Abstract: A perforating gun connection is disclosed whereby a signal may be carried from surface, down through a wireline or other conveyance, and across the connection from the pin on one perforating gun to an electrical contact structure on the next perforating gun in the string. In an example, the connection includes a connector body with an electrical pin positioned for contact with an electrical contact structure on the next perforating gun. The electrical contact structure has a contact tab aligned for engagement by the pin when connected with the connector body. The electrical contact structure may be unitarily formed to include a number of features to facilitate connection between perforating guns.

Abstract: A perforating gun connection whereby a signal may be carried from surface, down through a wireline or other conveyance, and across the connection from the pin on one perforating gun to an electrical contact structure on the next perforating gun in the string. In an example, the connection includes a connector body with an electrical pin positioned for contact with an electrical contact structure on the next perforating gun. The electrical contact structure has a contact tab aligned for engagement by the pin when connected with the connector body. The electrical contact structure may be unitarily formed to include a number of features to facilitate connection between perforating guns.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus and method are disclosed wherein voids and inclusions may be configured to promote fragmentation of the charge case into pieces of less than a target size. In one example, the charge case of a shaped charge has a plurality of inclusions of a material interspersed with a plurality of voids of the material to promote fragmentation of the charge case. The inclusions and voids may be disposed along the periphery, such as along a mounting flange. In some examples, the voids may be holes of any of a variety of shapes, geometries, and positioning formed in the parent material of the charge case. In other examples, pieces of hardened material may be embedded in the parent material of the charge case to displace the parent material as well as to initiate probable locations of fragmentation.

Abstract: A downhole perforating gun having a weight assembly formed of a plastic shell containing a weight material enclosed or encased in the plastic shell so that upon detonation of a perforating charge, the plastic shell may deform but will function to contain the weight material of the weight assembly preventing interference with formation fluid flow. In an alternative embodiment, the plastic shell is consumed by the detonation of the charges. In one or more embodiments, the plastic shell is hollow, forming a cavity into which a flowable weight material may be charged. The flowable weight material may be a granular material or a liquid, and may be selected based on the density characteristics of the flowable weight material and the weight requirements for a particular internally orienting perforating gun.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus and method are disclosed wherein voids and inclusions may be configured to promote fragmentation of the charge case into pieces of less than a target size. In one example, the charge case of a shaped charge has a plurality of inclusions of a material interspersed with a plurality of voids of the material to promote fragmentation of the charge case. The inclusions and voids may be disposed along the periphery, such as along a mounting flange. In some examples, the voids may be holes of any of a variety of shapes, geometries, and positioning formed in the parent material of the charge case. In other examples, pieces of hardened material may be embedded in the parent material of the charge case to displace the parent material as well as to initiate probable locations of fragmentation.

Abstract: A perforating gun system may include a gun body and a charge tube disposed within and rotatably mounted to the gun body, wherein the charge tube includes a receiving feature disposed at an axial end of the charge tube. The perforating gun system may also include at least one charge mounted within the charge tube. The at least one charge is configured to perforate a sidewall of a wellbore upon detonation. Additionally, perforating gun system may include a weighted feature adjustably attached to the receiving feature of the charge tube in one of a plurality of angular positions, wherein adjusting the angular position of the weighted feature is configured to adjust a center of gravity of the charge tube such that gravity will cause the charge tube to rotate to a corresponding phasing angle.

Abstract: A perforating gun system may include a gun body and a charge tube disposed within and rotatably mounted to the gun body, wherein the charge tube includes a receiving feature disposed at an axial end of the charge tube. The perforating gun system may also include at least one charge mounted within the charge tube. The at least one charge is configured to perforate a sidewall of a wellbore upon detonation. Additionally, perforating gun system may include a weighted feature adjustably attached to the receiving feature of the charge tube in one of a plurality of angular positions, wherein adjusting the angular position of the weighted feature is configured to adjust a center of gravity of the charge tube such that gravity will cause the charge tube to rotate to a corresponding phasing angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to rotatable electrical connectors for a downhole perforating tool. A downhole perforating tool comprises a first segment; a second adjacent segment that is rotatable, wherein the first and second segments are coaxially aligned or eccentrically aligned; and an electrical contact disposed between the first and second segments.

Abstract: A downhole perforating gun having a weight assembly formed of a plastic shell containing a weight material enclosed or encased in the plastic shell so that upon detonation of a perforating charge, the plastic shell may deform but will function to contain the weight material of the weight assembly preventing interference with formation fluid flow. In an alternative embodiment, the plastic shell is consumed by the detonation of the charges. In one or more embodiments, the plastic shell is hollow, forming a cavity into which a flowable weight material may be charged. The flowable weight material may be a granular material or a liquid, and may be selected based on the density characteristics of the flowable weight material and the weight requirements for a particular internally orienting perforating gun.

Abstract: An orientation verification tool permits an operator to confirm an orientation of one or more perforating charges in a perforating gun assembly when the perforating charges are not readily visible for inspection. The orientation verification tool includes an end fixture rotationally coupled at a longitudinal end of a charge carrier disposed within a tubular gun body. The end fixture includes a visual indicator of the orientation of the perforating charges on a longitudinal end face thereof. The visual indicator may include a plurality of hatch marks arranged at regular intervals around the end fixture, and each hatch mark may be identified by a specific angular identifier so that the hatch mark located at a reading location will identify the angular orientation of the perforating charges.

Abstract: An orientation verification tool permits an operator to confirm an orientation of one or more perforating charges in a perforating gun assembly when the perforating charges are not readily visible for inspection. The orientation verification tool includes an end fixture rotationally coupled at a longitudinal end of a charge carrier disposed within a tubular gun body. The end fixture includes a visual indicator of the orientation of the perforating charges on a longitudinal end face thereof. The visual indicator may include a plurality of hatch marks arranged at regular intervals around the end fixture, and each hatch mark may be identified by a specific angular identifier so that the hatch mark located at a reading location will identify the angular orientation of the perforating charges.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to rotatable electrical connectors for a downhole perforating tool. A downhole perforating tool comprises a first segment; a second adjacent segment that is rotatable, wherein the first and second segments are coaxially aligned or eccentrically aligned; and an electrical contact disposed between the first and second segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to a low-profile adjustable fastener for charge orientation of a downhole perforating tool. The perforating tool may include a first tubular comprising apertures; a second tubular comprising apertures, the first tubular disposed in the second tubular, wherein the apertures of the first tubular are configured to align with the apertures of the second tubular upon movement of the first tubular; and a fastener comprising: a first component configured to pass through the apertures on a first side of each of the first and second tubulars; and a second component configured to pass through the apertures on a second side of each of the first and second tubulars.

Abstract: A perforating gun connection is disclosed whereby a signal may be carried from surface, down through a wireline or other conveyance, and across the connection from the pin on one perforating gun to an electrical contact structure on the next perforating gun in the string. In an example, the connection includes a connector body with an electrical pin positioned for contact with an electrical contact structure on the next perforating gun. The electrical contact structure has a contact tab aligned for engagement by the pin when connected with the connector body. The electrical contact structure may be unitarily formed to include a number of features to facilitate connection between perforating guns.