Inspection tool for a perforating gun segment

According to certain exemplary embodiments, an inspection tool and method for inspecting a perforating gun segment includes, among other things, placing a perforating gun segment in a perforating gun segment holder between a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion, wherein each of the male connecting portion and female connecting portion includes one or more electrical contacts and distance sensors. A piston may push the male connecting portion against an internal gun assembly of the perforating gun segment such that the internal gun assembly is pushed to a desired location within the perforating gun segment, as measured by the distance sensors, and into electrical contact with the male and female connecting portions such that electrical properties of the perforating gun segment may be measured.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Downhole operations in oil and gas wells typically involve, among other things, deploying one or more perforating guns into the wellbore to perforate wellbore casing and tubing and surrounding hydrocarbon-bearing formations to liberate and collect oil and gas within the formations. Once a perforating gun is deployed into a wellbore to a desired position, shaped charges that the perforating gun carries are detonated to create the desired perforations. Accordingly, a typical perforating gun includes, among other things, electrical connections for receiving a detonation signal and initiating detonating components such as a detonator and a detonating cord for ballistically detonating the shaped charges. An exemplary perforating gun is described below with reference toFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the perforating gun100includes a gun carrier110having a top end101and a bottom end102opposite the top end101. The gun carrier110is typically a cylindrical metal body that isolates a charge carrier141from, among other things, wellbore fluid that is pumped under high hydraulic pressure into the wellbore to further open the perforations and create further cracks and flow paths in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation for the recovery of oil and gas. The wellbore fluid may damage or render inoperable internal components of the perforating gun100or cause premature detonation of shaped charges142if the wellbore fluid infiltrates a hollow interior130of the gun carrier110in which the various internal components are housed. The various internal components of the perforating gun100may be arranged as an internal gun assembly140including the charge carrier141. The charge carrier141may have a shape and features designed to orient and/or retain the various internal components such as the shaped charges142, a detonating cord143, an electrically conductive line/electrically conductive through wire144, and a ground contact145(inFIG. 1, the ground contact is shown as a ground bar). The charge carrier141may be, for example, an injection molded structure.

Multiple connected perforating guns (“perforating gun segments”) are often deployed into the wellbore as a perforating gun string to improve operational efficiency by allowing multiple perforating intervals to be performed during a single deployment (run) into the wellbore. For example and with continuing reference toFIG. 1, the top end101of the gun carrier110may be connected to an upstream gun carrier102′ (only the connecting portion of the upstream gun carrier102′/perforating gun segment is shown inFIG. 1) and the bottom end102of the gun carrier110may be connected to a downstream gun carrier101′ (only the connecting portion of the downstream gun carrier101′/perforating gun segment is shown inFIG. 1) by virtue of respective tandem sub connectors151that threadingly connect on opposite sides (as described below) of the tandem sub connector151to complimentary threaded portions on each of the successive gun carriers110,101′,102′. For purposes of this disclosure, “downstream” means further into the wellbore and “upstream” means further towards the surface of the wellbore. Electrical signals relayed by, e.g., the conductive line144may be transferred between successive gun segments as described below.

In an example shown inFIG. 1at the bottom end102of the perforating gun100, a first side152of the tandem sub151connects to the gun carrier110of the illustrated perforating gun100while a second side153of the tandem sub151connects to the gun carrier101′ of the downstream perforating gun. An enlarged circumferential portion154of the tandem sub151provides a seal between the successive perforating guns. A pressure bulkhead150with an electrical feedthrough is housed within the tandem sub151and may provide an electrical connection between respective conductive lines in each of the successive perforating guns and/or between a conductive line of the upstream perforating gun and a detonator155of the downstream perforating gun. The conductive line144may relay an electrical signal along a length L of the perforating gun segment100from a top bulkhead feedthrough connection156to a bottom bulkhead feedthrough connection157and thereby to a successive perforating gun segment for, among other things, initiating selective detonation of a particular perforating gun segment by, e.g., providing a coded digital signal to arm the particular perforating gun segment and an electrical input to activate the detonator of that perforating gun segment and thereby initiate the associated detonating cord. For purposes of this disclosure, “selective detonation” means that each perforating gun in the gun string may be detonated individually and at different times, for example, when a digital signal corresponding to a particular perforating gun segment is received at that perforating gun segment. In use, the perforating gun segments in the gun string must be detonated in a “bottom-up” fashion—i.e., the furthest downstream perforating gun at each interval must be detonated before the others—otherwise the conductive line will be severed between remaining perforating guns.

