High density cluster based perforating system and method

Abstract

A perforating gun for use in a well casing, the gun having a gun carrier extending along a longitudinal axis; plural shaped charges located inside the gun carrier, in a plurality of groups, a first group being positioned in a first single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second group being positioned in a second single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first and second groups of charges are spaced along the longitudinal axis so that a third single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, intersects each of the shaped charges of the first and second groups of charges.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforating gun for use in a well casing, the gun comprising:
 a gun carrier extending along a longitudinal axis;   a first plurality of shaped charges disposed within the gun carrier and positioned in in a first single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis;   a second plurality of shaped charges disposed within the gun carrier and positioned in a second single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis; and   wherein the first and second plurality of shaped charges are spaced along the longitudinal axis so that a third single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, intersects each of the shaped charges of the first and second plurality of shaped charges.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein the gun carrier ranges in length from 4 inches to 11 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating gun of  claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the gun carrier ranges from 1 to 4 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating gun of  claim 3 , wherein at least one shaped charge of the plurality of shaped charges has a liner that has a subtended angle from 100° to 120°. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plurality of shaped charges are arrayed along two opposing spiral arrays along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the gun carrier is less than 14 inches in length. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein the gun carrier has an inner wall with internal features extending into the inner wall to a depth therein, such that a standoff is created between a shaped charge of the first plurality of shaped charges and a corresponding internal feature, the shaped charge creates an opening through the corresponding internal feature, and the standoff ranges from 0.15 to 2.5 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating gun of  claim 7 , wherein the internal feature is an elongate shaped scallop, the elongate shaped scallop extending circumferentially within the inner wall surface of the gun carrier such that the scallop has a constant thickness portion and a peripheral variable thickness portion in the inner wall, and the variable thickness portion surrounding the constant thickness portion. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating gun of  claim 7 , wherein the internal feature comprises a groove extending circumferentially, at least partially, in the inner wall surface at locations adjacent shaped charges to provide the standoff. 
     
     
         10 . The perforating gun of  claim 7 , wherein a thickness of the gun carrier at the internal feature ranges from 50 to 75 thousandths of an inch. 
     
     
         11 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the gun carrier ranges from 4 to 8 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein the gun carrier ranges in length from 4 inches to 11 inches, a shaped charge of the plural shaped charges has a liner that has a subtended angle from 100° to 120°, and wherein a diameter of the gun carrier ranges from 1 to 4 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The perforating gun of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plurality of shaped charges are reactive liner shaped charges. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating gun of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one external feature, the at least one external feature machined on an outside of the wall and configured and located to register with one of the internal features.