Abstract: Shaped charges used in wellbore perforating operations may be tested using a stressed rock perforating-charge testing system. The system includes a shaped charge testing chamber. The shaped charge testing chamber may include a loading and ejection piston and a core sample chamber. The core sample chamber is in mechanical communication with the loading and ejection piston and is sized to receive a core sample. The shaped charge testing chamber also includes a core sample stress applicator to apply stress to the core sample. Further, the system includes an ejection mechanism adjacent to the shaped charge testing chamber to provide an ejecting force on the loading and ejection piston.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying triaxial stresses to a core sample during perforation and flow testing. A core sample of rock is positioned within a fixture shell of an overburden stress apparatus, which is placed within a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel applies a vessel pressure to the overburden stress apparatus. The overburden stress apparatus contains a plurality of stress members which apply overburden stresses to the core sample along its three principal axes. The applied overburden stresses are resisted by a combination of the structural integrity of the overburden stress apparatus and the circumferential support applied to the overburden stress apparatus by the vessel pressure. With the overburden stresses applied, the core sample can undergo perforation testing, production testing, and injection testing.

Abstract: Shaped charges used in wellbore perforating operations may be tested using a stressed rock perforating-charge testing system. The system includes a shaped charge testing chamber. The shaped charge testing chamber may include a loading and ejection piston and a core sample chamber. The core sample chamber is in mechanical communication with the loading and ejection piston and is sized to receive a core sample. The shaped charge testing chamber also includes a core sample stress applicator to apply stress to the core sample. Further, the system includes an ejection mechanism adjacent to the shaped charge testing chamber to provide an ejecting force on the loading and ejection piston.

Abstract: To optimize the efficiency of a perforating tool system, downhole conditions may be simulated to determine the optimal configuration for the perforating tool system. A simulated wellbore is disposed in a simulated wellbore case and coupled to a formation sample. The simulated wellbore comprises the perforating tool system and one or more filler discs that consume a volume of the simulated wellbore. The filler discs are used to control the dynamic underbalance for a given simulation of a perforating tool system. One or more measurements associated with the perforating tool system along with one or more images may be generated after explosive charges of the perforating tool system are detonated. The perforating tool system may be modified based, at least in part, on the one or more measurements and the one or more images for the specific dynamic underbalance of the simulation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying triaxial stresses to a core sample during perforation and flow testing. A core sample of rock is positioned within a fixture shell of an overburden stress apparatus, which is placed within a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel applies a vessel pressure to the overburden stress apparatus. The overburden stress apparatus contains a plurality of stress members which apply overburden stresses to the core sample along its three principal axes. The applied overburden stresses are resisted by a combination of the structural integrity of the overburden stress apparatus and the circumferential support applied to the overburden stress apparatus by the vessel pressure. With the overburden stresses applied, the core sample can undergo perforation testing, production testing, and injection testing.

Abstract: To optimize the efficiency of a perforating tool system, downhole conditions may be simulated to determine the optimal configuration for the perforating tool system. A simulated wellbore is disposed in a pressure vessel and coupled to a target composite core assembly. A perforating tool system is disposed in the simulated wellbore above the target composite core assembly. The target composite core assembly includes an outer shell. The outer shell comprises a material that supports a rubber bladder or flexible jacket that is disposed about the outer shell. The outer shell isolates the overburden fluid and pressure from the inner core during a radial flow test to more accurately simulate conditions downhole. A parameter of a perforating tool system may be altered based, at least in part, on a result from the radial flow test.

Abstract: Simulation of downhole transient pressure effects due to propellant stimulation of a formation provides information that may be utilized to select a type of perforating tool system and other components that contribute to effective stimulation of a formation. A well simulator pressure vessel comprises a perforating tool system that comprises a type of perforating gun assembly that includes one or more shaped charges. A propellant disk assembly adjacent to a sample formation is coupled to the perforating tool system. The propellant disk assembly comprises one or more components for securing the propellant. A transient pressure effect may be measured once the one or more shaped charges are detonated and the propellant is ignited or deflagrated. The measured transient pressure effects may be utilized to alter or change the one or more components of the perforating tool system prior to, during, or after stimulation of the sample formation.

