Abstract: A sleeve for retaining one or more washers in abutting relation to a face of a fastening means is disclosed. The sleeve includes a main body having a top portion which is angled at a top end to form a ridge, and a bottom portion which includes an annular lip that extends radially inward from an inner surface thereof. The ridge is designed to rest against a flange of the fastening means, and the annular lip is designed to retain the washer in abutting relation to the face of the fastening means. The sleeve partially surrounds and loosely holds the washer and the fastening means together, and becomes detached from the fastening means and the washer after installation of the fastening means. Also disclosed is a fastener assembly including the sleeve, a fastening means, and a washer, and methods of manufacturing the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for a monobore application eliminates a full bore isolation valve or other component that has a limiting internal or external dimension and is designed to remain in position after firing. The assembly is run into the hole on a string with a running tool and left in position with the string and the running tool removed. Pressure pulses communicate with a detonation control system to open a poppet to pressurize a chamber with a firing head. It should be noted that other types firing heads can also be utilized to initiate detonation in the system. Detonation clears the gun internals for flow and opens a gun valve that has no reduction in drift dimension as compared to the gun internal path after detonation. Production takes place through and around the gun. The top of the gun can be entered for future intervention work.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying perforating guns through a wellhead production assembly and into a wellbore. In particular embodiments, the invention provides devices and methods for deploying multiple perforating guns through a wellhead production assembly. In the event that the perforating gun assembly is dropped into the wellhead production assembly, a safety clamp will land upon a landing profile within a deployment riser, preventing the perforating gun assembly from falling into the wellbore.

Abstract: A tubular closure assembly responsive to speed or velocity of an object. The tubular closure assembly includes at least one sensor in operable communication with an interior of a tubular. The at least one sensor sensing an object passing a first point and then a second point within the tubular. A processor receiving an output from the at least one sensor and calculating speed of the object from the first point to the second point. A control panel receiving information from the processor and a closure system movable between an open condition and a closed condition. Activatable to the closed condition by the control panel in response to the object moving from the first point to the second point at speed faster than a preset value or at a velocity outside a preset range. Also included is a method of closing a tubular of a borehole.

Abstract: Perforating gun connectors are provided with a small diameter inner tube to house the detonating cord and an outer load-bearing tube that is ported to be in pressure balance. The inner tube controls the volume in the gun for the well fluids to enter after the guns are fired and the initial pressure surge dissipates. The smaller diameter also increases pressure rating and diminishes the chance of plastic deformation. Since the inner tube is inset even some deformation is tolerated without distorting the outer tube due to the space between the tubes. A bored rod is used as a housing member or a layered single outer wall.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for a monobore application eliminates a full bore isolation valve or other component that has a limiting internal or external dimension and is designed to remain in position after firing. The assembly is run into the hole on a string with a running tool and left in position with the string and the running tool removed. Pressure pulses communicate with a detonation control system to open a poppet to pressurize a chamber with a firing head. It should be noted that other types firing heads can also be utilized to initiate detonation in the system. Detonation clears the gun internals for flow and opens a gun valve that has no reduction in drift dimension as compared to the gun internal path after detonation. Production takes place through and around the gun.

Abstract: A tubular closure assembly responsive to speed or velocity of an object. The tubular closure assembly includes at least one sensor in operable communication with an interior of a tubular. The at least one sensor sensing an object passing a first point and then a second point within the tubular. A processor receiving an output from the at least one sensor and calculating speed of the object from the first point to the second point. A control panel receiving information from the processor and a closure system movable between an open condition and a closed condition. Activatable to the closed condition by the control panel in response to the object moving from the first point to the second point at speed faster than a preset value or at a velocity outside a preset range. Also included is a method of closing a tubular of a borehole.

