Abstract: A method and apparatus for well perforations and fracturing operations includes a shaped charge having a generally spherical container, a conical liner positioned therein, an explosive substantially filling the container around the liner, and a booster charge in the form of an annular wafer of compressed high speed explosive positioned against the wall of the container in axial alignment with and adjacent the apex of the liner. The outside diameter of the booster charge is at least as large as one-half the diameter of the base of the conical liner and in proximity to a primer cord positioned in contact with the exterior of the container. The spherical container is composed of a frangible material, and it is positioned in a cylindrical carrier also composed of a frangible material which disintegrates upon detonation of the explosive. A secondary explosive of slower detonating speed than the primary explosive is packed around the shaped charge container in the carrier, and the carrier is sealed at both ends.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved apparatus disclosed herein for monitoring the operation of perforating guns or core-sampling guns carrying one or more electrically-detonatable charges, an impact-actuated monitoring assembly operatively arranged on the body of the gun includes a motion-responsive switch and solenoid device that are connected to the electrical firing circuit of the gun. As the explosive charges connected to the gun-firing circuit are actuated, the new and improved monitoring assembly of the present invention is effective for cyclically varying the impedance of the firing circuit to provide a series of distinctive surface indications showing that the gun has been successfully fired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a powdered metal casing and an apparatus and method for making the powdered metal casing, which casing is useful for shaped explosive charges for perforating oil and gas wells.

Abstract: A perforating gun for perforating earth formations, primarily in oil and gas wells. The gun includes a straight metal tube in which explosive jet charges are carried. A mounting apparatus within the tube holds the charges in pairs, the pairs being spaced vertically from each other. The charges within a pair point in the same general direction. The axis of each charge within a pair lies in a common horizontal plane with the axis of the other charge in the pair. The gun is operable with a decentralizer that places it in contact with the casing wall for firing. An alignment device within the gun assures that the charges are all pointing toward the nearest wall.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, a plurality of generally-cylindrical modular bodies are tandemly assembled within a typical end-loaded perforating carrier. A generally-longitudinal passage containing a detonating explosive is arranged in each of the modular bodies so that, when the bodies are tandemly assembled in a carrier, these passages will collectively define a continuous passage through which detonation-inducing forces can be transmitted. Shaped charges are mounted in at least some of the modular bodies and positioned to be fired upon detonation of the explosive in the continuous passage.

Abstract: A perforating gun barrel for carrying a plurality of explosive charges in a spaced apart relationship comprises a plurality of tubular sections positioned with the ends of adjacent tubular sections end-to-end, with the end of one section overlapping the end of an adjacent section. A coupling member is disposed entirely internally of said tubular sections at each coupling location. A plurality of bolts extend through the overlapping ends of the adjacent tubular sections and are secured in the coupling member to prevent separation of the adjacent tubular sections at the coupling locations. Wiring for detonating the charge carried in each tubular section is routed through a passageway provided in the coupling member.

Abstract: An earth fracturing apparatus has a casing of reactive metal containing a central, double ended charge load that is simultaneously detonated from both ends; and a pair of opposed end charges at opposite sides of the central charge load, the end charges being concavely dished toward the central charge load and having a liner of reactive metal on the dished face. The end charges are simultaneously peripherally initiated to explode with a collapsing detonation wave toward the central charge load. Void spaces between each end charge and the central charge load contain an oxidizer that may be under pressure. In a modified form of the apparatus, the end charges are omitted and the central charge load alone acts as a perforator for well pipe.

Abstract: A shaped explosive charge device for underwater use wherein a deflated inflatable element is positioned within the stand-off space and, when the device is in position for firing, for example, as an inside cutter, the inflatable element is inflated to exclude water from the cavity and stand-off space between the explosive charge and the target surface.

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: Methods and apparatus for severing tubular members whereby one or more shaped charges are positioned adjacent the interior walls of the tubular members and detonated to thereby sever the tubular members. The apparatus of the invention is adapted to be placed within a tubular member and includes a remotely extendible framework having remotely detonatable shaped charges attached thereto. The apparatus is of a size such that when the framework is not extended, the apparatus passes through constrictions contained within the tubular members, and when extended, the framework is positioned transversely to the axis of the tubular member with the shaped charges positioned adjacent the interior walls thereof.

