Ballistic centering charges

Abstract

Shaped charges for centering of casings are disclosed. A shaped charge includes a shaped charge casing and an explosive load within the shaped charge casing. The shaped charge may also comprise of a liner positioned above the explosive load within the shaped charge casing. The liner may be made of a low-density material. The shaped charge is configured to deform a wellbore casing without penetrating the casing when the shaped charge is detonated.

1 . A system for deforming an inner casing within an outer casing inside a wellbore, comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical outer casing defining a hollow interior of the outer casing;   a substantially cylindrical inner casing defining a hollow interior of the inner casing, wherein the inner casing is disposed within the hollow interior of the outer casing, and the outer casing and the inner casing define an annulus between the outer casing and the inner casing; and   one or more shaped charges disposed within the hollow interior of the inner casing, the shaped charges including a shaped charge casing containing an explosive load and a liner positioned above the explosive load within the shaped charge casing, wherein the liner comprises a low-density material, and the shaped charge is configured to create a deformation in the inner casing without penetrating the inner casing when the shaped charge is detonated.   
     
     
         2 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation is a dimple that extends from the inner casing, across the annulus and contacts the outer casing. 
     
     
         3 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detonating device configured to initiate detonation of the explosive load in the at least one shaped charge. 
     
     
         4 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , wherein the low-density material is at least one of a plastic, a low-density metal or a lacquer. 
     
     
         5 . The wellbore system of  claim 4 , wherein the low-density material is at least one of disposed above the liner and adhered to the liner. 
     
     
         6 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is at least one of a conically-shaped liner, a hemispherically-shaped liner, a frustoconically-shaped liner and a trumpet-shaped liner. 
     
     
         7 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a projectile disposed above the explosive load within the shaped charge casing,   wherein the projectile is configured to deform the wellbore casing without penetrating the casing when the shaped charge is detonated.   
     
     
         8 . The wellbore system of  claim 7 , wherein the projectile is in the shape of one of a ball, a bullet and a cushion. 
     
     
         9 . The wellbore system of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped charges are arranged such that a deformation pattern that is created in the inner casing upon detonation of the shaped charges provides a fluid flow path around each deformation in an annulus between the inner casing and the outer casing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the shaped charges are arranged in a helical pattern around the perforating gun. 
     
     
         11 . A shaped charge comprising:
 a shaped charge casing;   an explosive load within the shaped charge casing; and,   a liner positioned above the explosive load within the shaped charge casing, wherein the liner comprises a low-density material, and the shaped charge is configured to deform a wellbore casing without penetrating the casing when the shaped charge is detonated.   
     
     
         12 . The shaped charge of  claim 11 , wherein the low-density material is at least one of a plastic, a low-density metal or a lacquer. 
     
     
         13 . The shaped charge of  claim 11 , wherein the low-density material is at least one of disposed above the liner or adhered to the liner. 
     
     
         14 . The shaped charge of  claim 11 , wherein the liner is at least one of a conically-shaped liner, a hemispherically-shaped liner, a frustoconically-shaped liner, a trumpet-shaped liner, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The shaped charge of  claim 11 , wherein the shaped charge is a slotted shaped charge and the liner is a slotted shaped charge liner. 
     
     
         16 . A shaped charge comprising:
 a shaped charge casing;   an explosive load within the shaped charge casing;   a liner positioned above the explosive load within the shaped charge casing; and,   an inlay adjacent to a front facing surface of the liner within the shaped charge casing,   wherein at least one of the liner and the inlay comprises a low-density material, and the shaped charge is configured to deform a wellbore casing without penetrating the casing when the shaped charge is detonated.   
     
     
         17 . The shaped charge of  claim 16 , wherein the low-density material is at least one of a plastic, a low-density metal or a lacquer. 
     
     
         18 . The shaped charge of  claim 16 , wherein the low-density material is at least one of disposed above the liner or adhered to the liner. 
     
     
         19 . The shaped charge of  claim 16 , wherein the liner is at least one of a conically-shaped liner, a hemispherically-shaped liner, a frustoconically-shaped liner, a trumpet-shaped liner, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The shaped charge of  claim 16 , wherein the inlay covers at least a portion of the front facing surface of the liner.