Abstract: Perforating gun connectors are provided with a small diameter inner tube to house the detonating cord and an outer load-bearing tube that is ported to be in pressure balance. The inner tube controls the volume in the gun for the well fluids to enter after the guns are fired and the initial pressure surge dissipates. The smaller diameter also increases pressure rating and diminishes the chance of plastic deformation. Since the inner tube is inset even some deformation is tolerated without distorting the outer tube due to the space between the tubes. Alternative embodiments with a bored rod as a housing member or with a layered single outer wall effect are also contemplated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying perforating guns through a wellhead production assembly and into a wellbore. In particular embodiments, the invention provides devices and methods for deploying multiple perforating guns through a wellhead production assembly. In the event that the perforating gun assembly is dropped into the wellhead production assembly, a safety clamp will land upon a landing profile within a deployment riser, preventing the perforating gun assembly from falling into the wellbore.

Abstract: A perforating system having a perforating gun with a high pressure gun body. The gun body can be thickened so that no empty space is present between it and a corresponding gun tube. Alternatively, the gun body could be a solid cylinder with slots radially formed therein to receive a shaped charge. In another embodiment, a flowable material, such as foam, fluid, sand, ceramic beads, eutectic metal, and combinations thereof, is provided in the space between the gun body and gun tube.

Abstract: A method of perforating a wellbore by forming a perforation that is aligned with a reservoir characteristic, such as direction of maximum stress, lines of constant formation properties, and the formation dip. The wellbore can be perforated using a perforating system employing a shaped charge, a mechanical device, or a high pressure fluid. The perforating system can be aligned by asymmetric weights, a motor, or manipulation from the wellbore surface.

Abstract: A method and system for cementing and perforating a wellbore in a single step by coupling a perforating gun with a wiper plug. The method includes injecting cement in a wellbore having casing therein and an annulus between the casing and wellbore. A wiper plug is dropped on the cement having a perforating gun attached to the wiper plug. The plug is forced downward pulling the perforating gun along. The downward motion of the plug in turn pushes the cement out the bottom end of the casing and into the annulus. The cement in the annulus is allowed to set and the perforating gun is activated.

Abstract: A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.

Abstract: A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.

Abstract: A perforating system having a perforating gun with a high pressure gun body. The gun body can be thickened so that no empty space is present between it and a corresponding gun tube. Alternatively, the gun body could be a solid cylinder with slots radially formed therein to receive a shaped charge. In another embodiment, a flowable material, such as foam, fluid, sand, ceramic beads, eutectic metal, and combinations thereof, is provided in the space between the gun body and gun tube.

Abstract: A method and system for cementing and perforating a wellbore in a single step by coupling a perforating gun with a wiper plug. The method includes injecting cement in a wellbore having casing therein and an annulus between the casing and wellbore. A wiper plug is dropped on the cement having a perforating gun attached to the wiper plug. The plug is forced downward pulling the perforating gun along. The downward motion of the plug in turn pushes the cement out the bottom end of the casing and into the annulus. The cement in the annulus is allowed to set and the perforating gun is activated.

Abstract: A perforating system connection sub comprising a vent valve for providing fluid flow communication through the connection sub wall. The vent valve is selectively opened and may include a frangible member. The frangible member is rupterable by the shock wave produced by ignition of an associated detonation cord.

Abstract: A method of perforating a wellbore by forming a perforation that is aligned with a reservoir characteristic, such as direction of maximum stress, lines of constant formation properties, and the formation dip. The wellbore can be perforated using a perforating system employing a shaped charge, a mechanical device, or a high pressure fluid. The perforating system can be aligned by asymmetric weights, a motor, or manipulation from the wellbore surface.

Abstract: A perforating gun connector comprising a first and second section connected together on one end. The two sections of the perforating gun connector that couple together are correspondingly tapered so that one end of one connector is tapered and fits into the corresponding tapered hollowed section of one end of the other section. The present invention also provides for the inclusion of shaped charges and booster charges within. Adjacent the charges are sealing bulkheads.

Abstract: A perforating gun connector comprising a first and second section connected together on one end. The two sections of the perforating gun connector that couple together are correspondingly tapered so that one end of one connector is tapered and fits into the corresponding tapered hollowed section of one end of the other section. The present invention also provides for the inclusion of shaped charges and booster charges within. Adjacent the charges are sealing bulkheads.