Abstract: A loading tube for use in a perforating gun is disclosed which eliminates the necessity for utilization of plastic jackets to restrain shaped charges. The loading tube comprises a first tubular member and an engagement structure in the first tubular member in which the primer ends of the shaped charges may be installed. These engagement structures may be a center plate or inner tubular members. In each of the disclosed embodiments, a detonating cord connects the primer ends of the shaped charges which are installed in the loading tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a heat insulating container having an inner space and having a structure defining a hollow containing a vacuum. The apparatus further comprises a reflective layer arranged on a surface of the heat insulating container to reflect heat for reducing radiated heat originated in the wellbore from reaching the inner space. Also, a signal-activated detonator is provided in the inner space of the heat insulating container.

Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting wellbore tools to form a tool string include a first adapter having a tool end connectable to a first wellbore tool and an alignment end, a mandrel that has a pin end and an opposing end, the pin end being matable with the alignment end of the first adapter, a second adapter having an adapter end connectable to a second wellbore tool and a second end connected to the opposing end the mandrel and a sleeve that has a first open end and a second open end, the sleeve is moveably disposed over and in connection with the mandrel and the second open end is connectable with the alignment end of the first adapter for interconnecting the first adapter and the second adapter. The connector assembly facilitates hands-free make-up and break-out of tool strings.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a heat insulating container having an inner space and having a structure defining a hollow containing a vacuum. The apparatus further comprises a reflective layer arranged on a surface of the heat insulating container to reflect heat for reducing radiated heat originated in the wellbore from reaching the inner space. Also, a signal-activated detonator is provided in the inner space of the heat insulating container.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a heat insulating container having an inner space and having a structure defining a hollow containing a vacuum. The apparatus further comprises a reflective layer arranged on a surface of the heat insulating container to reflect heat for reducing radiated heat originated in the wellbore from reaching the inner space. Also, a signal-activated detonator is provided in the inner space of the heat insulating container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes providing an element formed of a superplastic material to perform a predetermined downhole task. In another arrangement, a method and apparatus includes a flowable element and a deformable element that can be expanded by flowing the flowable element.

Abstract: A propellant assembly for fracturing a formation around a well includes a propellant and a detonating cord wrapped around the propellant, the detonating cord to ignite the propellant upon detonation of the detonating cord. Alternatively, the propellant can include a substantially central axial bore, with the propellant having a plurality of axial slots extending radially outwardly from the axial bore toward the outer surface of the propellant. A detonating cord is arranged within the axial bore of the propellant.

Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.

Abstract: A weight spacer apparatus has a carrier which is tubular in shape and a spacer tube which is also tubular in shape for insertion into the carrier. The weight spacer apparatus also has a plurality of weight bars which may be inserted into the spacer tube after the spacer tube is inserted into the carrier and which are also removable from the spacer tube. In one embodiment, a weight tray is inserted into the spacer tube for receiving the weight bars, and the weight tray may be fabricated from half-round tubing with a welded plate to cover the diametric opening. In another embodiment, a center plate is attached inside the spacer tube along the length of the spacer tube to divide the spacer tube into first and second compartments.

Abstract: A loading tube for use in a perforating gun is disclosed which eliminates the necessity for utilization of plastic jackets to restrain shaped charges. The loading tube comprises a first tubular member and an engagement structure in the first tubular member in which the primer ends of the shaped charges may be installed. These engagement structures may be a center plate or inner tubular members. In each of the disclosed embodiments, a detonating cord connects the primer ends of the shaped charges which are installed in the loading tube.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for holding and mounting a shaped charge having a non-standard size into a standard loading tube of a hollow carrier gun. The adapter may include a housing assembly having an interior bore to hold a relatively small shaped charge and an exterior surface sized for mounting in a standard loading tube via a standard jacket. Alternatively, the adapter may include an improved jacket having interior ribs for supporting a relatively small shaped charge and an exterior surface for mounting the shaped charge in a standard loading tube of a relatively large gun.

Abstract: Weight spacer apparatus is disclosed which comprises a carrier which is tubular in shape and a spacer tube which is also tubular in shape for insertion into the carrier. The weight spacer apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a plurality of weight bars which may be inserted into the spacer tube after the spacer tube is inserted into the carrier and which are also removable from the spacer tube. In one embodiment, a weight tray is inserted into the spacer tube for receiving the weight bars, and the weight tray may be fabricated from half-round tubing with a welded plate to cover the diametric opening. In another embodiment, a center plate is attached inside the spacer tube along the length of the spacer tube to divide the spacer tube into first and second compartments. The first compartment comprises a weight tray for receiving the plurality of weight bars, and the portion of the spacer tube opposite the first compartment has openings formed in it to receive shaped charges.

Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to increase the bonding forces of a hydraulic cement to a subterranean pipe (such as a casing) by the addition of at least one cementitious expansive agent to increase the bulk volume of the cement plug and a latex. The method includes positioning a platform in a downhole pipe below the desired cement plug interval, positioning a plug dump bailer tool comprising a chamber for cement slurry and a valve to discharge the cement slurry on and above the platform, and discharging the cement slurry. The cement slurry includes an expansive agent and latex to increase the shear-bond between the downhole pipe and the cement plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to increase the bonding forces of a hydraulic cement to a subterranean pipe (such as a casing) by the addition of at least one cementitious expansive agent to increase the bulk volume of the cement plug and a latex. The method of the invention includes positioning a platform in a downhole pipe below the desired cement plug interval, positioning a plug dump bailer tool comprising a tubular storing chamber for a cement slurry and a valve to discharge the cement slurry on and above the platform and discharging a cement slurry that comprises an expansive agent and a latex in quantities enough to increase the shear-bond between the downhole pipe and the cement plug. The invention allows a significant reduction of the height of the cement plug and therefore of the number of dump-bailer operations required for placing a plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes providing an element formed of a superplastic material to perform a predetermined downhole task. In another arrangement, a method and apparatus includes a flowable element and a deformable element that can be expanded by flowing the flowable element.