Abstract: A high density perforating gun having series connected multiple gun housings within which a plurality of jet perforating shaped charges are arranged in spaced apart clusters. The charges of each cluster are captured in radially spaced apart symmetrical relationship within a mounting assembly, and each housing includes a plurality of the mounting assemblies which are spaced vertically apart from one another. The charges contained within each mounting assembly are orientated respective to the charges of the remaining mounting assemblies so that any charge located in one mounting assembly is spaced apart both radially and vertically from the nearest adjacent charge of an adjacent mounting assembly. This arrangement permits a maximum number of shaped charges to be placed within a finite volume. All of the charges contained within one housing are simultaneously detonated.

Abstract: A chemical cutting apparatus and method for cutting objects in well bores such as, for example, tubing in the bore of an oil or gas well. The apparatus is properly positioned relative to the object to be cut by means of a casing collar locator and an igniter is fired, which in turn activates a gas generator. Pressure from the gas generator axially displaces a slidable piston having one or more wedges pivotally connected thereto. Movement of the piston both pivots and extends the wedge, thereby bringing the wedge into contact with the object to be cut and anchoring the apparatus relative to the object to be cut. The pressure generated in the gas generator is communicated through a passageway in the slidable piston and forces a chemical cutting agent into a chamber containing a reactant. The reaction of the chemical cutting agent and reactant increases the pressure and temperature within the chamber thereby displacing along the axis a second slidable piston.

Abstract: A method and means for chemically treating water wells to increase the production thereof. Liquid chemical, usually acid, is initially placed in the well through the water discharge conduit of the well head or pump apparatus at the upper end thereof. Compressed air is initially forced downwardly into the interior of the column pipe in the casing to sense the depth of the water therein so that pressure sensitive gauges in the circuitry may be set according to the water depth. Compressed air is then forced downwardly into the column pipe to force some of the water outwardly therefrom into the water bearing formation. A combustible mixture of air and gas is then introduced into the upper end of the column pipe and ignited so that the force of combustion expels the water and acid in the casing outwardly through the slits in the well casing into the water bearing formation.

Abstract: So that explosives can be placed in an underwater hole in rock efficiently, a rock drilling machine having a rock drill mounted for extension and retraction on a strut which can be forced against a surface to be drilled, has a short debris guard tube fixed to the strut so as to extend beyond the terminus of the strut so that the debris guard may be forced against and held against the surface of the rock to be drilled. In such a machine having a very long strut and drill rod for drilling holes in rock submerged at a depth of water over four feet, a drill guide tube fixed to the strut between the debris guard and the drill has a full length door. After the hole has been drilled to depth, the drill rod is retracted from the debris guard and deflected to one side (and out of the drill guide tube door of the long strut version) and a long explosives placement tube is inserted through the debris guard tube into the hole. The debris guard is then slipped off and freed from the placement tube by retracting the strut.

Abstract: A method for generating a horizontal fracture through a wellbore by causing two explosively induced shear waves to intersect. This is achieved by placing, within a coupling fluid within a wellbore, a length of high explosives whose center is adjacent the location where a fracture is desired. Both ends of the high explosive are ignited simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of stimulation oil well production uses a gas generating chemical charge that is placed in the oil well bore at a depth of known oil productivity where it is ignited to generate a gas pressure-volume pulse of known pressure-time characteristics and time duration, the pressure time characteristics includes a pulsating pressure for greater penetration effect.

Abstract: A recovery process and system wherein hydrogen and oxygen are introduced into a vented pressure vessel, known as a gas generator, located at the bottom of a borehole, and ignited and burned to produce steam. The hydrogen and oxygen may be introduced either as a stoichiometric mixture or the combustible mixture may be hydrogen-rich. Remotely controlled valves are located downhole near the gas generator for positive control of the hydrogen and oxygen. Provision is made for maintaining the desired hydrogen-oxygen ratio either by a hydrogen flow control slaved to a downhole thermocouple or by a special hydrogen-oxygen flow control employed in the event that ignition is carried out by a DC power supply located downhole. Although the preferred embodiment employs a fuel-oxidizer combination of hydrogen and oxygen, provision is made for employing other fuel-oxidizer combinations.

Abstract: A wireline running tool enables a module to be lowered into or removed from a production tubing or pipe line, especially one extending downhole in an oil or gas well. A kickover arm in the tool deflects the module into a side pocket in the tubing or pipe. The power for so deflecting such module comes from a pressurized pneumatic cylinder. If something goes wrong and the tool or module becomes stuck in the tubing or pipe, the gas slowly leaks from the pneumatic cylinder, after which the tool or module becomes unstuck.

