Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to detach the connector from the casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly is configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. The perforating gun assembly includes a perforating gun housing and a shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing are configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%.

Abstract: A ballistically-safe wellbore tool may include an explosive device, an initiator including an initiating charge, and a bias member. A relative configuration of the explosive device and the initiator may be switchable between a first configuration, in which the initiating charge is at a ballistically safe distance from the explosive device, and a second configuration, in which the initiating charge is within a ballistically operable distance from the explosive device. The bias member is configured to bias the explosive device and the initiator to the first configuration.

Abstract: A self-erecting launcher assembly includes a mobile unit, and a magazine positioned in a receptacle of the mobile unit. The magazine includes a plurality of drones. A rail unit is secured to the mobile unit and moves between a closed position and an elevated position. A platform may be secured to the rail unit and is movable in an upward direction and a downward direction along a length of the rail unit. The platform is movable when the rail unit is in its elevated position. The magazine or the plurality of drones may be positioned on the platform, such that the platform moves the magazine or the plurality of drones from the mobile unit to at least one wellhead. A manipulator arm is secured to the platform and selects a drone of the plurality of drones and delivers the selected drone into a lubricator positioned at the wellhead.

Abstract: A ballistically actuated plug (2100) for being deployed in a wellbore casing includes a ballistic housing (2106) and an outer seal housing (2102). The ballistic housing includes a first housing portion including a chamber (2208), and a second housing portion having a noncompressible core. The outer seal housing is circumferentially disposed around the noncompressible core (2216). According to an aspect, the initiator (2206) is positioned within the chamber and a detonation extender (2222) is in ballistic communication with the initiator and is circumferentially disposed around the noncompressible core. The detonation extender is configured to, upon detonation, expand the outer seal housing (2102) from an unexpanded form to an expanded form to secure the outer seal housing within the wellbore casing.

Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to detach the connector from the casing.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly is configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. The perforating gun assembly includes a perforating gun housing and a shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing are configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%.

Abstract: A perforating gun and alignment assembly includes a perforating gun housing formed from a singular and monolithic piece of metal material, and an alignment ring rotatably secured to the housing. A shaped charge positioning device is positioned in a chamber of the housing.

Abstract: A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device is configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore is adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device aligns at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for storage and/or transport of tubular structures, such as perforating guns for use in wellbores. Some embodiments relate to modular storage containers, for example which may be height adjustable depending on the length of the tubular structure to be held therein. Some embodiments relate to mobile storage banks, which may be configured for use with the modular storage containers. In some embodiments, the storage bank may further be configured with one or more longitudinal compartments configured to hold used tool strings or portions thereof.

Abstract: A shaped charge orientation system may include a first perforating gun housing having a first hollow interior and a second perforating gun housing having a second hollow interior. A first shaped charge holder may be positioned in the first hollow interior and oriented in a first direction. A second shaped charge holder may be positioned in the second hollow interior and oriented in a second direction different than the first direction. A manual alignment tool may engage with the second perforating gun housing to rotate the second shaped charge holder from the second direction to the first direction. A method of manually aligning the first and second shaped charge holders may include marking an outer surface of the first perforating gun housing with a visual indicator in alignment with the first direction, and orienting the second shaped charge holder into alignment in the first direction using a manual alignment tool.

Abstract: A single use setting tool for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an outer sleeve and an inner piston received within a central bore of the outer sleeve. The inner piston may define one or more elongate bores therethrough that are in fluid communication with a cavity of the inner piston and extend axially through a distal end portion of the inner piston. The distal end portion of the inner piston may abut a shoulder of the outer sleeve, for example at a distal end face of the inner piston.

Abstract: A focused output detonator includes a detonator shell including detonator components, and a focuser coupled to the detonator shell. The detonator shell may include a body extending along a central axis of the detonator shell. A first open end is provided at a first end of the body, and a closed end is provided at a second end of the body. A chamber is bounded by the body and the closed end, and the detonator components are housed in the chamber. The focuser is coupled to the closed end of the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focused output detonator is structured to focus a ballistic output of the focuser along the central axis and away from the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focuser includes a donor charge. The focuser may include an encapsulated and hydraulically sealed donor charge.

Abstract: A ballistically-safe wellbore tool may include an explosive device, an initiator including an initiating charge, and a bias member. A relative configuration of the explosive device and the initiator may be switchable between a first configuration, in which the initiating charge is at a ballistically safe distance from the explosive device, and a second configuration, in which the initiating charge is within a ballistically operable distance from the explosive device. The bias member is configured to bias the explosive device and the initiator to the first configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for storage and/or transport of tubular structures, such as perforating guns for use in wellbores. Some embodiments relate to modular storage containers, for example which may be height adjustable depending on the length of the tubular structure to be held therein. Some embodiments relate to mobile storage banks, which may be configured for use with the modular storage containers. In some embodiments, the storage bank may further be configured with one or more longitudinal compartments configured to hold used tool strings or portions thereof.

Abstract: A perforation gun assembly may include a single shaped charge holder, the shaped charge holder having a charge receiving structure and at least one projection extending from the charge receiving structure. A detonation cord and a detonator may be connected to the shaped charge holder. A top connector may be configured for connecting to a first base of the shaped charge holder and a bottom connector may be configured for connecting to a second based of the shaped charge holder. The perforation gun assembly may be positioned within an outer gun carrier of a perforation gun, and a tandem seal adapter may be positioned at least in part within the outer gun carrier.

Abstract: A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device may be configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device may include a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore may be adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device can align at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.

Abstract: A ballistically actuated plug (2100) for being deployed in a wellbore casing includes a ballistic housing (2106) and an outer seal housing (2102). The ballistic housing includes a first housing portion including a chamber (2208), and a second housing portion having a noncompressible core. The outer seal housing is circumferentially disposed around the noncompressible core (2216). According to an aspect, the initiator (2206) is positioned within the chamber and a detonation extender (2222) is in ballistic communication with the initiator and is circumferentially disposed around the noncompressible core. The detonation extender is configured to, upon detonation, expand the outer seal housing (2102) from an unexpanded form to an expanded form to secure the outer seal housing within the wellbore casing.

Abstract: A ballistically-safe wellbore tool may include an explosive device (114, 404), an initiator including an initiating charge (128), and a bias member (130). A relative configuration of the explosive device and the initiator may be switchable between a first configuration, in which the initiating charge is at a ballistically safe distance from the explosive device, and a second configuration, in which the initiating charge is within a ballistically operable distance from the explosive device. The bias member is configured to bias the explosive device and the initiator to the first configuration.

Abstract: A charge holder for use with a shaped charge may include a charge receiving structure configured to receive the shaped charge, a plurality of projections extending from the charge receiving structure and configured to retain the shaped charge within the charge receiving structure, and a rotation coupling configured to couple to an adjacent charge holder.