According to some embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for autonomously or semi-autonomously conveying downhole oil and gas wellbore tools and performing downhole oil and gas wellbore operations are disclosed. The exemplary devices, systems, and methods may include an untethered drone that substantially disintegrates and/or dissolves into a proppant when shaped charges that the untethered drone carries are detonated. Two or more untethered drones, wellbore tools, and/or data collection devices may be connected in an untethered drone string and selectively detonated for efficiently performing wellbore operations and reducing the amount of debris left in the wellbore after such operations.

A perforating apparatus and method are disclosed wherein voids and inclusions may be configured to promote fragmentation of the charge case into pieces of less than a target size. In one example, the charge case of a shaped charge has a plurality of inclusions of a material interspersed with a plurality of voids of the material to promote fragmentation of the charge case. The inclusions and voids may be disposed along the periphery, such as along a mounting flange. In some examples, the voids may be holes of any of a variety of shapes, geometries, and positioning formed in the parent material of the charge case. In other examples, pieces of hardened material may be embedded in the parent material of the charge case to displace the parent material as well as to initiate probable locations of fragmentation.

A perforating apparatus and method are disclosed wherein voids and inclusions may be configured to promote fragmentation of the charge case into pieces of less than a target size. In one example, the charge case of a shaped charge has a plurality of inclusions of a material interspersed with a plurality of voids of the material to promote fragmentation of the charge case. The inclusions and voids may be disposed along the periphery, such as along a mounting flange. In some examples, the voids may be holes of any of a variety of shapes, geometries, and positioning formed in the parent material of the charge case. In other examples, pieces of hardened material may be embedded in the parent material of the charge case to displace the parent material as well as to initiate probable locations of fragmentation.

A tool (1) for manipulating a target (12) with combustion products from a propellant has a housing (2) including at least one outlet (5) for combustion products from at least one propellant source (16) contained within. An ignition mechanism (18) is provided for igniting propellant at the propellant source. The outlet (5) includes a plurality of exit ports (6, 8) on a surface of the tool that is configured to direct combustion products at a target. The plurality of exit ports includes a principal exit port (6) and one or more secondary exit ports (8). The secondary exit port (8) or ports are spaced apart from and at least partly surround the principal exit port (6). A method for manipulating a target with the tool is provided.

A tool (1) for manipulating a target (12) with combustion products from a propellant has a housing (2) including at least one outlet (5) for combustion products from at least one propellant source (16) contained within. An ignition mechanism (18) is provided for igniting propellant at the propellant source. The outlet (5) includes a plurality of exit ports (6, 8) on a surface of the tool that is configured to direct combustion products at a target. The plurality of exit ports includes a principal exit port (6) and one or more secondary exit ports (8). The secondary exit port (8) or ports are spaced apart from and at least partly surround the principal exit port (6). A method for manipulating a target with the tool is provided.

A perforation gun assembly comprising a plurality of guns with a box fitting at one end and a modified pin fitting at the distal end; the modified pin fitting further comprising an end cap secured to an internal charger carrier, aligning a plurality of shape charges with scallops in the gun casing; and having a pressure switch, which connects to an electrical connection point at the box end of a charger carrier in an adjacent gun. The end cap being captured between the pin of one gun and the internal edge of the mating gun to protect and channel blast force to the pressure switch.

A perforation gun assembly comprising a plurality of guns with a box fitting at one end and a modified pin fitting at the distal end; the modified pin fitting further comprising an end cap secured to an internal charger carrier, aligning a plurality of shape charges with scallops in the gun casing; and having a pressure switch, which connects to an electrical connection point at the box end of a charger carrier in an adjacent gun. The end cap being captured between the pin of one gun and the internal edge of the mating gun to protect and channel blast force to the pressure switch.

A shaped charge closure member for encapsulating a slotted shaped charge is described. The closure member includes a body having a closed upper portion, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion. The closure member has first and second side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. Each wall tapers from the lower portion to the upper portion. A skirt having a substantially rectangular cross-section extends vertically away from each of the walls, at the lower portion of the body. The skirt engages with an open portion of a slotted shaped charge case, thereby forming an encapsulated slotted shaped charge. The encapsulated slotted shaped charge may be used in an exposed perforating gun system.

A shaped charge closure member for encapsulating a slotted shaped charge is described. The closure member includes a body having a closed upper portion, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion. The closure member has first and second side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. Each wall tapers from the lower portion to the upper portion. A skirt having a substantially rectangular cross-section extends vertically away from each of the walls, at the lower portion of the body. The skirt engages with an open portion of a slotted shaped charge case, thereby forming an encapsulated slotted shaped charge. The encapsulated slotted shaped charge may be used in an exposed perforating gun system.

A modular initiator assembly comprising a receptacle and connector combination adapted to shunt the electrical contacts of the initiator as a default condition and to only unshunt the electrical contacts coupled to the initiator when the receptacle and connector establish a fully seated connection.