Perforating Gun and Method of Perforating a Well

Abstract

A perforating gun ( 50 ) for use in a wellbore comprises a body ( 52 ) configured to be displaced within the wellbore, and first and second charge arrangements mounted on the body ( 52 ) and configured to be detonated independently of each other. In one embodiment the body ( 52 ) is configured to be moved axially within the wellbore between detonation of the first and second charge arrangements and at least portions of the first and second charge arrangements are provided within a common axial length of the body ( 52 ).

1 . A perforating gun for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a body configured to be displaced within a wellbore; and   first and second charge arrangements mounted on the body and configured to be detonated independently of each other.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is axially displaceable within a wellbore. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is axially displaceable between detonation of the first and second charge arrangements. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the first and second charge arrangements are provided within a common axial length of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second charge arrangements are configured to at least partially overlap in an axial direction relative to the body. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the first and second charge arrangements are confined to separate regions of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating gun according to  claim 6 , wherein the separate regions of the body are arranged side-by-side. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating gun according to  claim 6 , wherein the separate regions of the body are defined by separate axially extending regions. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating gun according to  claim 6 , wherein the separate regions of the body are defined by separate annular or cylindrical regions of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein portions of one charge arrangement at least partially circumferentially circumscribe portions of the other charge arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second charge arrangements are at least partially concentrically arranged, one inside the other, relative to the body. 
     
     
         12 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the first and second charge arrangements are interspersed, and provided in a common region of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second charge arrangements each comprise at least one charge. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating gun according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one charge comprises an explosive material. 
     
     
         15 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first and second charge arrangements comprises a plurality of charges. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , comprising additional charge arrangements. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , comprising first and second firing heads associated with the first and second charge arrangements, respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating gun according to  claim 17 , wherein each firing head is independently detonates a respective charge arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . The perforating gun according to  claim 17 , wherein one or both of the first and second firing heads are mounted on or relative to the body. 
     
     
         20 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , comprising a controller for controlling detonation of one or both of the first and second charge arrangements. 
     
     
         21 . The perforating gun according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller comprises a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote location, the signal being associated with detonation instructions. 
     
     
         22 . The perforating gun according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller comprises a timer for initiating detonation of one or both of the first and second charge arrangements following a predetermined elapsed time. 
     
     
         23 . The perforating gun according to  claim 22 , wherein the timer is started in response to a predetermined event, wherein the predetermined event includes at least one of reaching a required depth, exposure to one or more predetermined conditions and in response to receipt of a signal. 
     
     
         24 . The perforating gun according to  claim 22 , wherein the timer is started in response to detonation of one of the first and second charge arrangements, permitting the charge arrangements to be detonated sequentially, separated by a predetermined elapsed time. 
     
     
         25 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , adapted to be mounted on a displacement arrangement for moving the perforating gun within a wellbore. 
     
     
         26 . The perforating gun according to  claim 25 , wherein the displacement arrangement comprises an elongate member secured to the perforating gun. 
     
     
         27 . The perforating gun according to  claim 26 , wherein the elongate member comprises at least one of wireline and coiled tubing. 
     
     
         28 . The perforating gun according to  claim 26 , wherein the elongate member establishes communication between the perforating gun and a remote location. 
     
     
         29 . The perforating gun according to  claim 25 , wherein the displacement arrangement comprises an autonomous displacement arrangement which includes an onboard drive apparatus, 
     
     
         30 . The perforating gun according to  claim 1 , provided in a combination with a tool storage chamber. 
     
     
         31 . A method for perforating a well, comprising:
 locating a perforating gun having first and second charge arrangements mounted on a body within a wellbore; and   independently detonating the first and second charge arrangements.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , comprising axially displacing the perforating gun between detonation of the first and second charge arrangements. 
     
     
         33 . The perforating gun according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one charge comprises one or more projectiles. 
     
     
         34 . The perforating gun according to  claim 30 , wherein the perforating gun is manipulated within the tool storage chamber to be configured between a storage position and a deployed position.