SPE 64760
High-Energy Perforation and Fracturing (HEPF)----Great Revolution of Perforation for
21st Century
Tinghan Zhang,Xi Zhang/Xian TongYuan Petr.tech.Indus.,Ning Li/Xian Univercity of Technology.,Kuan Li/ Xian TongYuan
Petr.tech.Indus.
Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE International Oil and Gas Conference
and Exhibition in China held in Beijing, China, 7–10 November 2000.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
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Abstract
Based on the snalysis of 50-year-long experiences of
conventional perforation,this paper presents an innovative
perforation techique that two different types of high energy-
shaped charge and propellant are being put inside the gun,and
these two types of energy would be ignited at the same time
but be put in action separately,therefore perforation and
fracturing could be combined perfectly,forming high
conductine tunnel-fracturing network and greatly increasing
percolation area around near wellbore,Surface concrete target
test shows length of semi-radial fracture is 2500mm,More
than 700 wells application proved that this technique is safely
operating,and greatly increasing production and injection.At
present,the comprehensive system of apparatus study and
manufacture,surface test,operation art,modern downhole test
and intelligent software is being composed,which will make
progress and revolutionize international perforation.
Summary
The final success of a well----productivity and lifetime—is
dependent on connection degree between wellbore and
formation and this connection is carried out by perforation.
Over a long period of time on one hand, solid particles of
mud and killing fluid plug pores of near wellbore
rock,forming a radius of 1.5—2.5m damage area;on the other
hand,since 1948 according to the guiding principle of “deep
penetration and high shot density”,penetration of shaped
charge perforation has been increased to 0.7m by means of
adding explosive load and increasing shaped charge size.But
considering the further development and its current
situation,there are still some problems unsolved ,such as:
1) Increasing shaped charge size and shot density would
be restricted by wellbore space, perforator space,
casing and cement sheath, etc.;
2) Unitary perforation effect;
3) Small penetration;
4) Extrusion mechanism would result in compaction
damage, and it is reported the permeability of
compaction damage area will be reduced to 25% of
original one ;
5) 20-75% of shaped charge energy is being unutilized
(i.e.be unutilized for making perforation tunnels ).
Above all it is important to inherit the advantages of
conventional perforation and explore the new method.
Based on conventional perforation and HEGF (Hihg
Energy Gas Fracturing),HEPF breaks through traditional
ideas ,it combining perforation and fracturing which are put
in action sequentially ,resulting in forming tunnel-fracture
type fracture network around the near wellbore ,therefore
greatly increases near willbore percolation area,overcomes
restriction of critical conditions ,fully utilizes residual energy
of shaped charge and removes compaction damage created by
perforation.From the end of 1996 till 1999,more than 700
wells application in domestic fields shows average production
has been enhanced by 100%.By now HEPF series products
and auxiliary arts have been completed.
Fundamentals and Characteristics
Fundamentals
Inside the strengthened gun with relief holes ,shaped charge
and propellant are combined ,while explosive fuse ignites
shaped charges ,the propellant would be fired by residual
energy and generate explosive combustion gas
pressure.Transient time differential and pressure----time
course of shaped charge explosion and propellant explosive
combustion must be effectively controlled ,then realize that
shaped charges perforating in different phases and high–
pressure gas fracturing following the perforation tunnels.
These two–step action will form deep tunnel-fracture type
penetration and greatly increase percolation around near
wellbore area.
2 HEPF----GREAT REVOLUTION OF PERFORATION FOR 21ST CENTURY
Characteristics
1) Two different types of high energy are combined and put
in action sequentially;
2) Effectively overcome the restriction of critical conditions
for high energy, such as wellbore space, perforator space,
casing ,cement sheath,etc.;
3) Length of tunnel-fracture type penetration reaches 2.5m;
4) Compaction damage caused by perforation will be
removed by gas fracturing;
5) Fully utilized the residual energy of shaped charges and
