Abstract: A completions insertion and retrieval under pressure (CIRP) apparatus utilizes a snaplock connector to assemble uphole a tool string of any desired length prior to lowering the tool string into a wellbore for performing wellbore operations in the wellbore. The tool string could comprise a perforating gun string including a plurality of perforating guns interleaved with a corresponding plurality of snaplock connectors. The CIRP apparatus includes a winch housing connected to a lubricator, the lubricator being connected to a valve, the valve being connected to a connection apparatus, such as a deployment BOP or a snaplock operator, the connection apparatus being connected to a work string which extends into the wellbore.

Abstract: A completions insertion and retrieval under pressure (CIRP) apparatus utilizes a snaplock connector to assemble uphole a tool string of any desired length prior to lowering the tool string into a wellbore for performing wellbore operations in the wellbore. The tool string could comprise a perforating gun string including a plurality of perforating guns interleaved with a corresponding plurality of snaplock connectors. The CIRP apparatus includes a winch housing connected to a lubricator, the lubricator being connected to a valve, the valve being connected to a connection apparatus, such as a deployment BOP or a snaplock operator, the connection apparatus being connected to a work string which extends into the wellbore.

Abstract: A firing head adapted to connected between a coiled tubing and a perforating gun, is sized and shaped to enable it to move freely within a tubing string in the wellbore, may be actuated by fluid pressure within the coiled tubing, and includes a circulation and recirculation feature wherein wellbore fluid may be circulated through the firing head between the coiled tubing and an annulus around the tubing string, the circulation taking place either before or after detonation of the perforating gun. Three firing heads are discussed. One such firing head is a Circulation Direction Firing (CDF) Head. The CDF firing head circulates fluid from the wellbore to the coiled tubing and depresses a piston. Then, fluid pressure from the coiled tubing lifts the piston uncovering locking balls and propelling a firing pin to a booster of a detonating cord detonating the CDF firing head. Fluid circulation from the coiled tubing to the wellbore annulus begins after the CDF firing head detonates.

Abstract: A shock absorber, adapted to be disposed above a perforating gun in a tool string and adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, includes a crushable element disposed between an inner and outer housing, a frangible breakup element, and a detonating cord disposed within the frangible breakup element and connected to the perforating gun. In operation, a detonation wave propagates within the detonating cord on its way toward the perforating gun. However, before the detonation wave reaches the perforating gun, the detonation wave propagates through the frangible breakup element. In response to the passage of the detonation wave through the frangible breakup element, the frangible element shatters into a multitude of pieces. Before the frangible element shatters, the frangible element absolutely prevents any shock from being absorbed by the shock absorber of the present invention. As a result, preloading effects are avoided.

Abstract: A hydraulic safety pin is interconnected between a device, such as a pressure controlled firing head associated with a perforating gun, and a small diameter tubing in a wellbore. When, the small diameter tubing is filled with fluid under pressure, the hydraulic safety pin allows the fluid to fill the small diameter tubing but prevents the pressure of the fluid in the small diameter tubing from accidentally detonating the firing head when the pin is disposed in a first position; however, when the tubing is already filled with fluid under pressure, the hydraulic safety pin allows the pressure of the fluid in the small diameter tubing to detonate the firing head when the pin is disposed in a second position. The hydraulic safety pin may be installed in a special coupling, and multiple special couplings may be used in a tool string disposed in a wellbore.

Abstract: An exploding foil bubble activated detonator, adapted for use in a perforating gun, includes an exploding foil, the exploding foil including as neck section which vaporizes when a current of sufficient magnitude and duration flows therethrough, a layer of polyimide material deposited over said foil, and a spacer layer deposited over said layer of polyimide material, the spacer layer including a guiding hole disposed directly over the neck section of the foil. When the current flows through the neck section of the foil, a turbulence is caused to occur directly above the neck section. This turbulence causes a portion of the polyimide material to expand to form a bubble. The bubble is shaped and sized by the guiding hole in the spacer layer which is disposed directly over the neck section of the foil. The shaped and sized bubble in the polyimide material impacts an explosive thereby detonating the explosive.