Abstract: Simulation of downhole transient pressure effects due to propellant stimulation of a formation provides information that may be utilized to select a type of perforating tool system and other components that contribute to effective stimulation of a formation. A well simulator pressure vessel comprises a perforating tool system that comprises a type of perforating gun assembly that includes one or more shaped charges. A propellant disk assembly adjacent to a sample formation is coupled to the perforating tool system. The propellant disk assembly comprises one or more components for securing the propellant. A transient pressure effect may be measured once the one or more shaped charges are detonated and the propellant is ignited or deflagrated. The measured transient pressure effects may be utilized to alter or change the one or more components of the perforating tool system prior to, during, or after stimulation of the sample formation.

Abstract: To optimize the efficiency of a perforating tool system, downhole conditions may be simulated to determine the optimal configuration for the perforating tool system. A simulated wellbore is disposed in a pressure vessel and coupled to a target composite core assembly. A perforating tool system is disposed in the simulated wellbore above the target composite core assembly. The target composite core assembly includes an outer shell. The outer shell comprises a material that supports a rubber bladder or flexible jacket that is disposed about the outer shell. The outer shell isolates the overburden fluid and pressure from the inner core during a radial flow test to more accurately simulate conditions downhole. A parameter of a perforating tool system may be altered based, at least in part, on a result from the radial flow test.

Abstract: To optimize the efficiency of a perforating tool system, downhole conditions may be simulated to determine the optimal configuration for the perforating tool system. A simulated wellbore is disposed in a simulated wellbore case and coupled to a formation sample. The simulated wellbore comprises the perforating tool system and one or more filler discs that consume a volume of the simulated wellbore. The filler discs are used to control the dynamic underbalance for a given simulation of a perforating tool system. One or more measurements associated with the perforating tool system along with one or more images may be generated after explosive charges of the perforating tool system are detonated. The perforating tool system may be modified based, at least in part, on the one or more measurements and the one or more images for the specific dynamic underbalance of the simulation.

Abstract: A conduit for facilitating the installation of insulation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conduit comprises a body having one or more ribs and a collar having a forward end taper. In another embodiment, two or more pieces of conduit are joined to form a conduit network, with at least one piece of conduit comprising a body having one or more ribs and a collar having a forward end taper.

Abstract: A U-bend fitting for connecting a first pipe and a second pipe, e.g., in cooling pipe system for an ice rink, is disclosed. The U-bend fitting includes a first collar, a second collar, and a curved hollow body forming a fluid path configured to allow fluid to flow from the first pipe to the second pipe. In one embodiment, the U-bend fitting includes a brace extending transversely between the first collar and the second collar, the brace configured to resist movement of the first collar toward the second collar. In another embodiment, the U-bend fitting includes a concave channel extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the outer surface of the curved hollow body. The concave channel is configured for receiving a curved surface of a support to which the outer surface of the curved hollow body can be tied.

Abstract: A U-bend fitting having a flow path chamber and a flow transition chamber is disclosed. In one embodiment, the U-bend fitting is designed with its maximum outer diameter to be substantially equal to the maximum combined outer diameter of the pipes which are fused to the flow path chamber. The flow transition chamber is designed to provide a larger flow path between the two pipes without any sharp turns.

Abstract: A conduit for facilitating the installation of insulation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the conduit comprises a body having one or more ribs and a collar having a forward end taper. In another embodiment, two or more pieces of conduit are joined to form a conduit network, with at least one piece of conduit comprising a body having one or more ribs and a collar having a forward end taper.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing a target core to enable testing at simulated wellbore conditions. The apparatus includes a support core having a target core receiving region. A flexible jacket is operable to receive the support core and apply a confining stress to the support core. A quantity of unconsolidated sand is disposed within the target core receiving region of the support core. The support core is operable to transmit at least a portion of the confining stress to the unconsolidated sand, thereby forming the target core. The apparatus simulates downhole conditions such that flow tests may be performed on the target core before and after perforating the target core.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing a target core to enable testing at simulated wellbore conditions. The apparatus includes a support core having a target core receiving region. A flexible jacket is operable to receive the support core and apply a confining stress to the support core. A quantity of unconsolidated sand is disposed within the target core receiving region of the support core. The support core is operable to transmit at least a portion of the confining stress to the unconsolidated sand, thereby forming the target core. The apparatus simulates downhole conditions such that flow tests may be performed on the target core before and after perforating the target core.