USOO9689223B2
`
`US 9,689,223 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12) United States Patent
`
`Schacherer et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jun. 27, 2017
`
`(54) SELECTABLE, INTERNALLY ORIENTED
`AND/0R INTEGRALLY TRANSPORTABLE
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`EXPLOSIVE ASSEMBLIES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Timothy G. Schacherer, Lewisville,
`TX (US); Marvin G. Batres, Cypress,
`TX (US); Tommy Thammavongsa,
`Houston, TX (US); Randall S. Moore,
`Carrollton, TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.,
`Houston, TX (US)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,833,213 A
`5/1958 Udry
`2,980,017 A
`4/1961 Castel
`(Continued)
`
`EP
`
`GB
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2072751 A2
`6/2009
`
`2374887 A . 10/2002
`(Continued)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 401 days.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Office Action issued Sep. 8, 2009, for US. Appl. No. 11/957,541,
`10 pages.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/078,423
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 1, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/0247769 A1
`Oct. 4, 2012
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl'
`E213 29/02
`E213 43/116
`
`(200601)
`(200601)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ E213 29/02 (2013.01); E213 43/116
`(2013.01). E213 43/117 (2013.01). E213
`.
`43”” (2013'01)’ E213 43/1185 (201301)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ...... E21B 29/02; E21B 43/116; E21B 43/117;
`E21B 43/1185; E21B 43/119; E21B
`43/118
`
`(Continued)
`.
`Primary Examiner 7 We1 Wang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Chamberlain Hrdlicka
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system can include multiple explosive assemblies, each
`assembly comprising an outer housing, an explosive com-
`ponent rotatable relative to the housing, and a selective firing
`module which causes detonation of the component
`in
`response to a predetermined signal. A method can include
`assembling multiple explosive assemblies at a location
`remote from a well, installing a selective firing module, an
`electrical detonator and an explosive component in a con-
`nector, and connecting the connector to an outer housing,
`and then transporting the assemblies from the remote loca-
`tion to the well. A well perforating method can include
`assembling multiple perforating guns, each gun comprising
`a gun body, a perforating charge, and a selective firing
`module which causes detonation ofthe charge in response to
`a predetermined signal. The guns are installed in a wellbore,
`with the charge of each gun rotating relative to the respective
`gun body.
`
`(Continued)
`
`23 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`20
`
`/
`
`56
`
`32
`
`.300 58
`
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`Hunting Titan, Inc.
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`
`

`

`US 9,689,223 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`E213 43/119
`(2006.01)
`E213 43/117
`(2006.01)
`E213 43/1185
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC
`166/297, 298, 299, 250.1, 55, 55.1, 55.6,
`166/55.7; 175/453; 102/306, 307, 310,
`102/313, 320; 89/115
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`..................... 166/55.1
`
`9/1966 Der Mott
`3,273,645 A *
`12/1968 Alberts
`3,414,071 A
`8/1971 Brown
`3,599,719 A
`3/1982 DerMott
`4,319,526 A
`10/1983 Daniel et a1.
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`1/1987 George
`4,637,478 A
`5/1989 Stout
`4,830,120 A
`7/1991 Gonzalez et a1.
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`4/1992 Flint
`5,103,912 A
`4/1992 Whiteley et a1.
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`2/1994 Burleson et a1.
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`6/1996 Burleson et a1.
`5,529,127 A
`2/1997 Burleson et a1.
`5,598,894 A
`2/1997 Henke et a1.
`5,603,379 A
`10/1998 Burleson et a1.
`5,823,266 A
`9/1999 Burleson et a1.
`5,957,209 A
`5,964,294 A * 10/1999 Edwards ................. E21B 17/05
`166/2426
`
`5,992,523 A
`6,397,752 B1
`6,543,538 B2
`6,595,290 B2
`6,672,405 B2
`6,679,327 B2
`7,000,699 B2
`7,114,564 B2
`7,565,927 B2*
`
`11/1999 Burleson et a1.
