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.

A vehicle arresting device and method is described that includes the use of flexible substrate that is launched into the path of a fleeing vehicle. The arresting device may be remotely controlled in order to provide more safety to the user. The net like substrate is configured to wrap around at least one tire of the fleeing vehicle and bring the vehicle to a stop.

A vehicle arresting device and method is described that includes the use of flexible substrate that is launched into the path of a fleeing vehicle. The arresting device may be remotely controlled in order to provide more safety to the user. The net like substrate is configured to wrap around at least one tire of the fleeing vehicle and bring the vehicle to a stop.

A vehicle arresting device and method provides a flexible net that is designed to be launched into the path of a target vehicle. The net may provide upwardly pointing spikes that are designed to embed into the tire of the target vehicle thereby causing the flexible net to wrap around the tires of the target vehicle which cause the tires to stop rotating and brings the target vehicle to a safe stop. The arresting device may be remotely controlled by the user.

A vehicle arresting device and method provides a flexible net that is designed to be launched into the path of a target vehicle. The net may provide upwardly pointing spikes that are designed to embed into the tire of the target vehicle thereby causing the flexible net to wrap around the tires of the target vehicle which cause the tires to stop rotating and brings the target vehicle to a safe stop. The arresting device may be remotely controlled by the user.

A method of creating and finishing perforations in a hydrocarbon well, starting by shooting a high velocity jet of metal particles into the well wall, thereby creating a perforation in the well wall. After this, a gas blast is pushed into the perforation, for a blast time duration, the gas blast creating an increasing pressure at the perforation, until a maximum is reached, the pressure of the gas then undergoing a period of rapid decline to a level of less than 50% of the maximum pressure. The period of rapid decline takes less than one-sixth of the blast time duration. Accordingly, the time pattern of speed and pressure of the gas blast results in a higher maximum pressure at the perforation, resulting in localized fracturing, emanating from the perforation, which permits a greater flow of hydrocarbons into the perforation and from the perforation into the well.

A method of creating and finishing perforations in a hydrocarbon well, starting by shooting a high velocity jet of metal particles into the well wall, thereby creating a perforation in the well wall. After this, a gas blast is pushed into the perforation, for a blast time duration, the gas blast creating an increasing pressure at the perforation, until a maximum is reached, the pressure of the gas then undergoing a period of rapid decline to a level of less than 50% of the maximum pressure. The period of rapid decline takes less than one-sixth of the blast time duration. Accordingly, the time pattern of speed and pressure of the gas blast results in a higher maximum pressure at the perforation, resulting in localized fracturing, emanating from the perforation, which permits a greater flow of hydrocarbons into the perforation and from the perforation into the well.

A system and apparatus for providing an apparatus for use in a wellbore. The apparatus includes an apparatus body defining a volume, a propellant disposed within the volume, wherein the propellant has a first burn rate, and at least one propellant insert disposed within the propellant, wherein the propellant insert has a second burn rate, and the second burn rate is different than the first burn rate.

A system and apparatus for providing an apparatus for use in a wellbore. The apparatus includes an apparatus body defining a volume, a propellant disposed within the volume, wherein the propellant has a first burn rate, and at least one propellant insert disposed within the propellant, wherein the propellant insert has a second burn rate, and the second burn rate is different than the first burn rate.

A detonator assembly which includes a holder, a flexible elongate element which is engaged with the holder, a detonator connected to the element, an energy storage device on the holder and a coil arrangement for charging the energy storage device when the coil arrangement is coupled to a variable electromagnetic field.