Abstract: A method for making natural gamma ray measurements of a subterranean formation includes causing a natural gamma ray sensor on an LWD tool to acquire a spectral gamma ray measurement while a neutron source emits neutrons. The measurements are evaluated to compute first and second drilling fluid activation corrections using corresponding first and second correction methodologies. The first and second corrections are processed to compute a third drilling fluid activation correction which is applied to the gamma ray measurements to compute a corrected total natural gamma ray measurement.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optimizing a stick-slip algorithm for controlling a driver of a drill string. A method may include commencing operation of a control system for controlling the driver. The control system may have a processor and a memory storing a computer program code, which may include the stick-slip algorithm. The operating control system may receive a plurality of different numerical parameters, and for each of the different numerical parameters, incorporate the numerical parameter into the stick-slip algorithm and execute the stick-slip algorithm to determine a control command that causes the driver to rotate the drill string to perform drilling operations while reducing amplitude of rotational waves travelling along the drill string.

Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a bit and a cutting tool uphole of the bit. The cutting tool has one or more expandable cutter arms. The one or more expandable cutter arms include at least one stabilizer portion having a radial position that is about the same as a gauge of the bit when the one or more expandable cutter arms are in an expanded position. A spline on the cutter arms are used by a cutting tool to move the cutter arms.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: A valve assembly that can be deployed in a subterranean well that includes a valve adapted to selectively isolate a region of the subterranean well, and a separating apparatus. The separating apparatus may further include at least one member being formed from a functional material and at least two sleeves connected by the at least one member.

Abstract: A technique facilitates patching of a tubing (42), e.g. casing (36), in a downhole environment (32). The technique employs a patching system comprising a plurality of expansion rings (48). The expansion rings (48) are moved downhole to a patch zone (38) along the tubing (34). Once in a desired position at the patch zone, the expansion rings (48) are expanded into engagement with an inner surface of the tubing. For example, the expansion rings may comprise seal elements (52) and/or anchor elements which are expanded into engagement with the inside surface. The patching system further comprises a patch (68) which may have a tubular shape. The patch is radially expanded in a manner which maintains a sealing engagement with the plurality of expansion rings (48) to create a sealed patch across a desired region in the patch zone.

Abstract: Using machine learning for sedimentary facies prediction by using one or more logs acquired in a borehole. This includes performing a petrophysical clustering of borehole depths wherein the depths of the borehole are gathered into clusters based on similarities in the one or more logs. Also performed is a log inclusion optimization, including a selection of one or more parameters of the petrophysical clustering, wherein the one or more parameters include a number and/or type of considered logs among the one or more logs and/or a clustering method. Also performed is a classification of the clusters into core depositional facies using one or more predetermined rules.

Abstract: A method of performing a wellbore operation may include circulating an oil-based wellbore fluid having a conductive material therein within a wellbore, the oil-based wellbore fluid having a conductivity of at most 0.02 S/m when measured at 20 kHz; and forming a filtercake having a conductivity at least two orders of magnitude higher than the oil-based wellbore fluid on at least a portion of a wall of the wellbore.

Abstract: Drilling fluid compositions include an emulsifier having a generic structure A, structure B, or a combination thereof. Structure A includes an amide (e.g., amic acid group) and structure B includes a cyclic imide. The emulsifier of the emulsifier system is formed by reacting a fatty oil amine (e.g., oleyl amine), with a cyclic anhydride (e.g., succinic anhydride) in the absence of diluent or in a diluent that does not react with the starting materials. The reaction takes place via application of a stepwise increase in temperature. An emulsifier based on structure A is formed when the reaction temperature is maintained at 50 to 100° C. for 1 to 3 hours. A further increase in reaction temperature (e.g., up to 200° C.) can include water elimination which results predominately in the formation of a molecule represented by structure B.

Abstract: A technique facilitates fluid analysis in situ at a downhole location. According to an embodiment, a sample of fluid, e.g. oil, is obtained from a reservoir at the downhole location in a borehole. A downhole sampling system is used to determine contamination of the sample of fluid and to determine other selected characteristics of the sample. The data obtained is then processed to determine a true phase transition property of a native fluid in the sample of fluid. The sample analysis may be performed at selected stations along the borehole during, for example, a well cleanup operation. The immediate analysis of fluid samples downhole facilitates rapid development of an understanding of fluid characteristics in the reservoir, thus enabling an improved oil recovery strategy.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the substrate and the ultrahard layer defining a non-planar working surface of the cutting element such that the ultrahard layer forms a cutting portion and the substrate is at least laterally adjacent to the ultrahard layer. Another cutting element includes a pointed region having a side surface extending from the pointed region outer perimeter to a peak. An ultrahard material body forms a portion of the pointed region including the peak, and a base region extends a depth from the pointed region outer perimeter. The ultrahard material body has a height to width aspect ratio with the height and width measured between two points of the body having the greatest distance apart along a dimension parallel with a longitudinal axis (i.e., height) along a dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., width).

