IP Library Granted Patent US 8,186,259
Granted Patent B2
US 8,186,259 · App. 11/957,541 · Granted May 29, 2012

Perforating gun gravitational orientation system

Assignee: Halliburton Energy Sevices, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,186,259
App. No.
11/957,541
Granted
May 29, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes a perforating gun and a swivel device connected to the perforating gun to permit rotation of the perforating gun within casing, and the perforating gun spaced apart from the casing by the swivel device. Another perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from a center of gravity of the perforating gun. Yet another perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from a center axis of the perforating gun.

Claims (23)

1. A perforating gun gravitational orientation system, comprising:

at least one perforating gun, including an external gun body which pressure isolates a charge carrier from a wellbore external to the gun body; and

at least two swivel devices rotatably connected to the perforating gun, whereby the perforating gun rotates relative to a work string in response to gravity acting on the perforating gun within a casing, wherein the casing forms a protective wellbore lining and the swivel devices prevent contact between the external gun body and the casing, wherein the perforating gun has a center of gravity, wherein the swivel devices have an axis of rotation, and wherein the center of gravity is spaced apart from the axis of rotation.

2. A perforating gun gravitational orientation system, comprising:

at least one perforating gun, including an external gun body which pressure isolates a charge carrier from a wellbore external to the gun body; and

at least two swivel devices rotatably connected to the perforating gun, whereby the perforating gun rotates relative to a work string in response to gravity acting on the perforating gun within a casing, wherein the casing forms a protective wellbore lining and the swivel devices prevent contact between the external gun body and the casing, wherein the perforating gun has a center axis, wherein the swivel devices have an axis of rotation, and wherein the gun center axis is spaced apart from the axis of rotation.

3. A perforating gun gravitational orientation system, comprising:

at least one perforating gun having a center of gravity and including an external gun body which completely encloses a charge carrier; and

at least two swivel devices rotatably connected to the perforating gun, whereby the perforating gun rotates relative to a work string in response to gravity acting on the perforating gun within a casing, wherein the casing forms a protective wellbore lining, the swivel devices preventing contact between the external gun body and the casing, and the swivel devices having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from the center of gravity.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the perforating gun has a center axis, and wherein the gun center axis is spaced apart from the axis of rotation.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the perforating gun is spaced apart from the casing by the swivel devices.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the swivel devices are connected to multiple perforating guns, the swivel devices permitting independent rotation of the perforating guns within the casing.

7. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the swivel devices includes a pressure isolating bulkhead positioned between two detonation transfer components.

8. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the swivel devices is connected between multiple perforating guns.

9. The system of claim 3 , wherein the perforating gun is connected to more than two swivel devices.

10. A perforating gungravitational orientation system, comprising:

at least one perforating gun having a center axis and an external gun body which houses a charge carrier; and

at least one swivel device rotatably connected to the perforating gun, whereby the perforating gun rotates relative to a work string in response to gravity acting on the perforating gun within a casing, wherein the casing forms a protective wellbore lining, the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from the gun center axis, the swivel device preventing the external gun body from contacting the casing, and the swivel device being in contact with the casing.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the perforating gun has a center of gravity, and wherein the center of gravity is spaced apart from the axis of rotation.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the perforating gun is spaced apart from the casing by the swivel device.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein multiple swivel devices are connected to multiple perforating guns, the swivel devices permitting independent rotation of the perforating guns within the casing.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the swivel device includes a pressure isolating bulkhead positioned between two detonation transfer components.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the perforating gun is connected to multiple swivel devices.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2007
From: BURLESON, JOHN D.; GEORGE, FLINT R.; HALES, JOHN H.
To: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 020267/0166 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090151588A1 · Jun 18, 2009