Non-detonable shaped charge and activation

Abstract

A non-detonable shaped charge capable of becoming detonable upon activation. The shaped charge may be utilized for use with a perforating gun in oilfield applications. In this regard, during transport and other handling in advance of reaching the application site, the charge may be non-detonable. However, upon an intentionally directed activation, such as through heating, the shaped charge may be detonable.

1 . A shaped charge comprising:
 an oxidizer material component;   a fuel material component, the components in a non-detonable state relative one another; and   a casing for accommodating the components in detonable state upon activation thereof to at least a partially liquid mixture thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The shaped charge of  claim 1  wherein the at least partially liquid mixture thereof is a eutectic mixture of the components. 
     
     
         3 . The shaped charge of  claim 1  wherein the fuel component is an organic fuel. 
     
     
         4 . The shaped charge of  claim 1  wherein the oxidizer component is an inorganic oxidizer. 
     
     
         5 . The shaped charge of  claim 4  wherein oxidizer component is selected from a group consisting of ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate. 
     
     
         6 . The shaped charge of  claim 1  wherein the activation is heat-based and the components are heat responsive compressed powders. 
     
     
         7 . The shaped charge of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the components is a liquid in the non-detonable state, the charge further comprising a degradable barrier separating the components in advance of the activation. 
     
     
         8 . A method of perforating a well at an oilfield, the method comprising:
 loading a shaped charge into a perforating gun in a non-detonable state;   advancing the perforating gun to a target location in the well;   activating the shaped charge to a detonable state; and   perforating the well at the target location with the detonable shaped charge;   wherein the activating comprises:
 heating the shaped charge; and 
 applying a targeted movement to the shaped charge. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying a targeted movement to the shaped charge comprises pivotally extending the shaped charge away from a housing of the perforating gun with a carrier thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the activating comprises exposing the shaped charge to a well condition during the advancing of the gun to the target location. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the activating comprises one of heating the shaped charge, applying a targeted movement to the shaped charge, and initiating a chemical reaction at the shaped charge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the heating of the shaped charge comprises inducing a substantially solid eutectic mixture of the shaped charge to reach a molten state. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the heating of the shaped charge encourages mixing of materials from separate fuel and oxidizer material layers of the shaped charge. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 . wherein the heating of the shaped charge further comprises inducing the mixed materials to reach a eutectic point of solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising assembling the shaped charge at the oilfield from a casing accommodating one of the separate material layers and a liner accommodating the other of the separate material layers in advance of the loading. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the heating of the shaped charge comprises circulating a heated fluid to the perforating gun from a surface at the oilfield. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the circulating of heated fluid comprises directing steam through a coiled tubing conveyance line supporting the advancing of the gun to the target location.