Perforating gun system with fluid bypass

Abstract

A method and system for preparing or treating a wellbore in conjunction with a perforating operation. The disclosed perforating gun system includes one or more perforating guns between an uphole flow sub and a downhole flow sub. The uphole flow sub and the downhole flow sub are connected by a fluid bypass that permits fluid to be pumped into the wellbore below the perforating guns. Before perforation, formation-compatible fluid may be pumped through the first and second flow subs via the fluid bypass to displace fluid and debris that may interfere with or cause unwanted damage during perforation. Alternatively, the fluid may be a treating fluid selected to dissolve debris within the wellbore. Following perforation, the fluid may be circulated through the wellbore to remove or dissolve debris created during the perforating process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforating gun system, comprising
 a first flow sub disposed on a proximal end of the perforating gun system;   a second flow sub disposed on a distal end of the perforating gun system, the second flow sub comprising a fluid outlet;   one or more perforating guns disposed between the first flow sub and the second flow sub; and   a fluid bypass connecting the first flow sub to the second flow sub, wherein the first flow sub, the second flow sub, and the fluid bypass define a fluid flow path between the first flow sub and the fluid outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid bypass is external to the one or more perforating guns. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid bypass extends through the one or more perforating guns. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler connected to a proximal end of first flow sub, the coupler configured to connect to at least one of a tubing string and coiled tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more perforating guns further comprise one or more charges and one or more ports configured to focus energy released during detonation of the one or more charges. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second fluid bypass connecting the first flow sub to the second flow sub, wherein the first flow sub, the second flow sub and the second fluid bypass define a second fluid flow path between the first flow sub and the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         7 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a first flow sub disposed on a proximal end of the downhole tool;   a second flow sub disposed on a distal end of the downhole tool comprising a fluid outlet, wherein the downhole tool is configured to receive one or more perforating guns between the first flow sub and the second flow sub; and   a fluid bypass connecting the first flow sub to the second flow sub, wherein the first flow sub, the second flow sub, and the fluid bypass define a fluid flow path between the first flow sub and the fluid outlet.   
     
     
         8 . The downhole tool of  claim 7 , further comprising a coupler connected to a proximal end of the first flow sub, the coupler configured to connect to at least one of a tubing string and coiled tubing. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool of  claim 7 , further comprising a second fluid bypass connecting the first flow sub to the second flow sub, wherein the first flow sub, the second flow sub and the second fluid bypass define a second fluid flow path between the first flow sub and the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a perforating gun system into a wellbore extending through a formation, the perforating gun system comprising
 a first flow sub; 
 a second flow sub, the second flow sub comprising a fluid outlet; 
 one or more perforating guns disposed between the first flow sub and the second flow sub; and 
 a fluid bypass connecting the first fluid sub to the second fluid sub, wherein the fluid bypass defines a fluid flow path between the first fluid sub and the second fluid sub; 
   locating the perforating gun system at a location within the wellbore to be perforated; and   circulating a first fluid through the fluid flow path such that the first fluid exits the second fluid sub via the fluid outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first fluid is one of the group of a formation-compatible fluid for displacing other fluid in the wellbore, a treatment fluid suitable for dissolving debris within the wellbore, and a stimulating fluid for increasing permeability of the formation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising circulating a second fluid through the fluid flow path such that the second fluid exits the second fluid sub via the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising perforating the wellbore with the one or more perforating guns. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first fluid is circulated before perforating the wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first fluid is circulated after perforating the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising circulating a second fluid through the fluid flow path such that the second fluid exits the second fluid sub via the fluid outlet, wherein the first fluid is circulated before perforating the wellbore and the second fluid is circulated after perforating the wellbore.