Abstract: A pulverable casing (10) includes a housing (12) which is made from a ceramic material and which defines a circular housing closure surface (18). There is a cover (14) on the housing (12). The cover (14) is also made from a ceramic material and defines a circular cover closure surface (20). Cover (14) has a rounded conical exterior surface (24) that defines a skirt angle S of about 120.degree.. The cover closure surface (20) is dimensioned and configured to engage the housing closure surface (18) to define a housing-cover joint (22) which defines a joint angle .alpha. of about 130.degree.. In a particular embodiment, the exterior surface (24) of the cover (14) is rounded to a radius of about 1.8 inches and has a diameter D of about 3.28 inches.

Abstract: A well pipe perforating gun (10) is improved by the utilization of a pulverable support structure (14) to hold the explosive shaped charges (18a, 18b, etc.) and the fireset (20). When the gun (10) is fired, the support structure (14) disintegrates substantially into fragments too small to obstruct the flow of oil or natural gas from a surrounding earth formation into or through the well pipe (12) within which the gun is disposed. Optionally, the support structure (14) is assembled from a number of segments (14a, 14b, etc.) linked together in sequential fashion.