Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. 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 detach the connector from the casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly includes an exposed perforating gun module. The exposed perforating gun module includes a housing having a first connector end, a second connector end opposite and spaced apart from the first connector end, and a chamber extending along a central axis of the housing between the first and second connector ends. The chamber is configured for receiving a detonator and optionally, a radial booster charge coupled to the detonator. A plurality of sockets extends from an outer surface of the housing towards the chamber. Each socket is configured to receive an encapsulated shaped charge. The encapsulated shaped charges may include a protrusion having an external thread that threadingly engage a complimentary threaded portion of the sockets. The detonator may directly initiate the radial booster charge or the encapsulated shaped charges.

Abstract: A ballistically actuated plug may include an outer carrier having a first end and a second end, a hollow interior chamber within the outer carrier, a ballistic carrier positioned within the hollow interior chamber, an initiator positioned within a bore of the ballistic carrier, and one or more ballistic components. Each of the components may be positioned within a ballistic slot on an outer surface of the ballistic carrier. The initiator and the ballistic component may be relatively positioned for the initiator to initiate the one or more ballistic components. The ballistic component may include an explosive charge for expanding the outer carrier. The ballistic carrier may be formed from a fragmenting or disintegrating material.

Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. 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 detach the connector from the casing.

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: According to some embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for autonomously or semi-autonomously conveying downhole oil and gas wellbore tools and performing downhole oil and gas wellbore operations are disclosed. The exemplary devices, systems, and methods may include an untethered drone that substantially disintegrates and/or dissolves into a proppant when shaped charges that the untethered drone carries are detonated. Two or more untethered drones, wellbore tools, and/or data collection devices may be connected in an untethered drone string and detonated for efficiently performing wellbore operations and reducing the amount of debris left in the wellbore after such operations.

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

Abstract: A ballistically actuated plug may include an outer carrier having a first end and a second end, a hollow interior chamber within the outer carrier, a ballistic carrier positioned within the hollow interior chamber, an initiator positioned within a bore of the ballistic carrier, and one or more ballistic components. Each of the components may be positioned within a ballistic slot on an outer surface of the ballistic carrier. The initiator and the ballistic component may be relatively positioned for the initiator to initiate the one or more ballistic components. The ballistic component may include an explosive charge for expanding the outer carrier. The ballistic carrier may be formed from a fragmenting or disintegrating material.

Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. 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 detach the connector from the casing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an instantaneously expanding, ballistically actuated wellbore plug and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of an instantaneously expanding, ballistically actuated wellbore plug include, among other things, a ballistic carrier carrying ballistic components and an initiator and housed within a hollow interior chamber of an outer carrier having an unexpanded form and an expanded form. Exemplary embodiments for a method for setting the plug within a wellbore casing include initiating the ballistic components with the initiator and causing the outer carrier to instantaneously transition from the unexpanded form to the expanded form, in which the outer carrier is in frictional, sealing engagement with the wellbore casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun and alignment assembly includes a perforating gun housing formed from a singular and monolithic piece of metal material, and an alignment ring rotatably secured to the housing. A shaped charge positioning device is positioned in a chamber of the housing.

Abstract: An orientable perforating gun assembly includes a gun housing and a charge carrier positioned within an interior space of the gun housing. The charge carrier supports a shaped charge in a fixed rotational orientation relative to the gun housing. The orientable perforating gun assembly further includes an orientation alignment ring rotatably connected to a first end of the gun housing.

Abstract: An orientable perforating gun assembly may include a gun housing with a charge carrier and shaped charge positioned within an interior space of the gun housing, in fixed orientation relative to the gun housing. An orientation alignment ring may be connected to a first end of the gun housing. The orientation alignment ring and the gun housing may be rotatable relative to each other when the orientation alignment ring is in an unfixed connection state. The gun housing may be in a fixed orientation relative to the orientation alignment ring in a fixed connection state. A locking ring may be connected to the gun housing first end. A method may include orienting the perforating gun housing relative to the orientation alignment ring and other perforating gun assemblies in a string.

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 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: 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.