Abstract: Method of completing a hydrocarbon containing formation located downhole in a cased borehole by running a jet perforating gun downhole on the end of a tubing string. The tool string includes a vent assembly underlying a packer and located above the gun. The gun includes a special flexible linkage and biasing means which urges the shaped charge chambers of the gun into close proximity of the borehole wall. Pairs of shaped charges are positioned within spaced chambers to intersect one another out in the formation, to thereby enable a cavity to be subsequently formed therebetween. Treatment fluid is pumped into the cavity and used to consolidate the formation. Another form of the invention provides a wireline actuated apparatus wherein pairs of shaped charges are oriented to penetrate the formation and form spaced apart parallel tunnels which subsequently collapse to jointly form an enlarged cavity located back up in the formation.

Abstract: Improved end closures for shaped charge unit chambers in borehole perforating tools have flanged peripheral portions to be clamped in the threaded joint when sidewalls of adjacent chambers are threadedly joined. Also disclosed are sealing means for conductor wires passing through the end closures, which sealing means involves means for compressing and deforming the conductor insulation so that the conductors with their insulation sealingly occupy a predetermined space between surfaces of cooperating compressing and deforming means.

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 of driving a shaft, or tunnel into competent hard rock with shaped charges. An array of shaped charges to nearly conform with the bottom of the shaft, or face of the tunnel, is carried upon a framework which places the charges a proper distance from the bottom or face surface. Detonation causes the shaped charge jets to penetrate and break several feet into the rock to advance the shaft or tunnel. The loose rock may then be mucked out of the shaft, or tunnel, and the operation repeated. A shaft may be driven downwardly or upwardly by these operations.

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: In the representative embodiments of the safe-handling arming apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein, a spring-biased indicator is cooperatively arranged on an enclosed-carrier perforating gun for visually representing whether an obscured or secluded detonator enclosed within the carrier is either in an ineffectual or "safe" status or is in an effective or "armed" status in readiness for detonating one or more shaped explosive charges in the gun. In one embodiment of the new and improved arming apparatus of the present invention, a unique arrangement is provided for releasably retaining a selectively-movable detonator in either of two predetermined operating locations. In another embodiment of the invention, the detonator is instead fixed and isolated by a selectively-movable barrier whose presence or absence is shown by the indicator.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, this new and improved perforating apparatus includes a plurality of encapsulated shaped explosive charges having their forward ends respectively fitted and threadedly secured in a facing relationship along the concave rear face of an elongated steel carrier strip of a unique design having its forward face complementally shaped for accommodation within a given size of well bore piping thereby allowing the largest possible mass of explosive to be disposed in each capsule. To assure the proper installation of the detonating cord, the rear portions of the two-part charge capsules are cooperatively arranged in a unique fashion so as to be rotatably positionable in relation to their forward portions for facilitating proper alignment of transversely-oriented cord-receiving openings provided in the base of each capsule.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, this new and improved perforating apparatus includes a unique elongated carrier strip of a ductile steel carrying encapsulated shaped explosive charges having their forward ends fitted and snugly secured against the concave rear face of the strip by means of externally-threaded axial projections respectively threaded into tapped charge-mounting holes closely spaced along the carrier. The forward face of the carrier strip and the rear portions of the capsules are complementally shaped for accommodation within a given size of well bore piping thereby allowing the largest-possible mass of explosive to be disposed in each capsule.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, shaped charges adapted for installation in a typical end-loaded carrier are respectively provided with a domed annular retainer member of a thin, but substantially rigid and stiff, material which is coaxially disposed over the forward end of each charge. A smaller-diameter externally-tapered sleeve of a somewhat yieldable or deformable material is cooperatively arranged for positioning on each domed retainer member once its associated shaped charge is installed in the carrier facing and aligned with a lateral port therein. Then, as a port plug having an internally-tapered recess is installed in the port and telescopically forced over the sleeve, the forward portion of the retainer sleeve will be laterally compressed for securing the shaped charge in position with little or no inward or axial deflection of the domed retainer.