`6/2002 Yang et a1.
`4/2003 Tolman et a1.
`7/2003 George et a1.
`1/2004 Tolman et a1.
`1/2004 Sloan et a1.
`2/2006 Yang et a1.
`10/2006 Parrott et a1.
`7/2009 Gerez ................... E21B 43/116
`166/25001
`
`7,762,331 B2
`8,181,718 B2
`8,186,259 B2
`2004/0206503 A1
`2008/0149338 A1
`2008/0202325 A1
`2009/0159283 A1
`2009/0223400 A1
`2009/0272529 A1
`
`7/2010 Goodman et a1.
`5/2012 Burleson et a1.
`5/2012 Burleson et a1.
`10/2004 Bell et a1.
`6/2008 Goodman et a1.
`8/2008 Bertoja et a1.
`6/2009 Fuller et a1.
`9/2009 Hill et a1.
`1 1/2009 Crawford
`
`2010/0085210 A1
`2010/0230163 A1
`2011/0024116 A1*
`
`4/2010 BonaVides et a1.
`9/2010 Hales et a1.
`2/2011 McCann et a1.
`
`.............. 166/297
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`
`2008098052 A2
`2010104634 A2
`
`8/2008
`9/2010
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Office Action issued Feb. 2, 2010, for US. Appl. No. 11/957,541,
`8 pages.
`Office Action issued Jul. 15, 2010, for U.S.App1. No. 11/957,541,
`6 pages.
`Office Action issued NOV. 22, 2010, for U.S.App1. No. 11/957,541,
`6 pages.
`Office Action issued May 4, 2011, for US. Appl. No. 11/957,541,
`9 pages.
`Office Action issued Apr. 21, 2011, for US. Appl. No. 13/008,075,
`9 pages.
`Office Action issued Oct. 24, 2011 for US. Appl. No. 11/957,541,
`6 pages.
`Office Action issued Oct. 24, 2011 for US. Appl. No. 13/008,075,
`6 pages.
`Search Report issued Oct. 23, 2012 for International Application
`PCT/USl2/29895, 6 pages.
`Written Opinion issued Oct. 23, 2012 for International Application
`PCT/USl2/29895, 4 pages.
`Office Action issued Apr. 21, 2011 for US. Appl. No. 13/008,075,
`9 pages.
`Office Action issued May 4,2011 for U.S.App1. No. 11/957,541, 9
`pages.
`Specification and Drawings for US. Appl. No. 13/750,786, filed
`Jan. 25, 2013, 42 pages.
`Advisory Action issued Jan.
`11/957,541, 7 pages.
`Australian Examination Report issued Jan. 3, 2013 for Australian
`Patent Application No. 2010365400, 3 pages.
`Office Action issued Mar. 6, 2013 for US. Appl. No. 13/750,786, 20
`pages.
`Office Action issued Jun. 19, 2013 for U.S.App1. No. 13/750,786,
`28 pages.
`Extended European Search Report Issued in Corresponding Appli-
`cation No. 127639573, Dated Oct. 14, 2015 (6 Pages).
`Advisory Action issued Aug. 27, 2013 for US. Appl. No.
`13/750,786, 3 pages.
`
`11, 2012 for US. Appl. No.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 002
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
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`U.S. Patent
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`

`

`US 9,689,223 B2
`
`1
`SELECTABLE, INTERNALLY ORIENTED
`AND/0R INTEGRALLY TRANSPORTABLE
`EXPLOSIVE ASSEMBLIES
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and
`operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean
`well and, in an example described below, more particularly
`provides for selectable, internally oriented and/or integrally
`transportable explosive assemblies.
`Perforating guns are typically assembled at a wellsite.
`Generally, perforating guns are not transported to a wellsite
`with an electrical detonator coupled to a detonating cord.
`In addition, it is known to internally orient perforating
`charges relative to an outer gun body. It is also known to
`selectively fire perforating guns.
