Abstract: A system for use in a drilling operation that includes uphole electronic equipment and a drill string suspended in an earth borehole, a section of wired drill pipe that is part of a communication link between a downhole tool and the uphole electronic equipment, an interface for communicating between the section of wired drill pipe and a communication source/destination. The system includes a housing having a generally cylindrical outer shape which has a passage there through. The housing has a WDP end connectable to the section of wired drill pipe and a further end connectable to the communication source/destination. The system also includes a WDP circuit module disposed within the housing. The WDP circuit module electrically coupleable with the wired drill pipe section. The system includes a further circuit module, disposed within the housing, which is electrically coupled with the WDP circuit module and electrically coupleable with the communication source/destination.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locating faults in inductively coupled wired drill pipe while drilling. In one embodiment, apparatus includes a drill string and a wired drill pipe fault monitor. The drill string includes a plurality of wired drill pipes. Each wired drill pipe includes an inductive coupler at each terminal end. The wired drill pipe fault monitor is coupled to the wired drill pipes. The fault monitor includes an impedance measuring system and a fault locator. The impedance measuring system is configured to measure, while drilling the borehole, an input impedance of the wired drill pipes. The fault locator is configured to determine a propagation constant for the wired drill pipes, and to analyze the measured input impedance and determine, as a function of the measured input impedance and the propagation constant, a location of a fault in the wired drill pipes.

Abstract: A system and method for steering a relief well to intersect a previously drilled wellbore. In one embodiment, a system includes a drill string disposed in the relief well and a surface processing system. The drill string includes a plurality of sections of wired drill pipe connected end-to-end, and a bottom hole assembly disposed at a downhole end of the drill string. The bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit, a steering tool configured to direct the drill bit towards a target, and an acoustic sensing tool. The acoustic sensing tool includes a plurality of acoustic sensors configured to detect acoustic signals emanating from fluid flow in a target wellbore. The surface processing system is coupled to the uphole end of the drill string, and is configured to determine a direction to the target wellbore based on the acoustic signals detected by the acoustic sensors.

Abstract: A method for making a conduit for transmitting signals along its length includes forming one or more grooves in at least one of the inner and outer walls of a tubular body that extend substantially to a communicative coupler, and securing one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves. A conduit for transmitting signals along its length in a borehole environment includes one or more conductive wires extending through and being secured within one or more grooves of a tubular body, the one or more conductive wires in signal communication with a communicative coupler so as to establish one or more wired links. The conduit may include a means for securing the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves.

Abstract: A drilling system comprises a drillstring including a dill bit, a bottomhole assembly coupled to the drill bit, and a plurality of interconnected tubular members coupled to the bottomhole assembly. A first tubular member includes a communication link having a first annular inductive coupler element disposed in an annular recess in a first end, a second annular inductive coupler element disposed in an annular recess in a second end, and a cable coupling the first annular inductive coupler element to the second annular inductive coupler element. In addition, the drilling system comprises a first signal level determination unit disposed in the drillstring and configured to determine a level of a first signal communicated from the second inductive coupler element. Further, the drilling system comprises an axial load determination unit configured to determine an axial load at the first signal level determination unit based on the level of the first signal.

Abstract: A method for making a conduit for transmitting signals along its length includes forming one or more grooves in at least one of the inner and outer walls of a tubular body that extend substantially to a communicative coupler, and securing one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves. A conduit for transmitting signals along its length in a borehole environment includes one or more conductive wires extending through and being secured within one or more grooves of a tubular body, the one or more conductive wires in signal communication with a communicative coupler so as to establish one or more wired links. The conduit may include a means for securing the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves.

Abstract: A hybrid telemetry system for passing signals between a surface control unit and a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool is deployed via a drill string into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The hybrid telemetry system includes an uphole connector, a downhole connector, and a cable operatively connecting the uphole and downhole connectors. The uphole connector is operatively connectable to a drill string telemetry system for communication therewith. The downhole connector is operatively connectable to the downhole tool for communication therewith.

