An explosive booster shaped to fit into a blasthole adjacent a main explosive charge is provided. The booster comprises a body containing a charge of an explosive substance with a passage extending inwardly of the body to receive a detonator therein. The booster is configured to alter the shape of a detonation wave generated upon initiation of the detonator. In an embodiment, the booster includes a first and a second explosive substance, with the first explosive substance being shaped and selected to cause an outer portion of the detonation wave to accelerate relative to the remainder of the wave thereby altering the shape of the wave from a generally spherical wave to a generally planar wave. In an embodiment, the booster includes an internal member capable of altering the shape of the detonation wave.

Provided is a modular directional charge system that can be assembled in different configurations depending on the target. The system includes a removable energetic material, a molded plastic shell comprising a main body and a front cover, a removable fragmentation insert, a removable breaching insert, an initiator well insert, and initiator adapter nuts. The main body comprises an internal energetic material receiving compartment, a first and second tripod mount, a threaded adapter, and a pair of pin receivers, while the front cover comprises an internal removable insert compartment. The main body and front cover are held together with a multi-position adjustable toothed locking interface that adjustably permits the cover to intimately contact the energetic material when the internal removable insert compartment contains a fragmentation insert, a breaching insert, or no insert at all. A method of use is also provided.

A shaped charge that includes a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.

A shaped charge that includes a case, a liner positioned within the case, and an explosive filled within the case. The liner is shaped with a subtended angle ranging from 100° to 120° about an apex, a radius, and an aspect ratio such that a jet formed with the explosive creates an entrance hole in a well casing. The jet creates a perforation tunnel in a hydrocarbon formation, wherein a diameter of the jet, a diameter of the entrance hole diameter, and a width and length of the perforation tunnel are substantially constant and unaffected with changes in design and environmental factors such as a thickness and composition of the well casing, position of the charge in the perforating gun, position of the perforating gun in the well casing, a water gap in the wellbore casing, and type of the hydrocarbon formation.

A booster explosive (10) comprises a canister body 12 within which is a cap well (20) having disposed therein a detonator (24). A protective sleeve (28) encloses the cap well (20) except for that portion of the cap well, the active portion (20d), which encloses the explosive end section (24a) of detonator (24). The protective sleeve serves to attenuate the force of shock waves from nearby prior explosions acting on the detonator (24). An annular air space (32) may be provided between protective sleeve (28) and cap well (20) to further attenuate the force of such shock waves. Attenuation of the shock waves reduces the likelihood of damage to detonators (24) by prior nearby explosions.

A booster explosive (10) comprises a canister body 12 within which is a cap well (20) having disposed therein a detonator (24). A protective sleeve (28) encloses the cap well (20) except for that portion of the cap well, the active portion (20d), which encloses the explosive end section (24a) of detonator (24). The protective sleeve serves to attenuate the force of shock waves from nearby prior explosions acting on the detonator (24). An annular air space (32) may be provided between protective sleeve (28) and cap well (20) to further attenuate the force of such shock waves. Attenuation of the shock waves reduces the likelihood of damage to detonators (24) by prior nearby explosions.

An apparatus and method for connecting a shaped charge retainer to a shaped charge and connecting that to a charged tube in a perforating gun for use downhole.

An apparatus and method for connecting a shaped charge retainer to a shaped charge and connecting that to a charged tube in a perforating gun for use downhole.

A compact energetic-breaching apparatus is provided. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus is configured to receive energetic materials for use in energetic breaching. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus may comprise a housing body with a receptacle to receive energetic materials. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus may further comprise a tamping material. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus may further comprise a metal liner which collapses upon detonation to form a cutting jet.

A compact energetic-breaching apparatus is provided. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus is configured to receive energetic materials for use in energetic breaching. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus may comprise a housing body with a receptacle to receive energetic materials. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus may further comprise a tamping material. The compact energetic-breaching apparatus may further comprise a metal liner which collapses upon detonation to form a cutting jet.