Abstract: An electronic initiation system for use with a firing panel may include an input connector, a plurality of electronic ignition circuits (EICs) operably coupled together in series, and an indicator operably coupled to an output of each EIC of the plurality of EICs. A first EIC of the plurality of EICs may be operably coupled to the input connector. The indicator is configured to generate an indication in response to an output of an EIC of the plurality of EICs satisfying a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A perforating gun housing includes a housing wall extending between a first housing portion defining a chamber, and a second housing portion defining a bore. The housing wall includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface, and a face extending substantially perpendicularly to the second outer surface between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. A perforating gun tool string comprises a first gun housing coupled to a second gun housing, wherein each gun housing includes a housing wall having a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion for attachment to an adjacent gun housing. A method for assembling a wellbore tool string includes providing a first gun housing and a second gun housing, inserting the second end of the first gun housing into the first end of the second gun housing, and rotating the first gun housing relative to the second gun housing.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore is described. The system includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. A drone magazine contains a plurality of the drones and selectively releases/feeds the drones into the platform receiver. More than one drone magazine, each containing different drone types, may supply drones to the platform receiver such that different drones may be ordered for disposal into the wellbore. The platform receiver prepared the drones to be moved from the platform to the wellhead by the conveyance. The wellhead receiver accepts the drones from the conveyance and prepares each received drone for dropping into the wellbore via the wellhead.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a shaped charge holder. A plurality of shaped charge receptacles formed in the shaped charge holder are configured to arrange a plurality of shaped charges in a desired orientation. The shaped charges are detonated by a detonator in response to an initiation signal. The positioning device may be secured in a perforating gun module, with vertical and horizontal movement of the positioning being inhibited in the perforating gun module.

Abstract: A detonating cord for using in a perforating gun includes an explosive layer and an electrically conductive layer extending around the explosive layer. The electrically conductive layer is configured to relay a communication signal along a length of the detonating cord. In an embodiment, a protective jacket extends around the electrically conductive layer of the detonating cord. The detonating cord may be assembled in a perforating gun to relay a communication signal from a top connector to a bottom connector of the perforating gun, and to propagate a detonating explosive stimulus along its length to initiate shaped charges of the perforating gun. A plurality of perforating guns, including the detonating cord, may be connected in series, with the detonating cord of a first perforating gun in communication with the detonating cord of a second perforating gun.

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: A single use setting tool and associated method for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an inner piston with an annular wall defining a piston cavity. A portion of the inner piston including the piston cavity may be positioned within a central bore of an outer sleeve, and the inner piston and the outer sleeve may be slidable relative to one another. A portion of the inner piston may extend beyond an end of the outer sleeve and have a shock absorbing wedge positioned thereon, and the end of the outer sleeve may have a cutout for receiving the shock absorbing wedge. A bi-directional gas-generating power charge may be positioned in the piston cavity and include a power charge having a booster positioned in an indentation adjacent each of a first end and a second end of the power charge.

