A safety mechanism and method for downhole perforating are disclosed. In one example, a mechanical firing head includes a firing pin carried on a pin carrier within a housing. The firing pin is movable from a retracted position to a firing position for striking an explosive initiator. A retention member retains the firing pin in the retracted position with the safety member in the armed position. A safety member is biased to a safety position that additionally blocks movement of the firing pin. The safety member is moveable to an armed position that unblocks movement of the firing pin in response to an arming pressure supplied to the housing bore. The retention member releases the firing pin in response to a firing pressure supplied to the housing in excess of the firing pressure.

A method and apparatus for using a tandem sub between two perforating guns where an EB fire pressure switch arms a detonator after the detonation of a first perforating gun and then a subsequent electrical signal can then detonate the second perforating gun.

A method and apparatus for using a tandem sub between two perforating guns where an EB fire pressure switch arms a detonator after the detonation of a first perforating gun and then a subsequent electrical signal can then detonate the second perforating gun.

The present disclosure provides an embodiment of a perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore. The perforating gun assembly, in one example includes a carrier gun body. The perforating gun assembly, in this example, further includes a plurality of shaped charges supported within the carrier gun body, wherein each shaped charge may include a case exterior, the case exterior including an outer surface, and an inner surface forming a cavity, a liner located within the cavity, and explosive material located within a gap between the inner surface of the case exterior and the liner. The perforating gun assembly, in this example, may further include one or more momentum traps positioned between one or more adjacent shaped charges.

A perforating gun string is configured to perforate a casing of a well, and the perforating gun string includes a latch mechanism configured to engage with the casing, one or more perforating guns connected with a cable to the latch mechanism, and a global cable that releasably holds together the latch mechanism and the one or more individual perforating guns. The perforating gun string may also comprise a spreading mechanism configured to move away from the latch mechanism and to spread the one or more individual perforating guns away from the latch mechanism.

A perforating gun string is configured to perforate a casing of a well, and the perforating gun string includes a latch mechanism configured to engage with the casing, one or more perforating guns connected with a cable to the latch mechanism, and a global cable that releasably holds together the latch mechanism and the one or more individual perforating guns. The perforating gun string may also comprise a spreading mechanism configured to move away from the latch mechanism and to spread the one or more individual perforating guns away from the latch mechanism.

Example systems and methods are described that operate to open screen joints using mechanically-generated perforations for beginning fluid production. In an example system, a screen joint is deployed in a production tubing within a wellbore. The screen joint includes a screen element and a blank housing that are coupled to an exterior surface of a non]perforated base pipe. Further, the screen joint includes a locator profile positioned along an interior surface of the non]perforated base pipe. A perforator is deployed within the screen joint that includes a mechanical perforator and a locator for engaging with the locator profile to position the mechanical perforator under the blank housing.

Example systems and methods are described that operate to open screen joints using mechanically-generated perforations for beginning fluid production. In an example system, a screen joint is deployed in a production tubing within a wellbore. The screen joint includes a screen element and a blank housing that are coupled to an exterior surface of a non]perforated base pipe. Further, the screen joint includes a locator profile positioned along an interior surface of the non]perforated base pipe. A perforator is deployed within the screen joint that includes a mechanical perforator and a locator for engaging with the locator profile to position the mechanical perforator under the blank housing.

A perforating gun system may include a first gun carrier and a second gun carrier connected to the first gun carrier. A perforating gun assembly may be provided in each gun carrier, the perforating gun assembly including a top connector, a plurality of charge holders, and at least one bottom connector. Upon rotation of the top connector, the one or more charge holders of the first gun carrier may be aligned in a zero-degree phasing with the plurality of charge holders in the second gun carrier, and the position of the top connector may be locked along the length of the second gun carrier.

A perforating gun system may include a first gun carrier and a second gun carrier connected to the first gun carrier. A perforating gun assembly may be provided in each gun carrier, the perforating gun assembly including a top connector, a plurality of charge holders, and at least one bottom connector. Upon rotation of the top connector, the one or more charge holders of the first gun carrier may be aligned in a zero-degree phasing with the plurality of charge holders in the second gun carrier, and the position of the top connector may be locked along the length of the second gun carrier.