1. vb. [Perforating]

To create holes in the casing or liner to achieve efficient communication between the reservoir and the wellbore. The characteristics and placement of the communication paths (perforations) can have significant influence on the productivity of the well. Therefore, a robust design and execution process should be followed to ensure efficient creation of the appropriate number, size and orientation of perforations. A perforating gun assembly with the appropriate configuration of shaped explosive charges and the means to verify or correlate the correct perforating depth can be deployed on wireline, tubing or coiled tubing.

For more details, see The Defining Series: Perforating Fundamentals.

See: perforating gun,  shaped charge

2. n. [Shale Gas]

The creation of holes in the casing or liner to achieve efficient communication between the reservoir and the wellbore. This process is integral to the optimal creation of hydraulic fractures. Geomechanical analysis is commonly conducted before perforating shale reservoirs to account for the relationship between formation stresses and productivity.