Abstract: A perforating gun is disclosed with shaped charges at a preferential orientation. An example includes a gun body and a charge carrier disposed within the gun body. The charge carrier defines a longitudinal carrier axis and has a plurality of axially-spaced charge mounting locations. A plurality of charges are each pivotally mounted to the charge carrier at one of the respective charge mounting locations about a charge pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal carrier axis. The charges may preferentially align in response to gravity so their orientation remains constant throughout a range of inclination of the wellbore.

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 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: Provided are liners for a shaped charge and corresponding methods of use. An example liner comprises a generally conical shape having an apex, an open side, a liner wall comprising a thickness, and an axis extending through the center of the liner from the apex to the center of the open side. The liner comprises a liner height extending in a vertical plane from the center of the open side to the apex, a liner radius extending along a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the axis at the open side of the liner and that extends from the axis to an outermost edge of the liner wall. The ratio of the liner height to the liner diameter is about 0.90 to about 1.10. The liner wall comprises an apex curvature, a first wall curvature, a second wall curvature, and a third wall curvature.

Abstract: Included are methods and systems for oilfield perforating. An example system includes a firing head subassembly; a gun subassembly; and 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,9.03,11]-dodecane (“TEX”). An example method includes lowering a perforating system into a casing of a wellbore, wherein the perforating system comprises TEX; detonating the TEX; and perforating the casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun including a carrier having a longitudinal length, one or more energetic devices received within the carrier configured to produce one or more mechanical waves, and one or more wave manipulators disposed along the longitudinal length of the carrier. The one or more wave manipulators generate an altered wave in an opposite travel direction of one or more mechanical waves traveling along the longitudinal length of the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a perforating gun includes a first detonation train and a second detonation train. The first detonation train is detonable to perforate a wellbore proximate a subterranean formation. The first detonation train includes a first detonating fuse and a perforating charge ballistically connected to the first detonating fuse. The second detonation train is detonable to increase an internal energy of the perforating gun after detonation of at least a portion of the first detonation train. The second detonation train includes a second detonating fuse ballistically connected to the first detonating fuse. In some embodiments, increasing the internal energy of the perforating gun after detonating the at least a portion of the first detonation train decreases and/or delays pressure drawdown within the wellbore.

Abstract: A perforating gun including a carrier having a longitudinal length, one or more energetic devices received within the carrier configured to produce one or more mechanical waves, and one or more wave manipulators disposed along the longitudinal length of the carrier. The one or more wave manipulators generate an altered wave in an opposite travel direction of one or more mechanical waves traveling along the longitudinal length of the carrier.

Abstract: Provided are liners for a shaped charge and corresponding methods of use. An example liner comprises a generally conical shape having an apex, an open side, a liner wall comprising a thickness, and an axis extending through the center of the liner from the apex to the center of the open side. The liner comprises a liner height extending in a vertical plane from the center of the open side to the apex, a liner radius extending along a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the axis at the open side of the liner and that extends from the axis to an outermost edge of the liner wall. The ratio of the liner height to the liner diameter is about 0.90 to about 1.10. The liner wall comprises an apex curvature, a first wall curvature, a second wall curvature, and a third wall curvature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a perforating gun includes a first detonation train and a second detonation train. The first detonation train is detonable to perforate a wellbore proximate a subterranean formation. The first detonation train includes a first detonating fuse and a perforating charge ballistically connected to the first detonating fuse. The second detonation train is detonable to increase an internal energy of the perforating gun after detonation of at least a portion of the first detonation train. The second detonation train includes a second detonating fuse ballistically connected to the first detonating fuse. In some embodiments, increasing the internal energy of the perforating gun after detonating the at least a portion of the first detonation train decreases and/or delays pressure drawdown within the wellbore.

Abstract: Provided is a shaped charge for use in a radial cutter. The shaped charge, in one example, includes a circular charge formed into a predetermined shape, the predetermined shape selected to form a concave edge. The circular charge, in this example, is formed from a Triaminotrinitrobenzene based material. The shaped charge, in this example, additionally includes a liner shaped to extend along the concave edge.

Abstract: An explosive charge assembly comprises a housing, a liner disposed on a face of an explosive charge, an opening through the liner disposed at the apex, and a lip disposed around the perimeter of the opening. The liner forms an apex and a mouth opposite the apex, and the liner and the explosive charge are disposed in the housing. The explosive charge is disposed between the liner and the housing, and the lip extends from the liner in a direction towards the mouth.

Abstract: A shaped-charge liner for a shaped-charge assembly is provided. The shaped-charge assembly includes a housing, a liner, and explosive material between the housing and the liner. The liner includes an apex portion that has an opening and that defines a fold around the opening. The explosive material supports the apex portion.

Abstract: A shaped-charge liner for a shaped-charge assembly is provided. The shaped-charge assembly includes a housing, a single liner, and explosive material between the housing and the liner. The single liner includes an apex portion constructed from a first material and a skirt portion made from a second material that is different than the first material.

Abstract: An explosive charge assembly comprises a housing, a liner disposed on a face of an explosive charge, an opening through the liner disposed at the apex, and a lip disposed around the perimeter of the opening. The liner forms an apex and a mouth opposite the apex, and the liner and the explosive charge are disposed in the housing. The explosive charge is disposed between the liner and the housing, and the lip extends from the liner in a direction towards the mouth.

Abstract: A shaped-charge liner for a shaped-charge assembly is provided. The shaped-charge assembly includes a housing, a liner, and explosive material between the housing and the liner. The liner includes an apex portion that has an opening and that defines a fold around the opening. The explosive material supports the apex portion.

Abstract: A shaped-charge liner for a shaped-charge assembly is provided. The shaped-charge assembly includes a housing, a single liner, and explosive material between the housing and the liner. The single liner includes an apex portion constructed from a first material and a skirt portion made from a second material that is different than the first material.