In view of at least the above considerations, mechanical dimensions and electrical performance must be within tight tolerances to ensure safe and reliable operation of perforating gun segments in gun strings. For example, the position of the internal gun assembly140must be precisely set to make proper electrical contact with, e.g., the feedthrough bulkheads150. In addition, reliable electrical and ground connections and feedthrough properties of conductive components are critical for ensuring that an electrical signal is safely and effectively relayed between contact points on opposing ends of the perforating gun segment. Accordingly, these and other properties of a perforating gun segment may be tested/verified to particular quality specifications before the perforating gun segment is shipped. Typical methods for conducting such measurements may include, for example, manually or digitally measuring physical dimensions of the perforating gun segment and sequentially attaching electrical leads to different electrical (and related) components to measure various electrical properties and logging the results individually. The typical processes may be slow, labor intensive, and susceptible to human error.

For at least the above reasons, devices, systems, and methods are needed for efficiently and accurately measuring and logging physical dimensions and electrical properties of a perforating gun segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In an aspect, the exemplary embodiments relate to an inspection tool for a perforating gun segment, comprising a male connecting portion, wherein the male connecting portion includes a feedthrough connection, a ground bar connection, and a first distance sensor, and a female connecting portion, wherein the female connecting portion includes a pin contact point. A perforating gun segment holder is between the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion, and the perforating gun segment holder is configured for receiving the perforating gun segment and positioning the perforating gun segment such that a top end of the perforating gun segment is nearest to the male connecting portion and a bottom end of the perforating gun segment is nearest to the female connecting portion when the perforating gun segment is received by the perforating gun segment holder.

In another aspect, the exemplary embodiments relate to an inspection system for a perforating gun segment, comprising a male connecting portion including at least one electrical connection and a piston including a piston rod, wherein the piston rod is connected to the male connecting portion and the piston is configured for pushing via the piston rod the male connecting portion against an internal gun assembly within a hollow interior of the perforating gun segment. The male connecting portion is configured for pushing, under the force of the piston, the internal gun assembly within the hollow interior of the perforating gun segment to a reference point of the perforating gun segment. A female connecting portion of the inspection system includes at least one electrical contact. The inspection system includes a user interface. At least one of the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion includes a distance sensor, wherein the distance sensor is configured for measuring a distance within the hollow interior to which the male connecting portion has pushed the internal gun assembly and thereby determining that the internal gun assembly has reached the reference point.

In another aspect, the exemplary embodiments relate to a method for measuring electrical properties of a perforating gun segment, comprising positioning a perforating gun segment between a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion, wherein the perforating gun segment includes an internal gun assembly, a feedthrough conductor, and a ground contact within a hollow interior of the perforating gun segment. The male connecting portion includes a feedthrough connection and a ground bar connection, and the female connecting portion includes a pin contact point. The method includes pushing the male connecting portion against the internal gun assembly and thereby electrically connecting the feedthrough connection to the feedthrough conductor and the ground bar connection to the ground contact. The method further includes pushing with the male connecting portion the internal gun assembly to a reference point along the perforating gun segment or within the hollow interior and thereby electrically connecting the pin contact point and the feedthrough conductor. The method also includes providing an electrical contact lead to a metal body of the perforating gun segment and measuring a feedthrough resistance of the feedthrough conductor between the feedthrough contact and the pin contact point, measuring a ground contact resistance of the ground contact between the ground bar connector and the metal body, and measuring an insulation resistance between the feedthrough conductor and the ground contact.

Various features and aspects of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying figures in which like numerals represent like components throughout the figures and text. The various described features are not necessarily drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to some embodiments.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. To facilitate understanding, reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments. Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not meant as a limitation and does not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments.

With reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, an exemplary inspection tool200for a perforating gun segment201is shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the perforating gun segment201is received by a perforating gun segment holder210, which in the exemplary embodiment is a plurality of supportive rollers211which both support the perforating gun segment201in an appropriate position with respect to other components (discussed below) of the inspection tool200and allow the perforating gun segment201to freely and easily move laterally as part of an exemplary method (discussed below with reference toFIG. 4) for measuring the physical and electrical parameters of the perforating gun segment201.