explosive fuse to fire propellant;
6) Simple art and convenient operation;
7) Economical costs and practical;
8) Safely operating and suitable for large-scale application.
Key Technipue to HEPF
HEPF is a kind of new conception perforation technique .To
meet the need of industrial large-scale manufacture and
application, a series of key technique difficulties need to be
solved .
1) HEPF apparatus
a. Strengthen technique for perforator’s structure and
material;
b. Designing and sealing technique for special relief hole;
c. Method for increasing shaped charge perforation
diameter and shot density;
d. Filling structure, formula and special shape
manufacture technique for fropellant;
e. Optimization of perforation and fracturing
parameters;optimization of perforation and fracturing
transient time differential and P-Tcourse;
2) HEPF apparatus test
a. Quality control and property test for perforator,shaped
charge and propellant;
b. Surface concrete test and test index for HEPF;
c. Surface P-T course test for HEPF;
d. Analytica software for HEPF surface test ;
3) Auxiliary downhole art for HEPF
a. Vibration absorbing technique and parts for wireline
conveyed operation;
b. Pipe string structure and strengthen technique for
strings between perforators;
c. Downhole intelligent test apparatus and connecting
structure of perforator;
4) Downhole monitoring and test for HEPF
a. Downhole data acquisition system for HEPF (including
automatic acquisition parameters as peak pressure, P-T course
,temperature and acceleration,etc,);
b. Diagnosis, identification and analysis technique for test
data and HEPF dynamic performance, and related software
development ;
5) Intelligent analytical software for HEPF
a. Analytical method for shaped charge explosion and
propellant explosive combustion, in addition related P-T
course simulation;
SPE 64760
b. Multiphase liquid flow model in perforation tunnel and
fracturing fracture, and simulation for surface dynamic load
distribution and spread regulation of tunnel and fracture;
c. Fracturing forming and spreading model for formation
rock;
d. Percolation mechanics model for near wellbore area
after HEPF operation;
e. Based on above-mentioned function’s realization,
optimize HEPF design which is countering different
wellborde conditions, geological parameters of perforation
and fracturing .
Application Cases
From the end of 1996,HEPF has been used in most of
domestic oilfields, and more than 700 wills application shows
it greatly increasing production and injection.
1) [Lunnan 61,Tarim] This well is 4360m deep, and has
been finished drilling and gained no commercial oil after
well test in 1993.In 1999 HEPF was used in this well
and achieved great success. Well test rate for Tertiary
was 25t/d. Then CNPC decided to revaluate Lunnan
area to find more possible reserves.
2) [Lunnan 2-5-13B,Tarim] This well originaly is a water
injection well. HEPF was chose to operate in the
intervals of 4804.0—4806.0m and 4814.5—
4821.0m.Predicted production was 15m3/d. After
operation, well test rate reached as high as 96m3/d.
3) [Balbei 4-7, Henan] Well depth is 2470m,and it is a low
permeable injection will with poor water injectivity.
After acid washing failed, the operator decided to try
HEPF.As the result, water injection rate increased form
21m3/d to 60-70m3/d.
4) [Formation GaoTaizi, Daqing] In order to study the
feasibility of putting into production without hydraulic
fracturing for extremely low permeability Gao Taizi
formation, No. 9 Production Company of Daqing chose
5 wells of better geological property in this formation to
be stimulated by HEPF.Based on statistics of those 5
wells, average liquid production is 5.8t/d, and average
liquid production per unit thickness is 0.472t/d while the
average liquid production per unit of other 97wells in
this area employed hydraulic fracturing is
0.496t/d.Although production of HEPF wells is lower
than hydraulic fracturing wells ,HEPF provides the
possibility of wells in this area being able to put into
production without hydraulic fracturing .Hence,the
Production Company concluded that hydraulic
fracturing could be used as further stimulation method
rather than necessary production means;
5) [Well Gu 16-23, Daqing] Well depth
1911.6m,permeability 0.14-0.153md,porosity 10.19%. It
was perforated with conventional shaped charge in
Sept.1997, and production rate was 0.7-1.5t/d;In
Oct.1998 we retreated the same interval with HEPF , the
production rate increased to 3.8-5.4t/d,and water cut was
0.2-2.8%;
SPE 64760 TINGHAN ZHANG, XI ZHANG, NING LI, KUAN LI 3

