Abstract: A perforating gun for use in a well casing, the gun having a gun carrier extending along a longitudinal axis; plural shaped charges located inside the gun carrier, in groups of three, a first group of three shaped charges being positioned in a first single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second group of three shaped charges being positioned in a second single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis; and a charge holder configured to carry the plural shaped charges, the charge holder configured to be inserted into the gun carrier. The first and second groups of three charges are spaced along the longitudinal axis so that a third single plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, intersects each of the six shaped charges of the first and second groups of three charges, to achieve an ultra-short, high-density, perforating gun.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes a fluid control device configured to be connected to at least one of two casing elements in a well, for controlling a fluid flow between a bore of the fluid control device and a zone located outside the casing elements; and a tracer material located within an inner chamber of a body of the fluid control device, the tracer material being uniquely associated with the fluid control device. The fluid control device is configured to release, when activated, the tracer material out of the inner chamber.

Abstract: A detonator block for housing a detonator has a body configured to host the detonator; the body having a first end that is configured to be attached to a sub; the body having a second end, opposite to the first end, and configured to connect to a gun; and a printed circuit board located inside the body, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to the detonator. The body has a holder that is configured to hold the detonator inside the 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: 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 gun assembly for perforating a well, the gun assembly including a single carrier; a first gun cluster, the first gun cluster including first plural shaped charges; and a second gun cluster, the second gun cluster including second plural shaped charges. The first gun cluster and the second gun cluster are placed in the single carrier.

Abstract: A braking and setting device is configured to slow down a movement of a tool in a well and to fix the tool relative to the well. The braking and setting device includes two or more arms configured to extend from the tool, toward the well, to brake the movement of the tool along a longitudinal axis X; a movable piston configured to be hosted fully within the tool and to move only when a well fluid acts on a base portion of the movable piston, while a tip portion of the movable piston pushes away the two or more arms; and an actuation mechanism configured to establish a fluid communication between the well fluid and the base portion of the movable piston. The movable piston moves exclusively due to a force exerted by the well fluid on the movable piston.

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: An improved perforating gun with novel endplates is disclosed along with a corresponding method of assembly. The endplate includes a base with a 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. Each of the set of tube tabs has a retaining lip and is generally oriented in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The endplate may include an optional 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 fluid control system includes a fluid control device configured to be connected to at least one of two casing elements in a well, for controlling a fluid flow between a bore of the fluid control device and a zone located outside the casing elements; and a tracer material located within an inner chamber of a body of the fluid control device, the tracer material being uniquely associated with the fluid control device. The fluid control device is configured to release, when activated, the tracer material out of the inner chamber.

Abstract: A convertible and addressable switch assembly incudes an interface (I/O) configured to connect to a controller along a telemetry system; and a processor connected to the interface (I/O). The processor is configured to receive a command from the controller, along the telemetry system, to change a first value of a mode status variable to a desired second value, wherein the first value is associated with a first operating mode of the switch assembly and the second value is associated with a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode; change the first value to the second value within the switch assembly; and store in a non-volatile memory, at the switch assembly, the second value of the mode status variable.

Abstract: A perforating gun string is configured to perforate a casing of a well, and the perforating gun string includes a latch mechanism configured to engage with the casing, one or more perforating guns connected with a cable to the latch mechanism, and a global cable that releasably holds together the latch mechanism and the one or more individual perforating guns. The perforating gun string may also comprise a spreading mechanism configured to move away from the latch mechanism and to spread the one or more individual perforating guns away from the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies. The switch assembly includes a micro-controller PB that has no address, a thru-line switch, and a detonator switch. The micro-controller PB is configured to directly communicate with an upstream or downstream switch assembly through a pulsing scheme, and the micro-controller PB receives no command from a surface controller.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes a fluid control device configured to be connected to at least one of two casing elements in a well, for controlling a fluid flow between a bore of the fluid control device and a zone located outside the casing elements; and a tracer material located within an inner chamber of a body of the fluid control device, the tracer material being uniquely associated with the fluid control device. The fluid control device is configured to release, when activated, the tracer material out of the inner chamber.

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.

Abstract: A convertible and addressable switch assembly incudes an interface (I/O) configured to connect to a controller along a telemetry system; and a processor connected to the interface (I/O). The processor is configured to receive a command from the controller, along the telemetry system, to change a first value of a mode status variable to a desired second value, wherein the first value is associated with a first operating mode of the switch assembly and the second value is associated with a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode; change the first value to the second value within the switch assembly; and store in a non-volatile memory, at the switch assembly, the second value of the mode status variable.

Abstract: A setting tool (400) for opening and closing a sleeve (210) inside a casing (200) includes a body (402) extending along a central longitudinal axis (X); a set of holding dogs (420) located around the body (402); and a set of sleeve dogs (430) located around the body (402). The set of sleeve dogs (430) are configured to move along the central longitudinal axis (X) relative to the set of holding dogs (420).

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies. The switch assembly includes a micro-controller PB that has no address, a thru-line switch, and a detonator switch. The micro-controller PB is configured to directly communicate with an upstream or downstream switch assembly through a pulsing scheme, and the micro-controller PB receives no command from a surface controller.

Abstract: A steerable sub for controlling an angular orientation of a well tool in a well, the steerable sub including a housing; a steering element attached to the housing and configured (i) to partially extend out of the housing and (ii) to change an orientation relative to the housing; and an actuation mechanism connected to the steering element and configured to change the orientation of the steering element relative to the housing.

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 circuit 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 circuit limiter device, between the electrical input and the electrical output.