Apparatus and method for abrasive jet perforating

Abstract

There is provided a perforating tool comprising a housing, an inlet defined within the housing, a perforator fluid passage defined within the housing, and disposed in fluid communication with the inlet, and a nozzle, press-fit into the housing, and disposed in fluid communication with the perforator fluid passage.

1 . A perforating tool comprising:
 a housing;   an inlet defined within the housing;   a perforator fluid passage defined within the housing, and disposed in fluid communication with the inlet; and   a nozzle, press-fit into the housing, and disposed in fluid communication with the perforator fluid passage.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the material of the nozzle has a hardness value of at least 90.5 on the Rockwell A scale and is characterized by an elongation of less than 5%.   
     
     
         3 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the material of the nozzle includes carbide material   
     
     
         4 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 2 ;
 wherein the material includes at least 85 weight % tungsten carbide, based on the total weight of the nozzle.   
     
     
         5 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a throughbore extending through the housing;   wherein the nozzle is disposed within the throughbore.   
     
     
         6 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a throughbore extending through the housing;   wherein the nozzle is disposed within the throughbore.   
     
     
         14 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a throughbore extending through the housing;   wherein the nozzle is disposed within the throughbore.   
     
     
         15 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a throughbore extending through the housing;   wherein the nozzle is disposed within the throughbore.   
     
     
         16 . A perforating tool comprising:
 a housing;   an inlet defined within the housing;   a perforator fluid passage defined within the housing and disposed in fluid communication with the inlet;   a nozzle, extending through the housing to define a jetting orifice, and disposed in fluid communication with the perforator fluid passage;   cladding, surrounds the jetting orifice; and   a retainer, extending from the housing, and including a bevelled surface that retains the cladding in relative disposition to the nozzles such that the cladding surrounds the jetting orifice.   
     
     
         17 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 16 ;
 wherein the cladding includes a bevelled surface, corresponding to, and disposed in opposition to, the bevelled surface of the retainer.   
     
     
         18 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 wherein the retention of the cladding by the bevelled surface of the retainer is at least by way of interference.   
     
     
         19 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 16 ;
 wherein the material of at least the outermost surface of the cladding includes carbide material.   
     
     
         20 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claims 17 ;
 wherein the material of at least the outermost surface of the cladding includes carbide material.   
     
     
         21 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 18 ;
 wherein the material of at least the outermost surface of the cladding includes carbide material.   
     
     
         22 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 19 ;
 wherein the material includes at least 85 weight % tungsten carbide, based on the total weight of the nozzle.   
     
     
         23 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 20 ;
 wherein the material includes at least 85 weight % tungsten carbide, based on the total weight of the nozzle.   
     
     
         24 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 21 ;
 wherein the material includes at least 85 weight % tungsten carbide, based on the total weight of the nozzle.   
     
     
         25 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 16 ;
 wherein the material of at least the outermost surface of the cladding has a hardness value of at least 90 on the Rockwell A scale, and has an elongation of less than 5%.   
     
     
         26 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 wherein the material of at least the outermost surface of the cladding has a hardness value of at least 90 on the Rockwell A scale, and has an elongation of less than 5%.   
     
     
         27 . The perforating tool as claimed in  claim 18 ;
 wherein the material of at least the outermost surface of the cladding has a hardness value of at least 90 on the Rockwell A scale, and has an elongation of less than 5%.   
     
     
         28 . A perforating tool comprising:
 a housing;   an inlet defined within the housing;   a perforator fluid passage defined within the housing and disposed in fluid communication with the inlet;   a nozzle, extending through the housing to define a jetting orifice, and disposed in fluid communication with the perforator fluid passage; and   cladding, surrounding the jetting orifice;   wherein the jetting orifice is oriented such that, when the perforating tool is disposed downhole and operational for perforating a wellbore, a ray that is extending along the axis of the jetting orifice, in an uphole direction, is disposed at an acute angle of at least ten (10) degrees relative to an axis that is orthogonal to the axis of the perforator fluid passage.