Abstract: A drilling method includes collecting survey data at a drilling site, and determining a waypoint or borehole path based on the survey data. The drilling method also includes sending the survey data to a remote monitoring facility that applies corrections to the survey data. The drilling method also includes receiving the corrected survey data, and automatically updating the waypoint or borehole path based on the corrected survey data.

Abstract: A cement head including a tubular body having a top end and a bottom end, and a borehole arranged through at least a portion of the tubular body; a cement plug arranged in the borehole and configured to exit the cement head upon releasing a retention device; and a spool assembly arranged on the tubular body, wherein the spool assembly comprises a drum rotatable about a central axis and a continuous cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the drum and the second end being attached to the cement plug, and wherein rotating the drum about the central axis results in spooling or unspooling the continuous cable about the drum.

Abstract: A method for modifying a return fluid in a wellbore comprising disposing at least one valve along a drill pipe section of a drill string in the wellbore. At least one parameter of interest is determined at at least one location along the wellbore. At least one valve is controllably actuated to discharge at least a portion of at least one fluid from inside the drill string to an annulus in the wellbore to modify a local property of the return fluid in the annulus based at least in part on the measured parameter of interest.

Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool receives a trajectory of a proposed well from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well, and a survey plan indicating the number, position and survey type of surveys to be performed on the well while drilling. The tool applies multiple error models based on the survey type for drilling the well. Each error model defines a respective uncertainty in reaching the subterranean geological target by drilling the well along the received trajectory. The tool displays, in a user interface, the received trajectory of the well and an uncertainty indicator determined by applying the multiple error models. The uncertainty indicator represents a combination of respective uncertainties defined by the multiple error models and indicates an uncertainty in drilling the well on the received trajectory.

Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool can receive survey data describing a well being drilled from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well. The well is associated with a target trajectory on which the well is to be drilled from the surface to the subterranean geological target. Based, at least in part, on the survey data and the target trajectory, the tool determines an uncertainty indicator indicating an uncertainty in drilling the well on the target trajectory, and displays the uncertainty indicator in a user interface.

Abstract: A cement head including a tubular body having a top end and a bottom end, and a borehole arranged through at least a portion of the tubular body; a cement plug arranged in the borehole and configured to exit the cement head upon releasing a retention device; and a spool assembly arranged on the tubular body, wherein the spool assembly comprises a drum rotatable about a central axis and a continuous cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the drum and the second end being attached to the cement plug, and wherein rotating the drum about the central axis results in spooling or unspooling the continuous cable about the drum.

Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool receives a trajectory of a proposed well from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well, and a survey plan indicating the number, position and survey type of surveys to be performed on the well while drilling. The tool applies multiple error models based on the survey type for drilling the well. Each error model defines a respective uncertainty in reaching the subterranean geological target by drilling the well along the received trajectory. The tool displays, in a user interface, the received trajectory of the well and an uncertainty indicator determined by applying the multiple error models. The uncertainty indicator represents a combination of respective uncertainties defined by the multiple error models and indicates an uncertainty in drilling the well on the received trajectory.

Abstract: A drill bit for measuring the electromagnetic propagation resistivity of a subterranean formation is disclosed. The drill bit includes a shank portion and a cutting portion with a raised face. The drill bit includes a transmitter element and a receiver element disposed on the raised face. The transmitter element propagates electromagnetic waves into a subterranean formation with a frequency of at least one gigahertz. The receiver element is positioned relative to the transmitter element at a pre-determined distance, with the predetermined distance is based, at least in part, on the frequency of the electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method for modifying a return fluid in a wellbore comprising disposing at least one valve along a drill pipe section of a drill string in the wellbore. At least one parameter of interest is determined at at least one location along the wellbore. At least one valve is controllably actuated to discharge at least a portion of at least one fluid from inside the drill string to an annulus in the wellbore to modify a local property of the return fluid in the annulus based at least in part on the measured parameter of interest.

