Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a drill string is provided. The system includes an apparatus having a first coupler, a second coupler, a frame and an actuator. The first coupler may be operatively connectable to the drill string and the second coupler may be operatively connectable to a top drive of a handling system thereby allowing communication between a surface system and a downhole system. The frame may support the first coupler and the second coupler. The frame may be operatively connectable to the handling system. The actuator may be for moving the frame with the first and second couplers between an engaged position operatively connected to the top drive and an uppermost drill pipe, and a disengaged position a distance from the uppermost drill pipe whereby the first and second couplers selectively establish a communication link between the surface system and the downhole system.

Abstract: A cable includes at least one plastic impregnated fiber layer and at least one conductor in contact with the at least one fiber layer. In some examples, the fiber may be glass fiber, aramid fiber or carbon fiber. In some examples, the plastic may be thermoset plastic, thermoplastic or chemically set resin. In some examples, the conductor may be an electrical conductor or an optical fiber.

Abstract: A wired tubular string includes a first joint having an axial bore, a box end, a pin end, a concentric inner conductor, and a concentric outer conductor; a second joint having an axial bore, a box end, a pin end, a concentric inner conductor and a concentric outer conductor; a joint-to-joint connection formed at the connection of the pin end of the second joint with the box end of the second joint; and an isolation assembly positioned at the joint-to-joint connection to operationally connect the corresponding concentric inner conductors and the correspond concentric outer conductor across the joint-to-joint connection and electrically isolate the inner conductor from the outer conductor.

Abstract: A system and method for releasing a marker within a wellbore. The system and method includes a sensor that detects movement or a position of the marker within the wellbore. The marker may be released in drilling fluid, for example, and may travel from the surface to the drill bit and return to the surface with cuttings. As an example, the markers are used to determine the flow of cuttings within the wellbore.

Abstract: A hybrid telemetry system for passing signals between a surface control unit and a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool is deployed via a drill string into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The hybrid telemetry system includes an uphole connector, a downhole connector, and a cable operatively connecting the uphole and downhole connectors. The uphole connector is operatively connectable to a drill string telemetry system for communication therewith. The downhole connector is operatively connectable to the downhole tool for communication therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining and tensioning an end of a transmission line includes a nut element having internal threads configured to engage an externally threaded transmission line, such as an externally threaded coaxial cable, thereby retaining an end of the transmission line. The internal threads may form a passageway extending from a first end of the nut element to a second end of the nut element. This passageway may allow a transmission line to pass through the nut element. A socket may be incorporated into one end of the nut element to enable a tool to apply torque thereto. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cable link may include a first link connector in signal communication with at least one sensor in a drill string and coupled to the drill string, a second link connector spaced apart from the first link connector and in signal communication with a telemetry system, the second connector link coupled to the drill string, and a linking cable having signal connectors at each end thereof, the linking cable having at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical fiber therein, the signal connectors each configured to latch proximate a respective one of the first and second link connector.

Abstract: A wired pipe signal transmission testing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a core having a plurality of threads formed on a surface thereof and a plurality of slots cutting through crests and roots of at least a portion of the threads, thereby creating an escape route for debris that may enter in between the threads. The apparatus includes an inductive transducer coupled to the core.

Abstract: An annular coupler for transmitting data across a tool joint may include a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the annular coupler. The annular coupler may further include a second coupler segment, electrically insulated from the first coupler segment, which spans a second portion of the circumference of the annular coupler. In selected aspects, the first and second portions do not overlap one another along the circumference. In certain aspects, the first and second coupler segments each span about fifty percent of the circumference of the annular coupler. Thus, each coupler segment may make up roughly half of the annular coupler.

Abstract: A method for determining electrical condition of a wired drill pipe includes inducing an electromagnetic field in at least one joint of wired drill pipe. Voltages induced by electrical current flowing in at least one electrical conductor in the at least one wired drill pipe joint are detected. The electrical current is induced by the induced electromagnetic field. The electrical condition is determined from the detected voltages.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the formation of electrical connections between wired drill pipes is provided. Wired drill pipes comprise connection ends that each have a plurality of independent conductors. The independent conductors are arranged to enable a plurality of conductive connections between adjacent wired drill pipes when the wired drill pipes are physically connected.

