Abstract: A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device may be configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device may include a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore may be adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device can align at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.

Abstract: A ballistically actuated plug may include an outer carrier having a first end and a second end, a hollow interior chamber within the outer carrier, a ballistic carrier positioned within the hollow interior chamber, an initiator positioned within a bore of the ballistic carrier, and one or more ballistic components. Each of the components may be positioned within a ballistic slot on an outer surface of the ballistic carrier. The initiator and the ballistic component may be relatively positioned for the initiator to initiate the one or more ballistic components. The ballistic component may include an explosive charge for expanding the outer carrier. The ballistic carrier may be formed from a fragmenting or disintegrating material.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a location of an untethered drone in a wellbore are described herein. The system includes one or more markers to be placed within a wellbore casing where each of the one or more markers is configured to transmit a continuous or periodic signal. The system further includes a first sensor to be transported by the untethered drone where the first sensor is configured to sense an existence of the one or more markers.

Abstract: A system for deploying an untethered drone is provided. The system includes a wellbore drone for being deployed into a wellbore, a magazine unit, and a control system. The wellbore drone is configured to perform at least one action based on a control command which is provided from an on-board control system embedded in the wellbore drone. The magazine unit includes one or more chambers. The magazine unit is configured to retain the wellbore drone in a corresponding one of the one or more chambers, prior to deployment of the wellbore drone into the wellbore, and dispense the wellbore drone for being deployed into the wellbore through a launcher unit. The control system includes at least one control interface for controlling at least a part of operations of the wellbore drone and the magazine unit.

Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to detach the connector from the casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly is configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. The perforating gun assembly includes a perforating gun housing and a shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing are configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an instantaneously expanding, ballistically actuated wellbore plug and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of an instantaneously expanding, ballistically actuated wellbore plug include, among other things, a ballistic carrier carrying ballistic components and an initiator and housed within a hollow interior chamber of an outer carrier having an unexpanded form and an expanded form. Exemplary embodiments for a method for setting the plug within a wellbore casing include initiating the ballistic components with the initiator and causing the outer carrier to instantaneously transition from the unexpanded form to the expanded form, in which the outer carrier is in frictional, sealing engagement with the wellbore casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun and alignment assembly includes a perforating gun housing formed from a singular and monolithic piece of metal material, and an alignment ring rotatably secured to the housing. A shaped charge positioning device is positioned in a chamber of the housing.

Abstract: A system for deploying an untethered drone is provided. The system includes a wellbore drone for being deployed into a wellbore, a magazine unit, and a control system. The wellbore drone is configured to perform at least one action based on a control command which is provided from an on-board control system embedded in the wellbore drone. The magazine unit includes one or more chambers. The magazine unit is configured to retain the wellbore drone in a corresponding one of the one or more chambers, prior to deployment of the wellbore drone into the wellbore, and dispense the wellbore drone for being deployed into the wellbore through a launcher unit. The control system includes at least one control interface for controlling at least a part of operations of the wellbore drone and the magazine unit.

Abstract: A focused output detonator includes a detonator shell including detonator components, and a focuser coupled to the detonator shell. The detonator shell may include a body extending along a central axis of the detonator shell. A first open end is provided at a first end of the body, and a closed end is provided at a second end of the body. A chamber is bounded by the body and the closed end, and the detonator components are housed in the chamber. The focuser is coupled to the closed end of the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focused output detonator is structured to focus a ballistic output of the focuser along the central axis and away from the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focuser includes a donor charge. The focuser may include an encapsulated and hydraulically sealed donor charge.

Abstract: A control module for use with a plurality of wellbore tools may include a power source and a logic circuit operably coupled to the power source. The logic circuit may be operably coupled to the plurality of wellbore tools through a topmost wellbore tool of the plurality of wellbore tools. The logic circuit may be configured to, in response to an initiation condition and for each wellbore tool of the plurality of wellbore tools in a sequential order from a bottommost wellbore tool to the topmost wellbore tool, determine whether the wellbore tool is a responsive wellbore tool or a non-responsive wellbore tool. In response to a determination that the wellbore tool is a responsive wellbore tool, the logic circuit may initiate the wellbore tool. In response to a determination that the wellbore tool is a non-responsive wellbore tool, the logic circuit may skip initiation of the wellbore tool.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may relate to perforating gun assemblies configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. In some embodiments, the perforating gun assembly may include a perforating gun housing and at least one shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing may be jointly configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%. Related method embodiments may be used to improve the performance of unconventional wells.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly may include a first housing extending along a longitudinal axis and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The first housing may include a coupling provided at a first end of the first housing. The TSA may include a TSA body and a seal element provided on an outer surface of the TSA body. At least part of the TSA may be positioned inside the first housing such that the seal element and the coupling intersect with a common plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A shaped charge holder includes a body, a cavity formed in the body and extending along a central axis of the body, and a plurality of shaped charge receptacles formed in the body and circumferentially arranged around the central axis. Each shaped charge receptacle is spaced apart from another shaped charge receptacle. Retention mechanisms extend from the body and are configured to retain a shaped charge in a respective shaped charge receiving structure. A plurality of shaped charges, each including a shaped charge case, an explosive load disposed in the case and a liner disposed on top of the explosive load may be positioned in the respective shaped charge receiving structure. The shaped charge holder may be positioned in a housing chamber of a perforating gun housing.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems and methods of releasing a wireline from a tool string in a well are presented. For example, a wireline release tool may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion may have a closed end, an open end, and a chamber therebetween, and the second housing portion may be shearably attached to close the open end of the first housing portion. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to force the second housing portion from an initial position to a release position. One of the housing portions may be configured for attachment to a wireline, while the other of the housing portions may be configured for attachment to a tool string.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to weight modules for use in a wellbore tool string. In some embodiments, the weight module may comprise a conductive body, extending in an axial direction, and an insulating cover. The conductive body may be configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing, and the insulating cover may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing. In some embodiments, the conductive body may have a first contact portion, provided at a first end of the conductive body, and a second contact portion, provided at a second end of the conductive body, with the first contact portion in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly may include a housing extending along a first axis, a movable structure provided within the housing, and a tool string component coupled to the housing and abutting the moveable structure. The movable structure may be movable between a first position along the first axis relative to the housing and a second position along the first axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: Pressure-isolating bulkhead structures with integrated selective electronic switches circuitry are provided. The pressure-isolating bulkhead structure may be a single unit having the integrated electronic switch circuitry, as well as an electrical connector that includes at least one of a wire and a pin contact. Such integrated selective electronic switch circuitry may be fashioned within a self-contained, inner pressure-isolating enclosure body. Such inner pressure-isolating enclosure body may be produced about the selective electronic switch circuitry such that the inner pressure-isolating enclosure body and switch circuitry are produced as a unit, which can be easily placed within a variety of bulkhead structures, and subsequently within a perforating gun.