Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for collecting and preserving core samples from a reservoir. In some embodiments, a method includes obtaining core samples from a reservoir using a rock and fluid sampling tool and depositing the core samples in a vessel filled with a hydrogen-free fluid such that a portion of the hydrogen-free fluid is displaced by the core samples and the core samples are immersed in the hydrogen-free fluid. The method also includes transferring a gas into the vessel to occupy a space in the vessel and sealing the vessel via a cap on an end of the vessel. Methods of analyzing the core samples core samples collected from a reservoir and a rock and fluid sampling tool are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for collecting and preserving core samples from a reservoir. In some embodiments, a method includes obtaining core samples from a reservoir using a rock and fluid sampling tool and depositing the core samples in a vessel filled with a hydrogen-free fluid such that a portion of the hydrogen-free fluid is displaced by the core samples and the core samples are immersed in the hydrogen-free fluid. The method also includes transferring a gas into the vessel to occupy a space in the vessel and sealing the vessel via a cap on an end of the vessel. Methods of analyzing the core samples core samples collected from a reservoir and a rock and fluid sampling tool are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating position of a borehole includes: disposing an acoustic sensor in a first borehole in an earth formation, the acoustic sensor including a plurality of measurement locations disposed along a length of the first borehole; drilling a portion of a second borehole in the earth formation using a drilling assembly; taking distributed acoustic measurement data over a time period during the drilling by the plurality of measurement locations, the acoustic measurement data based at least in part due to an acoustic signal generated by the drilling assembly and detected by the plurality of measurement locations; processing the measurement data to estimate a distance between the drilling assembly and the acoustic sensor; and controlling directional parameters of the drilling based on the distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for analyzing and modeling natural gas flow in subterranean shale reservoirs. In preferred embodiments, methodologies and techniques for determining and modeling natural gas flow in shale formations using methodologies and techniques capable of determining natural gas properties related to dual-continuum flow, permeability and pressure within a subterranean shale reservoir. In some embodiments, the natural gas properties are determined by subjecting a subterranean shale reservoir sample to pulse-decay analysis. In certain embodiments, the methodologies and techniques described herein may be used in various reservoirs exhibiting macroporosity and/or microporosity, such as fractured reservoirs and carbonate reservoirs composed of reservoir fluids.

Abstract: Characterizing a parameter of interest relating to a formation intersected by a borehole. Methods may include estimating the parameter using at least one gravity measurement adjusted to account for a gravity field gradient associated with a change in a frame of reference caused by removal of a reference feature from the borehole. Methods may also include taking at least one prior gravity measurement before removal of the reference feature from the borehole; taking at least one prior gravity measurement after removal of the reference feature from the borehole; estimating the change in the frame of reference based on the prior gravity measurements taken before and after removal of the reference feature; and adjusting the at least one gravity measurement using the estimated change.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool comprises a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and a sensor coupled with the cutting surface, the sensor configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. An earth-boring drilling tool comprises a bit body and an instrumented cutting element coupled with the bit body. The cutting element includes a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and at least one sensor located proximate the cutting surface. The at least one sensor is oriented and configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. A method of determining resistivity of a subterranean formation during a drilling operation comprises energizing a sensor of an instrumented cutting element of a drill bit, sensing a return signal flowing on or through the subterranean formation through the instrumented cutting element, and determining a resistivity of the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the return signal.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool comprises a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and a sensor coupled with the cutting surface, the sensor configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. An earth-boring drilling tool comprises a bit body and an instrumented cutting element coupled with the bit body. The cutting element includes a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and at least one sensor located proximate the cutting surface. The at least one sensor is oriented and configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. A method of determining resistivity of a subterranean formation during a drilling operation comprises energizing a sensor of an instrumented cutting element of a drill bit, sensing a return signal flowing on or through the subterranean formation through the instrumented cutting element, and determining a resistivity of the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the return signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating reservoir connectivity using gravity estimates at a fluid contact for each of two or more boreholes. The method may include identifying fluid contacts in the boreholes. The method may include additional gravity estimates at and/or between a well head and the fluid contact of each borehole. The method may include gravity estimates along a surface between well heads of the boreholes. The method may include estimating true vertical depth for the boreholes. The apparatus may include at least one gravimeter and a processor configured to estimate reservoir connectivity using estimates from the gravimeter.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating a parameter of interest of a formation intersected by a borehole, including exposing a radiation sensor in the borehole to a calibration radiation source while a measurement operation using the radiation sensor is suspended. Methods may include exposing the radiation sensor to the calibration radiation source when the radiation sensor is stationary relative to the formation or during interruption of drilling operations or at predetermined intervals; processing response information, including performing a mitigation process on a portion of the response information relating to exposure of the radiation sensor to a calibration radiation source during measurement operations; or using the calibrated measurement information to estimate parameters of interest. Devices may include a radiation sensor, a calibrator including a calibration radiation source, and an actuator configured to intermittently expose the radiation sensor to the calibration radiation source.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for developing an earth formation is disclosed. A tool conveyed in a borehole induces a stress in the earth formation proximate a borehole. A sensor assembly obtains a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole. The values of the physical property are indicative of the induced stress in the formation. A processor forms an image of the borehole using the obtained measurements of the physical property, estimates an azimuthal variation with borehole depth of the induced stress in the formation from the formed image, and alters an operational parameter of a device for developing the earth formation using the estimated azimuthal variation with depth of the induced stress in the formation.

