Abstract: A system and method for monitoring underground drilling in which vibration is monitored by creating a model of the drill string using finite element techniques or finite difference techniques and (i) predicting vibration by inputting real time values of operating parameters into the model, and adjusting the model to agree with measured vibration data, (ii) predicting the weight on bit and drill string and mud motor speeds at which resonance will occur, and when stick-slip will occur, to avoid operating regimes that will result in high vibration, (iii) determining vibration and torque levels along the length of the drill string based on the measured vibration and torque at one or more locations, (iv) determining the remaining life of critical components of the drill string based on the history of the vibration, and (v) determining the optimum drilling parameters that will avoid excessive vibration of the drill string.

Abstract: A drilling system and associated systems and methods for monitoring, controlling, and predicting vibration of a drilling operation. The vibration information can include axial, lateral or torsional vibration of a drill string.

Abstract: A rotary pulser and method is disclosed that includes a housing, a stator supported by the housing, a rotor adjacent to the downhole end of the stator, and a motor assembly coupled to the rotor. A controller may receive a signal that includes drilling information. In response to receiving the signal, the controller causes the motor assembly to rotate the rotor in a first rotational direction through a rotation cycle. The rotation cycle a) rotates the rotor from a first position, where the rotor does not obstruct the at least one passage, into a second position, where the rotor obstructs the at least one passage, and b) rotates the rotor from the second position to a third position in the first rotational direction. Rotation of the rotor generates a pressure pulse in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A flow monitoring system for monitoring fluid flow. The flow monitoring system including a conduit, a first transducer, a second transducer, and a flow diverter. The conduit has an inner surface that defines a flow channel extending through the conduit. The conduit defines a bore extending from the inner surface to an outer surface. The first transducer is positioned within the bore of the conduit, such that at least a portion of the first transducer extends into the flow channel. The second transducer is positioned such that the second transducer can send and receive signals propagating through at least a portion of the flow channel to and from the first transducer. The flow diverter is positioned within the flow channel of the conduit adjacent to the first transducer and the second transducer.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring underground drilling in which vibration is monitored by creating a model of the drill string using finite element techniques or finite difference techniques and (i) predicting vibration by inputting real time values of operating parameters into the model, and then adjusting the model to agree with measured vibration data, (ii) predicting the weight on bit and drill string and mud motor speeds at which resonance will occur, as well as when stick-slip will occur, so that the operator can avoid operating regimes that will result in high vibration, (iii) determining vibration and torque levels along the length of the drill string based on the measured vibration and torque at one or more locations, (iv) determining the remaining life of critical components of the drill string based on the history of the vibration to which the components have been subjected, and (v) determining the optimum drilling parameters that will avoid excessive vibration of the drill string.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for guiding a drill bit based on forces applied to a drill bit, and drilling methods related to same.

Abstract: A rotary pulser for transmitting information in a mud pulse telemetry system of a drilling operation. The pulser has two rotors mounted adjacent each other so that obstruction of the passages formed between the blades in one pulser by the blades of the other pulser creates pressure pulses in the drilling fluid. Each rotor is separately controlled and can be rotated continuously in one direction or oscillated. The ability to rotate each rotor separately provides flexibility in the pulser's operating mode, so as to allow more efficient generation of pulses, and also enhances the ability of the pulser to clear debris that would otherwise jam or obstruct the pulser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for guiding a drill bit based on forces applied to a drill bit, and drilling methods related to same.

Abstract: A rotary pulser for transmitting information in a mud pulse telemetry system of a drilling operation. The pulser has two rotors mounted adjacent each other so that obstruction of the passages formed between the blades in one pulser by the blades of the other pulser creates pressure pulses in the drilling fluid. Each rotor is separately controlled and can be rotated continuously in one direction or oscillated. The ability to rotate each rotor separately provides flexibility in the pulser's operating mode, so as to allow more efficient generation of pulses, and also enhances the ability of the pulser to clear debris that would otherwise jam or obstruct the pulser.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a downhole motor configured to operate a drill bit to drill a well into an earthen formation. The downhole motor includes a motor housing, a stator supported by an inner surface of the motor housing, a rotor operably coupled to the stator. The rotor is configured to be operably coupled to the drill bit. The motor housing includes an uphole portion, a bend, and a downhole portion that extends relative to bend away from the uphole portion in a downhole direction. The downhole motor includes an adjustment assembly that can guide the direction of drilling.

