US 12,410,690 B2
Orienting perforating gun system, and method of orienting shots in a perforating gun assembly
Shelby L. Sullivan, Minot, ND (US); and Joshua M. Scott, Katy, TX (US)
Assigned to XConnect, LLC, Denver, CO (US)
Filed by XConnect, LLC, Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/435,553.
Application 18/435,553 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/920,815, filed on Dec. 13, 2023.
Application 18/435,553 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/920,858, filed on Dec. 13, 2023.
Application 18/435,553 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/547,016, filed on Dec. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,906,278.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/511,903, filed on Jul. 5, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/497,305, filed on Apr. 20, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0183252 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/119 (2006.01); E21B 43/117 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/119 (2013.01) [E21B 43/117 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A perforating gun assembly, comprising:
a gun barrel housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end of the gun barrel housing;
a rail comprising an elongated frame having at least one receptacle, wherein each of the at least one receptacle is configured to receive an explosive charge;
a first tandem sub threadedly connected to the first end of the gun barrel housing, and a second tandem sub threadedly connected to the second end of the gun barrel housing, wherein each of the first and second tandem subs comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end of the respective tandem subs;
a first ballast and a second ballast, wherein each of the first and second ballasts comprises an eccentric weighted body, and wherein:
the first ballast comprises a proximal end connected to a first end of the rail, and a distal end abutting the first tandem sub; and
the second ballast comprises a proximal end connected to a second end of the rail, and a distal end abutting the second tandem sub;
a first bearing member supported by the first ballast at the distal end of the first ballast, and a second bearing member supported by the second ballast at the distal end of the second ballast;
wherein the first bearing member interfaces with the first tandem sub and the second bearing member interfaces with the second tandem sub, thereby allowing for relative rotation between the rail and the first and second tandem subs.