Abstract: A focused output detonator includes a detonator shell including detonator components, and a focuser coupled to the detonator shell. The detonator shell may include a body extending along a central axis of the detonator shell. A first open end is provided at a first end of the body, and a closed end is provided at a second end of the body. A chamber is bounded by the body and the closed end, and the detonator components are housed in the chamber. The focuser is coupled to the closed end of the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focused output detonator is structured to focus a ballistic output of the focuser along the central axis and away from the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focuser includes a donor charge. The focuser may include an encapsulated and hydraulically sealed donor charge.

Abstract: A control module for use with a plurality of wellbore tools may include a power source and a logic circuit operably coupled to the power source. The logic circuit may be operably coupled to the plurality of wellbore tools through a topmost wellbore tool of the plurality of wellbore tools. The logic circuit may be configured to, in response to an initiation condition and for each wellbore tool of the plurality of wellbore tools in a sequential order from a bottommost wellbore tool to the topmost wellbore tool, determine whether the wellbore tool is a responsive wellbore tool or a non-responsive wellbore tool. In response to a determination that the wellbore tool is a responsive wellbore tool, the logic circuit may initiate the wellbore tool. In response to a determination that the wellbore tool is a non-responsive wellbore tool, the logic circuit may skip initiation of the wellbore tool.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may relate to perforating gun assemblies configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. In some embodiments, the perforating gun assembly may include a perforating gun housing and at least one shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing may be jointly configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%. Related method embodiments may be used to improve the performance of unconventional wells.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly may include a first housing extending along a longitudinal axis and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The first housing may include a coupling provided at a first end of the first housing. The TSA may include a TSA body and a seal element provided on an outer surface of the TSA body. At least part of the TSA may be positioned inside the first housing such that the seal element and the coupling intersect with a common plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A bulkhead may include a fixed body having a first contact surface and an exterior fixed body surface, a first electrical contact, and a first spring having a first spring end in contact with the first contact surface and a second spring end in contact with the first electrical contact.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly that orients one or more shaped charges within a well includes a housing and an orienting internal assembly configured to be disposed within a longitudinal bore of the housing. The orienting internal assembly may include at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube, a rotation support system, a detonator holder and/or a detonator. The rotation support system may be configured so that the detonator holder and/or detonator rotate together as a whole with the at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube. The rotation support system may include at least one bearing assembly, a plurality of rollers, or combinations thereof. The orienting internal assembly may be configured for gravitational orientation.

Abstract: A shaped charge holder includes a body, a cavity formed in the body and extending along a central axis of the body, and a plurality of shaped charge receptacles formed in the body and circumferentially arranged around the central axis. Each shaped charge receptacle is spaced apart from another shaped charge receptacle. Retention mechanisms extend from the body and are configured to retain a shaped charge in a respective shaped charge receiving structure. A plurality of shaped charges, each including a shaped charge case, an explosive load disposed in the case and a liner disposed on top of the explosive load may be positioned in the respective shaped charge receiving structure. The shaped charge holder may be positioned in a housing chamber of a perforating gun housing.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems and methods of releasing a wireline from a tool string in a well are presented. For example, a wireline release tool may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion may have a closed end, an open end, and a chamber therebetween, and the second housing portion may be shearably attached to close the open end of the first housing portion. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to force the second housing portion from an initial position to a release position. One of the housing portions may be configured for attachment to a wireline, while the other of the housing portions may be configured for attachment to a tool string.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to weight modules for use in a wellbore tool string. In some embodiments, the weight module may comprise a conductive body, extending in an axial direction, and an insulating cover. The conductive body may be configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing, and the insulating cover may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing. In some embodiments, the conductive body may have a first contact portion, provided at a first end of the conductive body, and a second contact portion, provided at a second end of the conductive body, with the first contact portion in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly may include a housing extending along a first axis, a movable structure provided within the housing, and a tool string component coupled to the housing and abutting the moveable structure. The movable structure may be movable between a first position along the first axis relative to the housing and a second position along the first axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: Pressure-isolating bulkhead structures with integrated selective electronic switches circuitry are provided. The pressure-isolating bulkhead structure may be a single unit having the integrated electronic switch circuitry, as well as an electrical connector that includes at least one of a wire and a pin contact. Such integrated selective electronic switch circuitry may be fashioned within a self-contained, inner pressure-isolating enclosure body. Such inner pressure-isolating enclosure body may be produced about the selective electronic switch circuitry such that the inner pressure-isolating enclosure body and switch circuitry are produced as a unit, which can be easily placed within a variety of bulkhead structures, and subsequently within a perforating gun.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system is presented for orienting one or more shaped charge within a well. For example, a perforating gun assembly may include a housing and an orienting internal assembly configured to be disposed within a longitudinal bore of the housing. In some embodiments, the orienting internal assembly may include at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube, a rotation support system, and a detonator holder and/or a detonator. The rotation support system may be configured so that the detonator holder and/or detonator rotate together as a whole with the at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube. In some embodiments, the rotation support system may include at least one bearing assembly, a plurality of rollers, or combinations thereof. Some embodiments may be configured for gravitational orientation.

