PERFORATING GUN ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF FORMING WELLBORE PERFORATIONS
A perforating gun assembly (10) and methods of use in forming perforations hydraulic fracturing. The perforating gun assembly comprises a charge carrier (12) having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of groups of shaped charges (16, 18, 20) disposed on the charge carrier. At least two shaped charges (16a,e)within each group are arranged to generate jets oriented substantially along respective axes that converge towards one another. At least two groups (16a,c,e and 16b,d,f) of shaped charges overlap one another in a longitudinal direction of the charge carrier, or are intermeshed or interlaced in a longitudinal direction of the charge carrier. In embodiments of the invention the assembly may comprise at least two groups of shaped charges rotationally offset or phased around the longitudinal axis of the charge carrier, and in preferred embodiments the perforating gun assembly comprises a plurality of phased collections of shaped charges comprising multiple groups.