Methods of increasing the volume of a perforation tunnel using a shaped charge

Abstract

A method of increasing the volume of a perforation tunnel in a subterranean formation comprises: positioning a shaped charge in a well, wherein the shaped charge comprises a main explosive load, wherein the main explosive load comprises a substance, wherein the substance is capable of increasing the volume of the perforation tunnel whereas a substantially identical shaped charge without the substance is not capable of increasing the volume of the perforation tunnel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of increasing the volume of a perforation tunnel in a subterranean formation comprising:
 positioning a shaped charge in a well, wherein the shaped charge comprises a main explosive load, wherein the main explosive load comprises a substance, wherein the substance is capable of increasing the volume of the perforation tunnel whereas a substantially identical shaped charge without the substance is not capable of increasing the volume of the perforation tunnel.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning comprises inserting the shaped charge into the well. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the main explosive load comprises an explosive material. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the explosive material is selected from the group consisting of: [3-Nitrooxy-2,2-bis(nitrooxymethyl)propyl]nitrate “PETN”; 1,3,5-Trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine “RDX”; Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine “HMX”; 1,3,5-Trinitro-2-[2-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)ethenyl]benzene “HNS”; 2,6-bis,bis(picrylamino)-3,5-dinitropyridine “PYX”; 1,3,5-trinitro-2,4,6-tripicrylbenzene “BRX”; 2,2′,2″,4,4′,4″,6,6′,6″-nonanitro-m-terphenyl “NONA”; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the increase in volume of the perforation tunnel is an increase in at least one dimension of the perforation tunnel. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance is capable of increasing the volume of the perforation tunnel via an increase in the amount of heat of explosion of the main explosive load. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the substance is any substance that is capable of increasing the heat of explosion of the main explosive load. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the increase in the heat of explosion is predetermined. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the concentration of the substance is selected such that the predetermined heat of explosion is achieved. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the substance is selected such that a predetermined heat of explosion is achieved. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the main explosive load comprises more than one substance. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, plastics, thermoplastics, fluoropolymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the metal or metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, titanium, tantalum, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the substance is selected such that a desired increase in volume of the perforation tunnel is achieved. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance is in a concentration in the range of about 0.05% to about 40% by weight of the main explosive load. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the main explosive load has a positive or zero oxygen balance. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a sufficient amount of oxygen is available to cause complete combustion of the main explosive load. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance is selected such that at least a sufficient amount of oxygen is available in order to achieve a desired increase in volume of the perforation tunnel. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the substance is selected such that at least a sufficient amount of oxygen is available in order to achieve a desired increase in volume of the perforation tunnel. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of detonating the main explosive load, wherein the step of detonating is performed after the step of positioning.