Abstract: An apparatus and methods for setting a plug in a well may comprise a power charge adapter comprising a housing, a switch and igniter disposed within the housing, and a zero-tension connector configured to provide a reliable electrical connection to the switch. The switch may be an addressable switch. The power charge adapter may include an adapter comprising a substantially cylindrical body that may be configured to engage a downhole end of the housing and an uphole end of a power charge.

Abstract: An improved perforating gun with novel endplates is disclosed along with a corresponding method of assembly. The endplate may include a base with first end separated from a second end separated by a curved sidewall centered around a longitudinal axis and a set of tube tabs flexibly coupled to the base and extending from the second end. The endplate may include a carrier tab with an integrated alignment pin. Selected embodiments may also include a zero-tension connector with a sliding contact mounted within a cavity of a housing, a through-wire connected to the sliding contact. The novel endplate reduces the cost and complexity of manufacture and installation.

Abstract: An improved perforating gun with novel endplates is disclosed along with a corresponding method of assembly. The endplate may include a base with first end separated from a second end separated by a curved sidewall centered around a longitudinal axis and a set of tube tabs flexibly coupled to the base and extending from the second end. The endplate may include a carrier tab with an integrated alignment pin. Selected embodiments may also include a zero-tension connector with a sliding contact mounted within a cavity of a housing, a through-wire connected to the sliding contact. The novel endplate reduces the cost and complexity of manufacture and installation.

Abstract: A downhole system including a gun string configured to be deployed into a wellbore, the gun string including plural gun assemblies. A detonator block attached to a given gun assembly of the plural gun assemblies. The detonator block includes a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator associated with the detonator block, a measuring unit configured to measure a parameter (V) at the switch assembly, and a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether to activate or not the detonator, after the fire command is received from the external controller, based on whether a voltage measured by the measuring unit at the switch assembly is larger or not than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A testing system for a shaped charge of a perforating gun, the testing system including a housing; a casing assembly located inside the housing; a perforating gun having at least one shaped charge, the perforating gun being located within the casing assembly; a sample material located within the housing, and in direct contact with the casing assembly; a wellbore accumulator in direct contact with the casing assembly and configured to supply a first fluid, at a wellbore pressure, inside the casing assembly; and a formation accumulator in direct contact with the sample material and configured to supply a second fluid, at a formation pressure, on the sample material.

Abstract: A loading tube is configured to receive one or more shaped charges to form a perforating gun. The loading tube includes a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis; a cord passage formed into the tubular body; a retention cutoff formed into the tubular body and configured to receive a detonator cord; and a holding element extending into the retention cutoff and being integrally made with a wall of the tubular body, wherein the holding element is configured to hold the detonator cord into the retention cutoff. The cord passage is configured to receive the detonator cord from a bore of the tubular body and to direct the detonator cord outside the bore of the tubular body.

Abstract: An interchangeable module configured to be used in an integrated perforating gun and setting tool system, the interchangeable module having a body having a chamber, a first electrical connection located at a first end of the chamber, and a second electrical connection located at a second end of the chamber. The first end is opposite to the second end. An addressable switch located inside the chamber, the addressable switch has a digital address. A connection unit located inside the chamber and configured to electrically connect the addressable switch to an initiating device. The interchangeable module is configured to be used (1) between a first gun cluster and a second gun cluster and (2) between a distal gun cluster and a setting tool, and the first and second electrical connections are electrically connected to the addressable switch.

Abstract: A setting kit for connecting a plug to a setting tool includes a collet connecting part configured to be attached to an internal sleeve of the setting tool; and a collet configured to be attached with a first end to the collet connecting part and with a second end to the plug. The second end automatically connects to the plug by only pushing the second end onto the plug.

Abstract: An interchangeable module configured to be used in an integrated perforating gun and setting tool system, the interchangeable module having a body having a chamber, a first electrical connection located at a first end of the chamber, and a second electrical connection located at a second end of the chamber. The first end is opposite to the second end. An addressable switch located inside the chamber, the addressable switch has a digital address. A connection unit located inside the chamber and configured to electrically connect the addressable switch to an initiating device. The interchangeable module is configured to be used (1) between a first gun cluster and a second gun cluster and (2) between a distal gun cluster and a setting tool, and the first and second electrical connections are electrically connected to the addressable switch.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical component of a gun system is disclosed. The housing includes a housing body, an uphole bulkhead, and a downhole bulkhead. The housing body defines a cavity. The uphole bulkhead is disposed at least partially within the cavity. The downhole bulkhead is disposed at least partially within the cavity and opposite to the uphole bulkhead. The downhole bulkhead includes an electrical contact extending between a first end and a second end of the downhole bulkhead. The cavity, the uphole bulkhead, and the second end of the downhole bulkhead define a sealed volume configured to receive and isolate the electrical component. The electrical contact is configured to be electrically connected to the electrical component.