Abstract: Apparatus for perforating a well comprised of a closed retrievable carrier formed in an elliptic cylindrical shape and having shaped charge perforating means disposed therein. Upon actuation of the shaped charge perforating means the ellipticity of the carrier is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mixing two previously separated fluids at a downhole location adjacent a predetermined formation interval.

Abstract: Apparatus for stimulation of oil well production utilizes a gas generating chemical charge that is placed in the oil well bore at a depth of known oil productivity and ignited to produce a gas pressure-volume pulse of known pressure-time characteristics and time duration, including means for generating a pulsating gas pressure-volume pulse.

Abstract: A device comprising an outer shell, open at one end, a charge carrier for carrying shaped charges suspended within the outer shell and means for releasing gas suspended within the outer shell used in the stimulation of geothermal wells.

Abstract: A method for stimulating oil and gas wells to increase production including filling the lower portion of the well above the pay zone level having exposed rock with a fracturing fluid, and sealing the well above the lower portion. A shock wave is then applied to the fracturing fluid, which, when applied thereby to the rock at the pay zone creates a stress wave in the rock having a rise time faster than the time required for sound to traverse one half the periphery of the rock at the pay zone, and having an amplitude which will fracture but not crush the rock.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be run into a well on a wireline for explosively cutting tubing having an explosive cutting member mounted with a body member connected to the wireline, a settable hanging member for securing the body member within the bore of the tubing prior to detonation of the explosive member, and a wireline actuated firing mechanism to explosively activate the explosive cutting means for severing the tubing in the well.

Abstract: A method and means for stimulating oil and gas wells to increase production comprises filling a well above the pay zone level with a fracturing fluid, then suspending a cylinder of high explosive centrally within the wellbore adjacent to the pay zone. Thereafter a propellant is suspended within tens of feet above the high explosive and the well above the propellant is enclosed. The application of high explosive is chosen to cause multiple radiating fractures but will not crush the rock in the well. Also, the rise time of the shock wave created by the explosive should be less than the time required for sound to traverse one-half of the periphery of the well opening in the rock at the pay zone. The propellant is detonated first, followed by the detonation of the high explosive. The purpose of using the propellant is to maintain pressure caused by the high explosive over a longer period, thereby extending the fractures caused by the high explosive.

Abstract: A remotely situated detonator is acoustically triggered to detonate explosives. Conduit means capable of propagating an acoustic wave is used to transmit a precoded acoustic wave signal from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver is provided with means for converting the precoded acoustic wave signal to an electrical output signal to actuate the detonator and decoding means for discriminating against noise signals. For safety reasons, time delay means may be provided to delay generation of the acoustic wave signals until after a predetermined time period. The aforedescribed detonation system may be utilized to rejuvenate or activate subterranean petroleum, gas, geothermal steam, or water and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cryogenic flash freezing of confined water in a rock formation with concomitant fracturing of the rock formation utilizes an anchoring device comprising gripping means actuatable responsive to release of pressurized gas effected by opening a valve responsive to the firing of an explosive charge in combination wih an elongated container for a cryogenic liquid so that the anchoring device may be positioned with said container depending therefrom in a hole in the rock formation and so that cryogenic liquid so held in position may be forcefully discharged from the container upon opening a valve responsive to the firing of an explosive charge for injection into water confined in the hole or in a cavity or crevice in the surrounding rock formation, the location of water to be flash frozen, if desired, being accomplished by a plug adapted to be fixed in place at different positions and to retain water thereon when fixed in place.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlled fracturing of a portion of the earth's formations intermediate predetermined depths characterized by positioning adjacent the portion to be fractured explosive charges having exteriorly disposed grooves deep enough to effect a concentration of explosive forces along a predetermined fracture plane, the plane extending radially outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the groove; and detonating the explosive charge to achieve the desired fracture. Preferred embodiments employ both horizontally-fracturing explosive charges containing peripherally disposed grooves having their central longitudinal axis in a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the explosive charge and vertically-fracturing charges having longitudinally extending grooves so as to fracture outwardly in planes that are substantially vertically oriented and passed through the center line of the charge.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus and method for lowering the apparatus downwardly in a drill string on a wireline to releasably engage a recess in a threaded joint or collar of the drill string to prevent further downward movement of the apparatus and to thereafter detonate an explosive by manipulating a wireline actuated jar with repeated downward blows for exerting a jarring force to the joint as a result of the explosion to release the threads at the joint upon simultaneous application of a back-off torque to the drill string. The apparatus can be released and removed from the well without breaking or damaging the collar locating and supporting portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to petroleum well treatment and more particularly to improvement of production from earthen petroleum reservoirs of low permeability by fracturing the petroleum bearing strata. The present invention accomplishes this purpose by use of energy capsules that upon implosion produce acoustic waves as to cause the formation to undergo periodic stress beyond its elastic endurance limit and to fail by elastic fatigue.A plurality of energy capsules designed to implode at different hydrostatic pressures in order to release shock waves to produce a cavitational action in the areas adjacent to the well bore are transmitted in a fluid medium. The energy capsules may be utilized in conjunction with pressurized fluid that is oscillated such that the combined elements of a pressurized fluid system and the release of shock waves at spaced time intervals from the energy capsules is obtained.