Continuing with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, a top end202of the perforating gun segment201is positioned nearest to a male connecting portion220of the inspection tool200and a bottom end203of the perforating gun segment201is positioned nearest to a female connecting portion250of the inspection tool200when the perforating gun segment201is received in the perforating gun segment holder210. The male connecting portion220is connected via a piston rod240to a piston230that is configured for moving the male connecting portion220in a first direction A towards the top end202of the perforating gun segment201and in a second direction B away from the top end202of the perforating gun segment201in accordance with an exemplary method described further below. The piston230may be supported on piston feet270to align the piston rod240and the male connecting portion220with the appropriate portions of the perforating gun segment201. In an exemplary embodiment, the male connecting portion220and the piston rod240may be an integral structure. In other embodiments, the male connecting portion220and the piston rod240may be separate components joined by welding, mating components, threaded connections, or any technique or configuration consistent with this disclosure. For purposes of this disclosure and with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2BandFIG. 3, the male connecting portion220refers generally to a structure including one or more of a feedthrough connection310, a ground bar connection320, and a first distance sensor330, while the piston rod240refers generally to a structure that moves the male connecting portion220and associated components, e.g.,310,320,330, by the action of the piston230.

In an aspect, with continuing reference toFIGS. 2A and 2Band further reference toFIG. 3, an abutment plate280circumscribes at least a portion of at least one of the male connecting portion220and the piston rod240. The abutment plate280according to the exemplary embodiment(s) shown inFIGS. 2A and 2BandFIG. 3includes a distance sensor fixture331from which the first distance sensor330extends in a configuration for contacting a surface332of an annular face204of the perforating gun segment201when the male connecting portion220is advanced towards the top end202of the perforating gun segment201and pushes, under the force of the piston230, the internal gun assembly440(FIG. 4) within a hollow interior480(FIG. 4) of the perforating gun segment201in accordance with the exemplary method described below with respect toFIG. 4. The first distance sensor330may measure a distance within the hollow interior480to which the internal gun assembly440and/or male connecting portion220is advanced under the pushing force of the piston230. In the exemplary embodiments, the first distance sensor330may be a transducer or a mechanical pin. In other embodiments, the first distance sensor330may be any device in any configuration consistent with this disclosure for measuring a distance that the male connecting portion220and/or the internal gun assembly440travels with respect to the perforating gun segment201. The first distance sensor330may measure the distance within the hollow interior480to which the male connecting portion220/internal gun assembly440is advanced for determining whether the internal gun assembly440is positioned at a desired reference point representing a proper positioning of the internal gun assembly440within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment201,401(FIG. 4). The reference point may be, for example and without limitation, a point or position along the length of the perforating gun segment201,401or within the hollow interior480at which a portion of the internal gun assembly440should be located in a proper configuration. Any number of reference points may be used—for example, a “top” reference point may refer to a reference point nearest the top end202of the perforating gun segment201while a “bottom” reference point may be nearest the bottom end203of the perforating gun segment201. In an embodiment where the female connecting portion250includes a distance sensor in addition to or instead of the first distance sensor, as described below, the distance sensor of the female connecting portion250may also measure the position of the internal gun assembly440with respect to one or more reference points. In the disclosed or other embodiments, a device for directly measuring a distance between the internal gun assembly440and the reference point(s) may be used in conjunction with or instead of the first distance sensor330. An exemplary device for directly measuring such distance may be, for example and without limitation, an optical sensor.

With further reference to the exemplary embodiment of the inspection tool200shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the female connecting portion250of the inspection tool200is adjacent to the bottom end203of the perforating gun segment201when the perforating gun segment201is received by the perforating gun segment holder210. In the exemplary embodiments, the female connecting portion250includes a pin contact point290that serves both as an electrical contact for one or more components of the internal gun assembly440, such as a conductive line450(FIG. 4) or a detonating cord460including a conductive line (for example, a conductive detonating cord as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/683,083 filed Jun. 11, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), and a second distance sensor for measuring a distance that the internal gun assembly440travels under the pushing force of the piston230after making electrical contact with the pin contact point290. The second distance sensor may be a transducer, mechanical pin, or other component as discussed with respect to the first distance sensor330. In the same or other embodiments, one or more separate components of the female connecting portion250may include a device for measuring at least one of the distance that the internal gun assembly440travels under the pushing force of the piston230after making electrical contact with the pin contact point290, a gross distance that the internal gun assembly440travels under the pushing force of the piston230, and a distance between the internal gun assembly440and, e.g., a bottom reference point of the perforating gun segment201as described above with respect to the first distance sensor330.

