Abstract: A mud pulse landing assembly (10) which allows for the removal of the mud pulse generator (16) containing the mud pulse orifice (106), thus creating an unobstructed passageway for any tool or instrumentation that may need to be passed through the drill string. The retainer (14) of the mud pulse landing assembly also provides a universal mount for engaging alternate tools or instrumentation for use in analyzing the borehole geology. The retainer (14) is positioned between the mud pulse generator (16) and the landing sub body, so as to protect the retainer from the turbulent and abrasive mud flow, and to prevent obstruction of the area downstream of the compact muleshoe (60).

Abstract: An electrical isolation connector subassembly for interconnecting adjacent tubular drill rods of a drilling system used in drilling bore holes in earth formations, the connector comprising an electrically insulative sleeve being sandwiched between two electrically isolated subassembly components, the sleeve providing an exterior gap between the edges of the spaced apart electrically isolated components, the exterior gap having a width of less than 50 cm.

Abstract: An electrical isolation connector subassembly for interconnecting adjacent tubular drill rods of a drilling system used in drilling bore holes in earth formations, the connector comprising an electrically insulative sleeve being sandwiched between two electrically isolated subassembly components, the sleeve providing an exterior gap between the edges of the spaced apart electrically isolated components, the exterior gap having a width of less than 50 cm.

Abstract: A tool module interconnect (10) for interconnecting to adjoining modules for insertion in a drill string features a system which permits making the electrical interconnection before assembly of the mechanical connections to interconnect the tool modules together. The interconnect comprises a hollow interconnect body (18) open at both ends. A wire harness (18) is provided in the hollow body with terminal end connectors (26, 28) accessible from the respective open end of the interconnect body. The interconnect is adapted for attachment to adjoining modules, where at least one end has a rotatable threaded sleeve (24) for connection to a tool module by a threaded collar.

Abstract: A communication method for retrieving stored data from an MWD tool, through an antenna used for conventional EM data telemetry. The method comprises establishing electrical contact between a surface transceiver and an EM data telemetry antenna upon retrieval to the surface. The MWD tool then transfers data through the antenna, the data being received by the surface transceiver. Also provided is an electrical isolation connector subassembly comprising an electrically insulative coating to electrically isolate the splitsub components, thereby forming the antenna for data transfer and EM data telemetry.

Abstract: An electrical isolation connector subassembly for interconnecting adjacent tubular drill rods of a drilling system used in drilling bore holes in earth formations, the connector comprising an electrically insulative sleeve being sandwiched between two electrically isolated subassembly components, the sleeve providing an exterior gap between the edges of the spaced apart electrically isolated components, the exterior gap having a width of less than 50 cm.

Abstract: A signal repeater, a system utilizing one or more signal repeaters, and a method for detecting a transient disturbance in the surface charge on drill pipe, which system, apparatus and method are collectively used to transfer data from deep-well and high-conductivity formation subterranean environments to a point nearer to the surface. The signal repeater comprises a housing that is securably mountable to the interior of a pipe-string disposed in a wellbore, which repeater receives and stores electrical signals for resending at an appropriate time.

Abstract: In a subassembly electrical isolation connector for interconnecting sections of a tubular drill rod, the subassembly having an electrically insulated connector for and between spaced-apart connector sections to transmit drilling forces therethrough, the use of a sealing membrane for sealing an insulated spacing in the electrically insulated connector to prevent ingress of pressurized drilling mud into the connector and shorting out said spaced-apart sections of the connector, the sealing membrane overlapping said connector sections as a continuous sleeve and having at least its sleeve ends sealed to respective portions of the connector sections to thereby activate the sealing membrane.

Abstract: A drill string section for use in making up a drill string for oil and gas drilling carries instrumentation for measurement and logging while drilling. The instrumentation includes a dynamic pressure device for measuring drill string bore pressure of incoming pressurized fluid and drill string annular pressure of returned pressurized fluid. The drill string section comprises a length of drill string pipe having a bore defined by an inner surface of a wall which has an outer surface. The instrumentation is provided in an elongate cylindrical tool shell. The outer surface of the tool shell has spaced apart seals which engage the inside surface of a cylindrical landing sleeve in the pipe bore. The seals are located in the sleeve on either side of communicating port(s) in the drill pipe wall, forming a leak tight annular region that eventually communicates through appropriate ports to a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A subassembly electrical isolation connector for interconnecting adjacent tubular drill rods of a drilling system used in drilling bore holes in earth formations electrically isolates the inner connection of the drill rods. The connector comprises a housing, a mandrel, a connector for connecting the housing to a first tubular drill rod, a connector for connecting a mandrel to a second tubular drill rod and a device for interconnecting the housing and the mandrel in a manner to electrically isolate the housing from the mandrel with the housing overlapping at least a portion of the mandrel. The housing has an isolated end which is electrically isolated from the mandrel and the connector for connecting the mandrel to a second tubular drill rod. Such arrangement provides enhanced strength to resist bending moments along the connector and resisting drilling forces.

Abstract: A subassembly electrical isolation connector for interconnecting adjacent tubular drill rods of a drilling system used in drilling bore holes in earth formations electrically isolates the inner connection of the drill rods. The connector comprises a housing, a mandrel, a connector for connecting the housing to a first tubular drill rod, a connector for connecting a mandrel to a second tubular drill rod and a device for interconnecting the housing and the mandrel in a manner to electrically isolate the housing from the mandrel with the housing overlapping at least a portion of the mandrel. The housing has an isolated end which is electrically isolated from the mandrel and the connector for connecting the mandrel to a second tubular drill rod. The mandrel has a conical tapered body portion which is located within the housing and the housing has a corresponding conical tapered inner surface. The conical taper for the housing and the mandrel converge inwardly away from the housing isolated end.