Abstract: A shaped charge has a case defining a volume therein. A liner is located in the volume. An explosive is located between the case and the liner. The liner defines an interior volume and an opening thereto. The liner also has an apex portion that is distal from the opening. The liner has a first thick portion and a second thick portion. A thin portion is located between the first thick portion and the second thick portion in a direction extending from the apex portion along the liner toward the opening. The thin portion is thinner than the first thick portion and thinner than the second thick portion.

Abstract: An apparatus string for use in a wellbore has a plurality of activation modules having first and second ends and containing devices to be activated/initiated downhole. An apparatus string also has a plurality of initiator modules where at least initiator is operatively connected to each activation module and is addressable. Each initiator module may have a safety initiator which when the initiator module is addressed initiates the firing of the shaped charges in the gun module to which it is operatively connected. A wireless transmitter is operatively connected in and integral to the apparatus string for use in transmitting signals to address any initiator module in the apparatus string.

Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge is disclosed which comprises a plurality of portions, where at least one portion is composed of powder materials. In one embodiment, the liner comprises two portions that are composed of different powder materials, while alternative embodiments of the liner comprise three portions or four portions. When the shaped charge is used in a perforating gun, reactive powder materials may be added to the plurality of portions of the liner to optimize the penetration or the enhancement of the perforating tunnel.

Abstract: A lubricator valve assembly adapted for connection in a pipe string for use in a well includes a tubular valve body having a bore formed longitudinally therethrough; a valve seat connected to the valve body and in communication with the bore; a valve element mounted in the bore and rotatable with respect to the valve seat between positions opening and closing the bore; an operator in connection between the valve element and a hydraulic control system, the operator moving the valve element between the open and close bore positions in response to the hydraulic control system; and a system for opening the valve element upon failure of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes tubular body, at least one perforating charge that is disposed on the tubular body and at least one screen section that is disposed on the tubular body. The perforating charge(s) and the screen sectional(s) are adapted to be run downhole in a single trip into the well with the tubular body.

Abstract: A wellbore tool string includes a perforating gun having a plurality of explosive perforating charges and a shock mitigation tool. The shock mitigation tool including a tubular body having a top end, a bottom end, and a chamber; a barrier disposed proximate the bottom end in communication with the chamber; and a plurality of actuators connected with the body proximate to the top end of the body, each actuator opening a port in the body providing fluid communication with the chamber when the plurality of actuators are activated.

Abstract: A perforating device has an elongated tubular housing and a loading device supporting a plurality of shaped charges. The loading device and the shaped charges are located inside the housing. A volume reduction device is adapted to fit within the loading device and to conform to the profile of the shaped charges thereby filling open volume in the housing.