FOREWORD a. This recommended practice has been developed by the API Subcommittee on Perforating and is under the jurisdiction of the American Petroleum Institute@ Division of Production's Executive Committee on Drilling and Production Practice. Membership of the Subcommittee is listed on the preceding page. b. This recommended practice describes test procedures for the evaluation of perforators under surface conditions and the evaluation of the physical and flow characteristics of perforations obtained under temperature and pressure. A Certification Data Sheet* (see Data Sheet 1@ API Form 43D) is included as a part of the recommended testing procedures. For all perforating tools which are tested in accordance with API RP 43: Standard Procedure for Evaluation of Well Perforators@ Second Edition@ November 1971. the data sheets are to be completed@ certified by an officer of the perforating company@ and filed with the API Division of Production. The testing location shall be at any perforating test site designated by the company whose equipment is being evaluated. Any change in the component parts that adversely affects the performance of a perforating device will require retesting before such equipment can be specified as tested according the API RP 43@ Second Edition. Each service company testing under this recommended practice must test its equipment under both Sections 1 and 2 of API RP 43@ Second Edition@ November 1971. Perforators exceeding 35 grams of explosive per charge are not required to be tested under Section 2 of this recommended practice. Any operating company may request the opportunity of witnessing the testing of any service company's equipment. c. Each service company and manufacturer of perforators will submit to the API Division of Production office new or recertified data sheets and a cover letter stating that all data on perforators are current as of June 1@ 1972@ and each January 1 thereafter. d. The use of data obtained under API RP 43 in publications@ papers@ periodicals@ or the like shall include data from both Section 1 and Section 2. The minimum data in any such use shall include total depth and casing hole diameter from Section 1 and total target penetration@ core-flow efficiency@ and effective core penetration from Section 2. *Certification Data Sheets (API Form 43D) are available in pads of 50 from American Petroleum Institute@ Division of Production@ 300 Corrigan Tower Building@ Dallas@ Texas 75201 at $1.00 per pad.