`It will be appreciated that improvements are continually
`needed in the art of providing explosive assemblies for use
`in conjunction with subterranean wells.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In the disclosure below, systems and methods are pro-
`vided which bring improvements to the art. One example is
`described below in which an explosive assembly can be
`transported to a well location with an electrical detonator
`coupled to an explosive component. Another example is
`described below in which internally rotatable explosive
`components can be used with a selective firing module in
`each of multiple explosive assemblies.
`The disclosure describes a well tool system which can
`include multiple explosive assemblies. Each explosive
`assembly can include an outer housing, at least one explo-
`sive component which rotates relative to the outer housing
`when the explosive assembly is installed in a well, and a
`selective firing module which causes detonation of the
`explosive component in response to a predetermined signal
`associated with the selective firing module.
`A method of delivering a well tool system into a wellbore
`at a well location is also described below. The method can
`include assembling multiple explosive assemblies at a loca-
`tion remote from the well location, with the assembling
`comprising: installing an electrical detonator and an explo-
`sive component in a connector, and connecting the connec-
`tor to an outer housing. After assembling, the explosive
`assemblies are transported from the remote location to the
`well location.
`The disclosure below describes a well perforating method
`which can include assembling multiple perforating guns,
`each perforating gun comprising an outer gun body, at least
`one perforating charge which rotates relative to the outer gun
`body, and a selective firing module which causes detonation
`of the perforating charge in response to a predetermined
`signal associated with the selective firing module. The
`perforating guns are installed in the wellbore, with the
`perforating charge of each perforating gun rotating relative
`to the respective outer gun body during installation.
`These and other features, advantages and benefits will
`become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon
`careful consideration of the detailed description of repre-
`sentative examples below and the accompanying drawings,
`in which similar elements are indicated in the various figures
`using the same reference numbers.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of
`a well system and associated method which can embody
`principles of this disclosure.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`FIG. 2 is a representative cross-sectional view of an
`explosive assembly which may be used in the well system
`and method, and which can embody principles of this
`disclosure.
`
`FIG. 3 is a representative cross-sectional view of an
`electrical coupler which may be used in the explosive
`assembly.
`FIG. 4 is a representative cross-sectional view of a
`connector which may be used in the explosive assembly.
`FIG. 5 is a representative cross-sectional view of a
`connection between multiple explosive assemblies.
`FIG. 6 is a representative cross-sectional view of another
`configuration of the connector.
`FIG. 7 is a representative cross-sectional view of another
`connector configuration.
`FIG. 8 is a representative illustration of steps in a method
`of delivering explosive assemblies to a well location, and
`which can embody principles of this disclosure.
`FIG. 9 is a representative block diagram for a selective
`firing module and electrical detonator which may be used in
`the connector.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a well system 10
`and associated method which can embody principles of this
`disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 1, a well tool system 12 has
`been installed in a wellbore 14 lined with casing 16 and
`cement 18.
`
`The well tool system 12 includes interconnected explo-
`sive assemblies 20, each of which comprises explosive
`components 22, 24 that are rotatable within an outer housing
`26. The explosive assemblies 20 are interconnected to each
`other via connectors 28, 30.
`In the example of FIG. 1, the explosive assemblies 20 are
`perforating guns,
`the explosive components 22, 24 are
`detonating cords and perforating charges, respectively, and
`the outer housings 26 are outer gun bodies. However, in
`other examples, other types of explosive assemblies could
`be used.
`
`For example, the explosive assemblies 20 could instead
`be used for explosively severing pipe, explosively fracturing
`an earth formation, etc. Therefore,
`it should be clearly
`understood that
`the well system 10 is depicted in the
`drawings and is described herein as merely one example of
`a variety of potential uses for the principles of this disclo-
`sure, and those principles are not limited in any manner to
`the details of the well system 10.
`In the well system 10 as depicted in FIG. 1, the explosive
`assemblies 20 can be selectively fired, that is, each explosive
`assembly can be fired individually, at the same time as, or at
`different times from, firing one or more of the other explo-
`sive assemblies. For this purpose, each explosive assembly
`20 includes a selective firing module 32 (not visible in FIG.
