Abstract: A power charge (12) for a setting tool is composed of a propellant (16) and an igniter (32) embedded in the propellant (16). The propellant (16) is a homogeneous mixture of combustible components, an oxidizer and an epoxy binder, which together provide a continuous mass of solid form. The propellant (16) has an exterior (14) which, together with an outward face (36) of the igniter (32), is exposed and provides the outer surface of the power charge (12). A protuberant rib (28) extends along the length of the exterior (14) in a spiral-shaped pattern and provides a stand-off spacer between the power charge (12) and the setting tool. The igniter (32) has a main body portion (52) and an annular-shaped protrusion (48) which extends laterally outward from the main body portion (52) and into the propellant (16) to retain the igniter (32) within the propellant (16). The entire power charge (12) is formed of combustible materials.

Abstract: A frac plug has a mandrel (42) about which slips (48) and (56), conical rings (46) and (54), and a seal element (52) are disposed in conventional fashion. A setting rod (32) has an upper end secured to a firing head (16), extends through the mandrel (42), and has a lower end secured to a shoe (62) located at the bottom of the mandrel (42). A power charge (110) is located in an annular-shaped space (106) extending between the mandrel (42) and the setting rod (32). Flow ports (90) extend through the mandrel (42) to a barrel piston (94) disposed around the exterior of the mandrel (42). During setting, the setting rod (32) will release from the shoe (62) at a predetermined force, allowing retrieval of the setting rod (32) and the firing head (16) separate from the frac plug (14). The firing head (16) has flow passages (34) for passing ignition gasses from the primary igniter (28) to the secondary igniter (108) with the flow passages (34) extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis (30).

Abstract: A power charge (12) for a downhole setting tool has a sleeve (14) which defines a housing. A propellant (16) is located in the sleeve (14) in solid form and defines a first end face (20). An igniter (32) is embedded into the propellant (16) first end face (20). The igniter (32) has a main body portion (52) with an end located adjacent to the first end face (20), and an annular-shaped protrusion (48) which extends laterally outward from the main body portion (52) and into the propellant (16). The annular-shaped protrusion (48) defines a shoulder (46) which engages the propellant (16) to retain the igniter (32) within the propellant (16) at the first end face (20) of the power charge (12). The sleeve (14) is formed of a combustible material which will burn when the propellant (16) is burned.

Abstract: A disposable setting tool (12) has a mandrel (18) and a barrel piston (16). The mandrel (18) has a power charge chamber (68), an intermediate section (76) having an exterior (80) of uniform circumference, and a lower section (96) having a lower exterior (98) of uniform circumference. The lower exterior (98) is in fluid communication with the power charge chamber (68). The barrel piston (16) has a tubular body (116) with an enclosed lower end (134), and a central portion (128) with a uniform interior circumference (130) for slidably receiving the intermediate exterior (80) and the lower exterior (98) of the mandrel (18). An annular-shaped space (94) is defined to extend between the central portion (128) of the barrel piston (16) and the lower exterior (98) of the mandrel (18). The enclosed lower end (134) of the barrel piston (16) has a bore (136) for slidably receiving the lower exterior (98) of said mandrel (18).

Abstract: A composite frac plug (12) is formed of composite polymer materials, except for shear pins (52) and anchor cleats (96, 112) which are formed of metal. The frac plug (12) has an elastomeric ball seat (44) which sealing engages with a frac ball (18). A ratchet lock assembly (26) has a split ratchet ring (82) which moves over the mandrel (22) in a downward direction only, and prevents movement of the mandrel (22) downward within the ratchet ring (92). An anchor assembly (28) has slip bodies (92, 108) which are segmented and separately urge anchor cleats (96, 112) into the interior surface of a well casing (136).

Abstract: A power charge (12) for a downhole setting tool has a sleeve (14) which defines a housing. A propellant (16) is located in the sleeve (14) in solid form and defines a first end face (20). An igniter (32) is embedded into the propellant (16) first end face (20). The igniter (32) has a main body portion (52) with an end located adjacent to the first end face (20), and an annular-shaped protrusion (48) which extends laterally outward from the main body portion (52) and into the propellant (16). The annular-shaped protrusion (48) defines a shoulder (46) which engages the propellant (16) to retain the igniter (32) within the propellant (16) at the first end face (20) of the power charge (12). The sleeve (14) is formed of a combustible material which will burn when the propellant (16) is burned.

Abstract: A composite frac plug (12) is formed of composite polymer materials, except for shear pins (52) and anchor cleats (96, 112) which are formed of metal. The composite materials provide for easy drilling of the frac plug (12) at the end of 5 fracturing operations. The frac plug (12) has an elastomeric ball seat (44) which sealing engages with a frac ball (18). A ratchet lock assembly (26) has a split ratchet ring (82) which moves over the mandrel (22) in a downward direction only, and prevents movement of the mandrel (22) downward within the ratchet ring (92). An anchor assembly (28) has slip bodies (92, 108) which are segmented and separately urge anchor cleats (96, 112) into 10 the interior surface of a well casing (136).

Abstract: A downhole chemical cutter (12) has first and second passages (124, 126) which extend parallel, in fluid communication with an interior passage (32). A first ignitor (210) in the first passage (124) ignites a propellant (34) in the interior passage (32) to dispense a cutting chemical (46). The second passage (126) extends from the interior passage (32) to an exterior of the chemical cutter (12), and is sealed by members (176, 156). After the first ignitor (210) is fired, the second ignitor (218) is fired to push the members (176, 156) from sealing the second ignitor passage (126), such that the interior passage (32) is in fluid communication with the exterior of the chemical cutter (12). A control circuit (252) has two diodes (106, 110) connected in parallel and configured for passing current of opposite polarity to respective ones of the first and second ignitors (210, 218).