Abstract: A high temperature well completion method is carried out by releasably suspending a perforating gun uphole in a relative low temperature region of the borehole. A wireline actuated releasable coupling drops the armed gun, and the gun comes to rest adjacent to a hydrocarbon bearing formation located downhole in a high temperature region of the borehole. The downward motion of the gun is arrested at a preselected location, causing the gun to be detonated and the casing to be perforated before the gun reaches temperature equilibrium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cryogenic flash freezing of confined water in a rock formation with concomitant fracturing of the rock formation utilizes an anchoring device comprising gripping means actuatable responsive to release of pressurized gas effected by opening a valve responsive to the firing of an explosive charge in combination with an elongated container for a cryogenic liquid so that the anchoring device may be positioned with said container depending therefrom in a hole in the rock formation and so that cryogenic liquid so held in position may be forcefully discharged from the container upon opening a valve responsive to the firing of an explosive charge for injection into water confined in the hole or in a cavity or crevice in the surrounding rock formation, the location of water to be flash frozen, if desired, being accomplished by a plug adapted to be fixed in place at different positions and to retain water thereon when fixed in place.

Abstract: A remotely situated detonator is acoustically triggered to detonate explosives. Conduit means capable of propagating an acoustic wave is used to transmit a precoded acoustic wave signal from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver is provided with means for converting the precoded acoustic wave signal to an electrical output signal to actuate the detonator and decoding means for discriminating against noise signals. For safety reasons, time delay means may be provided to delay generation of the acoustic wave signals until after a predetermined time period. The aforedescribed detonation system may be utilized to rejuvenate or activate subterranean petroleum, gas, geothermal steam, or water and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for expandably engaging the walls of an earthen hole in order to resist movement urged by an external force. After placement of the apparatus into an earthen hole at a location where some external force is to be restrained, the detonation of an explosive charge drives a piston out of an explosion chamber, and by a wedging action, forces an axially segmented cylinder outwardly against the surrounding earth. A substantially stable connecting foundation is thus created in order to resist either tensile or compressive forces.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for emplacing a liner in a conduit in a well penetrating subterranean formations characterized by suspending at a predetermined depth in the well at least one annular liner having an annular body portion and an adjacent, concentrically disposed swage means that is adapted for being driven interiorly of the body portion for expanding the latter outwardly into contact with the conduit; firing a setting tool in the method to drive the swage means concentrically interiorly of the body portion; and removing the setting tool, leaving the swage and the body portion set in the conduit with a large bore penetrating longitudinally thereof. Also disclosed are straddle patches having a liner at each end, either set in a unitary operation or set by a two-step operation; other combinations employing the liners and the specific apparatus for setting the liners.

Abstract: A self-propelling apparatus for well logging tools includes a housing which is secured to the housing of a well logging tool and which defines a cylinder. A piston is slidably received in the cylinder, and a powder charge is mounted in the housing for electrical actuation. The cylinder is initially filled with a weighted fluid to establish a negative buoyancy whereby the well logging tool moves downwardly in a well to effect a logging operation. Upon completion of the well logging operation, a signal from the well logging tool actuates the powder charge whereby the piston forces the weighted fluid out of the cylinder and thereby establishes a positive buoyancy. This positive buoyancy together with the flow of the weighted fluid and the flow of gases resulting from the burning of the powder charge out of the housing combine to propel the well logging tool upwardly. At the top of the well the apparatus is siezed by latching apparatus and is retained thereby for subsequent retrieval.