`1, see FIGS. 2, 4-7 & 9) and electrical conductors 34
`extending along the explosive assemblies.
`The electrical conductors 34 (e.g., wires, conductive
`ribbons or traces, etc.) electrically connect the selective
`firing modules 32 to a source (e.g., a wireline, a telemetry
`transceiver, etc.) of an electrical signal. Preferably, each
`selective firing module 32 is individually addressable (e.g.,
`with each module having a unique IP address), so that a
`predetermined signal will cause firing of a respective
`selected one of the explosive assemblies. However, multiple
`modules 32 could respond to the same signal to cause firing
`of associated explosive assemblies 20 in keeping with the
`scope of this disclosure.
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 012
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 012
`
`

`

`US 9,689,223 B2
`
`3
`Suitable ways of constructing and utilizing selective firing
`modules are described in US. Publication Nos. 2009/
`0272529 and 2010/0085210, the entire disclosures of which
`are incorporated herein by this reference. An INTELLI-
`GENT FIRING SYSTEMTM marketed by Halliburton
`Energy Services, Inc. of Houston, Tex. USA includes a
`suitable selective firing module for use in the well system
`10.
`
`the
`In another unique feature of the well system 10,
`explosive components 22, 24 rotate within the outer hous-
`ings 26 as the explosive assemblies 20 are being installed in
`the wellbore 14. In the example of FIG. 1, the explosive
`components 22, 24 are rotated by force of gravity, so that the
`explosive components are oriented in a desired direction
`relative to vertical.
`
`As depicted in FIG. 1, the perforating charges are oriented
`downward, so that perforations 36 are formed downward
`through the casing 16 and cement 18. However, in other
`examples, the perforating charges could be oriented upward
`or in any other direction, in keeping with the scope of this
`disclosure.
`
`One suitable way of rotationally mounting the explosive
`components 22, 24 in the outer housing 26 is described in
`US. Publication No. 2009/0151588, or in International
`Publication No. WO 2008/098052, the entire disclosures of
`which are
`incorporated herein by this
`reference. A
`G-FORCETM perforating gun marketed by Halliburton
`Energy Services,
`Inc. of Houston, Tex. USA utilizes a
`similar gravitationally oriented internal assembly.
`Yet another unique feature of the system 10 and associ-
`ated method is that the explosive assemblies 20 can be
`transported to a well location with each explosive assembly
`being already assembled. An electrical detonator 38 (not
`visible in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 2, 4-7 & 9) can be coupled to
`an explosive component 40 in each of the connectors 30 in
`the assembly stage, prior to transporting the explosive
`assemblies 20 to the well location. After arrival at the well
`
`location, the explosive assemblies 20 can be installed in the
`wellbore 14, without a necessity of coupling the electrical
`detonator 38 to the explosive component 40 at the well
`location. This saves time and labor at the well location,
`where both of these commodities are generally at a pre-
`mium.
`
`Although the well system 10 is described herein as
`including several unique features, it should be understood
`that it is not necessary for a well system incorporating the
`principles of this disclosure to include all of those features.
`Instead, a well system could, within the scope of this
`disclosure, incorporate only one, or any combination, of the
`features described herein.
`
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, another configura-
`tion of the explosive assembly 20 is representatively illus-
`trated. The explosive assembly 20 configuration of FIG. 2
`may be used in the well system 10 of FIG. 1, or it may be
`used in other well systems.
`In the FIG. 2 configuration, the explosive assembly 20
`includes only one of the explosive component 24. However,
`in other examples, multiple explosive components 24 could
`be used in the outer housing 26.
`Another difference between the FIGS. 1 & 2 configura-
`tions is that the explosive component 24 in the FIG. 2
`configuration is oriented upward, due to its mounting to an
`eccentric weight 42, and being supported on bearings 44.