Abstract: A method for determining the gas pressure may include generating, via a downhole tool, neutron radiation in a cased wellbore of a geological formation and measuring a response to the neutron radiation. The method may also include determining, via a processor, at least one of a sigma, a neutron porosity, or a fast-neutron cross-section of the formation. Additionally, an equation of state of the gas may be estimated, and a gas pressure of the gas may be determined by solving a relationship, based at least in part on the equation of state, between the gas pressure and the at least one of the sigma, the neutron porosity, or the fast-neutron cross-section.

Abstract: Multiphase flowmeters and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a flowmeter and a fluid conduit to provide a flow path for a fluid relative to the flowmeter. The example apparatus includes a sensor coupled to the fluid conduit to generate data indicative of at least one of a presence, an absence, or a mass flow rate of solids in the fluid during flow of the fluid through the fluid conduit. The example apparatus includes a processor. The sensor is to be communicatively coupled to the processor. The processor is to selectively determine flow rates for one or more phases of the fluid based on data generated by the flowmeter and a first algorithmic mode or a second algorithmic mode selected based on the sensor data.

Abstract: Methods, computing systems, and computer-readable media for determining flow control device settings.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a separating a fluid having multiple phases during formation testing. For example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to receiving contaminated formation fluid on a first flow line and separating a contamination (e.g., mud filtrate) from the formation fluid by diverting the relatively heavier and/or denser fluid (e.g., the mud filtrate) downward through a second flow line and diverting the relatively lighter and/or less dense fluid upward through a third flow line. In some embodiments, the third flow line is generally oriented upwards at a height that may facilitate the separation of the heavier fluid from the relatively lighter fluid based on gravity and/or pumps.

Abstract: A method can include receiving a digital operational plan that specifies computational tasks for seismic workflows, that specifies computational resources and that specifies execution information; dispatching instructions that provision the computational resources for one of the computational tasks for one of the seismic workflows; issuing a request for the execution information; receiving the requested execution information during execution of the one of the computational tasks using the provisioned computational resources; and, based on the received execution information indicating that the execution of the one of the computational tasks deviates from the digital operational plan, dispatching at least one additional instruction that provisions at least one additional computational resource for the one of the computational tasks for the one of the seismic workflows.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing slide drilling and for determining operational parameters to be utilized during slide drilling. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device, whereby the processing device determines a reference rotational distance of a top drive to be utilized during slide drilling. The processing device outputs a control command to the top drive to cause the top drive to rotate a drill string. The processing device also determines the reference rotational distance based on rotational distance measurements indicative of rotational distance achieved by the top drive and torque measurements indicative of torque applied to the drill string by the top drive.

Abstract: An internal assembly (230) for a tool (200) includes a retainer (232) that at least partially defines an axial bore (238). The retainer (232) further defines a port (246) providing a path of fluid communication from an exterior of the retainer to the bore (238). The internal assembly (230) also includes an electromagnet (250) coupled to the retainer (232). The electromagnet (250) is configured to actuate between an on state and an off state and to attract magnetic debris in a fluid when in the on state. The internal assembly (230) also includes a sleeve (260) that is configured to be positioned downstream from the retainer (232). The sleeve (260) at least partially defines the bore (238). The sleeve (260) further defines a port (262) that provides a path of fluid communication from the bore (238) to an exterior of the sleeve (260). The internal assembly (230) also includes a valve (270) configured to be positioned downstream from the port (262) in the sleeve (260).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method including receiving a steering command identifying a tool face orientation in which the steering command is expected to produce an intended steering response of an intended drilling trajectory. The method further includes receiving an actual steering response result of the steering command in which the actual steering response result identifies an actual drilling trajectory. The method further includes storing a dataset comparing the actual steering response result in relation to the intended steering response, determining an uncertainty level of the tool face orientation based on the stored dataset, and outputting a visual representation of steering response with the uncertainty level.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to measure a formation feature. An example apparatus includes a pre-processor to compare a first measurement obtained from a first sensor included in a logging tool at a first depth at a first time and a second measurement obtained from a second sensor included in the logging tool at the first depth at a second time. The example apparatus also include a semblance calculator to: calculate a correction factor based on a difference between the first measurement and the second measurement; and calculate a third measurement based on the correction factor and a fourth measurement obtained from the first sensor at a second depth at the second time. The example apparatus also includes a report generator to generate a report including the third measurement.