Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining forces on a downhole drilling tool is provided. The downhole tool is provided with a drill collar operatively connectable to the drilling tool, and a sensor mounted about the drill collar. The sensor is adapted to measure deformation of the drill collar whereby forces on the drilling tool are determined. The sensor may be part of a force measurement system, a strain gauge system or a drilling jar system. The drill collar is adapted to magnify and/or isolate the deformation applied to the drill string.

Abstract: A casing drilling system includes a casing having a drill bit at one end. The drill bit is capable of drilling subsurface formations and formed from a material removable by drilling or chemical exposure. The chemical is substantially harmless to the casing. The system includes a centralizer affixed to an interior of the casing. The centralizer includes a receptacle therein for engaging a measurement while drilling tool. The centralizer is formed from a material removable by drilling or chemical exposure, wherein the chemical is substantially harmless to the casing. The system includes a measurement while drilling tool configured to move along the interior of the casing and to engage with the centralizer. The tool includes a device to measure a drilling parameter or a formation parameter. The tool including a latch at an upper end thereof for engagement with a retrieval tool moved through the interior of the casing.

Abstract: An electric power generator includes a conduit disposed in a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations and at least one piezoelectric transducer in contact with the conduit. The piezoelectric transducer is configured to undergo stress in response to vibration in the conduit. The transducer includes a plurality of piezoelectric crystals stacked in a thickness direction and each polarized in the thickness direction. The transducer comprises at least one of a composite rubber layer disposed between successive piezoelectric crystals, and at least one support at a longitudinal end of the transducer configured to cause the crystals to bend in response to vibration in the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining forces on a downhole drilling tool is provided. The downhole tool is provided with a drill collar operatively connectable to the drilling tool, and a sensor mounted about the drill collar. The sensor is adapted to measure deformation of the drill collar whereby forces on the drilling tool are determined. The sensor may be part of a force measurement system, a strain gauge system or a drilling jar system. The drill collar is adapted to magnify and/or isolate the deformation applied to the drill string.

Abstract: A method for determining structure in the Earth's subsurface includes generating an initial model of the structure. The initial model includes at least one layer boundary. A wellbore is drilled along a selected trajectory through the Earth's subsurface in a volume represented by the initial model. At least one formation parameter is measured azimuthally along the wellbore. A distance is determined from the wellbore at selected positions therealong to the at least one layer boundary using the azimuthal formation parameter measurements. The initial model is adjusted using the determined distances. In one example, the parameter is resistivity. In one example, the parameter is acoustic velocity.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for drilling a first well and a second well. The method includes measuring direction and inclination for at least one of the bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) in the wells, generating a magnetic field in at least one of the BHAs and measuring the magnetic field at the other BHA. The method includes determining the geometrical relationship of one BHA with respect to the other BHA. The method further includes determining the position of one BHA with respect to the Earth's geology or geometry. The method further includes automatically positioning one well with respect to the other well to maintain a predetermined geometrical relationship between them.

Abstract: A coaxial transmission line for an electromagnetic wellbore telemetry system comprises an outer conductive pipe, an inner conductive pipe disposed coaxially inside an axial bore of the outer conductive pipe, a first electrical contact having a first contact face disposed at a first end of the inner conductive pipe, a second electrical contact having a second contact face disposed at a second end of the inner conductive pipe, wherein at least one of the first and second contact faces includes at least one slot, and an insulator disposed between the outer conductive pipe and the inner conductive pipe.

Abstract: A method for forming a brake assembly for a motor vehicle includes a wheel hub, a knuckle, and a brake rotor. The wheel hub includes a neck portion and a flange portion having a flange face. The flange face has a plurality of bolt receiving holes formed therein. The wheel hub is placed in rotational communication with the knuckle. The flange face of the wheel hub has a brake rotor secured thereto. The brake rotor has an inner surface, which is subjected to final finishing in order to reduce lateral run-out of the brake rotor.