Abstract: A technique includes providing a tool to be deployed in a well to perform a downhole function. The downhole function requires a minimum structural integrity for an element of the tool. The technique includes forming at least part of the element from a ferrous alloy and charging the alloy with hydrogen cause the element to be more prone to cracking than before the hydrogen charging.

Abstract: A technique includes providing a tool to be deployed in a well to perform a downhole function. The downhole function requires a minimum structural integrity for an element of the tool. The technique includes forming at least part of the element from a ferrous alloy and charging the alloy with hydrogen cause the element to be more prone to cracking than before the hydrogen charging.

Abstract: A technique includes providing a tool to be deployed in a well to perform a downhole function. The downhole function requires a minimum structural integrity for an element of the tool. The technique includes forming at least part of the element from a ferrous alloy and charging the alloy with hydrogen cause the element to be more prone to cracking than before the hydrogen charging.

Abstract: A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.

Abstract: A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.

Abstract: A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.

Abstract: A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.

Abstract: A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.

Abstract: A seal assembly that is usable with a well includes a metal body that is adapted to expand radially inwardly and radially outwardly in response to the body being longitudinally compressed between compressing surfaces. The metal body includes first and second surfaces that do not conform to the compressing surfaces before longitudinal compression of the body and are adapted to contact the compressing surfaces.

Abstract: A technique includes providing a tool to be deployed in a well to perform a downhole function. The downhole function requires a minimum structural integrity for an element of the tool. The technique includes forming at least part of the element from a ferrous alloy and charging the alloy with hydrogen cause the element to be more prone to cracking than before the hydrogen charging.

Abstract: A seal assembly that is usable with a well includes a metal body that is adapted to expand radially inwardly and radially outwardly in response to the body being longitudinally compressed between compressing surfaces. The metal body includes first and second surfaces that do not conform to the compressing surfaces before longitudinal compression of the body and are adapted to contact the compressing surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the post-detonation pressure of a perforating gun, the apparatus including a perforating gun carrying at least one explosive charge, wherein when the explosive charge is detonated the explosive charge produces a pressurized detonation gas, and a mechanism for reducing the pressure of the detonation gas proximate the perforating gun. The detonation gas pressure is desirably reduced in a time frame sufficient to create a dynamic underbalance condition to facilitate a surge flow of fluid from a reservoir into a wellbore. The pressure reduction mechanism may include singularly or in combination a heat sink to reduce the temperature of the detonation gas, a reactant to recombine with the reactant gas and reduce the molar density of the detonation gas, and a physical compression mechanism to utilize the waste energy of the detonation gas to create work, simultaneously reducing the temperature of the gas and the molar density of the detonation gas.

Abstract: A perforating charge case is made by a process that includes cold forming a material into a shape for the perforating charge case. The cold forming produces additional recrystallization nucleation sites in the material. After the cold forming, the material may be annealed to decrease sizes of grains of the material to improve a ductility of the material to increase fragment sizes of the perforating charge case when an explosive that is placed inside the perforating charge case detonates.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting a detonating cord comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that are pivotable relative to each other. An anvil is mounted on the second jaw and has a first opening for receiving a cord and a second opening intersecting with the first opening. A blade is mounted on the second jaw and has a cutting edge that is arranged to slide into the second opening when the first and second jaws are pivoted toward each other.

Abstract: A shaped charge includes a case, an explosive material packed against the inner wall of the case, and a liner for lining the explosive material, where the liner includes Bismuth and Copper powders as constituent elements. The Bismuth element replaces a Lead element which is normally present as a constituent element in prior art shaped charge liners. Bismuth is superior to Lead because all environmental concerns, with respect to the deposition of Lead in a formation, have been eliminated.

Abstract: A shaped charge includes a case, an explosive material packed against the inner wall of the case, and a liner for lining the explosive material, where the liner includes Bismuth and Copper powders as constituent elements. The Bismuth element replaces a Lead element which is normally present as a constituent element in prior art shaped charge liners. Bismuth is superior to Lead because all environmental concerns, with respect to the deposition of Lead in a formation, have been eliminated.