Abstract: Diamond bodies and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Diamond bodies are formed from at least a bimodal, alternatively a tri-modal or higher modal, feedstock having at least one fraction of modified diamond particles with a fine particle size (0.5-3.0 ?m) and at least one fraction of diamond particles with coarse particle size (15.0 to 30 ?m). During high pressure-high temperature processing, fine particle sized, modified diamond particles in the first fraction preferentially fracture to smaller sizes while preserving the morphology of coarse particle sized diamond particles in the second fraction. Diamond bodies incorporating the two fractions have a microstructure including second fraction diamond particles dispersed in a continuous matrix of first fraction modified diamond particles and exhibit improved wear characteristics, particularly for wear associated with drilling of geological formations.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section a drilling assembly to tilt within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a sensor that provides measurements relating a direction of the drilling assembly for drilling the wellbore along a desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling directional wellbores is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of a drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and at least one seal that isolates at least a surface of the member from outside environment.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing system can include a mobile computing device and a video borescope coupled to the mobile computing device via a cloud computing environment. The system can further include a probe driver coupled to the mobile computing device and to the video borescope via the cloud computing environment. The probe driver can attach to a conduit section. The probe driver can also include a positioning element configured to position the conduit section and a data processor. The data processor can be configured to receive a signal indicative of a position of the conduit section and to control one or more operations of the probe driver configured to operate the positioning element to orient the conduit section in the position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling subsurface drilling operations are described. The methods include performing the subsurface drilling operation using a bottomhole assembly having a disintegrating device, detecting, with a sensor, a formation layer orientation, approaching, with the disintegrating device, a rock layer, and generating a steering command to change an angle of attack of the disintegrating device relative to the rock layer based on the detected formation layer orientation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for articulating visual inspection devices are provided. For example, a method can include receiving an inspection template by a control system associated with the visual inspection device. The inspection template can include data associated with at least one point of interest in a scene viewable to the visual inspection device. The method can further include generating, by the control system, an articulation path based on the data. The method can also include actuating an electro-mechanical system of the visual inspection device according to the articulation path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a parameter of interest in a borehole in an earth formation are provided. The systems include a downhole sensor having a first sensor component with a first temperature and a second sensor component with a second temperature, the downhole sensor disposed on a downhole component. A temperature control system is configured with a thermal control mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the first and second sensor components. The thermal control mechanism is configured to maintain a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature below a pre-determined temperature difference. The downhole sensor is configured to measure the parameter of interest when the temperature difference is below the pre-determined temperature difference.

Abstract: A drilling assembly and method of drilling a wellbore is disclosed. The drilling assembly includes a steering device having a tilt device and an actuation device. A first section and a second section of the drilling assembly are coupled through the tilt device, wherein the first section is attached to a drill bit. The actuation device includes an electromechanical actuator and causes a tilt of the tilt device to cause the first section attached to the drill bit and the drill bit to tilt relative to the second section. The wellbore is drilled using the drill bit. The electromechanical actuator is actuated to tilt the tilt device to cause the first section attached to the drill bit and the drill bit to tilt relative to the second section and to maintain the tilt geostationary while the drilling assembly is rotating to form a deviated section of the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for downhole evaluation using a sensor assembly that includes a sensor plate, wherein a surface of the sensor plate forms a portion of a surface of a downhole tool. Methods include bringing the surface of the sensor plate into contact with downhole fluid; generating a guided wave that propagates in the sensor plate by activating the sensor assembly at at least one frequency configured to excite both a symmetric mode and an anti-symmetric mode; making at least one first attenuation measurement of the symmetric mode of the guided wave; making at least one second attenuation measurement of the anti-symmetric mode of the guided wave; and using the at least one first attenuation measurement and the at least one second attenuation measurement to estimate at least one parameter of interest of the fluid. Methods may include submerging the surface of the sensor plate in a downhole fluid.

Abstract: An outer tubular is imaged by a pad assembly disposed within an inner tubular inserted within the outer tubular. The pad assembly is in contact with the inner tubular, and includes an acoustic pressure source, a backing mounted to a side of the acoustic pressure source, and an intervening layer between the acoustic pressure source and inner tubular. Signals generated by the pad assembly propagate radially outward from the inner tubular and reflect from the outer tubular. The generated and reflected signals travel through a medium between the inner and outer tubulars. An estimate of the distance between the inner and outer tubulars is based on the time from generation of the signal to when the reflected signal is sensed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining fluid rheological characteristics of a fluid used in a subsurface operation are provided. The methods include measuring temperature, pressure, and at least one of a flow rate and a flow velocity of the fluid in a first fluid circuit. A model is based on the temperature, the pressures, and the flow rate or flow velocity. The fluid rheological characteristic of the fluid in a second fluid circuit is determined by measuring a temperature and flow rate and/or flow velocity in the second fluid circuit. The rheological characteristic of the fluid is calculated based on the model employing the temperature and the flow rate/flow velocity of the second fluid circuit.

