packer as said surge tank and perforating gun are lowered through said packer.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 including frangible disk means at the lower end of said surge tank adapted to be broken when said perforating gun is fired.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 1 including frangible valve means of said surge tank and frangible valve means at the lower end of said perforating gun, which frangible valves are adapted to be shattered upon firing of said perforating gun to thereby open communication through said perforating gun and said surge tank thereof, and retrievable plug valve means in the upper end of said surge tank to close communication between well fluid thereabove and well fluid therebelow.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 7 including means for retrieving said retrievable plug valve after a tubing string has been secured to said surge tank to permit fluid flow through said packer into the tubing string.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 7 including pressure sensing means for sensing pressure in said wellbore below said surge tank and perforating gun.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 9 including indicator means at the surface of the well to indicate pressure in said wellbore sensed by said sensing means.

Claim 16

The method as set forth in claim 12 and further including the step of sensing the pressure in the well casing below the production packer and transmitting the pressure parameter sensed as a function of an electrical signal to the earth's surface.

Claim 17

The method as set forth in claim 12 and further including the step of releasing and retrieving the wireline tool from the well casing while maintaining the well control pressure above the production packer.

Claim 18

The method as set forth in claim 14 and further including the step of running a string of tubing in the well casing and interconnecting the string of tubing with the production packer.

Claim 19

The method as set forth in claim 15 and further including the step of opening the closed bore in the tubular member for placing the fluids in the well casing below the production packer in fluid communication with the string of tubing.

Claim 20

The method as set forth in claim 12 and further including the step of releasing and retrieving the wireline tool from the well casing while maintaining the well control pressure above the production packer.

Claim 21

The method as set forth in claim 17 and further including the step of running a string of tubing in the well casing and interconnecting the string of tubing with the production packer.

Claim 22

The method as set forth in claim 18 and further including the step of opening the closed bore in the tubular member for placing the fluids in the well casing below the production packer in fluid communication with the string of tubing.

Claim 23

The method as set forth in claim 17 and further including the step of running a string of tubing in the well casing and interconnecting the string of tubing with the production packer.

Claim 24

The method as set forth in claim 20 and further including the step of retrieving the plug member and opening the closed bore in the packer for placing the fluids in the well casing below the production packer in fluid communication with the string of tubing.

Claim 27

The method as set forth in claim 22 and further including the step of releasing and retrieving the wireline tool from the well casing while maintaining the well control pressure above the production packer.

Claim 30

The method as set forth in claim 24 and further including the step of sensing the pressure in the well casing below the production packer and transmitting the pressure parameter sensed as a function of an electrical signal to the earth's surface.

Claim 31

The method as set forth in claim 25 and further including the step of releasing and retrieving the wireline tool from the well casing while maintaining the well control pressure above the open bore receptacle.

Claim 32

The method as set forth in claim 26 and further including the step of opening the closed bore in the tubular member for placing the fluids in the well casing below the open bore receptacle in fluid communication with the string of tubing.

Claim 33

The method as set forth in claim 24 and further including the step of releasing and retrieving the wireline tool from the well casing while maintaining the well control pressure above the open bore receptacle.

Claim 34

The method as set forth in claim 28 and further including the step of running a string of tubing in the well casing and interconnecting the string of tubing with the open bore receptacle.

Claim 35

The method as set forth in claim 29 and further including the step of opening the closed bore in the tubular member for placing the fluids in the well casing below the open bore receptacle in fluid communication with the string of tubing.

Claim 40

Perforating apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforating means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below the open bore receptacle means; and closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 41

Perforating apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforating means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below the open bore receptacle means; and closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 42

The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said perforating means and said pressure surge means are interconnected to an upper tubular section which is sized and constructed to be slidably and sealingly received in an open bore receptacle means.

Claim 43

The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said tubular section includes means for releasably receiving a releasable plug member, and a releasable plug member constructed to be releasably received in said tubular section for sealing off the bore of said tubular section.