Abstract: A downhole sub having a first tubular housing with a first internal shoulder, a second tubular housing with a second internal shoulder, and a stabilizer assembly to be disposed between the first and second internal shoulders. The first and second tubular housings are configured to be threaded together, and the stabilizer assembly is configured to engage the first and second internal shoulders. A method of coupling tubular housings in a downhole sub in which a first tubular housing and a second tubular housing are threadably coupled, where the first tubular housing includes a first shoulder and the second tubular housing includes a second shoulder. A sleeve is interlocked with and inside the second tubular housing such that the sleeve is disposed between the first and second shoulders and includes a third shoulder, where the first shoulder is torqued against the third shoulder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole telemetry diagnosis. A downhole telemetry system includes a plurality of joints of wired drill pipe connected end-to-end, a first repeater sub, and a second repeater sub. The first repeater sub is connected to an uphole end of the plurality of joints of wired drill pipe. The second repeater sub connected to a downhole end of the plurality of joints of wired drill pipe. The first repeater sub is configured to transmit a signal into one of the joints of wired drill pipe that is connected to the first repeater sub; to detect energy of the transmitted signal returned to the first repeater sub; to measure duration of the returned energy; and to determine an operational state of the first repeater sub based on the measured duration of the returned energy.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the drilling of a wellbore by enhancing the ability to relay data. The system comprises a saver sub designed to connect a top drive unit with a wired drill pipe without requiring modification of the top drive unit. The saver sub comprises an electronics package, a battery, and an antenna coupled to a saver sub mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes, in one embodiment, a substantially planar recessed surface for mounting and retaining a component. The platform is configured to electrically couple the component to a transmission line at a non-end point thereof. An outer contour of the component does not exceed an outer contour of the platform, and the outer contour of the platform does not exceed an outer contour of the transmission line. The transmission line is configured to link to a downhole network, and the component is configured to affect a signal on the transmission line.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a clock in a device at the Earth's surface with a device disposed in a wellbore includes generating a time datum for a signal generated at at least one of the surface and in the wellbore proximate an end of the pipe string. A time delay is determined between detection of the signal at the at least one repeater and retransmission of the signal from the at least one repeater. The time datum is appended with a signal corresponding to the time delay. The retransmitted signal is detected at the other of proximate the end of the pipe string and at the surface.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter having a first end and a second end, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter and an element of a communication coupler disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter is configured to be coupled to an end portion of the wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: A transducer device includes an annular housing having a base wall adjoining a pair of annular side walls. The base and side walls define an annular groove. An access port and at least one strain relief opening are formed in the base wall. The at least one strain relief opening is spaced apart from the access port. A conductor is disposed in the annular groove.

Abstract: A method for maneuvering a downhole tool in a well system includes: displacing a tool through a riser; detecting electromagnetic radiation from a source in real time using a detector coupled to the tool; and altering the velocity of the tool in response to detecting the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method for pressure testing a well system includes: pressurizing testing fluid within a closeable chamber of a well system; determining a leak within the closeable chamber using real time pressure and temperature measurements of the volume of testing fluid within the closeable chamber; and determining the pathway of the leak using real time pressure and temperature measurements of a volume of fluid that is disposed adjacent to the closeable chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locating faults in inductively coupled wired drill pipe while drilling. In one embodiment, apparatus includes a drill string and a wired drill pipe fault monitor. The drill string includes a plurality of wired drill pipes. Each wired drill pipe includes an inductive coupler at each terminal end. The wired drill pipe fault monitor is coupled to the wired drill pipes. The fault monitor includes an impedance measuring system and a fault locator. The impedance measuring system is configured to measure, while drilling the borehole, an input impedance of the wired drill pipes. The fault locator is configured to determine a propagation constant for the wired drill pipes, and to analyze the measured input impedance and determine, as a function of the measured input impedance and the propagation constant, a location of a fault in the wired drill pipes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data across a tool joint connection. In one embodiment, the system includes a first data transmission element connected to a first downhole component, a second data transmission element connected to a second downhole component, and a biasing element biasing at least one of the first and second data transmission elements towards the other data transmission element such that the first and second data transmission elements are in data communication with each other.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the conveyance of signals along a drill pipe. A cable system is combined with the drill pipe and attached along the drill pipe to convey signals. The cable system may comprise a conductive cable, a cable retention system, a cable termination, and a cable connector coupled to the conductive cable at the cable termination.

Abstract: A system for pressure testing a component of a well system includes a tubular member extending into a wellbore. The tubular member has a fluid passageway and one or more nodes that are configured to measure fluid pressure. The system also includes a heat exchanger configured to cool a fluid passing therethrough.