`Any orientation of the explosive component 24 may be used
`in keeping with the scope of this disclosure.
`The explosive components 22, 24, eccentric weight 42
`and bearings 44 are positioned in the outer housing 26
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`between two connectors 3011,!) (the connectors 28 are not
`necessarily used in the FIG. 2 configuration). Each of the
`connectors 3011,!) is threaded into a respective end of the
`outer housing 26.
`The electrical conductor 34 is electrically connected to the
`selective firing modules 32 in the connectors 3011,!) via
`rotary electrical connections 46, 48. The rotary electrical
`connections 46, 48 are used, because the electrical conductor
`34 rotates along with the explosive components 22, 24,
`eccentric weight 42, etc., within the outer housing 26. In
`other examples, the electrical conductor 34 may not rotate
`within the outer housing 26,
`in which case the rotary
`electrical connections 46, 48 may not be used.
`The rotary electrical connection 46 comprises an electri-
`cal contact 50 which rotates with the explosive components
`22, 24. Another electrical contact 52 is stationary, along with
`the remainder of the connector 3011, relative to the outer
`housing 26 after assembly. Thus, there is relative rotation
`between the electrical contacts 50, 52 when the explosive
`components 22, 24 rotate relative to the outer housing 26.
`The electrical conductor 34 is electrically coupled to the
`electrical contact 50, and the selective firing module 32 is
`electrically coupled to the electrical contact 52.
`In this
`manner, the conductor 34 is electrically connected to the
`selective firing module 32, even though there is relative
`rotation between these components in the wellbore 14.
`The rotary electrical connection 48 comprises an electri-
`cal contact 54 which rotates with the explosive components
`22, 24. Another electrical contact 56 is stationary, along with
`the remainder of the connector 30b, relative to the outer
`housing 26 after assembly. Thus, there is relative rotation
`between the electrical contacts 54, 56 when the explosive
`components 22, 24 rotate relative to the outer housing 26.
`The electrical conductor 34 is electrically coupled to the
`electrical contact 54, and the selective firing module 32 is
`electrically coupled to the electrical contact 56.
`In this
`manner, the conductor 34 is electrically connected to the
`selective firing module 32, even though there is relative
`rotation between these components in the wellbore 14.
`The explosive component 22 in the outer housing 26 is
`explosively coupled to the explosive component 40 in the
`connector 30a by a rotary detonation coupling 58. The rotary
`detonation coupling 58 transfers detonation from the explo-
`sive component 40 to the explosive component 22 (both of
`which are detonating cords in this example). For this pur-
`pose, detonation boosters 60 may be crimped onto the
`explosive components 22, 40 at the rotary detonation cou-
`pling 58.
`The rotary detonation coupling 58 allows the explosive
`components 22, 24, etc.,
`to rotate relative to the outer
`housing 26, while the selective firing module 32 does not
`rotate relative to the outer housing. Detonation will transfer
`from the explosive component 40 to the explosive compo-
`nent 22, even though there may be relative rotation between
`the boosters 60 prior to (or during) such detonation.
`Note that another outer housing 26, explosive components
`22, 24, eccentric weight 42, bearings 44, etc., is preferably
`connected to the connector 30b. These additional explosive
`components 22, 24 would be detonated when an appropriate
`signal is received by the selective firing module 32 in the
`connector 30b. The explosive components 22, 24 illustrated
`in FIG. 2 would be detonated when a separate appropriate
`signal is received by the selective firing module 32 in the
`connector 3011. Thus, the sets of explosive components 22,
`24 in the respective outer housings 26 can be selectively and
`individually fired by transmitting predetermined signals to
`their respective selective firing modules 32.
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 013
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 013
`
`

`

`US 9,689,223 B2
`
`5
`The signals may be transmitted Via any means. For
`example, a wireline (not shown) used to convey the well tool
`system 12 into the wellbore 14 could be used to conduct the
`signals from a remote location to one of the electrical
`contacts 56. As another example, a telemetry transceiver
`(not shown) could receive a telemetry signal
`(e.g., via
`pressure pulse, acoustic, electromagnetic, optical or other
`form of telemetry), and in response transmit an electrical
`signal to the selective firing modules 32.
