Abstract: A positioning device includes a shaped charge holder. A plurality of shaped charge receptacles formed in the shaped charge holder are configured to arrange a plurality of shaped charges in a desired orientation. The shaped charges are detonated by a detonator in response to an initiation signal. The positioning device may be secured in a perforating gun module, with vertical and horizontal movement of the positioning being inhibited in the perforating gun module.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a shaped charge inlay includes an upper edge that extends inward and horizontal to an edge of a shaped charge casing associated with a shaped charge. The shaped charge includes an existing liner and the shaped charge inlay further includes a body that extends inward toward an apex of the existing liner. The shaped charge inlay may be disposed above the existing liner in the shaped charge, to disrupt collapse of the existing liner upon detonation of the shaped charge and thereby change the geometry of a perforating jet and resulting perforation created by the shaped charge. The perforation holes formed by shaped charges having the shaped charge inlay may have geometries that include constant open areas to flow in the target when the perforating gun is centralized or decentralized in a wellbore casing.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a shaped charge inlay may include an upper edge that extends inward and horizontal to an edge of a shaped charge casing associated with a shaped charge. The shaped charge includes an existing liner and the shaped charge inlay further includes a body that extends inward toward an apex of the existing liner. The shaped charge inlay may be disposed above the existing liner in the shaped charge, to disrupt collapse of the existing liner upon detonation of the shaped charge and thereby change the geometry of a perforating jet and resulting perforation created by the shaped charge.

Abstract: Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components including a self-centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector that can double as a spacer. Any number of spacers can be used with any number of holders for any desired specific metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun system.

Abstract: A detonator for use with perforating gun assemblies is presented. The detonator includes a shell including a main explosive load. The shell may include one or more openings. A non-mass explosive body is disposed in the shell, adjacent the main explosive load. The non-mass explosive body includes one or more channels extending therethrough. The detonator includes a plug adjacent the non-mass explosive body, and a PCB adjacent the plug to facilitate electrical communication with the detonator. The plug may include an elongated opening extending therethrough. The channels of the non-mass explosive body, in combination with at least one of the openings of the shell or the elongated openings of the plug, are configured to introduce fluids, such as wellbore fluids, into the non-mass explosive body to disable the detonator.

Abstract: According to an aspect a bulkhead assembly is provided having particular application with a downhole tool, in particular for oil well drilling applications. The bulkhead assembly includes a bulkhead body and an electrical contact component disposed within the bulkhead body, wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact component is configured to pivot about its own axis, without compromising its ability to provide a pressure and fluid barrier. In an embodiment, a ground apparatus is provided to provide an electrical connection for at least one ground wire. The ground apparatus may be positionable on the bulkhead body of the bulkhead assembly. In an aspect, a downhole tool including the bulkhead assembly and ground apparatus is also generally described.

Abstract: A detonator for use with perforating gun assemblies is presented. The detonator includes a shell including a main explosive load. The shell may include one or more openings. A non-mass explosive body is disposed in the shell, adjacent the main explosive load. The non-mass explosive body includes one or more channels extending therethrough. The detonator includes a plug adjacent the non-mass explosive body, and a PCB adjacent the plug to facilitate electrical communication with the detonator. The plug may include an elongated opening extending therethrough. The channels of the non-mass explosive body, in combination with at least one of the openings of the shell or the elongated openings of the plug, are configured to introduce fluids, such as wellbore fluids, into the non-mass explosive body to disable the detonator.

Abstract: A detonating cord for using in a perforating gun includes an explosive layer and an electrically conductive layer extending around the explosive layer. The electrically conductive layer is configured to relay a communication signal along a length of the detonating cord. In an embodiment, a protective jacket extends around the electrically conductive layer of the detonating cord. The detonating cord may be assembled in a perforating gun to relay a communication signal from a top connector to a bottom connector of the perforating gun, and to propagate a detonating explosive stimulus along its length to initiate shaped charges of the perforating gun. A plurality of perforating guns, including the detonating cord, may be connected in series, with the detonating cord of a first perforating gun in communication with the detonating cord of a second perforating gun.

Abstract: A shaped charge liner including a composition of powders. The composition may include one or more of an aluminum metal powder and a titanium metal powder, a bronze metal powder, a tungsten metal powder and a graphite powder. Each powder of the composition may include grain size ranges that are different from one or more other powder grain size ranges. The bronze metal powder may include two or more different grain size ranges, and in some instances three or four different grain size ranges. A method of making the shaped charge liner and shaped charge with such liner having the composition of powders is also disclosed, as is a shaped charge including such shaped charge liner.

Abstract: A method of forming an initiator head assembly for an initiator is described. An initiator head assembly having particular application with a perforating gun assembly is also described. The initiator head assembly includes a body and an electrical contact component with the electrical contact component embedded therein. The initiator head assembly, with the embedded electrical contact component, is configured as a unitary component and holds a pressure differential across the top and bottom parts of the initiator head assembly.