Claim 44

The apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein said plug member and tubular section have pressure relief valve means.

Claim 45

The apparatus as defined in claim 36 and further including releasable valve means disposed at between the plug member and perforating means for isolating said pressure surge means from said perforating means and are operable upon firing of said perforating means for opening said pressure surge means to the well casing.

Claim 46

The apparatus as defined in claim 37 and further including additional releasable valve means where said releasable valve means enclosing said perforating means and are operable upon firing of said perforating means for opening said perforating means to the well casing.

Claim 47

The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said perforating means and said pressure surge means are adapted to be interconnected to an open bore receptacle means.

Claim 48

Perforating apparatus for use in completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing said perforating means and said pressure surge means being interconnected to an upper tubular section which is sized and constructed to be slidably and sealingly received in an open bore receptacle means, said upper tubular section having first locking means on a wireline setting tool, and a wireline setting means having second locking means for selectively locking with said first locking means on said upper tubular section; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 49

Perforating apparatus for use in completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing said perforating means and said pressure surge means being interconnected to an upper tubular section which is sized and constructed to be slidably and sealingly received in an open bore receptacle means, said upper tubular section having first locking means on a wireline setting tool, and a wireline setting means having second locking means for selectively locking with said first locking means on said upper tubular section; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 50

The apparatus as defined in claim 40 and further including pressure sensing means attached to said tubular section for sensing pressure below said closure means and producing an electrical response as a function of pressure, said pressure sensing means including means for coupling an electrical response of the sensing means to an electrical conductor for transmission to the earth's surface.

Claim 51

The apparatus as defined in claim 41 and further including indicator means at the earth's surface coupled to an electrical conductor and the sensing means for indicating pressure below an open bore receptacle means.

Claim 52

The apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein said coupling means is in the wireline setting tool.

Claim 53

The apparatus as defined in claim 43 wherein said closure means and said pressure sensing means include releasable valve connection means for permitting disconnection of a part of the pressure sensing means in the wireline setting tool from the part of the pressure sensing means below the means for isolating and including valve means for controlling the pressure across the closure means.

Claim 54

The apparatus as defined in claim 44 wherein said pressure sensing means also includes a pressure relief valve located in the wireline setting tool.

Claim 55

Perforating apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control to the well, said closure means including a frangible member which can be destructed upon the application of force.

Claim 56

Perforating apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control to the well, said closure means including a frangible member which can be destructed upon the application of force.

Claim 57

Perforating apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing, said perforating means and said pressure surge means having means for interconnecting to a open bore receptacle means; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the wall casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another, and receiving means in said pressure surge means for releasably receiving a plug member, and a plug member constructed to be releasably received in said pressure surge means for sealing the bore of said pressure surge means; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 58

Perforating apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells in cooperation with an open bore receptacle means located in a well casing which traverses earth formation, comprising: perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations, said perforating means being adapted for interconnection with open bore receptacle means in a well casing so as to be disposed below the open bore receptacle means when situated in a well casing, said perforating means and said pressure surge means having means for interconnecting to a open bore receptacle means; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the wall casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another, and receiving means in said pressure surge means for releasably receiving a plug member, and a plug member constructed to be releasably received in said pressure surge means for sealing the bore of said pressure surge means; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore receptacle means so that the pressure in the well casing above an open bore receptacle means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below an open bore receptacle means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above an open bore receptacle means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 59

The apparatus as defined in claim 47 and further including pressure sensing means in said plug member for sensing pressure in the well casing.

Claim 60

The apparatus as defined in claim 48 and further including releasable valve means disposed at between the plug member and perforating means for isolating said pressure surge means from said perforating means and are operable upon firing of said perforating means for opening said pressure surge means to the well casing.

Claim 61

The apparatus as defined in claim 49 and further including additional releasable valve means where said releasable valve means enclosing said perforating means and are operable upon firing of said perforating means for opening said perforating means to the wall casing.