Abstract: A wireline release tool for downhole intervention, the tool including a housing having an electrical input and an electrical output; a pass-through switch located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output; and a current limiter device located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output. The pass-through switch is connected in parallel to the current limiter device, between the electrical input and the electrical output.

Abstract: A method for determining the distribution of a proppant and associated slurry exiting perforations made in a casing, which is placed in a well, includes receiving settling data describing the proppant settling in the casing; receiving a slip parameter describing a casing velocity of the proppant relative to a perforation velocity of the proppant; calculating with a computing device, based on a constant proppant concentration model, (1) initial flow rates Q?(i) of the proppant through the perforations and (2) initial flow rates Q?case(i) of the proppant through the casing, wherein i is the number of perforations; and calculating with the computing device, based on (1) a variable proppant concentration model, (2) the settling data, (3) the slip parameter, (4) the initial flow rates Q?(i) of the proppant through the perforations, and (5) the initial flow rates Q?case(i) of the proppant through the casing, normalized flow rates Q?s(i) of the proppant through the perforations.

Abstract: A detonator module comprising: a housing with a first housing half and a second housing half, a detonator contained within the housing, a child board comprising a terminal header, wherein the child board is contained within the housing and the first housing half exposes the terminal header to an exterior of the housing, a switch mounted to an exterior surface of the housing, and a plurality of switch leads connecting the switch to the terminal header.

Abstract: A downhole tool for sealing a well includes a push ring, a first slip ring located adjacent to the push ring, a first wedge located adjacent to the first slip ring and configured to radially push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into individual parts, and a sealing element located adjacent to the first wedge and configured to seal the well. An upstream end of the first slip ring and a downstream end of the push ring form a wavy interface when in contact. The wavy interface locks the first slip ring relative to the push ring to prevent a rotation of the first slip ring relative to the push ring.

Abstract: A centralizing device is configured to centralize/decentralize an associated tool in a well. The centralizing device includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis X, the body having a bore that extends from one end to another end of the body; a first piston shaped as a cylinder and provided around a central portion of the body; a second piston shaped as a cylinder and provided around the central portion of the body; a bridge provided around the central portion of the body, between the first and second pistons; and a pair of arms, each arm being attached with one end to a corresponding one of the first and second pistons and with another end to each other. The second piston, the bridge, and the central portion of the body define a sealed chamber, which is sealed from the ambient.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical component of a gun system is disclosed. The housing includes a housing body, an uphole bulkhead, and a downhole bulkhead. The housing body defines a cavity. The uphole bulkhead is disposed at least partially within the cavity. The downhole bulkhead is disposed at least partially within the cavity and opposite to the uphole bulkhead. The downhole bulkhead includes an electrical contact extending between a first end and a second end of the downhole bulkhead. The cavity, the uphole bulkhead, and the second end of the downhole bulkhead define a sealed volume configured to receive and isolate the electrical component. The electrical contact is configured to be electrically connected to the electrical component.

Abstract: A wireline tool connection comprising a wireline top sub and a tandem sub; wherein the wireline top sub further comprises a first pin end, a first box end, wherein the first box end further comprises an internal threads, and a bore that extends from the first pin end partially through the body of the wireline top sub. The tandem sub further comprises threads, an electric feedthrough, and a pressure barrier. The tandem sub and wireline top sub are connected via the threads of the tandem sub and the internal threads of the wireline top sub.

Abstract: A downhole tool for connecting and releasing portions of a tool string includes a housing; an electronics assembly; an activation mechanism; a valve assembly and a set of retainer dogs to connect and release a neck of another tool. The downhole tool may also include one or more measurement sensors for measuring a parameter and transferring one or more measured parameter values to the surface of the well.

Abstract: A wellbore select fire switch retaining member system and method with an integrated through wire and ground wire in a switch sub. The system/method includes a retaining member that has a form factor acceptable by a conventional switch sub. The retaining member incorporates an electrical connection to the center pin of a pressure switch. The system further includes a secondary piston aligned with a piston in the switch (switch piston) so that external pressure is fully acted upon the entire switch piston creating a reliable switch connection. Another system includes an integrated retaining member and switch module having a form factor compatible with existing switch subs. The integrated module inputs include a ground wire and a through wire and the outputs include a ground wire, through wire and an arming wire.

Abstract: A loading tube is configured to receive one or more shaped charges to form a perforating gun. The loading tube includes a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis; a cord passage formed into the tubular body; a retention cutoff formed into the tubular body and configured to receive a detonator cord; and a holding element extending into the retention cutoff and being integrally made with a wall of the tubular body, wherein the holding element is configured to hold the detonator cord into the retention cutoff. The cord passage is configured to receive the detonator cord from a bore of the tubular body and to direct the detonator cord outside the bore of the tubular body.