Abstract: Various well-perforating systems and methods are disclosed incorporating a self-shunting detonator. The detonator may include an electrically-conductive detonator body. A resistor initiator inside the detonator body includes first and second leads. A grounding element inside the detonator body couples the detonator body to the first lead. An electrically-conductive clip coupled to the second lead includes an arm biased to electrical contact with an external surface of the detonator body to shunt the detonator. The arm is moveable away from the detonator body to un-shunt the detonator, such as automatically in response to insertion into a detonator housing.

Abstract: Some implementations include a modular gun system for use in a wellbore comprising one or more charge segments each including a first electrical conductor having a first set of integrated electrical contacts.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a round of shots having a radial shape. Each shot in the round of shots are operable to perforate a wellbore conduit to sever one or more control lines. Each shot in the round of shots overlaps an adjacent shot in the round of shots by an overlap width that is equal to or greater than a width of the one or more control lines such that the round of shots maintains structural integrity of the wellbore conduit.

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: Various well-perforating systems and methods are disclosed incorporating a self-shunting detonator. The detonator may include an electrically-conductive detonator body. A resistor initiator inside the detonator body includes first and second leads. A grounding element inside the detonator body couples the detonator body to the first lead. An electrically-conductive clip coupled to the second lead includes an arm biased to electrical contact with an external surface of the detonator body to shunt the detonator. The arm is moveable away from the detonator body to un-shunt the detonator, such as automatically in response to insertion into a detonator housing.

Abstract: Provided is a wellbore scraper assembly for use with a wireline. The wellbore scraper assembly, in one example, includes a tubular housing, a plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features associated with the tubular housing, the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features configured to move from a first retracted state to a second radially extended state, and a hydraulic deployment system coupled to the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features, the hydraulic deployment system configured to move the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features from the first state to the second state.

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: Provided is a wellbore scraper assembly for use with a wireline. The wellbore scraper assembly, in one example, includes a tubular housing, a plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features associated with the tubular housing, the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features configured to move from a first retracted state to a second radially extended state, and a hydraulic deployment system coupled to the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features, the hydraulic deployment system configured to move the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: Provided is a wellbore scraper assembly for use with a wireline. The wellbore scraper assembly, in one example, includes a tubular housing, a plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features associated with the tubular housing, the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features configured to move from a first retracted state to a second radially extended state, and a hydraulic deployment system coupled to the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features, the hydraulic deployment system configured to move the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for safely, and cost-effectively activating a mechanical perforator using a pyrotechnic initiated hydrostatic activating mechanism. The mechanism includes a piston connected to a power rod. The piston is activated by the rupturing of a disc, which separates a first chamber from a second chamber containing the piston. Upon rupturing of the disc, wellbore fluids fill the second chamber forcing the piston to move from a first position to a second position, which causes activation of the mechanical perforator. The first chamber may optionally be filled with a pressurized gas, such as nitrogen or air, to add a boost assist to activation of the piston.

Abstract: An anchoring tool is presented having radially pivoting arms which are moved from a run-in position to a set position. In the run-in position the un-articulated arms are positioned radially inward to provide a small tool outer diameter. Upon setting, the arms are pivoted radially outward into gripping engagement with a downhole tubular, such as a liner or casing. The pivot arms define a cam surface for interaction with corresponding wedges, where the cam surface allows for greater radial expansion of the arms.

Abstract: Provided is a wellbore scraper assembly for use with a wireline. The wellbore scraper assembly, in one example, includes a tubular housing, a plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features associated with the tubular housing, the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features configured to move from a first retracted state to a second radially extended state, and a hydraulic deployment system coupled to the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features, the hydraulic deployment system configured to move the plurality of hydraulically deployable scraper features from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly includes a downhole tool and an anchor. The anchor is positionable at a downhole work site and includes a wet-connect port for engaging a battery pack. The tool operates until the battery runs low on power, when a low battery power alert is activated. The tool may be anchored at the work site while the battery is disconnected and retrieved to the surface for replacement. One or more charged batteries are then deployed and connected to the tool without having to remove the tool from the worksite or reposition the tool. The tool may be coupled to a wireline cable or a slickline cable or coiled tubing having a conductive wire for delivering low-voltage power to the tool. While the low-voltage power may not be adequate to operate the tool at full load, the power may be used to charge the tool during downtime.

