Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing a shaped charge carrier from a generally cylindrical thin wall tube. A plurality of flat areas are formed on the cylindrical tube, and an opening through the tube is associated with each of the flat areas for receiving a shaped charge therein.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier for a perforating gun includes a generally cylindrical thin wall carrier tube, a plurality of flat areas formed on the carrier tube, and an opening through each of the flat areas for receiving a shaped charge therein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the joining of one tubular member to another tubular member through the use of the substantially instantaneous application of high energy to the tubular members, such as by the use of explosives, while placing one tubular member in a state of substantially elastic deformation and the other tubular member in a state of substantially plastic and elastic deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method having particular utility in quickly releasing the moorings of large vessels and offshore platforms. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a pair of pyrotechnic cutting torches disposed in a housing included as a structural member in a submerged mooring, such as an anchor chain. The housing divides at one end into a shackle comprising substantially parallel laterally spaced walls, each having an aperture therethrough. A common anchor chain link is inserted between the walls of the shackle and a shackle pin is inserted through the wall apertures and the link to secure the link to the housing. The cutting torches are disposed in the same plane as the link, and the torch nozzles oriented so as to sever the link on both sides of the pin when the torches are ignited, in order to release the chain therefrom. The other end of the housing comprises a clevis, secured to the anchor chain by a Kenter shackle.

Abstract: A back-off tool comprising an explosive contained in a tubular housing which will disintegrate into fine particles upon detonation of the explosive. The explosive may be in the form of pellets so as to have the capability to vary the amount of explosive force by employing different diameter pellets and different numbers of pellets in the housing. A pressure compensation arrangement may be employed.

Abstract: A perforating gun carrier comprising an inner substantially tubular housing within an outer substantially tubular sleeve. The inner housing includes gun ports extending through the wall thereof in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of shaped charges to be carried within. The sleeve may be secured to the housing by welding, soldering, brazing, adhesive bonding or other known method, may be shrink-fit onto the housing, or may be mechanically secured thereon.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a high-density perforating gun in which the shaped charges carried thereby are oriented so that the jets emanating therefrom substantially intersect the axis of the gun. The shaped charges may be vertically spaced by a distance less than the diameter of the charges, but sufficient for each charge jet to pass unobstructed by other jets emanating from the charges immediately above and below.

Abstract: A cartridge loaded stud gun and a complementary anode attachment fitting provide a system for explosively attaching a sacrificial anode to a subsea structure. The system is capable of being operated by a remote-controlled vehicle, and contains a means for orienting the gun and sensing its alignment in order to prevent firing the gun with the barrel canted relative to the subsea structure, a position which might permit ricocheting of the fired stud.

Abstract: A stacked load of gas-forming pyrotechnic fuel pellets comprising metal, metal oxide and PTFE in varying amounts for use in apparatus for severing conduits in high pressure environments.

Abstract: Methods of severing conduits along planes extending transversely to the axis thereof comprising confining a fuel composition within a fuel chamber in an elongated housing sized for insertion in a conduit, the housing including a plurality of spaced radially extending discharge nozzles communicated with the fuel chamber and positioned to direct fuel reaction products in directions transverse to the axis of the housing, positioning the housing inside a conduit to be severed and igniting the fuel composition confined in the fuel chamber so that reaction products formed therefrom exit the housing by way of the discharge nozzles and impact the conduit thereby severing the conduit. Apparatus and pyrotechnic fuel compositions are also provided.

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: Apparatus for severing a conduit along a plane extending transversely through the conduit which includes an elongated housing forming a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart fuel chambers communicated by an impingement passage extending longitudinally between the fuel chambers. A plurality of fuel reaction products discharge nozzles are disposed transversely through the sides of the housing and means are attached to the housing for simultaneously igniting fuel contained in the fuel chambers whereby reaction products formed therefrom travel in opposite directions through the impingement passage and exit the housing by way of the discharge nozzles. Methods of severing conduits using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing a conduit along a plane generally transverse to the axis of the conduit which includes two confined explosive charges aligned axially with the conduit and terminating at opposed proximal convexly shaped ends facing each other across a space disposed in such transverse plane. A liner formed of high density ductile material having radially increasing thickness is attached to each of the proximal ends of the charges and detonation devices are disposed at the distal ends of the charges for originating simultaneous detonation of the charges. Methods of severing conduits using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for the simultaneous placement of a plurality of objects on a substantially horizontal surface is disclosed, said apparatus comprising a platform to position the objects, release mechanisms to releasably attach the objects to the platform and a system for simultaneous release of the objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for attaching shaped charge units into a well perforating gun. The shaped charge unit has an ear shaped extension having a cavity for receiving a wire in the perforating assembly. A second extension is positioned on the perforating charge unit having a threaded hole for containing a screw which may be advanced into tight engagement with the wire in the cavity of the first extension. This arrangement allows perforating units to be quickly added or taken out of a perforating gun assembly by adjustment of the screws through the threaded assemblies of the perforating charges.

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: Apparatus for severing tubing along a generally transverse plane through the tubing wall, and including two confined explosive charges aligned axially with the tubing wall and terminating at opposed, proximal ends facing each other across a space disposed in such transverse plane. A portion of the opposed ends of the charges can contact each other, provided the main bodies of the two charges are spaced at the location of the plane of desired severance. Detonation devices are disposed at the distal or remote ends of the charges for originating detonation of the charges at such distal ends.The apparatus is employed by emplacing the confined charges in the tubing to be severed with the charges positioned on opposite sides of, and terminating with their proximal ends substantially at, the plane in which the desired severance is to be effected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for severing concrete pilings containing one or more longitudinally extending reinforcing rods are provided. The apparatus is comprised of at least one elongated barrel, a projectile positioned within the barrel, remotely detonatable explosive means attached to the barrel for propelling the projectile through the barrel into contact with the piling and means for clamping the barrel to the piling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safe/arm detonator assembly for use with an oil well perforating gun assembly having two housing members sealingly isolated from well bore fluid and which are rotatable from a safe position wherein a detonator and a booster are held out of alignment, to an armed position wherein the detonator and booster are moved into alignment. The detonator assembly is further arranged to be installed in a well perforating gun assembly such that the gun assembly may be transported with the detonator assembly in the safe position, and rotated to the armed position at the well site without disassembling the gun assembly. A safety pin is further disclosed which may be included in one of the housing members to cover and protect the booster from accidental detonation when the detonator assembly is in the safe position.

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.