Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Jacob Andrew McGregor

John Douglas Manning

Dennis James Haggerty

Brenden Michael Grove

John Norris Smith

Gerald Graves Craddock, Jr

Liam Dubs

Disclosed herein are aspects of a method, 3D modeling apparatus, and a computer program product for determining parameters of a perforated core sample. In one embodiment, a method for determining parameters of a perforated core sample comprises providing a 3D mapping of a crush zone of a perforated core sample; and determining a permeability value for the crush zone of the perforated core sample based on a permeability of a representative unperforated core sample and the 3D mapping of the crush zone of the perforated core sample.

Determination of perforation crush zone permeability

A perforating tool including a body, a first lid and a second lid, the first lid attachable to one end of the body and the second lid attachable to an opposite end of the body, to define an interior cavity of the body. The interior cavity has an air-tight seal with an exterior environment surrounding the body. In some aspects, one or more plates are disposable within the interior cavity such that the one or more plates are situated apart from an explosive charge when the explosive charge is disposed in the interior cavity, the one or more plates occupying part of a total interior volume of the interior cavity and thereby reducing a free interior volume inside the body. In some aspects, two or more plates are disposable within the interior cavity such that the two or more plates are situated apart from an explosive charge when the explosive charge is disposed in the interior cavity, the two or more plates occupying part of a total interior volume of the interior cavity and thereby reducing a free interior volume inside the body.

Perforation tool and laboratory testing system with an adjustable free interior volume

Aspects and features include a system and method for wellbore perforation analysis and design. The system takes into account geomechanical considerations. In some examples the system determines wellbore parameters associated with a wellbore in a formation, calculates a current effective stress value associated with a hole in the formation, and determines a maximum effective stress value and a minimum wellbore pressure value. The system can then produce perforating job parameters to maximize a perforation while maintaining at least the minimum wellbore pressure value. In some examples, the system makes use of a parts database to determine job parameters that can implemented based on available parts.

Wellbore perforation analysis and design system

Wellbore pressure surge simulation systems, methods to perform pressure surge simulations, and methods to configure pressure surge simulation systems are disclosed. A wellbore pressure surge simulation system includes a core chamber configured to store a core sample of a downhole formation inside the core chamber. The wellbore pressure surge simulation system also includes a fluid chamber that is fluidly connected to the core chamber and having a first compartment that is configured to store a first fluid and a second compartment that is configured to store a second fluid. The wellbore pressure surge simulation system further includes a wellbore chamber positioned adjacent to the core chamber and configured to store the first fluid. The wellbore pressure surge simulation system further includes a flow restrictor configured to restrict fluid flow from the wellbore chamber.

Wellbore pressure surge simulation systems, methods to perform surge simulations, and methods to configure pressure surge simulation systems

Provided herein are embodiments of a method and apparatus for measuring permeability of a rock core sample in the direction of pressure gradient. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a rock core sample having an inlet primary face, an outlet primary face and one or more sidewalls having a thickness (T) adjoining the inlet and outlet primary face, wherein the inlet primary face has a surface area (SA) and the one or more sidewalls have a surface area (SA), and further wherein a ratio of the inlet primary face surface area (SA) to sidewall surface area (SA) is at least 0.4; placing the rock core sample, unbounded, between an inlet flow plate and an outlet flow plate; directing a fluid through from the inlet flow plate into the rock core sample; and measuring a flow rate of the fluid exiting the outlet flow plate.

Method and apparatus for measuring permeability in the direction of pressure gradient

Aspects of a method for mapping a perforation tunnel and crush zone of a perforated core sample. The method may include scanning a perforated core sample having a perforation tunnel containing a permeability-impairing material with a first computerized tomography (CT) scanning apparatus to produce a first 3D model of the perforation tunnel. The method may further include forming a cleared perforation tunnel by removing at least a portion of the permeability-impairing material from within the perforation tunnel without splitting the core sample at the perforation tunnel, and scanning the perforated core sample having the cleared perforation tunnel with a second computerized tomography (CT) scanning apparatus to produce a second 3D model of the cleared perforation tunnel. The method may compare the first 3D model and the second 3D model to obtain a 3D mapping of the perforation tunnel or a crush zone.

Method and apparatus for mapping a crush zone of a perforated core sample

To optimize the efficiency of a perforating tool system, downhole conditions may be simulated to determine the optimal configuration for the perforating tool system. A simulated wellbore is disposed in a simulated wellbore case and coupled to a formation sample. The simulated wellbore comprises the perforating tool system and one or more filler discs that consume a volume of the simulated wellbore. The filler discs are used to control the dynamic underbalance for a given simulation of a perforating tool system. One or more measurements associated with the perforating tool system along with one or more images may be generated after explosive charges of the perforating tool system are detonated. The perforating tool system may be modified based, at least in part, on the one or more measurements and the one or more images for the specific dynamic underbalance of the simulation.

Simulated wellbore control for dynamic underbalance testing

To optimize the efficiency of a perforating tool system, downhole conditions may be simulated to determine the optimal configuration for the perforating tool system. A simulated wellbore is disposed in a pressure vessel and coupled to a target composite core assembly. A perforating tool system is disposed in the simulated wellbore above the target composite core assembly. The target composite core assembly includes an outer shell. The outer shell comprises a material that supports a rubber bladder or flexible jacket that is disposed about the outer shell. The outer shell isolates the overburden fluid and pressure from the inner core during a radial flow test to more accurately simulate conditions downhole. A parameter of a perforating tool system may be altered based, at least in part, on a result from the radial flow test.

Target composite core apparatus for radial flow geometry

Simulation of downhole transient pressure effects due to propellant stimulation of a formation provides information that may be utilized to select a type of perforating tool system and other components that contribute to effective stimulation of a formation. A well simulator pressure vessel comprises a perforating tool system that comprises a type of perforating gun assembly that includes one or more shaped charges. A propellant disk assembly adjacent to a sample formation is coupled to the perforating tool system. The propellant disk assembly comprises one or more components for securing the propellant. A transient pressure effect may be measured once the one or more shaped charges are detonated and the propellant is ignited or deflagrated. The measured transient pressure effects may be utilized to alter or change the one or more components of the perforating tool system prior to, during, or after stimulation of the sample formation.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Worth, TX, United States of America

Jacob Andrew McGregor