Geodynamics, Inc.

Probe Technology Services, Inc.

Roger Archibald

Brad Perry

Jason Ansley

Stephen Cattanach

Bulent Finci

Jacob Walsh

An interlock system for explosive operations includes an array of magnet sensors configured to engage an array of magnets in a magnetic key. The key may be selectively positioned to activate select sensors while the other remains deactivated. Various sequences of activated and deactivated sensors correspond to various states of the interlock system. One or more switches of the interlock system are set according the state of the system. Some states set the switches to disable any electrical signals from passing to the explosives. Other states set the switches to enable select signals to pass to the explosive or other tools. Explosive operations are enabled only in a particular predetermined state.

Magnetic-key safety interlock system

An initiator circuit for a perforating gun includes a microprocessor structured to perform a circuit-startup algorithm comprising determining whether the circuit supply voltage is stable enough for operation and, if it is, or if a predetermined period of time has passed since powering up the circuit, sending a message indicating the circuit (and thus gun) is ready for operation. The sent message may be a communication uplink indicating an address of the circuit and its ready state or a short burst of pulses indicating the circuit's ready state.

Perforating-gun initiator circuit

A wireline release tool for downhole intervention, the tool including a housing having an electrical input and an electrical output; a pass-through switch located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output; and a current limiter device located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output. The pass-through switch is connected in parallel to the current limiter device, between the electrical input and the electrical output.

Current feed-through wireline release tool and method

A non-addressable switch device that is part of a chain of switch devices in a gun string, the non-addressable switch device including a first switch configured to make an electrical connection between an electrical line and another non-addressable switch device of the chain of switch devices; a second switch configured to make an electrical connection between a detonator and the electrical line; and a processor Pconnected to the first and second switches and configured to close and open the first and second switches. The processor Pis configured to not use a digital address, and the processor Pis configured to perform one of plural functions based on a corresponding pulse received along the electrical line.

Switch device with non-addressable scheme for wellbore operations

A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies. The switch assembly includes a micro-controller PB that has no address, a thru-line switch, and a detonator switch. The micro-controller PB is configured to directly communicate with an upstream or downstream switch assembly through a pulsing scheme, and the micro-controller PB receives no command from a surface controller.

Micro-controller-based switch assembly for wellbore systems and method

A convertible and addressable switch assembly incudes an interface (I/O) configured to connect to a controller along a telemetry system; and a processor connected to the interface (I/O). The processor is configured to receive a command from the controller, along the telemetry system, to change a first value of a mode status variable to a desired second value, wherein the first value is associated with a first operating mode of the switch assembly and the second value is associated with a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode; change the first value to the second value within the switch assembly; and store in a non-volatile memory, at the switch assembly, the second value of the mode status variable.

Convertible and addressable switch assembly for wellbore operations

A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies. The switch assembly includes a micro-controller Pthat has no address, a thru-line switch, and a detonator switch. The micro-controller Pis configured to directly communicate with an upstream or downstream switch assembly through a pulsing scheme, and the micro-controller Preceives no command from a surface controller.

A wireline release tool for downhole intervention, the tool including a housing having an electrical input and an electrical output; a pass-through switch located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output; and a circuit limiter device located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output. The pass-through switch is connected in parallel to the circuit limiter device, between the electrical input and the electrical output.

A convertible and addressable switch assembly includes an interface (I/O) configured to connect to a controller along a telemetry system; and a processor connected to the interface (I/O). The processor is configured to receive a command from the controller, along the telemetry system, to change a first value of a mode status variable to a desired second value, wherein the first value is associated with a first operating mode of the switch assembly and the second value is associated with a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode; change the first value to the second value within the switch assembly; and store in a non-volatile memory, at the switch assembly, the second value of the mode status variable.

A method for firing a detonator in a chain of switch assemblies includes a step of lowering the chain of switch assemblies into a wellbore; a step of powering-up a switch assembly of the chain of switch assemblies; a step of independently entering through a set of states during which the switch assembly interacts with a downstream switch assembly and determines a status of one or more elements associated with the switch assembly; and a step of firing a detonator electrically connected to the switch assembly or entering a sleeping state.

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Hurst, TX, United States of America

Roger Archibald