Non-detonable shaped charge and activation
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 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 by pivotally extending the shaped charge away from a housing of the perforating gun with a carrier thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the activating comprises exposing the shaped charge to a well condition during the advancing of the gun to the target location.
3. The method of claim 1 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.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the heating of the shaped charge comprises inducing a substantially solid eutectic mixture of the shaped charge to reach a molten state.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the heating of the shaped charge encourages mixing of materials from separate fuel and oxidizer material layers of the shaped charge.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the heating of the shaped charge further comprises inducing the mixed materials to reach a eutectic point of solution.
7. The method of claim 5 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.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the heating of the shaped charge comprises circulating a heated fluid to the perforating gun from a surface at the oilfield.
9. The method of claim 8 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.
10. A shaped charge system for perforating a well at an oilfield, the system comprising:
a perforating gun;
a conveyance coupled to the gun for advancement thereof into the well;
a shaped charge secured within the gun, the charge housing oxidizer and fuel components in a non-detonable state relative one another in advance of activation thereof into at least a partially liquid mixture thereof, wherein the perforating gun comprises a carrier for the securing of the shaped charge, the carrier pivotable to introduce a targeted movement to the charge for the activation.
11. The shaped charge system of claim 10 further comprising a thermal line coupled to the shaped charge to induce a temperature at the components for the activation.