In an aspect, the exemplary inspection tool200also includes an alignment plate260positioned between the perforating gun segment201and the female connecting portion250. The alignment plate260includes an aperture265configured for receiving, positioning, and supporting the perforating gun segment201adjacent to the female connecting portion250as shown and described with respect toFIG. 4. With reference back toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the bottom end203of the perforating gun segment201is threadingly connected to a tandem sub251. The tandem sub251has an outside diameter d2that is less than an outside diameter d1of the perforating gun segment201. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the aperture265is substantially circular and has a diameter d3configured for receiving the tandem sub251through the aperture265such that the alignment plate260abuts a portion of the perforating gun segment201and thereby prevents the perforating gun segment201from moving past a certain distance from the female connecting portion250. The arrangement of the perforating gun segment201, alignment plate260, and female connecting portion250is further described below with respect toFIG. 4.

With reference now toFIG. 3, an exploded view of the exemplary male connecting portion220is shown. The male connecting portion220includes the feedthrough connection310, the ground bar connection320, and the first distance sensor330. In operation, and as described below in the exemplary method with respect toFIG. 4, the feedthrough connection310is configured for making electrical contact with a feedthrough conductor such as a conductive line450or conductive detonating cord460in the perforating gun segment201when the male connecting portion220is advanced by the piston230into contact with the internal gun assembly440. The ground bar connection320is configured for making electrical contact with a ground contact (145,FIG. 1) such as, for example and without limitation, a ground wire, a ground spring, a stamped sheeted metal ground contact (such as, e.g., a ground bar), or an integrated ground contact on a detonator (for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,605,937 issued Mar. 28, 2017 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,581,422 issued Feb. 28, 2017, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The first distance sensor330is configured for contacting the surface332of the perforating gun segment201as described above. The surface332of the perforating gun segment201in the exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS. 2A and 2BandFIG. 3is on the annular face204of the perforating gun segment201. In other embodiments, a distance sensor on the male connecting portion220may contact any portion of the perforating gun segment201, including the internal gun assembly440, or may be a free-operating device such as an accelerometer depending on the type and configuration of the distance sensor, perforating gun segment, and desired configuration of the inspection tool200and associated inspection method.

In a further aspect of the exemplary embodiments, the first distance sensor330, the pin contact point290, and/or one or more separate components of at least one of the male connecting portion220, the piston230, and the female connecting portion250may be configured for measuring an amount of pushing force or pressure that the piston230applies to the internal gun assembly440. For example and without limitation, the pushing force or pressure may be measured by a transducer or a biasing mechanism configured for measuring the pushing force/pressure as a function of the degree to which the biasing forces are overcome. In one aspect, the pushing force/pressure may be controlled so as to not damage the internal gun assembly440or inspection tool components. In another aspect, a position of the internal gun assembly440may be determined according to the applied force/pressure by, e.g., detecting a change in the applied force/pressure when the internal gun assembly440makes contact with the male connecting portion220and/or the pin contact point290, and/or according to the applied force/pressure that may be required to, e.g., advance the internal gun assembly440such that a distance sensor registers movement of the internal gun assembly440.

With reference now toFIG. 4, a method400for inspecting a perforating gun segment401according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments is illustrated. At step410, a perforating gun segment401is placed into a perforating gun segment holder210(FIGS. 2A and 2B) including rollers411according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments. At step420, the perforating gun segment401has been moved, for example, manually, through an aperture (265,FIGS. 2A and 2B) in an alignment plate424such that a portion of the perforating gun segment401is adjacent to a female connecting portion423. As previously discussed with respect to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the exemplary rollers211allow free and easy movement of the perforating gun segment201on the perforating gun segment holder210, such that the perforating gun segment401shown inFIG. 4may be manually moved into the position shown in step420. Also as previously discussed with respect toFIGS. 2A and 2B, the aperture265has a diameter such that a tandem sub251that is threadingly connected to a bottom end203of the perforating gun segment201is received by the aperture265while the alignment plate260abuts a portion of the perforating gun segment201and thereby prevents the perforating gun segment201from moving past a certain distance from the female connecting portion250. With reference back toFIG. 4, the perforating gun segment401at step420has been moved accordingly so as to abut the alignment plate424. Rollers411allow the perforating gun segment401to be freely and easily moved laterally into position with respect to the female connecting portion423. As also shown in step420, a piston421advances a male connecting portion422, according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments, towards the perforating gun segment401(i.e., in a direction A (FIG. 2A)).

