Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a resistivity of a formation comprising an instrumented bit assembly coupled to a bottom end of the apparatus. At least one first electromagnetic wave antenna transmits an electromagnetic wave signal into the formation. At least one second electromagnetic wave antenna located on the instrumented bit assembly and longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one first electromagnetic wave antenna receives the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted through the formation. Electronic circuitry is operably coupled to the at least one second electromagnetic wave antenna to process the received signal to determine a resistivity of the formation proximate the instrumented bit assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for enhanced demetalyzation of an ultrahard material, such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or cubic boron nitride (CBN), using a thiourea solution. The thiourea solution may contain thiourea and an acid, such as a Bronstead acid suitable for leaching. The thiourea may contain thiourea or a substituted thiourea, including tautomers thereof. The ultrahard material may be exposed to the thiourea solution for a time and under conditions sufficient to remove at least a desired amount of a metal, such as a catalyst used during formation of the PCD or CBN, from at least a portion of the ultrahard material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a downhole drilling tool configured to engage a formation to form a wellbore includes one or more channels formed in a bit body, the channels configured to direct electromagnetic radiation. The downhole drilling tool also includes an opto-analytical device integrated with the downhole drilling tool, the opto-analytical device configured to receive electromagnetic radiation directed through the one or more channels and detect a drilling characteristic based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining a distance between a portion of the drilling tool and the formation based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting vibrations associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for leaching catalysts from a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) may utilize a high pressure jet. For example, a method may include impinging a jet of leaching fluid, including one or both of an acid and a caustic material, on a surface of a PDC disposed on a substrate at a fluid pressure ranging between 125 psi and 10,000.

Abstract: In one embodiments, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting a characteristic of cuttings associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining a drilling characteristic based on the received electromagnetic radiation, and detecting an event associated with drilling the wellbore based on the determined drilling characteristic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting a temperature associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for leaching catalysts from a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) may utilize a high pressure jet. For example, a method may include impinging a jet of leaching fluid, including one or both of an acid and a caustic material, on a surface of a PDC disposed on a substrate at a fluid pressure ranging between 125 psi and 10,000.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for enhanced demetalyzation of an ultrahard material, such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or cubic boron nitride (CBN), using a thiourea solution. The thiourea solution may contain thiourea and an acid, such as a Bronstead acid suitable for leaching. The thiourea may contain thiourea or a substituted thiourea, including tautomers thereof. The ultrahard material may be exposed to the thiourea solution for a time and under conditions sufficient to remove at least a desired amount of a metal, such as a catalyst used during formation of the PCD or CBN, from at least a portion of the ultrahard material.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a PCD element containing a substrate and a PCD layer. The PCD has a top surface, a side surface, an intermediate surface, an unleached region containing a diamond body matrix and an interstitial matrix including a catalyst, and a leached region containing a diamond body matrix and empty space in the place of the interstitial matrix. The catalyst has been leached from the empty space in the place of the interstitial matrix. The unleached region is adjacent to a substantial portion of the side surface and the leached region is not adjacent to a substantial portion of the side surface, and the leached region is adjacent to the top surface or the intermediate surface. The disclosure also provides a system and method for leaching a PCD element including a liquid able to leach a catalyst and a protective member.

Abstract: In one embodiments, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting a characteristic of cuttings associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining a drilling characteristic based on the received electromagnetic radiation, and detecting an event associated with drilling the wellbore based on the determined drilling characteristic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting a temperature associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a resistivity of a formation comprising an instrumented bit assembly coupled to a bottom end of the apparatus. At least one first electromagnetic wave antenna transmits an electromagnetic wave signal into the formation. At least one second electromagnetic wave antenna located on the instrumented bit assembly and longitudinally spaced apart from the at least one first electromagnetic wave antenna receives the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted through the formation. Electronic circuitry is operably coupled to the at least one second electromagnetic wave antenna to process the received signal to determine a resistivity of the formation proximate the instrumented bit assembly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting vibrations associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a downhole drilling tool configured to engage a formation to form a wellbore includes one or more channels formed in a bit body, the channels configured to direct electromagnetic radiation. The downhole drilling tool also includes an opto-analytical device integrated with the downhole drilling tool, the opto-analytical device configured to receive electromagnetic radiation directed through the one or more channels and detect a drilling characteristic based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining a distance between a portion of the drilling tool and the formation based on the received electromagnetic radiation.