Shaped charge perforation gun with phasing alignment and related equipment and methods

Abstract

In a perforating gun, shaped charges can be configured to be rotatable with respect to each other and can be secured in a predetermined phasing by an alignment rod that can be helical with a pitch that defines the phasing. The shaped charges can be supported by holders, which can be directly connected to each other to be infinitely rotatable and can also be attached to and/or retained by the alignment rod via alignment connectors. The alignment connectors can also be configured to hold detonation and signal cords. This shaped charge alignment approach can facilitate manufacturing and assembly, for instance since a single design of holders and other components of the assembly can be used with various different alignment rods to provide the desired phasing based on well design criteria.

1 .- 94 . (canceled) 
     
     
         95 . A perforating gun for deployment in a wellbore extending within an underground reservoir, comprising:
 a shaped charge holding assembly, comprising:
 shaped charge holders that are arranged in a side-to-side configuration and wherein at least some adjacent pairs of the shaped charge holders are infinitely rotatable with respect to each other in a rotation state; 
   a mounting unit coupled to the holding assembly; and   an alignment system comprising:
 alignment connectors securable with respect to respective shaped charge holders or shaped charges; 
 an alignment member comprising:
 a mounting section configured to be mounted with respect to the mounting unit to secure the alignment member with respect thereto; and 
 an elongated alignment section extending from the mounting section along the holding assembly and configured to secure the shaped charges via the alignment connectors to orient the shaped charges in a predetermined phasing in an aligned state. 
 
   
     
     
         96 . The perforating gun of  claim 95 , wherein the alignment member comprises an alignment rod. 
     
     
         97 . The perforating gun of  claim 95 , wherein the alignment member is composed of metal and provides electrical conduction. 
     
     
         98 . The perforating gun of  claim 95 , wherein the shaped charge holders are independently rotatable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         99 . The perforating gun of  claim 95 , wherein the alignment system has a single alignment member for phasing the shaped charges. 
     
     
         100 . A shaped charge holder, comprising:
 an annular body comprising a first open end for receiving a shaped charge therein, and a second opening through which an end of the shaped charge can pass for connection with a detonation cord;   a first coupling component extending from a first side of the annular body; and   a second coupling component extending from a second side of the annular body,   wherein the first coupling component and the second coupling component are configured such that adjacent shaped charge holders are rotatably connectable together by engagement of the first and second coupling components to provide infinite rotation with respect to each other about a longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         101 . The shaped charge holder of  claim 100 , wherein the first and second coupling components are configured to axially retain adjacent holders together to resist or prevent decoupling. 
     
     
         102 . The shaped charge holder of  claim 100 , wherein the first and second coupling components provide a male-female connection. 
     
     
         103 . The shaped charge holder of  claim 102 , wherein the male component is rigid, and the female component comprises resilient arms to receive and snap onto the male component. 
     
     
         104 . The shaped charge holder of  claim 102 , wherein the female component comprises a cavity defined by rigid walls and the male component comprise resilient arms insert and snap into the female component. 
     
     
         105 . A perforating gun for deployment in a wellbore extending within an underground reservoir, comprising:
 shaped charge holders coupled in a side-to-side configuration and wherein adjacent pairs of the shaped charge holders are infinitely rotatable with respect to each other, the shaped charge holders being configured to receive and support respective shaped charges;   an alignment system configured to orientate the coupled shaped charge holders in a predetermined phasing configuration.   
     
     
         106 . The perforating gun of  claim 105 , wherein the alignment system is configured to secure the shaped charge holders to prevent rotation thereof once positioned in the predetermined phasing configuration. 
     
     
         107 . The perforating gun of  claim 105 , further comprising a top mounting unit rotatably coupled to a top-most shaped charge holder. 
     
     
         108 . The perforating gun of  claim 105 , further comprising a carrier in which the top mounting unit, the shaped charge holders and the alignment system are located. 
     
     
         109 . The perforating gun of  claim 105 , wherein the shaped charge holders are rotatably mounted directly to each other. 
     
     
         110 . The perforating gun of  claim 105 , further comprising a bottom mounting unit rotatably coupled to a bottom-most shaped charge holder. 
     
     
         111 . The perforating gun of  claim 105 , wherein the shaped charge holders are infinitely rotatable with respect to each other prior to being held in place by the alignment system. 
     
     
         112 . A method for manufacturing a perforating gun, comprising:
 mounting a series of shaped charge holders together so as to be rotatable with respect to each other;   mounting shaped charges within the holders;   aligning the shaped charges in a predetermined phasing, comprising:
 rotating the holders to respective positions; and 
 securing the adjacent shaped charges so as to be nonrotatable to produce a phased shaped charge assembly; and 
   installing the phased shaped charge assembly in a carrier.