Abstract: A downhole positioning apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation, the carrier including at least one measurement tool and an extendable member configured to be actuated between a first position in which the extendable member is disposed at the carrier and a second position in which the member is extended from an outer surface of the carrier; and a receiving element fixedly disposed at a borehole casing, the receiving element configured to receive the elongated member when the member is in the second position and guide the carrier to a selected orientation as the carrier is moved axially through the borehole.

Abstract: A method of estimating position of a borehole includes: disposing an acoustic sensor in a first borehole in an earth formation, the acoustic sensor including a plurality of measurement locations disposed along a length of the first borehole; drilling a portion of a second borehole in the earth formation using a drilling assembly; taking distributed acoustic measurement data over a time period during the drilling by the plurality of measurement locations, the acoustic measurement data based at least in part due to an acoustic signal generated by the drilling assembly and detected by the plurality of measurement locations; processing the measurement data to estimate a distance between the drilling assembly and the acoustic sensor; and controlling directional parameters of the drilling based on the distance.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an injection substance injected into an injection well penetrating the earth and a method of monitoring an underground reservoir storing a substance introduced through an injection well are described. The methods include disposing a monitoring system in a borehole, both a transmitting and a first receiving portion of the monitoring system being disposed in the borehole. The method of monitoring an injection substance also includes injecting the injection substance into the injection well, and monitoring, using a processor processing the received signal, flow of the injection substance out of the injection well. The method of monitoring an underground reservoir includes injecting the injection substance into the injection well for storage in the underground reservoir, and monitoring, using a processor processing the received signal, boundary conditions surrounding the underground reservoir.

Abstract: Characterizing a parameter of interest relating to a formation intersected by a borehole. Methods may include estimating the parameter using at least one gravity measurement adjusted to account for a gravity field gradient associated with a change in a frame of reference caused by removal of a reference feature from the borehole. Methods may also include taking at least one prior gravity measurement before removal of the reference feature from the borehole; taking at least one prior gravity measurement after removal of the reference feature from the borehole; estimating the change in the frame of reference based on the prior gravity measurements taken before and after removal of the reference feature; and adjusting the at least one gravity measurement using the estimated change.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation includes: a plurality of sensors configured to estimate at least one property, each of the plurality of sensors located at a known position relative to one another; and a processor in operable communication with the plurality of sensors and configured to estimate uncertainties of the location of the plurality of sensors over a period of time. A method and computer program product for estimating a property of an earth formation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of hydrocarbon in an earth formation having a kerogen includes determining a pore size in the kerogen at or below which capillary condensation will occur, the determining being performed using a processor. The method also includes calculating an amount of hydrocarbon liquid condensate in pores of the kerogen based on capillary condensation using the determined pore size, the calculating being performed using the processor. The method further includes estimating the amount of hydrocarbon in the earth formation using the calculated amount of hydrocarbon liquid condensate, the estimating being performed using the processor.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool comprises a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and a sensor coupled with the cutting surface, the sensor configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. An earth-boring drilling tool comprises a bit body and an instrumented cutting element coupled with the bit body. The cutting element includes a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and at least one sensor located proximate the cutting surface. The at least one sensor is oriented and configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. A method of determining resistivity of a subterranean formation during a drilling operation comprises energizing a sensor of an instrumented cutting element of a drill bit, sensing a return signal flowing on or through the subterranean formation through the instrumented cutting element, and determining a resistivity of the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the return signal.

Abstract: A downhole positioning apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation, the carrier including at least one measurement tool and an extendable member configured to be actuated between a first position in which the extendable member is disposed at the carrier and a second position in which the member is extended from an outer surface of the carrier; and a receiving element fixedly disposed at a borehole casing, the receiving element configured to receive the elongated member when the member is in the second position and guide the carrier to a selected orientation as the carrier is moved axially through the borehole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating reservoir connectivity using gravity estimates at a fluid contact for each of two or more boreholes. The method may include identifying fluid contacts in the boreholes. The method may include additional gravity estimates at and/or between a well head and the fluid contact of each borehole. The method may include gravity estimates along a surface between well heads of the boreholes. The method may include estimating true vertical depth for the boreholes. The apparatus may include at least one gravimeter and a processor configured to estimate reservoir connectivity using estimates from the gravimeter.

Abstract: A method for identifying drilling induced fractures while drilling a wellbore into a formation is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining multi-component induction data collected by a drill string including a multi-component induction tool; processing the data to estimate values for principal components; and identifying drilling induced fractures from the principal components. An instrument and a computer program product are disclosed.