A well tool for generating a shaped perforation in a cased wellbore includes a tool body. The told body has at least one wall, a fluid channel, a first perforation device, and a second perforation device. The at least one wall defines an opening and an interior volume. The fluid channel extends from the opening of the at least one wall into the interior volume. The first perforation device is configured to form a perforation tunnel in the cased wellbore disposed in a formation. The second perforation device is coupled to the first perforation device and to the fluid channel. The second perforation device is configured to form the shaped perforation in the formation by flowing fluid received through the fluid channel to the formation through the perforation tunnel.

An improved perforating gun with novel endplates is disclosed along with a corresponding method of assembly. The endplate may include a base with first end separated from a second end separated by a curved sidewall centered around a longitudinal axis and a set of tube tabs flexibly coupled to the base and extending from the second end. The endplate may include a carrier tab with an integrated alignment pin. Selected embodiments may also include a zero-tension connector with a sliding contact mounted within a cavity of a housing, a through-wire connected to the sliding contact. The novel endplate reduces the cost and complexity of manufacture and installation.

An improved perforating gun with novel endplates is disclosed along with a corresponding method of assembly. The endplate may include a base with first end separated from a second end separated by a curved sidewall centered around a longitudinal axis and a set of tube tabs flexibly coupled to the base and extending from the second end. The endplate may include a carrier tab with an integrated alignment pin. Selected embodiments may also include a zero-tension connector with a sliding contact mounted within a cavity of a housing, a through-wire connected to the sliding contact. The novel endplate reduces the cost and complexity of manufacture and installation.

A coupler system comprising: a coupler; first, second, and third bulkheads included in the coupler; an electrical switch included in the coupler, wherein the electrical switch includes a printed circuit board (PCB); wherein the first, second, and third bulkheads respectively include first, second, and third bulkhead electric contacts, and the first, second, and third bulkhead electric contacts include no resilient members; wherein: (a) the first bulkhead is to couple to a first proximal electrical contact of a proximal connector of a perforation gun, (b) the second bulkhead is to couple to a second proximal electrical contact of the proximal connector of the perforation gun, and (c) the third bulkhead is to couple to a distal electrical contact of a distal connector of another perforation gun. The coupler includes proximal and distal sacrificial blast plates.

A coupler system comprising: a coupler; first, second, and third bulkheads included in the coupler; an electrical switch included in the coupler, wherein the electrical switch includes a printed circuit board (PCB); wherein the first, second, and third bulkheads respectively include first, second, and third bulkhead electric contacts, and the first, second, and third bulkhead electric contacts include no resilient members; wherein: (a) the first bulkhead is to couple to a first proximal electrical contact of a proximal connector of a perforation gun, (b) the second bulkhead is to couple to a second proximal electrical contact of the proximal connector of the perforation gun, and (c) the third bulkhead is to couple to a distal electrical contact of a distal connector of another perforation gun. The coupler includes proximal and distal sacrificial blast plates.

According to some embodiments, a system is presented for orienting one or more shaped charge within a well. For example, a perforating gun assembly may include a housing and an orienting internal assembly configured to be disposed within a longitudinal bore of the housing. In some embodiments, the orienting internal assembly may include at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube, a rotation support system, and a detonator holder and/or a detonator. The rotation support system may be configured so that the detonator holder and/or detonator rotate together as a whole with the at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube. In some embodiments, the rotation support system may include at least one bearing assembly, a plurality of rollers, or combinations thereof. Some embodiments may be configured for gravitational orientation.

According to some embodiments, a system is presented for orienting one or more shaped charge within a well. For example, a perforating gun assembly may include a housing and an orienting internal assembly configured to be disposed within a longitudinal bore of the housing. In some embodiments, the orienting internal assembly may include at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube, a rotation support system, and a detonator holder and/or a detonator. The rotation support system may be configured so that the detonator holder and/or detonator rotate together as a whole with the at least one shaped charge holder or charge tube. In some embodiments, the rotation support system may include at least one bearing assembly, a plurality of rollers, or combinations thereof. Some embodiments may be configured for gravitational orientation.

A method includes identifying one or more stress regime types along at least a portion of a borehole, where the stress regime types are selected from a normal stress regime, a thrust stress regime and a strike-slip stress regime, and selecting reservoir access locations along the borehole based on the type of stress regime identified along the borehole.

A system includes a surface device, preferably positioned on a surface, a downhole device, and a wireline communications system. A downlink communication between the surface device and the downhole device occurs via Hopped Frequency Shift Keying (HFSK) voltage-modulated signals. An optional uplink communication between the downhole device and the surface device may occur via Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) current-modulated signals. The downhole device may comprise an addressable switch.

There is provided systems, methods and apparatus for the use of directed energy, including high power laser energy, in conjunction with mechanical shearing, sealing and closing devices to provide reduced mechanical energy well control systems and techniques.