6) [Comparative test in Changqing] Cooperating with hydraulic fracturing never get this high production in
Changqing oilfield, we conducted 3 wells’ comparative this area.
test in Longdong area in Sept .1997.These 3 wells were
same thickness,same formation,same block,and test Conclusion
results as following table; 1) The philosophy, function and application cases of HEPF
fully cmbodies its innovation and advancement;
2) To meet the urgeny need of petroleum exploration and
Primary oil Present Liquid Present Oil

13.18m3

10.23m3

4.47m3
development for high efficiency perforation, it must be
Daily production after measures

based on above mentioned 5 key technique basis which is

the solid foundation for industrial application;
3) Technique basis of 5 key technique configures the theory
foundation of HEPF;
12.05m3
15.9m3

7.05m3
4) HEPF special-made perforator, shaped charge and
propellant, manufacture technique, operation art and 700
Table 1 Comparative test with different perforation

wells achievement provide the early stage practice for

industrilization;
5) Internal propellant of the gun has distinguished
industrialized advantages as safe, reliable, simple,
19m3

18m3

18m3

effective operation;
6) Along with the development and perfection of HEPF
theory and practice, it must promote perforation
Shaped charge:YD89 1423.0-1425.0m

Shaped charge:YD127 1425.0-1427.0m

Shaped charge:YD102 1443.0-1445.0m

revolution and accelerate perforation technique entering a

Perforation
Interval

high efficiency age.

Acknowledgement
During HEPF study, we have get a lot of help from CNPC,
Daqing, Tarim, ChangQing, Dagang, and Zhong Yuan, etc.
Perforator size:102mm

Perforator size:102mm

Perforator size:102mm

We are grateful for their help.

Shot density:12h/m

Shot density:16h/m

Shot density:16h/m
Conventi-onal plus
Perforation type

References
1. “Completion Affection to Producrion”, Translation Collection of
Conventional

Oilfields Development, No.3, 1986 2. Klotz,J.A., Krueger,

R.F., and Pye,DS.,“Effect of Perforation Damage on Well
Productvity,”Paper SPE 4654,presented at the 48th SPE Annual
HEGF
HEPF

Fall Meeting ,Las Vegas,NV.30 Septenber –3 October,1973.

3.Dietrich, J.K., and bondor, P.L.,“The Effect of Void and Filled
Perforations on well Productivity”,Paper SPE 6178,presented at
the 51st Annual Fall Technical Conference and Exhibition ,held
Item

Hua76-81

Hua77-81

Hua77-71

in New Orleans .LA,3-6 October 1976.

Well No.

4.Jim Gilliat, Phillip M.S., and Robert, H.,“A Review of Field

Performance of New Propellant/Perforating Technologies”,
Paper SPE 56469,presented at the 1999 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition held in Houston, Texas,3-6 October
7) [3 exploration wells’ comparative test, Changqing] It 1999
was reported by Wireline Logging Company, 5.Liu Xuanyan,”Well Lunnan61, Tarim, Reoperation Achieve High
changqing, that 3 wells in same block which are Production”, China Petro Daily, March.16, 1999 6.“Digital
standardize Fechnique for Accurate Prediction of Shaped
Characterized by active bottom water were operated
Charge Peoperty”, Petroleum Engineer International, Jan.1991
with conventional perforation and HEPF .Well Mu101 7.Schaxtz, J.F., Haney,B.L.,and Ager,S.A., “High-speed Downhole
was conventional perforated and there was oil bloom Memory Recouder and Software Used to design and Confirm
appeared ,and water production was 2.2m3/d;Well Perforating/Propellant Behavior and Formation Fracturing
Mu102 and 103 were treated with HEPF,and oil ”,Paper SPE 56434,presented at the 1999 SPE Annual
production reached 70.64t/d and 68.69t/d,respectively; Techancial Conference and Exhibition,held in
8) [Well Y 36-6,Changqing] This well is a gas well, In Houston,Tesas,3-6 October 1999.
June.1999, combined HEPF and W-WOP fracturing unit 8.Tinghan Zhang,”HEGF Mechanism Study”, Xian Petroleum
through measures of densification acidization,liquid Institute, Dec.1991
9.Tinghan Zhang, Xi ZhangHEPF Study Report”Xian Tong Yuan
nitrogen gas lift flowing back,and needle valve
Petro.Tech.Indus.May, 1997
controlled flush,the well operation achieved great 10.Tinghan Zhang, Xi Zhang”HEPF Appraisal Report”, Shaanxi
success of commercial gas prodution by 34m3/d while Science Department,July,1999
other gas wells treated by conventional perforation and
4 HEPF----GREAT REVOLUTION OF PERFORATION FOR 21ST CENTURY SPE 64760

Fig. 1.- HEPT Structure Scheme

Fig. 2.-Surface Cement Concrete Test for HEPF