Maximize well productivity while minimizing operating time

Consortium Shushufindi in Ecuador wanted to maximize productivity from a well with low reservoir pressure by achieving the deepest and cleanest perforation tunnels possible. To achieve its objective, the operator planned for two separate runs in hole—one for the tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) operation and another for postperforating controlled implosions to clean the holes. However, with two separate runs in hole, the operator would compromise valuable operating time and costs. It is also very challenging, in wells with low reservoir pressure, to obtain a considerable dynamic underbalance effect without compromising the shot density.

Complete a single-run operation using a ballistic time delay fuse

For this operation, Consortium Shushufindi ran a BTDF positioned between PowerJet Nova 4505 extradeep penetrating shaped charges and P3 PURE postperforating controlled implosions—enabling the perforating and cleanup operation to be completed in a single run.

The BTDF is a slow-burn, accurately timed ballistic transfer that maintains pressure integrity after transfer. The BTDF can be mounted between guns, enabling sequential firing with time delay. This provides the operator enough time to move guns from one target to another and requires only one initiation.

Increased well productivity 51% over plan

The guns loaded with PowerJet Nova charges were first activated to connect to the reservoir with no dynamic underbalance effect. Following a 6-minute delay for the BTDF fuse to actuate, the P3 implosions were activated to clean the recent perforations with 1,000-psi dynamic underbalance effect. After completing this operation, the well was tested at 512 bbl/d, exceeding the operator's well productivity expectations by 51% over plan.