Claim 62

Completion apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells which traverse earth formation, comprising: packer means having an open bore and adapted to be set in a well bore with a wireline setting tool, said packer means having a depending perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations below the packer means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforation means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below said packer means; and closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore of the packer means so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below the packer means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above the packer means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 63

Completion apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells which traverse earth formation, comprising: packer means having an open bore and adapted to be set in a well bore with a wireline setting tool, said packer means having a depending perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations below the packer means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforation means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below said packer means; and closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore of the packer means so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below the packer means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above the packer means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 64

The apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein the open bore of said packer means includes means for releasably receiving a releasable plug member, and a releasable plug member constructed to be releasably received in said open bore for sealing off the bore of said packer means.

Claim 65

Completion apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells which traverse earth formation, comprising: packer means having an open bore and adapted to be set in a well bore with a wireline setting tool, said packer means having a depending perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations below the packer means when situated in a well casing said open bore having means for releasably receiving releasable plug member and a releasable plug member constructed to be releasably received in said open bore for sealing off the bore of said packer means, said plug member having a pressure relief valve, pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforation means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below the packer means; and closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore of the packer means so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below the packer means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above the packer means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 66

Completion apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells which traverse earth formation, comprising: packer means having an open bore and adapted to be set in a well bore with a wireline setting tool, said packer means having a depending perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations below the packer means when situated in a well casing said open bore having means for releasably receiving releasable plug member and a releasable plug member constructed to be releasably received in said open bore for sealing off the bore of said packer means, said plug member having a pressure relief valve, pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforation means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below the packer means; and closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore of the packer means so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below the packer means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above the packer means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operation of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well.

Claim 67

The apparatus as defined in claim 53 and further including releasable valve means disposed at between the plug member and perforating means for isolating said pressure surge means from said perforating means and operable upon firing of said perforating means for opening said pressure surge means to the well casing.

Claim 68

The apparatus as defined in claim 54 and further including additional releasable valve means where said releasable valve means enclosing said perforating means and are operable upon firing of said perforating means for opening said perforating means to the well casing.

Claim 69

Completion apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells which traverse earth formation, comprising: packer means having an open bore and adapted to be set in a well bore with a wireline setting tool, said packer means having a depending perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations below the packer means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforation means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below the packer means; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore of the packer means so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below the packer means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above the packer means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operations of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well; and a wireline setting tool adapted for releasable connection to said packer means, means for releasably connecting said setting tool and packer means, said setting tool being adapted to set said packer means in a well casing.

Claim 70

Completion apparatus for use in the completion of oil wells which traverse earth formation, comprising: packer means having an open bore and adapted to be set in a well bore with a wireline setting tool, said packer means having a depending perforating means for providing fluid communication channels between the well casing and surrounding earth formations below the packer means when situated in a well casing; pressure surge means defined by a hollow elongated chamber at a predetermined lower pressure with respect to the formation pressure expected in the well casing when the earth formations are placed in fluid communication with the well casing, said surge means and said perforating means being operatively coupled to one another; means responsive to the operation of said perforation means for opening said elongated chamber to the well casing below the packer means; closure means for isolating the pressure surge means and perforating means with respect to the open bore of the packer means so that the pressure in the well casing above the packer means can be controlled independently of the pressure in the well casing below the packer means thereby permitting well control by use of sufficient fluid pressure above the packer means while permitting flow of fluid from the earth formations into the well casing at a negatively balanced pressure so as to enhance clean-up of the fluid communication channels produced in the earth formations by operations of the perforating means while maintaining control of the well; and a wireline setting tool adapted for releasable connection to said packer means, means for releasably connecting said setting tool and packer means, said setting tool being adapted to set said packer means in a well casing.

Claim 71

The apparatus as defined in claim 56 and further including casing collar locator means in said setting tool for indicating location of casing collars in a well casing.