Perforating Apparatus for Enhanced Performance in High Pressure Wellbores

Abstract

A perforating apparatus ( 50 ) includes a carrier gun body ( 52 ) having a plurality of radially reduced sections ( 54 ). The radially reduced sections ( 54 ) have a nanocomposite outer layer ( 72 ). A charge holder ( 62 ) is positioned within the carrier gun body ( 52 ). A plurality of shaped charges ( 56 ) are supported by the charge holder ( 62 ). The shaped charges ( 56 ) each have an initiation end and a discharge end. The discharge ends of the shaped charges ( 56 ) are disposed proximate the radially reduced sections ( 54 ) of the carrier gun body ( 52 ) such that the jets formed upon detonation of the shaped charges ( 56 ) travel through the radially reduced sections ( 54 ). The nanocomposite outer layers ( 72 ) of the radially reduced sections ( 54 ) enable enhanced performance of the perforating apparatus ( 50 ) in high pressure and high temperature wellbores.

1 . A perforating apparatus comprising:
 a carrier gun body having a plurality of radially reduced sections, the radially reduced sections having a nanocomposite outer layer;   a charge holder positioned within the carrier gun body; and   a plurality of shaped charges supported by the charge holder, the shaped charges each having an initiation end and a discharge end, the discharge ends being disposed proximate the radially reduced sections of the carrier gun body.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the radially reduced sections further comprise recesses. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the radially reduced sections further comprise bands. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the carrier gun body proximate the radially reduced sections further comprises a nanocomposite outer layer. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the carrier gun body further comprises a nanocomposite outer layer. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the carrier gun body further comprises a nanocomposite inner layer. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the nanocomposite outer layers of the radially reduced sections further comprise a nanostructured alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the nanocomposite outer layers of the radially reduced sections further comprise an iron based alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein the iron based alloy is derived from metallic glass. 
     
     
         10 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein alloying constituents of the iron based alloy are selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, chromium, irons manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, silicon, tungsten and vanadium. 
     
     
         11 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the nanocomposite outer layers are applied to the radially reduced sections by a thermal spraying process. 
     
     
         12 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the nanocomposite outer layers are applied to the radially reduced sections by a welding process. 
     
     
         13 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the nanocomposite outer layers are integral with the carrier gun body material. 
     
     
         14 . A perforating apparatus comprising:
 a carrier gun body having a surface, the surface at least partially formed from a nanocomposite material;   a charge holder positioned within the carrier; and   a plurality of shaped charges supported by the charge holder.   
     
     
         15 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the carrier gun body has a plurality of radially reduced sections and wherein the nanocomposite material forms an outer surface of the radially reduced sections of the carrier gun body. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 15  wherein the nanocomposite material forms an outer surface of at least a portion of the carrier gun body proximate the radially reduced sections. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the surface of the carrier gun body further comprises an outer surface. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the surface of the carrier gun body further comprises an inner surface. 
     
     
         19 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the carrier gun body is entirely formed from nanocomposite material. 
     
     
         20 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the nanocomposite material further comprises a nanostructured alloy. 
     
     
         21 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the nanocomposite material further comprises an iron based alloy. 
     
     
         22 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 21  wherein the iron based alloy is derived from a metallic glass. 
     
     
         23 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 21  wherein alloying constituents of the iron based alloy are selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, silicon, tungsten and vanadium. 
     
     
         24 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the nanocomposite material is applied to the carrier gun body by a thermal spraying process. 
     
     
         25 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the nanocomposite material is applied to the carrier gun body by a welding process. 
     
     
         26 . The perforating apparatus as recited in  claim 14  wherein the nanocomposite material is integral with the carrier gun body material.