Abstract: A transmission system in a downhole component comprises a plurality of data transmission elements. A coaxial cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within a passage in the downhole component such that at least one capacitor is disposed in the passage and having a first terminal coupled to the inner conductor and a second terminal coupled to the outer conductor. Preferably the transmission element comprises an electrically conducting coil. Preferably, within the passage a connector is adapted to electrically connect the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and the lead wire. The coaxial capacitor may be disposed between and in electrically communication with the connector and the passage. In another embodiment a connector is adapted to electrical connect a first and a second portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and a coaxial capacitor is in electrical communication with the connector and the passage.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the conveyance of signals along a drill pipe. A cable system is combined with the drill pipe and attached along the drill pipe to convey signals. The cable system may comprise a conductive cable, a cable retention system, a cable termination, and a cable connector coupled to the conductive cable at the cable termination.

Abstract: A hybrid telemetry system for passing signals between a surface control unit and a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool is deployed via a drill string into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The hybrid telemetry system includes an uphole connector, a downhole connector, and a cable operatively connecting the uphole and downhole connectors. The uphole connector is operatively connectable to a drill string telemetry system for communication therewith. The downhole connector is operatively connectable to the downhole tool for communication therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods associated with wired drill pipe having conductive end connections are described. In one described example, an end connector for use with drill pipe includes a generally cylindrical body having an outer shoulder and an inner shoulder. In the described example, the outer shoulder is to engage a shoulder of a drill pipe to be coupled to the body to provide an electrically conductive connection between the body and the drill pipe, and the inner shoulder is to engage an end of the drill pipe. The example end connector also includes a generally cylindrical electrical connector rigidly coupled to the cylindrical body to form at least a portion of the inner shoulder. The generally cylindrical electrical connector is substantially electrically insulated from the cylindrical body and is to contact the end of the drill pipe to provide an electrically conductive connection between the electrical connector and the end of the drill pipe.

Abstract: A coaxial transmission line for an electromagnetic wellbore telemetry system is disclosed. An inner conductive pipe is disposed inside an axial bore of the outer conductive pipe. An insulator is positioned between the outer conductive pipe and the inner conductive pipe. In a specific embodiment, the inner conductive pipe is perforated or slotted.

Abstract: A cycleable downhole tool such as a Jar, a hydraulic hammer, and a shock absorber adapted for telemetry. This invention applies to other tools where the active components of the tool are displaced when the tool is rotationally or translationally cycled. The invention consists of inductive or contact transmission rings that are connected by an extensible conductor. The extensible conductor permits the transmission of the signal before, after, and during the cycling of the tool. The signal may be continuous or intermittent during cycling. The invention also applies to downhole tools that do not cycle, but in operation are under such stress that an extensible conductor is beneficial. The extensible conductor may also consist of an extensible portion and a fixed portion. The extensible conductor also features clamps that maintain the conductor under stresses greater than that seen by the tool, and seals that are capable of protecting against downhole pressure and contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an annular seal (e.g., an o-ring) and a backup ring to provide support to the annular seal. A gland is provided to accommodate the backup ring and the annular seal. The gland has a contact surface which is adapted to contact a corresponding contact surface of the backup ring upon inserting the backup ring into the gland. The diameters of the contact surfaces of the backup ring and gland are sized such that the contact surface of the backup ring radially interferes with the contact surface of the gland, thereby urging the backup ring out of the gland. A retention mechanism, such as interlocking grooves, protrusions, ridges, notches, slots, or the like may be provided in the backup ring and gland respectively to prevent the backup ring from completely exiting the gland.

Abstract: A structure for wired drill pipe includes a pipe joint having a pin end and a box end. The pin end and box end each have threads for engagement with corresponding threads on a respective box and pin of an adjacent pipe joint. A longitudinal end of the threads on the pin and on the box include at least in an internal shoulder for engagement with a corresponding internal shoulder on an adjacent box or pin. The internal shoulder of each of the pin and the box includes a groove around a circumference thereof for retaining a communication device therein. An external flank of the groove on the pin, and a corresponding surface of the box include deflection resistance feature.

Abstract: An operation of drilling an earth borehole uses a drilling rig, a drill string of drill pipes having its generally upper end mechanically coupleable with and suspendable from the drilling rig, a drive string portion of the drill string, mechanically coupleable with the topmost drill pipe of said drill string, and a drive mechanism mechanically coupleable with the drive string for rotating the drive string and the drill string. A system for generating electric power in the region of the drive string includes an electric generator, which includes a rotating generator component mounted on said drive string for rotation therewith and a stationary generator component mounted on a stationary portion of the drilling rig. The rotating generator component produces electric power in the region of the drive string.