Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A pipe severing tool is arranged to align a plurality of high explosive pellets along a unitizing central tube that is selectively separable from a tubular external housing. The pellets are loaded serially in a column in full view along the entire column as a final charging task. Detonation boosters are pre-positioned and connected to detonation cord for simultaneous detonation at opposite ends of the explosive column. Devoid of high explosive pellets during transport, the assembly may be transported with all boosters and detonation cord connected.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly comprises a drop sub linking the firing head to the gun tube or tubes. The drop sub includes a 360° perimeter shaped charge explosive for severing pipe having an axial bore to accommodate a pass-through of the perforation charge detonation chord. Consequently, the severing tool is detonated by the traverse of a detonation wave along the chord length to disconnect the perforating gun prior to detonation of the perforation charges.

Abstract: A pipe severing tool is arranged to align a plurality of high explosive pellets along a unitizing central tube that is selectively separable from a tubular external housing. The pellets are loaded serially in a column in full view along the entire column as a final charging task. Detonation boosters are pre-positioned and connected to detonation cord for simultaneous detonation at opposite ends of the explosive column. Devoid of high explosive pellets during transport, the assembly may be transported with all boosters and detonation cord connected.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly comprises a drop sub linking the firing head to the gun tube or tubes. The drop sub includes a 360° perimeter shaped charge explosive for severing pipe having an axial bore to accommodate a pass-through of the perforation charge detonation chord. Consequently, the severing tool is detonated by the traverse of a detonation wave along the chord length to disconnect the perforating gun prior to detonation of the perforation charges.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A shaped charge pipe cutter is constructed with the cutter explosive material packed intimately around an axially elongated void space that is continued through a heavy wall boss portion of the upper thrust disc. The boss wall is continued to within a critical initiation distance of a half-cuter junction plane. An explosive detonator is positioned along the void space axis proximate of the outer plane of the upper thrust disc. Geometric configurations of the charge thrust disc and end-plate concentrate the detonation energy at the critical initiation zone.

Abstract: A radial-linear shaped charge pipe cutter is constructed with the booster explosive packed intimately into a booster aperture that is bored axially through the charge upper end plate. The cutter explosive is initiated at the interface between the upper margin of the cutter explosive and the contiguous inside surface of the upper end plate. This interface is within a critical initiation distance from the half charge juncture plane. In one embodiment, a half charge liner is configured as the assembly of two, coaxial, frusto-cones with the smaller cone diverging from the half charge juncture plane at a smaller angle than the outer cone. In another embodiment, the liner thickness increases from the juncture plane out to the liner perimeter.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: A radial-linear shaped charge pipe cutter is constructed with the booster explosive packed intimately into a booster aperture that is bored axially through the charge upper end plate. The cutter explosive is initiated at the interface between the upper margin of the cutter explosive and the contiguous inside surface of the upper end plate. This interface is within a critical initiation distance from the half charge juncture plane. In one embodiment, a half charge liner is configured as the assembly of two, coaxial, frusto-cones with the smaller cone diverging from the half charge juncture plane at a smaller angle than the outer cone. In another embodiment, the liner thickness increases from the juncture plane out to the liner perimeter.

Abstract: A pipe severing tool is arranged to align a plurality of high explosive pellets along a unitizing support structure whereby all explosive pellets are inserted within or extracted from a tubular housing as a singular unit. Electrically initiated exploding wire detonators (EBW) are positioned at opposite ends of the tubular housing for simultaneous detonation by a capacitive firing device. The housing assembly includes a detachable bottom nose that permits the tool to be armed and disarmed without disconnecting the detonation circuitry. Because the tool is not sensitive to stray electrical fields, it may be transported, loaded and unloaded with the EBW detonators in place and connected.

Abstract: A radial-linear shaped charge pipe cutter is constructed with the booster explosive packed intimately into a booster aperture that is bored axially through the charge upper end plate. The cutter explosive is initiated at the interface between the upper margin of the cutter explosive and the contiguous inside surface of the upper end plate. This interface is within a critical initiation distance from the half charge juncture plane. In one embodiment, a half charge liner is configured as the assembly of two, coaxial, frusto-cones with the smaller cone diverging from the half charge juncture plane at a smaller angle than the outer cone. In another embodiment, the liner thickness increases from the juncture plane out to the liner perimeter.

Abstract: A pipe severing tool is arranged to align a plurality of high explosive pellets along a unitizing support structure whereby all explosive pellets are inserted within or extracted from a tubular housing as a singular unit. Electrically initiated exploding wire detonators (EBW) are positioned at opposite ends of the tubular housing for simultaneous detonation by a capacitive firing device. The housing assembly includes a detachable bottom nose that permits the tool to be armed and disarmed without disconnecting the detonation circuitry. Because the tool is not sensitive to stray electrical fields, it may be transported, loaded and unloaded with the EBW detonators in place and connected.

Abstract: A pipe severing tool is arranged to align a plurality of high explosive pellets along a unitizing support structure whereby all explosive pellets are inserted within or extracted from a tubular housing as a singular unit. Electrically initiated exploding wire detonators (EBW) are positioned at opposite ends of the tubular housing for simultaneous detonation by a capacitive firing device. The housing assembly includes a detachable bottom nose that permits the tool to be armed and disarmed without disconnecting the detonation circuitry. Because the tool is not sensitive to stray electrical fields, it may be transported, loaded and unloaded with the EBW detonators in place and connected.

Abstract: The weight of a shaped charge carrier is predetermined as a buoyancy control parameter for perforating guns. Each charge carrier comprises a co-axial assembly of inner and outer carrier units. Both carrier units may be fabricated from low density metals or composite materials comprising high strength fibers in a polymer matrix. The outer carrier wall thickness may be a weight control parameter. Shaped charge units having no independent casement are formed into sockets within a light-weight inner carrier unit. Alternatively, the shaped charge units may be formed within light-weight material cases and seated within sockets in the light-weight inner carrier unit. Materials and dimensions are selected to substantially achieve the desired carrier buoyancy in the specific well fluid whereby a perforating gun assembled from a plurality of the carriers may be substantially floated into a completion position and allowed to settle along the floor or ceiling of the wellbore as predetermined by the perforation direction.

Abstract: A shaped charge detonation booster comprises a tubular wall body of substantially constant outside diameter for enclosing an axial primer path that terminates with an enlarged main cavity volume. Preferably, the main cavity is positioned within the juncture plane of opposing shaped cutter charges. The tubular wall surrounding the primer path is substantially thicker than the tubular wall surrounding the main body and the explosive material within the main body is compacted more densely than the explosive material in the primer path.