Abstract: A one-trip system for placement and setting a downhole packer or plug is disclosed. The packer is settable in a variety of ways, including hydraulically, acoustically by pressure pulse signals, or some combination. Use of hydraulic pressure triggers a pressure-creating reaction to initiate the setting of the packer. The setting mechanism for the packer breaks clear of the packer upon setting and allows the tubing-conveyed perforating gun, which is already preassembled as part of the string, to be accurately positioned and fired.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a large perforation in a target such as a wellbore casing. A liner is positioned within a charge case lowered into a well. An explosive material is initiated to collapse the liner to form a material penetrating jet. A spoiler is positioned proximate to the liner to defocus the liner collapse. The spoiler forms a hollow center in the material penetrating jet and concentrates the energy of the jet into a large annular ring for penetrating the target. The spoiler can comprise a passive spoiler which blocks the full collapse of the liner, or can comprise an active spoiler incorporating a high explosive or an elastic material for counteracting the liner collapse. The spoilers can be spherical, cylindrical, tapered, or another shape to modify the configuration and performance of the material penetrating jet, and a spacer can retain a spoiler in a selected orientation relative to the liner.

Abstract: A one-trip system for placement and setting a downhole packer or plug is disclosed. The packer is settable in a variety of ways, including hydraulically, acoustically by pressure pulse signals, or some combination. Use of hydraulic pressure triggers a pressure-creating reaction to initiate the setting of the packer. The setting mechanism for the packer breaks clear of the packer upon setting and allows the tubing-conveyed perforating gun, which is already preassembled as part of the string, to be accurately positioned and fired.

Abstract: A firing head for actuating an explosive charge in a perforating gun. A firing pin is positioned within the firing head housing to actuate a booster charge leading to the perforating gun. The firing pin can be actuated by mechanical techniques, by controlling the differential pressure between the housing pressure and the well pressure, and by controlling the absolute fluid pressure inside the housing. A release pin initially secures the firing pin, and the release pin can be mechanically actuated. The release pin is also releasably engaged with a differential piston that communicates with the well pressure through a port in the firing head housing. Increases in the housing fluid pressure moves the piston and attached release pin to release the firing pin into contact with the booster charge. Alternatively, the port can be plugged to permit absolute pressure actuation of the firing pin.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for initiating a wellbore perforator comprising a first firing head for generating a first explosive signal when a first actuation signal is applied to the first firing head, a second firing head for generating a second explosive signal when a second actuation signal is applied to the second firing head, a first means for transferring the first explosive signal to shaped charges in the perforator including a first bulkhead interposed between the shaped charges and the first means for preventing transfer of low order initiation of the first means to the shaped charges, and a second means for transferring the second explosive signal to the shaped charges including a second bulkhead interposed between the shaped charges and the second means for preventing transfer of low order initiation of the second means to the shaped charges.

Abstract: A gravel pack well tool comprised of a workstring having a gravel pack screen thereon wherein the workstring can be rotated without applying any substantial torque to the screen jacket which forms part of the gravel pack screen. This allows the workstring to be rotated in either direction during installation or removal of the gravel pack screen without damaging the screen jacket. The gravel pack screen is comprised of a fluid-permeable base pipe having a screen jacket rotatably mounted thereon.

Abstract: A gravel pack screen assembly includes a bit or sub having a flow passage which may accept a wash pipe. The wash pipe may be inserted past a flapper-type closure member which moves to a closed position upon withdrawal of the wash pipe after completion of the installation of the gravel pack assembly. The closure member can be formed of a porous material to permit the flow of liquid through the bit or sub flow passage into the interior of the gravel pack screen but to prevent flow of gravel packing or produced sand into the interior of the screen. The closure member may serve as a backup to a conventional one-way valve and permit additional gravel pack material to be placed in the flow passage upon completion of the gravel pack installation and in the event of early or late failure of the one-way valve.

Abstract: An auger gravel pack screen or other wellbore device is driven by a workstring which includes a torque-limiting device interposed therein to limit the maximum torque exerted on the screen during augering into a gravel packing in a well bore. The torque-limiting device includes driving and driven mandrels with removable shear pin support parts connected to the mandrels, respectively, and supporting plural shear pins through which driving torque is exerted on the device. An alternate embodiment includes a slip clutch with cooperating lobed clutch members. An axially translatable nut is disposed in a fluid-filled chamber between the mandrels and is operable to permit controlled rotation of the mandrels relative to each other when the limit torque is exceeded to absorb torsional deflection energy built up in the workstring without damaging the workstring or the gravel pack screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a gravel pack well completion wherein flow of fluid in the well can be effectively blocked and excessive hydrostatic pressure can be isolated from the top of a pre-placed column of gravel while an auger-liner assembly is rotated into the gravel. Basically, gravel is first placed within the zone after which a liner is lowered on a workstring and the liner is augered into the pre-placed gravel. A packer cup and by-pass assembly is coupled into the workstring having cup packers which effectively block flow within the well during installation of the liner. The cups are mounted on a rotatably mounted sleeve so that the workstring can be rotated while the cups are expanded against the well casing. The packer cup and by-pass assembly includes a bypass which can be opened after the liner has been placed so that the workstring can easily be withdrawn from the well.