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, an electrical coupler
`62 which may be used in the explosive assembly 20 is
`representatively illustrated at an enlarged scale. The coupler
`62 may be used in the rotary electrical connection 48, if
`desired, in order to pressure isolate one explosive assembly
`20 from another explosive assembly which has been fired.
`The electrical coupler 62 depicted in FIG. 2 includes
`electrical contacts 64, 66 at one end, and electrical contacts
`68, 70 at another end. Contacts 64, 68 are electrically
`connected to each other, and contacts 66, 70 are electrically
`connected to each other.
`
`Threads 72 are provided to secure the electrical coupler
`62 to a connector 30. Seals 74 are provided for sealing
`engagement of the electrical coupler 62 in the connector 30.
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, the electrical cou-
`pler 62 is representatively illustrated as being installed in
`another configuration of the connector 30. Note that the
`coupler 62 is sealingly received in an end of the connector
`30, so that if the explosive component 40 is detonated,
`pressure will not transfer to another explosive assembly 20
`past the coupler 62.
`Another electrical coupler 76 is electrically coupled to the
`selective firing module 32 in the connector 30. Thus, the
`selective firing module 32 is electrically connected to the
`rotary electrical connection 48 via the mating couplers 62,
`76.
`
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, another configura-
`tion of the well tool system 12 is representatively illustrated.
`In this configuration, the rotary electrical connection 48 is
`made when the connectors 28, 30 of different explosive
`assemblies 20 are connected to each other (e.g., by thread-
`ing, etc.).
`This connection between the connectors 28, 30 can con-
`veniently be performed at a well location, in order to join
`two explosive assemblies 20, with no need for coupling the
`electrical detonator 38 to the explosive component 40 in the
`connector 30 at the well location. However, the connectors
`28, 30 could be connected to each other at a location remote
`from the well location, and/or the electrical connector 38
`could be coupled to the explosive component 40 at the well
`location, and remain within the scope of this disclosure.
`The electrical coupler 62 is somewhat differently config-
`ured in FIG. 5. The rotary electrical connection 48 includes
`an electrical coupler 78. The coupler 78 connects to the
`coupler 62 when the connector 30 is threaded into the
`connector 28.
`
`The connector 78 is also electrically connected to a rotary
`electrical connection 80. The rotary electrical connection 80
`includes electrical connectors 82, 84.
`The electrical connector 82 includes electrical contacts
`86, 88. The electrical connector 84 includes electrical con-
`tacts 90, 92 in the form of spring-loaded pins which make
`sliding electrical contact with the respective contacts 86, 88.
`The rotary electrical connection 46 similarly includes
`electrical contacts and spring-loaded pins (not numbered).
`The rotary detonation coupling 58 is circumscribed by the
`electrical contacts of the rotary electrical connection 46.
`
`10
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`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
`
`35
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`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 6, another configura-
`tion of the explosive assembly 20 is representatively illus-
`trated. In this configuration, the coupler 62 is similar to the
`configuration of FIG. 3, but is longer and mates with the
`connector 76, which is sealingly received in the connector
`30. This provides additional assurance that pressure and
`fluid will not be transmitted through the connector 30
`between explosive assemblies 20.
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 7, yet another con-
`figuration of the connectors 28, 30 is representatively illus-
`trated. In this configuration,
`the rotary connection 48 is
`similar to that depicted in FIG. 5.
`When the connectors 28, 30 are connected to each other,
`at least two electrical conductors 94, 96 in the connector 28
`are electrically connected to at least two respective conduc-
`tors 98, 100 in the connector 30. The signal may be
`modulated on one set of the conductors 94, 98 or 96, 100,
`with the other set of conductors being a ground. Altema-
`tively, a single set of conductors could be used for trans-
`mitting the signal, with the outer housings 26 and connectors
`28, 30 being used for grounding purposes (if they are made
`of electrically conductive materials, such as steel, etc.).