Abstract: A method of measuring parameters of a formation along multiple axes is disclosed. A formation tester tool is introduced into a wellbore. The formation tester tool includes a first probe oriented at an angle from a second probe about an axis of the formation tester tool. The first and second probes are positioned against a surface of the wellbore. Fluid is injected via at least one of the first and second probes. Pressure parameters corresponding to the fluid injected into the formation are monitored. Formation stresses about the formation fractures along multiple axes are determined based, at least in part, on the pressure parameters.

Abstract: An assembly to recover hydrocarbon gas from a seabed comprises one or more self-propelled drilling devices that include hydrocarbon sensors and a sublimation mechanism to induce sublimation of crystallized hydrates into hydrocarbon gases. As the drilling device moves through the wellbore, hydrocarbon deposits are detected and the sublimation mechanism induces sublimation of the deposits to release hydrocarbon gases up through the formation to the seabed. A bladder is positioned atop the wellbore to capture the release hydrocarbon gas and transfer it to a surface vessel for collection.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomously monitoring, evaluating, storing and testing tools and other units operated at a rig-site. The system may include a storage facility communicatively coupled to one or more tools, status flags identifying the health and operational status of the tools, and a computer for performing a self-check for determining the operational status for the one or more tools. The system may further include a remotely positioned computer system in communication with the operational status of the tools, and a user terminal in communication with the computer system.

Abstract: A liner assembly (100) includes a drill string (120) to drill a borehole (105) in a formation (110). The liner assembly further includes a liner assembly releasably coupled to the drill string to move with the drill string in the borehole while the drill string drills, and to be released from the drill string in the borehole after the drill string drills to a depth.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomously enhancing the performance of rig operations at a rig-site, including subterranean operations at a rig-site. The system may include an integrated control system, wherein the integrated control system monitors one or more parameters of sensor units of the rig operations, and a central computer that can communicate with sensor units reporting the health and operational status of the rig operations. The system may further be upgraded by a package of sensors attached to the various tools that allow the central computer an overall synchronized view of the rig operations.

Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool can receive survey data describing a well being drilled from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well. The well is associated with a target trajectory on which the well is to be drilled from the surface to the subterranean geological target. Based, at least in part, on the survey data and the target trajectory, the tool determines an uncertainty indicator indicating an uncertainty in drilling the well on the target trajectory, and displays the uncertainty indicator in a user interface.

Abstract: A drilling method includes collecting survey data at a drilling site, and determining a waypoint or borehole path based on the survey data. The drilling method also includes sending the survey data to a remote monitoring facility that applies corrections to the survey data. The drilling method also includes receiving the corrected survey data, and automatically updating the waypoint or borehole path based on the corrected survey data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to advance a geological formation probe with a surrounding pad to seal the pad against a borehole wall, to adjust the size of the area associated with a fluid flow inlet of the probe, where the size of the inlet area is selectably and incrementally variable, and to draw fluid into the fluid flow inlet by activating at least one pump coupled to at least one fluid passage in the probe.

Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool can receive a trajectory of a proposed well from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well, and a survey plan indicating the number, position and survey type of surveys to be performed on the well while drilling the well. The tool can apply multiple error models based on the survey type for drilling the well. Each error model defines a respective uncertainty in reaching the subterranean geological target by drilling the well along the received trajectory. The tool can display, in a user interface, the received trajectory of the well and an uncertainty indicator determined by applying the multiple error models. The uncertainty indicator represents a combination of respective uncertainties defined by the multiple error models and indicates an uncertainty in drilling the well on the received trajectory.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting information of a rig operation, including subterranean operations at a rig-site. The system may include an integrated control system, wherein the integrated control system monitors one or more rig operations, and comprises a centralized data acquisition server coupled to one or more sensor units of the rig operations. The system may further include a central computer that can communicate with sensor units, and store the data in a central time-synchronized database accessible by a central data acquisition server, wherein the central time-synchronized database collects data from the various sensors to generate a time-synchronized overview of rig operations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to advance a sampling and guard probe (100) with a surrounding sealing pad (108) against a borehole wall, to adjust the size of the area associated with a fluid flow inlet of the probe, where the size of the inlet area (104) is selectably and incrementally variable, and to draw fluid into the fluid flow inlet by activating at least one pump (344) coupled to at least one fluid passage (128) in the probe. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.