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: An apparatus for storing and/or shipping explosive components, such as shaped charges, is generally described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a shielding assembly. The shielding assembly may include a shielding panel having a body made of metal foam and an aperture formed within the body. In an embodiment, the body is sandwiched between an upper and a lower layer. The shielding panel is configured to receive a shaped charge. Thus, the apparatus is capable of at least preventing and/or limiting ballistic transfer in the event of detonation of a shaped charge.

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: A shaped charge comprises a case including a wall that defines a hollow interior within the case. The wall includes an external surface and an internal surface. An explosive load is disposed within the hollow interior and positioned adjacent at least a portion of the internal surface. An initiation point chamber extends at least partially between the external surface and the internal surface of the wall. At least one self-contained, compressed explosive initiation pellet is contained within or adjacent the initiation point chamber. An exposed perforating gun carrier utilizing the shaped charge, and a method of using and producing the same are also contemplated.

Abstract: A tandem seal adapter (TSA) for use with a wellbore tool may include a TSA body including a first end and a second end opposite the first end in an axial direction, a bore extending through the TSA body from the first end to the second end, an electrical contact assembly provided within the bore, the electrical contact assembly being configured to provide electrical connectivity through the bore. The electrical contact assembly may include a bulkhead provided within the bore. An axial position of a maximum outer diameter of the TSA body may overlap with the bulkhead in the axial direction. A portion of the bore overlapping in the axial direction with an entirety of the TSA body having an outer diameter equal to the maximum outer diameter may have a constant bore diameter.

Abstract: A power charge and method for actuating a wellbore tool with a power charge. The power charge may include a first volume containing a first energetic material and a second volume containing a second energetic material positioned within the first energetic material. The second energetic material may be a faster burining material compared to the first energetic material. The wellbore tool may include a power charge cavity, an initiator positioned in an initiator holder adjacent to the power charge within the power charge cavity, and a gas diverter channel for directing to an expansion chamber gas pressure generated by combustion of the power charge, to actuate the wellbore tool. The method may include inserting the initiator into the initatior holder within the power charge cavity and initiating combustion of the first energetic material and the second energetic material.

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 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 single use setting tool and associated method for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an inner piston with an annular wall defining a piston cavity. A portion of the inner piston including the piston cavity may be positioned within a central bore of an outer sleeve, and the inner piston and the outer sleeve may be slidable relative to one another. A portion of the inner piston may extend beyond an end of the outer sleeve and have a shock absorbing wedge positioned thereon, and the end of the outer sleeve may have a cutout for receiving the shock absorbing wedge. A bi-directional gas-generating power charge may be positioned in the piston cavity and include a power charge having a booster positioned in an indentation adjacent each of a first end and a second end of the power charge.

Abstract: A system and a method of providing a reliable and consistent time delay in an oil and gas exploration/recovery device inserted in a bore hole is presented. The reliability and consistency of the time delay is a result of the use of electronic circuitry in determining the length of time delay. The system and method presented provide a time delay unit that is modular/commoditized, facilitating quick and easy integration of each component of the time delay unit in the field. Further, assembly and disassembly of the time delay unit is easily accomplished in the field and may be designed to operate with standard percussion and detonation elements.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system and a wellhead receiver for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. The wellhead receiver prepares the drone to be inserted into the wellbore via the wellhead. Preparation of the drone to be inserted into the wellbore includes adjusting the physical conditions surrounding the drone to approximate the physical conditions in the wellbore. The preparation may be performed using fluid inputs and outputs connected to a compartment of the wellhead receiver. Other preparation processes may also take place in the wellhead receiver such as assuring the appropriate drone is being inserted, that the drone has been programmed appropriately, that safety devices have been deactivated and charging an onboard power supply of the drone.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a bottom-fire perforating drone for downhole delivery of a wellbore tool, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, the wellbore tool may be a plurality of shaped charges that are arranged in a variety of configurations, including helically and in one or more single radial planes around a perforating assembly section, and detonated in a bottom-up sequence when the bottom-fire perforating drone reaches a predetermined depth in the wellbore. In another aspect, the shaped charges may be received in shaped charge apertures within a body of a perforating assembly section, wherein the shaped charge apertures are respectively positioned adjacent to at least one of a receiver booster, detonator, and detonating cord for directly initiating the shaped charges.

Abstract: A shaped charge closure member for encapsulating a slotted shaped charge is described. The closure member includes a body having a closed upper portion, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion. The closure member has first and second side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. Each wall tapers from the lower portion to the upper portion. A skirt having a substantially rectangular cross-section extends vertically away from each of the walls, at the lower portion of the body. The skirt engages with an open portion of a slotted shaped charge case, thereby forming an encapsulated slotted shaped charge. The encapsulated slotted shaped charge may be used in an exposed perforating gun system.

Abstract: A shaped charge liner having a plurality of metal powders including at least one high purity level metal having a purity level of at least about 99.5%. The metal powders and high purity level metal are compressed to form the shaped charge liner, and the shaped charge liner is for installation in a shaped charge. Once installed in the shaped charge, the shaped charge liner is for being thermally softened so that it has a porosity level of less than about 20 volume % and is able to maintain its mechanical integrity when thermally softened. A shaped charge including such liners is disclosed, as well as a method of perforating a wellbore using such shaped charge having such liners positioned therein.

Abstract: Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components that facilitate electrically linking multiple perforation guns to one another with wireless electrical contacts. The perforation gun system includes a bulkhead pin contact assembly. The perforation gun system may further include a wireless detonator and a conductor positioned in a connector of the perforation gun.

Abstract: A system and a method of providing a reliable and consistent time delay in an oil and gas exploration/recovery device inserted in a bore hole is presented. The reliability and consistency of the time delay is a result of the use of electronic circuitry in determining the length of time delay. The system and method presented provide a time delay unit that is modular/commoditized, facilitating quick and easy integration of each component of the time delay unit in the field. Further, assembly and disassembly of the time delay unit is easily accomplished in the field and may be designed to operate with standard percussion and detonation elements.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore is described. The system includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. A drone magazine contains a plurality of the drones and selectively releases/feeds the drones into the platform receiver. More than one drone magazine, each containing different drone types, may supply drones to the platform receiver such that different drones may be ordered for disposal into the wellbore. The platform receiver prepared the drones to be moved from the platform to the wellhead by the conveyance. The wellhead receiver accepts the drones from the conveyance and prepares each received drone for dropping into the wellbore via the wellhead.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for navigating and determining the location of downhole oil and gas wellbore tools are disclosed. The devices, systems, and methods may include a drone including an ultrasound transceiver that generates and receives an ultrasonic signal that interacts with the environment external to the drone and detects, utilizing a processer associated therewith, changes the environment external to the drone. The speed and location of the drone may be determined using the processor. Alternatively, an electromagnetic field generator that generates a field that interacts with the environment external to the drone. When the drone moves through the wellbore, the environment external to the drone constantly changes. Based on this changing environment, the speed and location of the drone is determined using the present devices, systems and methods.

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.