Abstract: A method for performing a physical operation on a geologic formation includes: receiving image data of the formation obtained by an imaging tool disposed in a borehole penetrating the formation, the image data having images of fractures intersecting a wall of the borehole to provide borehole fracture data; simulating multiple fracture scenarios of the fractures intersecting the wall of the borehole with each scenario based on keeping the borehole fracture data constant to provide a plurality of simulations, each fracture scenario varying at least one of fracture dimensions, fracture shape, and fracture placement with respect to the borehole; determining a property from each simulation; calculating the property for the plurality of simulations at a selected statistical level, wherein the receiving, simulating, determining, and calculating are performed using a processor; and performing the physical operation on the geologic formation using physical operation apparatus based on the calculated property.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring deployment of filtration media at least partially surrounding a tubular disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through the tubular, a low-frequency acoustic wave source disposed on the carrier and configured to transmit acoustic waves in a frequency that is less than 3000 Hz into the tubular, and an acoustic wave receiver disposed on the carrier a distance from the low-frequency acoustic wave source and configured to receive acoustic waves transmitted by the low-frequency acoustic wave source. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to compare data characterizing the received acoustic waves to reference data characterizing acoustic waves with the filtration media not deployed.

Abstract: A probe driver may include a coupling that interfaces with a conduit section at a first position of the conduit section. A probe driver may also have one or more positioning elements to reposition the conduit section to interface with the coupling at a second position of conduit section in response to one or more commands based on a recorded inspection, where through completing the one or more commands is configured to initiate a second inspection identical to the recorded inspection.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for performing a wellbore construction operation in a wellbore are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes: performing a rheology test on a test fluid, the test fluid being representative of a fluid pumped through the wellbore, to generate test fluid data; performing, by the processing device, a data analysis on the test fluid data to generate at least one parameterized correlation; measuring a first property of the fluid to generate measured data; calculating, by the processing device, a second property of the fluid in the wellbore by using the parameterized correlations and the measured data to generate calculated data; and changing a parameter of the wellbore construction operation based at least in part on the calculated data.

Abstract: An actuation trigger including a housing; a piston in operable communication with the housing; a pressure source inlet to the trigger the piston being responsive to source pressure cycles; a first one-direction axial incrementing feature movable with piston movement; a rod movable with the piston and positionally restricted by the one-direction axial incrementing feature, the rod initially being part of a dynamic seal preventing actuation pressure access to a tool actuatable by the actuation pressure.

Abstract: A thrust magnetic bearing integrated with an induction machine and methods for using the same for slow roll control of rotors and other rotating components is provided. The rotor can include a shaft and a thrust bearing disk. The thrust magnetic bearing can include thrust bearing stators positioned axially adjacent to the thrust bearing disk and they can be configured to apply axial magnetic forces to the thrust bearing disk. The induction machine can be configured to generate a rotating magnetic field that causes a torque to be applied to the thrust bearing disk in a predetermined rotational direction. In one aspect, the induction machine can include a radial stator positioned adjacent to a circumference of the thrust bearing disk and two or more circumferentially offset windings. In another aspect, the induction machine can position the two or more circumferentially offset windings on the thrust bearing stators.

Abstract: A stator for a downhole motor configured for use in a downhole environment. includes an inner tubular member formed from a first metallic material having an outer surface and a helically lobed inner surface, and an outer tubular member comprising a second metallic material that is different from the first metallic material. The inner tubular member is connected to the outer tubular member by compressive force passing from the outer tubular member through the inner tubular member to a rigid mandrel removably disposed within the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member form the stator of the downhole motor.

Abstract: A method and device for automatically identifying a point of interest in a depth measurement on a viewed object using a video inspection device is disclosed. The video inspect device determines the three-dimensional coordinates in a region of interest on the viewed object and analyzes those surface points to determine the desired measurement application (e.g., determining the deepest point, the highest point, or the clearance between two surfaces). Based on the desired measurement application, the video inspection device automatically identifies the point of interest on the viewed object and places a cursor at that location.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods directed to an assembly associated with a downhole tool, and including: a thermal housing; at least one internal component inside the thermal housing, wherein the at least one internal component comprises at least one thermally sensitive component; and a thermal isolation support connecting the at least one internal component to the tool. The thermal isolation support may comprise an additive manufacturing structural framework connected to the tool. The structural framework may include a plurality of structural members, with a majority of the plurality of structural members substantially non-parallel with a longitudinal axis of the downhole tool.