Perforator charge having an energetic material

Abstract

A perforator charge includes a case, an explosive inside the case, and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive to form a perforating jet. The perforator charge also includes an energetic material to be activated in response to the detonation of the explosive.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforator charge comprising:
 a case;   an explosive inside the case;   a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive to form a perforating jet;   an energetic material to be activated in response to the detonation of the explosive;   a shock attenuator between the explosive and the energetic material; and   a retaining structure attached to the case to retain the energetic material to the case.   
     
     
         2 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material includes a discrete segment of the energetic material positioned at an opening of the case through which the perforating jet is to pass. 
     
     
         3 . The perforator charge of  claim 2 , wherein the discrete segment is generally ring-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating charge of  claim 2 , wherein the discrete segment is generally disk-shaped without an opening in an inner portion of the energetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a propellant, a high explosive, gun powder, a combustible metallic powder, thermite, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a high explosive, gun powder, thermite, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the shock attenuator is generally ring-shaped or generally disk-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the shock attenuator is to cause a delay between the detonation of the explosive and activation of the energetic material. 
     
     
         9 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material is positioned at an opening of the case without contacting any part of an outer surface of the case. 
     
     
         10 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material has an opening through which the perforating jet is to pass, and wherein the energetic material is to be activated after the perforating jet has passed through the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The perforator charge of  claim 1 , wherein the perforating jet is to pass through the energetic material. 
     
     
         12 . A perforating gun comprising:
 a carrier structure; and   perforator charges attached to the carrier structure, wherein at least one of the perforator charges includes:
 a case; 
 an explosive inside the case; 
 a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive to form a perforating jet; and 
 a discrete segment of energetic material retained to the case and to be activated in response to the detonation of the explosive, wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a high explosive, gun powder, thermite, or any combination thereof. 
   
     
     
         13 . The perforating gun of  claim 12 , wherein the discrete segment of energetic material is retained to the case without contacting any part of an outer surface of the case. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating gun of  claim 12 , further comprising a retaining shell that is attached to the case and that receives the discrete segment of the energetic material. 
     
     
         15 . The perforating gun of  claim 12 , wherein the discrete segment of the energetic material is without any opening in an inner portion of the discrete segment. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating gun of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one perforator charge further comprises a shock attenuator between the explosive and the discrete segment of energetic material. 
     
     
         17 . A method for use in a well, comprising:
 lowering a perforator charge into the well, wherein the perforator charge includes:
 a case; 
 an explosive inside the case; 
 a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive to form a perforating jet; 
 an energetic material to be activated in response to the detonation of the explosive; 
 a shock attenuator between the explosive and the energetic material; and 
 a retaining structure attached to the case to retain the energetic material to the case; and 
   activating the perforator charge to create a perforation tunnel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activating the perforator charge causes detonation of the explosive and collapse of the liner to form a perforating jet for creating the perforation tunnel, where the energetic material is activated after formation of the perforating jet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the energetic material is activated a delay after detonation of the explosive, the delay being caused by the shock attenuator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activating the energetic material causes generation of an energy wave into the perforation tunnel.