Abstract: A perforating gun of a perforating gun system is provided including hollow charges positioned within a holding device. The holding device includes holes in which the hollow charges are inserted and secured. In an embodiment, the holes are arranged on at least one helix. In a further embodiment, the perforating gun provides collapsible and fragmentable components that minimize debris remaining in a wellbore upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: A firing head assembly for use with a perforating gun is described. The firing head assembly includes a tubular housing, first and second pistons, and a compressible member arranged within a lumen of the tubular housing and positioned between the first and second pistons. According to an aspect, the assembly includes a plurality of upper locking arms and lower locking arms that engage with locking members formed in the tubular housing. The firing head assembly further includes upper and lower shear washers arranged at the second opening of the tubular body, in a sandwich type configuration with respect to the second piston. Pressures within the firing head assembly may be adjusted to activate the firing head assembly to either trigger an explosive reaction or to not trigger the explosive reaction.

Abstract: According to an aspect a bulkhead assembly is provided having particular application with a downhole tool, in particular for oil well drilling applications. The bulkhead assembly includes a bulkhead body and an electrical contact component disposed within the bulkhead body, wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact component is configured to pivot about its own axis, without compromising its ability to provide a pressure and fluid barrier. In an embodiment, a ground apparatus is provided to provide an electrical connection for at least one ground wire. The ground apparatus may be positionable on the bulkhead body of the bulkhead assembly. In an aspect, a downhole tool including the bulkhead assembly and ground apparatus is also generally described.

Abstract: Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components including a self-centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector that can double as a spacer. Any number of spacers can be used with any number of holders for any desired specific metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun system.

Abstract: According to an aspect a bulkhead assembly is provided having particular application with a downhole tool, in particular for oil well drilling applications. The bulkhead assembly includes a bulkhead body and an electrical contact component disposed within the bulkhead body, wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact component is configured to pivot about its own axis, without compromising its ability to provide a pressure and fluid barrier. In an embodiment, a ground apparatus is provided to provide an electrical connection for at least one ground wire. The ground apparatus may be positionable on the bulkhead body of the bulkhead assembly. In an aspect, a downhole tool including the bulkhead assembly and ground apparatus is also generally described.

Abstract: An initiator head assembly having particular application with a perforating gun assembly. The initiator head assembly includes a body and an electrical contact component with the electrical contact component embedded therein. The initiator head assembly with the embedded electrical contact component is configured as a unitary component, and holds a pressure differential across the top and bottom parts of the initiator head assembly. A method of forming the initiator head assembly is also generally described.

Abstract: A firing head assembly is described. The firing head assembly includes a tubular housing, upper piston and lower pistons, and a compressible member arranged within a lumen of the tubular housing and positioned between the upper and lower pistons. According to an aspect, the assembly includes a safety assembly that includes a sleeve having a zigzag shaped slot therein. The safety assembly may include a key that radially extends from a surface of one of the pistons, through the zigzag shaped slot. The distance between the upper and lower pistons may be adjusted by adjusting a pressure inside the tubular housing and a second pressure outside the tubular housing. The upper and lower pistons may function to operatively adjust the arrangement of the key within the zigzag shaped slot to activate the firing head assembly to either trigger an explosive reaction or to not trigger the explosive reaction.

Abstract: According to an aspect, the present embodiments may be associated with a device and method of using an initiator including a body configured for receiving at least one explosive including barium 5-nitriminotetrazolate (BAX). According to a further aspect, the body of the initiator is configured for receiving at least two layers of explosive. In this embodiment, the layers of explosive include a primary explosive of the barium 5-nitriminotetrazolate (BAX) and a secondary explosive includes 2,6-Bis(picrylamino)-3,5-dinitropyridine (PYX) and/or Hexanitrostilbene (HNS).

Abstract: Pressure-isolating bulkhead structures with integrated selective electronic switches circuitry are provided. The pressure-isolating bulkhead structure may be a single unit having the integrated electronic switch circuitry, as well as an electrical connector that includes at least one of a wire and a pin contact. Such integrated selective electronic switch circuitry may be fashioned within a self-contained, inner pressure-isolating enclosure body. Such inner pressure-isolating enclosure body may be produced about the selective electronic switch circuitry such that the inner pressure-isolating enclosure body and switch circuitry are produced as a unit, which can be easily placed within a variety of bulkhead structures, and subsequently within a perforating gun.

Abstract: According to an aspect a bulkhead assembly is provided having particular application with a downhole tool, in particular for oil well drilling applications. The bulkhead assembly includes a bulkhead body and an electrical contact component disposed within the bulkhead body, wherein at least a portion of the electrical contact component is configured to pivot about its own axis, without compromising its ability to provide a pressure and fluid barrier. In an embodiment, a ground apparatus is provided to provide an electrical connection for at least one ground wire. The ground apparatus may be positionable on the bulkhead body of the bulkhead assembly. In an aspect, a downhole tool including the bulkhead assembly and ground apparatus is also generally described.