Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to force-balanced perforating tools that employ opposing non-perpendicular shaped charge orientations. A perforating tool includes at least two shaped charges positioned to fire in opposing directions, wherein each shaped charged is oriented at an angle that is not perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the perforating tool.

Abstract: A system for landing a perforating gun in a particular orientation may include a landing housing securable within a wellbore and having at least one key slot extending into an inner surface of the landing housing. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to couple to the landing housing in a particular orientation. The latch assembly includes a tubular support structure and at least one key feature configured to extend and retract radially through a sidewall of the tubular support structure. The latch assembly further includes a biasing mechanism configured to bias the at least one key feature into the at least one key slot to couple the latch assembly to the landing housing. Additionally, the system includes a perforating gun system secured to the latch assembly such that the orientation of the latch assembly aims the perforating gun system in the wellbore.

Abstract: A system for landing a perforating gun in a particular orientation may include a landing housing securable within a wellbore and having at least one key slot extending into an inner surface of the landing housing. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to couple to the landing housing in a particular orientation. The latch assembly includes a tubular support structure and at least one key feature configured to extend and retract radially through a sidewall of the tubular support structure. The latch assembly further includes a biasing mechanism configured to bias the at least one key feature into the at least one key slot to couple the latch assembly to the landing housing. Additionally, the system includes a perforating gun system secured to the latch assembly such that the orientation of the latch assembly aims the perforating gun system in the wellbore.

Abstract: A perforating gun is disclosed with shaped charges at a preferential orientation. An example includes a gun body and a charge carrier disposed within the gun body. The charge carrier defines a longitudinal carrier axis and has a plurality of axially-spaced charge mounting locations. A plurality of charges are each pivotally mounted to the charge carrier at one of the respective charge mounting locations about a charge pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal carrier axis. The charges may preferentially align in response to gravity so their orientation remains constant throughout a range of inclination of the wellbore.

Abstract: A safety mechanism and method for downhole perforating are disclosed. In one example, a mechanical firing head includes a firing pin carried on a pin carrier within a housing. The firing pin is movable from a retracted position to a firing position for striking an explosive initiator. A retention member retains the firing pin in the retracted position with the safety member in the armed position. A safety member is biased to a safety position that additionally blocks movement of the firing pin. The safety member is moveable to an armed position that unblocks movement of the firing pin in response to an arming pressure supplied to the housing bore. The retention member releases the firing pin in response to a firing pressure supplied to the housing in excess of the firing pressure.

Abstract: A safety mechanism and method for downhole perforating are disclosed. In one example, a mechanical firing head includes a firing pin carried on a pin carrier within a housing. The firing pin is movable from a retracted position to a firing position for striking an explosive initiator. A retention member retains the firing pin in the retracted position with the safety member in the armed position. A safety member is biased to a safety position that additionally blocks movement of the firing pin. The safety member is moveable to an armed position that unblocks movement of the firing pin in response to an arming pressure supplied to the housing bore. The retention member releases the firing pin in response to a firing pressure supplied to the housing in excess of the firing pressure.

Abstract: A method and systems for perforating a formation surrounding a borehole that include placing a perforating gun assembly into the borehole, the perforating gun assembly including a gun body comprising a connector and a shaped charge within the gun body. The shaped charges are detonated, thereby producing a shock wave in the gun body. The shock wave propagating through the gun body is attenuated using a shock attenuation feature in the gun body to decrease a stress from the shock wave communicated to the connector.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure cycle actuation assembly. The pressure cycle actuation assembly, in one aspect, includes a housing, a reciprocating piston located within the housing and defining first and second fluid chambers, and a check valve positioned between the first and second fluid chambers, the check valve permitting fluid flow from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber but preventing fluid flow from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. The A pressure cycle actuation assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a flow restrictor positioned between the first and second fluid chambers, the flow restrictor restricting fluid flow between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, and a rotating collet coupled to the reciprocating piston, the rotating collet translating reciprocal axial motion of the reciprocating piston into one-direction rotation and axial lengthening or shortening of the rotating collet relative to the reciprocating piston.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure cycle actuation assembly. The pressure cycle actuation assembly, in one aspect, includes a housing, a reciprocating piston located within the housing and defining first and second fluid chambers, and a check valve positioned between the first and second fluid chambers, the check valve permitting fluid flow from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber but preventing fluid flow from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. The A pressure cycle actuation assembly, according to this aspect, further includes a flow restrictor positioned between the first and second fluid chambers, the flow restrictor restricting fluid flow between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, and a rotating collet coupled to the reciprocating piston, the rotating collet translating reciprocal axial motion of the reciprocating piston into one-direction rotation and axial lengthening or shortening of the rotating collet relative to the reciprocating piston.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for mechanically perforating a tubular positioned in a subterranean wellbore. A plurality of punch members are moved radially outward in response to hydraulic pressure from the tubing or other source into contact with the tubular. Retraction of the punch members is by biasing member or change in hydraulic pressure. A slip assembly, also hydraulically actuated, secures the tool in position during use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for mechanically perforating a tubular positioned in a subterranean wellbore. A plurality of punch members are moved radially outward in response to hydraulic pressure from the tubing or other source into contact with the tubular. Retraction of the punch members is by biasing member or change in hydraulic pressure. A slip assembly, also hydraulically actuated, secures the tool in position during use.

Abstract: A spur attachable to a boot. The spur includes a body having a first arm, a second arm, and a neck. A first bar having eyelets is attached to a distal end of the first arm and a second bar having eyelets is attached to a distal end of the second arm. The first arm and the second arm are configured to be forward relative to a heel of the boot and the neck is configured to be rearward relative to the heel of the boot.

Abstract: A spur attachable to a boot is provided. The spur includes a body comprising a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, and a neck with a head disposed on the distal end of each arm. The first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm are configured to be forward relative to a heel of the boot and the neck is configured to be rearward relative to the heel of the boot, and the third arm and fourth arm are configured to tighten a single strap attached to the head disposed on the distal end of each arm when the neck drops relative to the boot.

Abstract: A spur attachable to a boot is provided. The spur includes a body comprising a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, and a neck with a head disposed on the distal end of each arm. The first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm are configured to be forward relative to a heel of the boot and the neck is configured to be rearward relative to the heel of the boot, and the third arm and fourth arm are configured to tighten a single strap attached to the head disposed on the distal end of each arm when the neck drops relative to the boot.

Abstract: A spur attachable to a boot is provided. The spur includes a body having a first arm, a second arm, and a neck. A first bar having eyelets is attached to a distal end of the first arm and a second bar having eyelets is attached to a distal end of the second arm. The first arm and the second arm are configured to be forward relative to a heel of the boot and the neck is configured to be rearward relative to the heel of the boot.