Perforating gun assembly

Abstract

A perforating gun assembly including: an upper end; a perforating gun connected to the upper end; a hydraulically actuated tool connected to the perforating gun on an end opposite the upper end; and a fluid conduit extending through the upper end and to the hydraulically actuated tool, the fluid conduit allowing fluid communication past the perforating gun to the hydraulically actuated tool such that fluid can be communicated through the upper end to actuate the hydraulically actuated tool.

1 . A perforating gun assembly comprising:
 an upper end;   a perforating gun connected to the upper end;   a hydraulically actuated tool connected to the perforating gun on an end opposite the upper end; and   a fluid conduit extending through the upper end and to the hydraulically actuated tool, the fluid conduit allowing fluid communication past the perforating gun to the hydraulically actuated tool such that fluid can be communicated through the upper end to actuate the hydraulically actuated tool.   
   
   
       2 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  wherein the upper end includes a connector for connecting the assembly to a tubing string 
   
   
       3 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  wherein the upper end includes a connector for connecting the assembly to continuous tubing. 
   
   
       4 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a plug in the fluid conduit between the hydraulically actuated tool and the perforating gun such that the perforating gun is isolated from communication with fluid pressure communicated to actuate the hydraulically actuated tool. 
   
   
       5 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 4  wherein the plug is openable. 
   
   
       6 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 4  wherein the plug is a fixed wall. 
   
   
       7 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fluid conduit includes a bore passing through the upper end and a bypass line extending from a junction to the bore to the hydraulically actuated tool. 
   
   
       8 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 7  further comprising a plug in the bore between the bore/by pass line junction and the perforating gun such that the perforating gun is isolated from communication with fluid pressure communicated to actuate the hydraulically actuated tool. 
   
   
       9 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 7  wherein the bypass line extends externally along the perforating gun 
   
   
       10 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 7  wherein the bypass line extends at least in part internally through the perforating gun. 
   
   
       11 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 7  wherein the bypass line is positioned out of the explosive paths of any charges in the perforating gun. 
   
   
       12 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a check valve in the fluid conduit uphole of the bypass line. 
   
   
       13 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  wherein the perforating gun is actuated hydraulically, mechanically or electrically. 
   
   
       14 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  wherein the perforating gun is actuated by hydraulic pressure communicated through at least one of (a) the upper end and (b) an annulus about the perforating gun. 
   
   
       15 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a second perforating gun between the upper end and the hydraulically actuated tool. 
   
   
       16 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 15  wherein the second perforating gun is actuated by system including a time delay mechanism. 
   
   
       17 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid outlet sub operable to direct fluid from the perforating gun assembly into an annulus about the perforating gun assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a swivel. 
   
   
       19 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a centralizer. 
   
   
       20 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulically actuated tool includes one or more of a packer, a plug, a shear mechanism, a time delay assembly and a perforating gun. 
   
   
       21 . A method for perforating a well comprising:
 (a) providing a perforating gun assembly including an upper end, a perforating gun, a hydraulically actuated tool connected to the perforating gun on an end opposite the upper end and a fluid conduit extending through the upper end and to the hydraulically actuated tool, the fluid conduit providing a fluid path past the perforating gun to the hydraulically actuated tool;   (b) running the perforating gun assembly to a position in a well; and   (c) in any order (i) communicating fluid to the fluid conduit to actuate the hydraulically actuated tool; and (ii) actuating the perforating gun to perforate the well.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein running includes hanging the assembly on continuous tubing and moving the continuous tubing and assembly into the wellbore. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein actuating the perforating gun includes applying hydraulic pressure to the perforating gun's firing head. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein actuating the perforating gun includes a time delay. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein actuating the hydraulically actuated tool includes employing a pressure lower than that required when actuating the perforating gun. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising moving an inoperable check valve into an operative position to control flow upwardly through the fluid conduit. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the hydraulically actuated tool is a bridge plug and communicating fluid to the fluid expands an annular seal on the bridge plug to seal the well at the bridge plug. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising circulating well treatment fluids from the perforating gun assembly into the well.