At step430, a feedthrough connection according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments of the male connecting portion422is placed into electrical contact with a feedthrough conductor, such as the conductive line450or a conductive detonating cord460of the perforating gun segment401, as the internal gun assembly440is correspondingly pushed by the male connecting portion422, under the force of the piston421, to a position within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment401. Also at step430, a ground bar connection according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments of the male connecting portion422is placed into electrical contact with a ground contact470as described above and a first distance sensor425according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments of the male connecting portion422is placed into contact with a portion of the perforating gun segment401. In the exemplary method shown inFIG. 4, the first distance sensor425measures a distance to which the male connecting portion422advances after the first distance sensor425makes contact with the portion of the perforating gun segment401. The abutting relationship of the perforating gun segment401and the alignment plate424prevents the perforating gun segment401(excluding the internal gun assembly440which is pushed within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment401) from further lateral movement under the force of the piston421as applied to the first distance sensor425and the internal gun assembly440. According to the exemplary disclosed embodiments, the first distance sensor425may also function as a force or pressure sensor for determining an amount of force or pressure that the piston421exerts on the internal gun assembly440.

Step430further shows that the internal gun assembly440is pushed to a position at which a feedthrough connection such as a pin contact point290according to the exemplary disclosed embodiments of the female connecting portion423is placed into electrical contact with the feedthrough conductor450. According to the exemplary disclosed embodiments, the feedthrough connection of the female connecting portion423may also function as a second distance sensor for measuring a distance to which the internal gun assembly440advances after the feedthrough connection of the female connecting portion423contacts the internal gun assembly440. In addition, the feedthrough connection/second distance sensor may also serve as a force or pressure sensor for determining an amount of force or pressure that the piston421exerts on the internal gun assembly440.

With continuing reference to the exemplary method illustrated inFIG. 4, the internal gun assembly440is moved to a desired position (e.g., according to one or more reference points of the perforating gun segment401) within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment401as determined by the first distance sensor, second distance sensor, and/or one or more force/pressure sensors. Once the internal gun assembly440is in the desired position, the inspection tool may measure electrical properties of the perforating gun segment401to ensure, among other things, that the proper electrical connections are made with the internal gun assembly440at the desired position. For example, the respective feedthrough connections of the male connecting portion422and the female connecting portion423are together configured to measure a feedthrough resistance of the feedthrough conductor450. In an aspect, a voltage may be applied between the feedthrough connector of the male connecting portion422and the feedthrough connector of the female connecting portion423via respective feedthrough leads491,491′ of the male connecting portion422and the female connecting portion423, wherein the respective feedthrough leads491,491′ are electrically connected to the corresponding feedthrough connections of the male connecting portion422and the female connecting portion423. The feedthrough resistance measurement is for ensuring that the resistance across the feedthrough conductor450is below a certain threshold for effectively relaying an electrical signal between respective electrical contacts at the top end and the bottom end of the perforating gun segment401/internal gun assembly440.

In another aspect, a ground contact resistance of the ground contact470may be measured by applying a voltage between the ground bar connection and a portion of a metal body (e.g., gun carrier110(FIG. 1)) of the perforating gun segment401or the alignment plate424with which the metal body is in electrically conductive contact, via a ground lead490which is in electrical contact with the ground bar connection and an electrical contact at the portion of the perforating gun segment401or the alignment plate424. The ground contact resistance measurement is for ensuring that the resistance across the ground contact470is below a certain threshold for an effective ground connection of the perforating gun segment401.

In a further aspect according to the exemplary method shown inFIG. 4, an insulation resistance between the feedthrough conductor450and the ground contact470may be measured by applying a voltage between the feedthrough connection of the male connecting portion422and a portion of the metal body of the perforating gun segment401/alignment plate424as described above. The insulation resistance measurement is for verifying that the resistance between the feedthrough conductor450and the ground contact470(via the metal body of the perforating gun segment401) is above a certain threshold that would indicate a short circuit between the feedthrough conductor450and the ground contact470of the internal gun assembly440within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment401.

In the event that the above (and/or other) measurements are taken according to the method described with respect toFIG. 4and all of the measurements are within defined quality specifications, the exemplary method may further include moving with the piston421the male connecting portion422in a direction (i.e., direction B (FIG. 2A)) away from the perforating gun segment401and out of contact with the internal gun assembly440. The perforating gun segment401may then be moved out of and away from the aperture and the alignment plate424and removed from the perforating gun segment holder.