Abstract: A wellbore bailer includes a bailer body that includes a top end, a tubular portion, and a nose, the tubular portion adapted to at least partially enclose a wellbore fluid and the nose including an outlet; a piston arranged in the tubular portion uphole of the wellbore fluid; a passage fluidly coupled to at least one of a pressure chamber or the fluid outlet, the pressure chamber arranged uphole of the piston and adapted to at least partially enclose a pressurized fluid; a pressure barrier arranged across the passage; and an actuator including a puncture member adapted to pierce the pressure barrier based on adjustment of the actuator from an unactuated position to an actuated position, the piston urged by the pressurized fluid to forcibly expel the wellbore fluid through the outlet based on piercing of the pressure barrier by the puncture member.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for safely, and cost-effectively activating a mechanical perforator using a pyrotechnic initiated hydrostatic activating mechanism. The mechanism includes a piston connected to a power rod. The piston is activated by the rupturing of a disc, which separates a first chamber from a second chamber containing the piston. Upon rupturing of the disc, wellbore fluids fill the second chamber forcing the piston to move from a first position to a second position, which causes activation of the mechanical perforator. The first chamber may optionally be filled with a pressurized gas, such as nitrogen or air, to add a boost assist to activation of the piston.

Abstract: Techniques for releasing a well tool string from a wireline release tool includes initiating actuation of a linear actuator of the wireline release tool, the actuator coupled to an inner mandrel on which a retractable latch rides, the retractable latch including a profile formed on an outer surface of the latch that is coupled to the well tool string; actuating the actuator to move the inner mandrel of the wireline release tool to remove support of the profile by a ramp formed on the outer surface, the profile retracted toward the inner mandrel based on the movement of the inner mandrel; decoupling the profile from the well tool string based on retraction of the profile toward the inner mandrel; and moving the wireline release tool into a position to release the wireline release tool from the well tool string.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing communication between the interior of a downhole tubular string and a surrounding annulus is disclosed. A downhole perforator includes a perforator housing. An inner profile of the perforator housing has a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter, where the first diameter and the second diameter are different. The downhole perforator also includes a mandrel slidably disposed within the perforator housing having an upper connector coupled to a linear actuator. The mandrel also includes a slot. A penetrator is disposed within the slot and rotatably coupled to the mandrel. Additionally, a platform is disposed along a wall of the perforator housing and abuts the mandrel. A pivot pin is coupled to the perforator housing and interfaces with the penetrator and rotates the penetrator about the mandrel.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly includes a downhole tool and an anchor. The anchor is positionable at a downhole work site and includes a wet-connect port for engaging a battery pack. The tool operates until the battery runs low on power, when a low battery power alert is activated. The tool may be anchored at the work site while the battery is disconnected and retrieved to the surface for replacement. One or more charged batteries are then deployed and connected to the tool without having to remove the tool from the worksite or reposition the tool. The tool may be coupled to a wireline cable or a slickline cable or coiled tubing having a conductive wire for delivering low-voltage power to the tool. While the low-voltage power may not be adequate to operate the tool at full load, the power may be used to charge the tool during downtime.

Abstract: An anchoring tool is presented having radially pivoting arms which are moved from a run-in position to a set position. In the run-in position the un-articulated arms are positioned radially inward to provide a small tool outer diameter. Upon setting, the arms are pivoted radially outward into gripping engagement with a downhole tubular, such as a liner or casing. The pivot arms define a cam surface for interaction with corresponding wedges, where the cam surface allows for greater radial expansion of the arms.

Abstract: Cables, systems, and methods are disclosed that provide for the monitoring of a cable being deployed to a borehole. Such systems may include a cable having one or more markings at regular intervals. Each marking includes marking data that may be alphanumeric characters, bar codes, ring codes, or a quick-response code. The system also includes a controller that is operable to receive, store, and transmit marking data, and a reader that is operable to read the markings and to transmit marking data to the controller. The marking data may be associated with cable data that is stored in a database to convey information about the cable, such as the origin, mechanical properties, and usage history of the cable.