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Downhole activated process and apparatus for deep perforation of the formation in a well bore

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6168093
An apparatus is described for perforating a formation in a well bore for the production of hydrocarbons, said apparatus comprising: a casing pipe for being installed in the well bore adjacent the formation to be perforated, said casing pipe having at least one opening in the peripheral wall thereof, a piston for being mounted in the opening in said casing pipe and for outward extensible movement to contact the wall of the formation in the well bore, wherein said piston includes explosive material therein; means for deploying said piston from a retracted position which is generally within the maximum exterior profile of said casing pipe to an extended position wherein said piston projects outwardly from the opening to contact the wall of the well bore; and means for detonating said explosive material so that a pathway is created in the formation leading to said opening in said casing pipe. A method is also described for installing the casing string in a well bore traversing earth formations for the production of hydrocarbons and the casing string is preferably spaced from the walls of the well bore, the process comprising the steps of: running the casing string into the well bore, wherein a portion of the casing string has a plurality of pistons installed in openings in the peripheral wall of the casing string; deploying the pistons from the retracted position to the extended position when the casing string is suitably positioned in the well bore to move portions of the casing string which are in contact with the walls of the well bore away therefrom so that the casing string is spaced from the walls of the well bore; securing the pistons in the extended position to hold the casing string away from the walls of the well bore; and detonating the explosive material in the preselected pistons to create extensive perforations within the formation adjacent to the preselected pistons for the formation to communicate with the casing string.
Assignee:
Conoco Inc., Ponca City, OK (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5224556; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-760549
OSTI ID:
6168093
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English