Abstract: A single use setting tool for actuating a tool in a wellbore includes an inner piston extending through a central bore of an outer sleeve. The inner piston has a seal adapter portion and a piston cavity housing an initiator holder for receiving a push-in detonator. A gas diverter channel is open to and extends from the piston cavity through an annular wall of the piston, to transfer gas pressure to a gas expansion chamber for stroking the outer sleeve. A method of actuating a wellbore tool with a single use setting tool includes inserting an initiator into the initiator holder, attaching a tandem seal adapter to the seal adapter portion of the inner piston, and relaying an electrical signal to a line-in portion of the initiator, to initiate the initiator. The single use setting tool may be used in a wellbore tool string.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system and a wellhead receiver for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. The wellhead receiver prepares the drone to be inserted into the wellbore via the wellhead. Preparation of the drone to be inserted into the wellbore includes adjusting the physical conditions surrounding the drone to approximate the physical conditions in the wellbore. The preparation may be performed using fluid inputs and outputs connected to a compartment of the wellhead receiver. Other preparation processes may also take place in the wellhead receiver such as assuring the appropriate drone is being inserted, that the drone has been programmed appropriately, that safety devices have been deactivated and charging an onboard power supply of the drone.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a bottom-fire 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 and in one or more single radial planes around a perforating assembly section, and detonated in a bottom-up sequence when the bottom-fire 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: An initiator head assembly may include a body and an electrical contact component positioned proximal to the body. The body may include a head extending from a base, and a platform extending from the head, and the body may be injection molded as a unitary component. The electrical contact component may include a line-in portion positioned proximal to the platform and a ground portion positioned proximal to the head. The electrical contact component may be formed integrally with the body such that it is anchored in a fixed position in the body. An initiator for a perforating gun assembly may include the initiator head assembly and a shell coupled to the initiator head assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector body and a first electrical contact provided at a first end of the connector body. The first electrical contact may be biased so as to rest at a first rest position if no external force is being applied to the first electrical contact. The first electrical contact may be structured so as to move from the first rest position to a first retracted position in response to an application of external force against the first electrical contact.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore is described. The system includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. A drone magazine contains a plurality of the drones and selectively releases/feeds the drones into the platform receiver. More than one drone magazine, each containing different drone types, may supply drones to the platform receiver such that different drones may be ordered for disposal into the wellbore. The platform receiver prepared the drones to be moved from the platform to the wellhead by the conveyance. The wellhead receiver accepts the drones from the conveyance and prepares each received drone for dropping into the wellbore via the wellhead.

Abstract: An inspection tool and associated methods for testing physical and electrical properties of a perforating gun segment, wherein the perforating gun segment is received in a perforating gun segment holder positioned between a first connecting portion and second connecting portion. The inspection tool may be for establishing, testing, and confirming the position of an internal gun assembly and the electrical properties of certain electrical connections of the perforating gun segment. Electrical testing contacts and/or distance sensors may be positioned on one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion for measuring the position of the internal gun assembly and the electrical properties. In an aspect, the inspection tool may include a piston for pushing, via the first connecting portion, the internal gun assembly to a predetermined position, and establishing electrical connections to test the electrical properties of the perforating gun segment.

Abstract: A method of forming an initiator head assembly for an initiator is described. An initiator head assembly having particular application with a perforating gun assembly is also described. The initiator head assembly includes a body and an electrical contact component with the electrical contact component embedded therein. The initiator head assembly, with the embedded electrical contact component, is configured as a unitary component and holds a pressure differential across the top and bottom parts of the initiator head assembly.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore is described. The system includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. A drone magazine contains a plurality of the drones and selectively releases/feeds the drones into the platform receiver. More than one drone magazine, each containing different drone types, may supply drones to the platform receiver such that different drones may be ordered for disposal into the wellbore. The platform receiver prepared the drones to be moved from the platform to the wellhead by the conveyance. The wellhead receiver accepts the drones from the conveyance and prepares each received drone for dropping into the wellbore via the wellhead.

Abstract: According to certain exemplary embodiments, an inspection tool and method for inspecting a perforating gun segment includes, among other things, placing a perforating gun segment in a perforating gun segment holder between a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion, wherein each of the male connecting portion and female connecting portion includes one or more electrical contacts and distance sensors. A piston may push the male connecting portion against an internal gun assembly of the perforating gun segment such that the internal gun assembly is pushed to a desired location within the perforating gun segment, as measured by the distance sensors, and into electrical contact with the male and female connecting portions such that electrical properties of the perforating gun segment may be measured.

Abstract: According to certain exemplary embodiments, an inspection tool and method for inspecting a perforating gun segment includes, among other things, placing a perforating gun segment in a perforating gun segment holder between a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion, wherein each of the male connecting portion and female connecting portion includes one or more electrical contacts and distance sensors. A piston may push the male connecting portion against an internal gun assembly of the perforating gun segment such that the internal gun assembly is pushed to a desired location within the perforating gun segment, as measured by the distance sensors, and into electrical contact with the male and female connecting portions such that electrical properties of the perforating gun segment may be measured.