Abstract: A perforating gun for use in a well casing, the gun having a gun carrier extending along a longitudinal axis; plural shaped charges located inside the gun carrier, in a plurality of groups, a first group being positioned in a first single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second group being positioned in a second single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first and second groups of charges are spaced along the longitudinal axis so that a third single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, intersects each of the shaped charges of the first and second groups of charges.

Abstract: There is a shaped charge for making an asymmetrical perforation into a casing. The shaped charge includes a case extending along a symmetry axis X and having a back wall and an open end; an explosive material located within the case; a liner located within the case, over the explosive material; a booster material; and an asymmetrical feature. The asymmetrical feature is selected to generate an asymmetrical perforation into the casing.

Abstract: A sub connects a gun string to a hydraulically activated setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well. The sub includes a housing that prevents a well fluid from entering inside the housing; a plug that covers a hole made in a wall of the housing; and an explosive mechanism located inside the housing and configured to break the plug to open the hole to achieve fluid communication between an outside and the inside of the sub.

Abstract: A sub connects a gun string to a hydraulically activated setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well. The sub includes a housing that prevents a well fluid from entering inside the housing; a plug that covers a hole made in a wall of the housing; and an explosive mechanism located inside the housing and configured to break the plug to open the hole to achieve fluid communication between an outside and the inside of the sub.

Abstract: A hydraulically activated setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well, the setting tool including a housing that prevents a well fluid from entering inside the housing; a floating piston placed inside the housing and closing an end of a pressure chamber; an attached piston placed inside the housing and configured to actuate the auxiliary tool; a fluid chamber located between the floating piston and the attached piston, wherein the fluid chamber holds a fluid; and a communication element configured to establish a fluid communication between an outside and an inside of the housing. The fluid communication makes a well fluid in the well to directly act on the floating piston.

Abstract: A hydraulically activated setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well, the setting tool including a housing that prevents a well fluid from entering inside the housing; a floating piston placed inside the housing and closing an end of a pressure chamber; an attached piston placed inside the housing and configured to actuate the auxiliary tool; a fluid chamber located between the floating piston and the attached piston, wherein the fluid chamber holds a fluid; and a communication element configured to establish a fluid communication between an outside and an inside of the housing. The fluid communication makes a well fluid in the well to directly act on the floating piston.

Abstract: The improved perforation gun of the present invention includes an outer gun barrel, which is used in conjunction with an inner movable charge carrier or an inner movable sleeve to trap virtually all of the debris created by the firing of the perforation gun. This elimination of debris reduces costly operational problems in both gravel pack and horizontal well completions. It also improves the production from a perforated underground hydrocarbon bearing formation since there is no debris to potentially cause plugging in the well or subsequent production lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating a subterranean formation includes a first tube, a second tube, a combustion body and an ignition propagator. The second tube is positioned within the first tube interior and the second tube interior is sealed from the first tube interior to substantially prevent fluid communication between the first tube interior and the second tube interior. The combustion body is formed from a solid propellant and is positioned within the first tube interior external to the second tube interior. The ignition propagator is positioned within the second tube interior and is substantially free from fluid contact with fluid residing in the surrounding environment external to the first tube wall.

Abstract: A shaped charge is formed having a pressed polymer pellet positioned between the explosive charge and the metal liner. The shock wave resulting from detonation of the explosive passes through the polymer to the liner. The collapse of the liner results in the formations of a jet—piercing the casing. The high-pressure gaseous by-products of the explosive force (inject) the polymer in the perforation “tunnel”. This shockwave will also start the decomposition of the polymer. The polymer will continue to decompose during its injection into the tunnel. As it is being injected into the perforation tunnel, the residue heat generated by the explosive combined with the shear and induced plastic flow, the polymer will ignite and burn. The burn time will be an order of magnitude greater than the explosive; the pressure generated by the polymer will be an order of magnitude less than the explosive.

Abstract: A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180° apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.

Abstract: A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180° apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stimulating a subterranean formation that is penetrated by a well bore in fluid communication with the formation. At least one length of propellant is assembled with at least one shaped explosive charge that is aimed axially along the well bore toward the propellant. Detonation of the explosive charge ignites the propellant and any successive explosive charge positioned in the well bore.

Abstract: A shaped charge is formed having a pressed polymer pellet positioned between the explosive charge and the metal liner. The shock wave resulting from detonation of the explosive passes through the polymer to the liner. The collapse of the liner results in the formations of a jet—piercing the casing. The high-pressure gaseous by-products of the explosive force (inject) the polymer in the perforation “tunnel”. This shockwave will also start the decomposition of the polymer. The polymer will continue to decompose during its injection into the tunnel. As it is being injected into the perforation tunnel, the residue heat generated by the explosive combined with the shear and induced plastic flow, the polymer will ignite and bum. The bum time will be an order of magnitude greater the explosive; the pressure generated by the polymer will be an order of magnitude less than the explosive.

Abstract: An actuating tool which is conveyed into a tubing string to attach to portions of an emplaced perforating gun. The tool includes an actuator with an electronic delay timer and an explosive device. The tool attaches to an emplaced perforating gun and detonates it by initiating an explosive charge along a complete explosive pathway formed between the actuator and gun, the actuator includes a tandem piston arrangement functional at most existing hydrostatic pressure levels, but nonfunctional at or near the surface of the wellbore. The tool may be withdrawn from the tubing string for a backup detonation tool to be placed into the tubing string to detonate a secondary firing head.