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 8, a method 102 for
`delivering the explosive assemblies 20 into the wellbore 14
`is representatively illustrated. Beginning on the left-hand
`side of FIG. 8 an assembling step 104 is depicted, then
`centered in FIG. 8 a transporting step 106 is depicted, and
`then on the right-hand side of FIG. 8 an installing step 108
`is depicted.
`The assembling step 104 is preferably performed at a
`location 110 which is remote from a well location 112. The
`
`remote location 110 could be a manufacturing facility, an
`assembly shop, etc. The explosive assemblies 20 could be
`assembled at the remote location 110 and stored at the
`
`remote location or at another remote location (such as a
`warehouse, storage facility, etc.).
`In the assembling step 104, preferably each of the explo-
`sive assemblies 20 is completely assembled, including cou-
`pling the electrical detonator 38 to the explosive component
`40 and installing these in the connector 30 with the selective
`firing module 32. In this manner, the explosive assemblies
`20 can be quickly and conveniently connected to each other
`(and/or to other assemblies, such as blank gun sections, etc.)
`at the well location 112, thereby reducing the time and labor
`needed at the well location.
`
`A suitable electrical detonator which may be used for the
`electrical detonator 38 is a REDTM (Rig Environment Deto-
`nator) electrical detonator marketed by Halliburton Energy
`Services, Inc. The REDTM detonator does not contain pri-
`mary explosives, and the detonator is insensitive to many
`common electrical hazards found at well
`locations. This
`
`feature allows many normal rig operations (such as, RF
`communications, welding, and cathodic protection, etc.) to
`continue without interruption during perforating operations.
`In the transporting step 106, the explosive assemblies 20
`are transported from the remote location 104 to the well
`location 112. While being transported, the electrical deto-
`nators 38 are preferably coupled to the respective explosive
`components 40 in the respective connectors 30.
`In the installing step 108, the explosive assemblies 20 are
`conveyed into the wellbore 14 as sections of the well tool
`system 12. The explosive assemblies 20 may be connected
`to each other and/or to other assemblies in the well tool
`
`system 12.
`After installation in the wellbore 14, appropriate signals
`are selectively transmitted to the respective selective firing
`modules 32. The explosive components 22, 24, 40 of each
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 014
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1004
`Pg. 014
`
`

`

`US 9,689,223 B2
`
`7
`explosive assembly 20 are detonated in response to the
`associated selective firing module 32 receiving its predeter-
`mined signal
`(e.g.,
`including the module’s unique IP
`address, etc.).
`Although each selective firing module 32 is depicted in
`the drawings as being associated with a single outer housing
`26 with explosive components 22, 24 therein, it should be
`understood that in other examples a selective firing module
`could be associated with multiple outer housings with explo-
`sive components therein (e.g., a single selective firing mod-
`ule could be used to detonate more than one perforating gun,
`etc.) and more than one selective firing module could be
`used with a single outer housing and explosive components
`therein (e.g., for redundancy, etc.).
`Referring additionally now to FIG. 9, a schematic block
`diagram for the selective firing module 32 is representatively
`illustrated. The selective firing module 32 is depicted as
`being electrically connected to the electrical conductor 34
`and the electrical detonator 38.
`
`The selective firing module 32 includes a demodulator
`116, a memory 118 and a switch 120. Electrical power for
`the selective firing module 32 may be provided via the
`conductor 34, or from a downhole battery or electrical
`generator (not shown).
`The demodulator 116 demodulates the signals transmitted
`via the conductor 34. If the signal matches the predeter-
`mined signal stored in the memory 118, the switch 120 is
`closed to thereby transmit electrical power to the electrical
`detonator 38. This causes detonation of the explosive com-
`ponent 40 and the other explosive components 22, 24
`coupled by