Abstract: A downhole tool is described that includes at least three sections welded together. The downhole tool has a downhole section, an intermediate tool section mounted to the downhole section with a lower weldment, and an uphole section positioned opposite the downhole section mounted to the intermediate tool section with an upper weldment. The downhole tools as described herein include an elongate internal passage that extends from the downhole section to the uphole section through the lower weldment and the upper weldment. The elongate internal passage is sized to receive drilling fluid therethrough. Furthermore, one or more of the downhole section, the intermediate tool section, and the uphole section includes: a) at least one sensor module, b) a cavity, and c) a plurality of bores (holes). In certain embodiments, the downhole tool may be triple combo tool, an acoustic logging tool, or a directional tool, such as a steerable tool.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is an acoustic logging tool for determining a characteristic of a ground formation during a drilling operation. The acoustic logging tool includes a transmitter section that houses a transmitter that is configured to emit an acoustic signal and a receiver section spaced from the transmitter section along an axial direction. The receiver section includes a receiver that is configured to receive at least a portion of the acoustic signal. The acoustic logging tool also includes an isolator section positioned between the transmitter section and the receiver section along the axial direction.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for monitoring a drilling operation includes receiving a signal via a first pair of antennas positioned on a surface of the earthen formation. The signal received by the first pair of antennas has a first signal characteristic. The method includes receiving the signal via a second pair of antennas positioned on the surface at a different location than that of the first pair of antennas. The signal received by the second pair of antennas has a second signal characteristic. The method includes identifying which of the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic of the signal received by the respective first and second pairs of antennas is a preferred signal characteristic. The method can include decoding the signal received by one of the first and second pairs of antennas that has received the signal with the preferred signal characteristic.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a downhole tool with first and second modular connectors. The connection modules are configured to aid make-up and assembly and improve stability during use.

Abstract: A system, method, and a computer program configured to perform a method for processing drilling data. The method includes transmitting a signal with a telemetry tool to a computer processor. The method includes applying a plurality of predetermined templates to the signal. The method also includes applying a plurality of first filters to the transmitted signal. The method also includes applying one or more second, adjustable filters to the transmitted signal and to the plurality of predetermined templates. The method also includes decoding the transmitted signal based on the best match between a) two or more of the plurality of predetermined templates, and b) the transmitted signal, wherein the two or more of the plurality of predetermined templates and the transmitted signal are processed through the same adjustable filter of the one or more second, adjustable filters.

Abstract: A system and method can include a module including at least one actuation assembly configured to transition between an inactive configuration and an active configuration. The system include at least one sensor configured to obtain data that is indicative of an operating parameter, and at least one processor configured to be electronically coupled to the guidance module and the at least one sensor. The at least one processor is configured to, in response to 1) input received from the at least one sensor that is indicative of the measured operating parameter, and 2) received input that is indicative of an actual drilling direction that is deviated from the predetermined drilling direction, adjust an extent that the actuation assembly is in the active configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling a communication system in a drilling system configured to drill a borehole in an earthen formation. The communication system has a first antenna assembly and a second antenna assembly that are communicatively coupled together. The method includes attaching a first antenna to the first drill string component and attaching a second antenna to a second antenna assembly. The communication system is configured such that the first drill string component and the second drill string component are communicatively coupled together.

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid. A remanent magnetic field is induced in the valve during operation that can be used to provide the magnetic field for operating the valve so as to eliminate the need to energize the coils except temporarily when changing the amount of damping required. The current to be supplied to the coil for inducing a desired magnetic field in the valve is determined based on the limiting hysteresis curve of the valve and the history of the magnetization of the value using a binary search methodology. The history of the magnetization of the valve is expressed as a series of sets of current and it resulting magnetization at which the current experienced a reversal compared to prior values of the current.

Abstract: A system and method for pressure locking a downhole tool in position during a drilling operation includes rotating the drill string to drill a borehole. A fluid is pumped through a passage of a drill string in the downhole direction wherein fluid undergoes a pressure drop at the downhole end of the drill string such that fluid in the passage of the drill string is under higher pressure than the fluid outside the drill string. While fluid is flowing, an uphole portion of the downhole tool, such as a MWD tool, is exposed to the higher pressure fluid and a downhole portion of the downhole tool to the lower pressure fluid, thereby seating the downhole tool in a receptacle member attached to the drill string in the passage. Ceasing flow easily eliminates the locking force created by differential pressure allowing the tool to be retrieved.