Abstract: A bulkhead may include a fixed body having an exterior fixed body surface, a first cover having a first large region and a first small region, a second cover having a second large region and a second small region, a seal element, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The exterior fixed body surface may be perpendicular to a radius of the fixed body. The seal element may contact the exterior fixed body surface in a gap provided between the first cover and the second cover. The first electrical contact may extend through the first small region of the first cover. The second electrical contact may extend through the second small region of the second cover.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system is presented for orienting one or more shaped charge within a well. For example, a perforating gun assembly may include a housing and an orienting internal assembly configured to be disposed within a longitudinal bore of the housing. In some embodiments, the orienting internal assembly may include at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube, a rotation support system, and a detonator holder and/or a detonator. The rotation support system may be configured so that the detonator holder and/or detonator rotate together as a whole with the at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube. In some embodiments, the rotation support system may include at least one bearing assembly, a plurality of rollers, or combinations thereof. Some embodiments may be configured for gravitational orientation.

Abstract: A shaped charge orientation system may include a first perforating gun housing having a first hollow interior and a second perforating gun housing having a second hollow interior. A first shaped charge holder may be positioned in the first hollow interior and oriented in a first direction. A second shaped charge holder may be positioned in the second hollow interior and oriented in a second direction different than the first direction. A manual alignment tool may engage with the second perforating gun housing to rotate the second shaped charge holder from the second direction to the first direction. A method of manually aligning the first and second shaped charge holders may include marking an outer surface of the first perforating gun housing with a visual indicator in alignment with the first direction, and orienting the second shaped charge holder into alignment in the first direction using a manual alignment tool.

Abstract: A single use setting tool for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an outer sleeve and an inner piston received within a central bore of the outer sleeve. The inner piston may define one or more elongate bores therethrough that are in fluid communication with a cavity of the inner piston and extend axially through a distal end portion of the inner piston. The distal end portion of the inner piston may abut a shoulder of the outer sleeve, for example at a distal end face of the inner piston.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to weight modules for use in a wellbore tool string. In some embodiments, the weight module may comprise a conductive body, extending in an axial direction, and an insulating cover. The conductive body may be configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing, and the insulating cover may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing. In some embodiments, the conductive body may have a first contact portion, provided at a first end of the conductive body, and a second contact portion, provided at a second end of the conductive body, with the first contact portion in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body.

Abstract: A perforating gun may include a gun carrier extending in an axial direction and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The gun carrier having a maximum outer carrier diameter. The TSA may include a first TSA region having a first TSA outer diameter, a second TSA region having a second TSA outer diameter, and a shoulder surface formed between an outer surface of the first TSA region and an outer surface of the second TSA region. The second TSA outer diameter may be larger than the first TSA outer diameter and smaller than the maximum outer carrier diameter. A portion of the gun carrier may abut with the shoulder surface.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an autonomous perforating drone for downhole delivery of a wellbore tool, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, the wellbore tool may be a plurality of shaped charges that are arranged in a variety of configurations, including helically, in one or more single radial planes, or opposing around a perforating assembly section, and detonated in a top-to-bottom sequence when the autonomous perforating drone reaches a predetermined depth in the wellbore. In another aspect, the shaped charges may be received in shaped charge apertures within a body of a perforating assembly section, wherein the shaped charge apertures are respectively positioned adjacent to at least one of a receiver booster, detonator, and detonating cord for directly initiating the shaped charges.

Abstract: A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device is configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore is adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device aligns at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.