A perforating gun is disclosed with shaped charges at a preferential orientation. An example includes a gun body and a charge carrier disposed within the gun body. The charge carrier defines a longitudinal carrier axis and has a plurality of axially-spaced charge mounting locations. A plurality of charges are each pivotally mounted to the charge carrier at one of the respective charge mounting locations about a charge pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal carrier axis. The charges may preferentially align in response to gravity so their orientation remains constant throughout a range of inclination of the wellbore.

A downhole tool position adjustment assembly for locating a tool downhole comprising a mandrel coupled to a housing via an extend-retract mechanism. A controller communicatively connected to the extend-retract mechanism, wherein an application executing within the controller, is configured to control the extend-retract mechanism. A communication system, communicatively coupled to the controller, is configured to receive a command signal from an operator at a surface location. The extend-retract mechanism moves the mandrel relative to the housing in response to a control signal received from the controller in response to the command signal received by the communication system.

A downhole tool position adjustment assembly for locating a tool downhole comprising a mandrel coupled to a housing via an extend-retract mechanism. A controller communicatively connected to the extend-retract mechanism, wherein an application executing within the controller, is configured to control the extend-retract mechanism. A communication system, communicatively coupled to the controller, is configured to receive a command signal from an operator at a surface location. The extend-retract mechanism moves the mandrel relative to the housing in response to a control signal received from the controller in response to the command signal received by the communication system.

A tubular perforating apparatus includes a nozzle section comprising a nozzle head located therein and adjacent a combustible fuel material. The nozzle head includes an internal cavity and a nozzle portion including an opening on one side of the nozzle portion that directs the cutting fluids out the internal cavity in a first radial direction to produce a reaction force on the apparatus in an opposite second radial direction. The reaction force moves the apparatus in the second radial direction to be against an inner wall of the tubular and temporarily anchors the apparatus against the inner wall. The nozzle head is movable via the pressure and the cutting fluids from a closed position within the nozzle section to an open position in which the nozzle portion protrudes out of the nozzle section so that the opening is exposed to the tubular for directing the cutting fluids onto the tubular.

A tubular perforating apparatus includes a nozzle section comprising a nozzle head located therein and adjacent a combustible fuel material. The nozzle head includes an internal cavity and a nozzle portion including an opening on one side of the nozzle portion that directs the cutting fluids out the internal cavity in a first radial direction to produce a reaction force on the apparatus in an opposite second radial direction. The reaction force moves the apparatus in the second radial direction to be against an inner wall of the tubular and temporarily anchors the apparatus against the inner wall. The nozzle head is movable via the pressure and the cutting fluids from a closed position within the nozzle section to an open position in which the nozzle portion protrudes out of the nozzle section so that the opening is exposed to the tubular for directing the cutting fluids onto the tubular.

A method of avoiding a frac hit in a hydrocarbon producing field. The method comprises locating a parent wellbore in the hydrocarbon producing field, and then locating a child wellbore in the hydrocarbon producing field. The method also includes running a perforating gun assembly into the child wellbore, wherein the perforating gun assembly comprises a first perforating gun and a second perforating gun, with each defining a gun barrel housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The assembly also includes a tandem sub, with the tandem sub having first and second opposing ends defining a threaded connector, and each end having a side port configured to receive an alignment screw. The method also comprises linearly aligning charges of each of the first and second perforating guns, wherein all charges are aligned in a single direction by rotating one or both of the respective perforating guns relative to the tandem sub. The charges are aligned to fire shots into the formation at a horizontal angle and in a direction away from the parent wellbore.

A method of avoiding a frac hit in a hydrocarbon producing field. The method comprises locating a parent wellbore in the hydrocarbon producing field, and then locating a child wellbore in the hydrocarbon producing field. The method also includes running a perforating gun assembly into the child wellbore, wherein the perforating gun assembly comprises a first perforating gun and a second perforating gun, with each defining a gun barrel housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The assembly also includes a tandem sub, with the tandem sub having first and second opposing ends defining a threaded connector, and each end having a side port configured to receive an alignment screw. The method also comprises linearly aligning charges of each of the first and second perforating guns, wherein all charges are aligned in a single direction by rotating one or both of the respective perforating guns relative to the tandem sub. The charges are aligned to fire shots into the formation at a horizontal angle and in a direction away from the parent wellbore.

Disclosed embodiments may relate to perforating gun assemblies configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. In some embodiments, the perforating gun assembly may include a perforating gun housing and at least one shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing may be jointly configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%. Related method embodiments may be used to improve the performance of unconventional wells.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to orienting perforation systems for subterranean operations. An alignment system comprises a first component coupled to a charge tube, the first component operable to rotate in concert with the charge tube, wherein an axis of rotation of the first component extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the first component; a second component nested within the first component or disposed within a gun body, wherein the charge tube is movably disposed within the gun body; and an electrical contact extending through the first and second components, wherein the first component is further operable to move in axial directions within the gun body and along the electrical contact to interlock with the second component or separate from the second component.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to orienting perforation systems for subterranean operations. An alignment system comprises a first component coupled to a charge tube, the first component operable to rotate in concert with the charge tube, wherein an axis of rotation of the first component extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the first component; a second component nested within the first component or disposed within a gun body, wherein the charge tube is movably disposed within the gun body; and an electrical contact extending through the first and second components, wherein the first component is further operable to move in axial directions within the gun body and along the electrical contact to interlock with the second component or separate from the second component.