Multi-phase, single point, short gun perforation device for oilfield applications

Abstract

An apparatus for perforating an unconventional subterranean formation includes a charge holder having a passage along a long axis, a detonating device positioned in the passage and a plurality of shaped charges supported by the charge holder and circumferentially distributed along a same plane that is transverse to the long axis. Each shaped charge is formed of at least a charge case, an explosive material disposed in the charge case, and a liner enclosing the explosive material in the charge case. All of the shaped charges are directly energetically coupled to the detonating device.

1 . An apparatus for perforating a subterranean formation, comprising:
 a charge holder having a passage along a long axis;   a detonating device positioned in the passage; and   a plurality of shaped charges supported by the charge holder and circumferentially distributed along a same plane that is transverse to the long axis, wherein each shaped charge is formed of at least a charge case, an explosive material disposed in the charge case, and a liner enclosing the explosive material in the charge case, and wherein all of the shaped charges are directly energetically coupled to the detonating device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the charge holder is solid. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the charge holder includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed pockets formed on an outer surface of the charge holder, and wherein each pocket receives one shaped charge of the plurality of shaped charges. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each pocket has a seating surface complementary to a body of the shaped charge received therein. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least fifty percent of a radius from a center of the passage to the outer surface is formed of a solid material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the charge holder includes a plurality of body segments. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a body segment of each segment is the charge case of each of the plurality of shaped charges. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonating device is a detonator responsive to a surface signal. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonating device is one of: (i) a booster charge, and (ii) a detonating cord. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier having a bore receiving the charge holder, the carrier having a circumferential groove extending fully around an outer surface, the circumferential groove being axially aligned with the plurality of shaped charges. 
     
     
         11 . A method for completing an unconventional subterranean formation, comprising:
 positioning a perforating tool in a section of the wellbore that intersects the unconventional formation, wherein the wellbore is deviated from a vertical datum, the perforating tool including:
 a charge holder having a passage along a long axis; 
 a detonating device positioned in the passage; and 
 a plurality of shaped charges supported by the charge holder and circumferentially distributed along a same plane that is transverse to the long axis, wherein each shaped charge is formed of at least a charge case, an explosive material disposed in the charge case, and a liner enclosing the explosive material in the charge case, and wherein all of the shaped charges are directly energetically coupled to the detonating device; and 
   firing the perforating tool to form at least one opening in the unconventional formation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 fracturing the formation by pumping a fracturing fluid through the at least one opening.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the deviation is at least forty five degrees from the vertical datum. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unconventional formation has a permeability that is less than ten millidarcy (mD).