In the event that any measurements taken according to the exemplary method are outside of defined quality specifications, the exemplary method may further include locking, under the force of the piston421, the internal gun assembly440within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment201. For example, if any of the feedthrough resistance, ground contact resistance, insulation resistance, or distance measurements with respect to the position of the internal gun assembly440within the hollow interior480of the perforating gun segment201are outside of such specifications, the piston421will lock the internal gun assembly440at its current position. The inspection system may log the errant measurement(s) associated with the particular perforating gun segment201and the internal gun assembly440may remain locked until the errant measurement(s) are acknowledged, for example, by an operator. Once the errant measurement(s) are acknowledged, the piston421may release the internal gun assembly440and the perforating gun segment201may be removed as described above.

As discussed above, the distance(s) measured with respect to the position of the internal gun assembly440may vary in alternative embodiments. For example, the distance measurement may be a displacement of the internal gun assembly440respectively from the top end202and the bottom end203of the perforating gun segment201. The distance measurement may be a distance of the internal gun assembly440relative to one or more reference points on the perforating gun segment201or within the hollow interior480. The distance measurement may be a degree of travel by one or more distance sensors at one or both of the male connection portion220and the female connecting portion250.

The applicable threshold resistances for each of the above measurements may vary according to a variety of factors including the design and application requirements for particular perforating guns. In addition, the various measurements discussed above are exemplary and not limiting. Other physical and electrical properties of a perforating gun segment may be measured using appropriate measurement tools and configurations consistent with the exemplary embodiments of an inspection tool disclosed herein.

In another aspect of the exemplary devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein, information regarding a particular perforating gun segment undergoing inspection and corresponding inspection parameters may be input, displayed, configured, and/or stored, and operation of the inspection tool may be controlled, via a system including, for example and without limitation, a user interface, a visual display, a processor, and one or more electronic storage mediums. An exemplary user interface may include an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, keypad, and the like for allowing a user to manually input information regarding the perforating gun segment undergoing inspection. The information may include, for example and without limitation, an identity, type, application, etc. of the perforating gun segment. The user interface may also include an automated or semi-automated input system such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, barcode, and the like that is scanned manually by a user or automatically by the inspection tool or a separate component with a corresponding scanner or reader when, e.g., the perforating gun segment is placed in the perforating gun segment holder. In the case of automatic scanning, the scanner or reader would be on or near the inspection tool and configured for allowing the scanner/reader to activate or scan the RFID tag or barcode, for example.

The user interface may further include a control system for manually controlling operation of the inspection tool, wherein controlling operation of the inspection tool may include, for example and without limitation, initiating one or more aspects of the inspection method, providing an emergency stop for the inspection, adjusting an operating parameter of a component of the inspection tool, etc.

The visual display may include, for example and without limitation, a monitor, gauge, and the like for presenting to a user information regarding the perforating gun segment, inspection progress, measurement results, etc. Accordingly, a user may view and verify in real time the inspection procedure and results. The visual display and user interface together may be further configured for, e.g., adjusting the presentation of information on the visual display and inputting additional information or notes regarding the inspection.

The processor may include any known programmable circuitry. The processor may, for example, adjust the inspection parameters and/or measurement thresholds according to input information regarding the particular perforating gun segment undergoing inspection and/or automatically control operation of one or more aspects of the inspection method and system as described above with respect to the user interface. The processor may also control the visual display as discussed above.

The electronic storage medium may include, for example and without limitation, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), dynamic memory such as main memory or hard drive memory, a hard disk, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium with which a computer can read and/or write. The electronic storage medium may be incorporated in one or more of a local device such as a desktop/laptop computer at the inspection station, a remote device such as a central server, or a virtual platform such as cloud storage. The electronic storage medium may communicate with one or more of the user interface, display, and processor for associating and storing retrievable information about each perforating gun segment, inspection, measurement result, operator, etc.

In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The terms “a” (or “an”) and “the” refer to one or more of that entity, thereby including plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “an embodiment” and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower” etc. are used to identify one element from another, and unless otherwise specified are not meant to refer to a particular order or number of elements.

As used in the claims, the word “comprises” and its grammatical variants logically also subtend and include phrases of varying and differing extent such as for example, but not limited thereto, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Where necessary, ranges have been supplied, and those ranges are inclusive of all sub-ranges therebetween. It is to be expected that variations in these ranges will suggest themselves to a practitioner having ordinary skill in the art and, where not already dedicated to the public, the appended claims should cover those variations.

Advances in science and technology may make equivalents and substitutions possible that are not now contemplated by reason of the imprecision of language; these variations should be covered by the appended claims. This written description uses examples to disclose the method, machine and computer-readable medium, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope thereof is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.