Single Energy Source Projectile Perforating System

Abstract

A method and apparatus for perforating a wellbore by firing one or more projectiles into a casing and formation using a single source of energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforating gun system comprising:
 a cylindrical housing with an outer surface, a center axis, an internal pressure chamber, a cylindrical thru hole extending axially from the internal pressure chamber and terminating at a first end of the cylindrical housing;   an energy source disposed within the pressure chamber;   a plurality of cylindrical ports extending radially from the thru hole to the outer surface of the cylindrical housing;   a plurality of projectiles, one each disposed in each of the plurality of cylindrical ports;   a plurality of pressure seals, one each disposed in each of the plurality of cylindrical ports; and   an end cap pressure seal capping off the end of the cylindrical thru hole where it terminates at the first end, wherein energy source generates a gas at a pressure sufficient to propel the plurality of projectiles through the pressure seals and into a casing surrounding the perforating gun system.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical ports extend tangentially to the center axis of the cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical ports extend at a non-normal angle to the center axis of the cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical ports extend non-linearly from the center axis of the cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports has a phase angle between each cylindrical port about the center axis of the cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports are in a single phase. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports are in a single plane. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports are in a plurality of planes. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical housing is a first cylindrical housing, containing the pressure chamber, coupled to a second cylindrical housing containing the plurality of cylindrical ports. 
     
     
         10 . The perforating gun system of  claim 9  further comprising the first cylindrical housing has a pin end that engages into a box end of the second cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         11 . A perforating gun system comprising:
 a first cylindrical housing with an outer surface, an internal pressure chamber, a cylindrical thru hole extending axially from the internal pressure chamber and terminating at a first end of the first cylindrical housing;   a second cylindrical housing coupled in series with the first cylindrical housing, having an outer surface, a cylindrical thru hole, and a plurality of cylindrical ports extending radially from the thru hole to the outer surface of the second cylindrical housing, wherein both first cylindrical housing and second cylindrical housing share a common center axis;   an energy source disposed within the pressure chamber;   a plurality of projectiles, one each disposed in each of the plurality of cylindrical ports;   a plurality of pressure seals, one each disposed in each of the plurality of cylindrical ports; and   an end cap pressure seal capping off the end of the cylindrical thru hole where it terminates at an end of the second cylindrical housing, wherein energy source generates a gas at a pressure sufficient to propel the plurality of projectiles through the pressure seals and into a casing surrounding the perforating gun system.   
     
     
         12 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical ports extend tangentially to the center axis of the second cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         13 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical ports extend at a non-normal angle to the center axis of the second cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical ports extend non-linearly from the center axis of the second cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         15 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports has a phase angle between each cylindrical port about the center axis of the second cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports are in a single phase. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports are in a single plane. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of cylindrical ports are in a plurality of planes. 
     
     
         19 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  further comprising the first cylindrical housing has a pin end that engages into a box end of the second cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         20 . The perforating gun system of  claim 11  further comprising the first cylindrical housing has an inner cavity that engages into a plug end of the second cylindrical housing.