Abstract: A borehole system and a method of installing a liner in a borehole. A liner is disposed in the borehole. A cement is flowed into an annulus between the liner and a wall of the borehole. An acoustic sensor is disposed within the liner and measures an acoustic impedance of the annulus as the cement is flowing into the annulus. A processor determines a depth of an upper surface of the wet cement from the acoustic impedance and performs an operation based on the depth of the upper surface of the wet cement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating information acoustically through a plug in a temporarily or permanently abandoned well. The disclosed embodiments use an acoustically transmissive well plug, where an acoustic transmitter coupled to a measurement tool below the plug is coupled to the plug In a manner that is intended to maximize the coupling of the generated acoustic signals to the plug. These signals are then transmitted through the acoustically transmissive plug to an acoustic receiver that is coupled to the upper end of the plug. The acoustic receiver convert the acoustic signals to another form if necessary and forwards the signals to equipment at the surface of the well, or to intermediate transceivers that can relay the signals to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable acoustic communications through a drill pipe even when the drill pipe is being held in floor slips. In one embodiment, multiple self-contained acoustic receivers are positioned at different locations on a drilling rig to receive acoustic telemetry signals from a downhole tool through various acoustic channels. The acoustic receivers may have components (e.g., vibration sensor, microprocessor, wireless transmitter, magnet) encased in a translucent encapsulant, which avoids exposed components that could otherwise create a spark in the hazardous drilling rig environment. Acoustic telemetry signals are communicated through the drill pipe and rig structure to the different acoustic receivers and the acoustic receivers communicate data corresponding to the received acoustic signals to a central processor that can process the signals to generate acoustic telemetry data that has a greater signal-to-noise ratio than the signals received by the individual acoustic receivers.

Abstract: The detection of a barrier behind a wellbore casing involves the injection of a fluid into the wellbore casing or the pumping of a fluid from the wellbore casing, and the monitoring in real-time of the fluid properties in two downhole fluid volumes separated by a packer. A detection system utilizes a pipe string equipped with a telemetry that is capable of transmitting fluid property data to a surface monitor while the pipe string remains in the wellbore casing, and preferably while the packer remains set against the wellbore casing.

Abstract: A combined telemetry system that can be used while drilling a wellbore consists of a multi-hop telemetry method and a single-hop telemetry method combined in parallel. The multi-hop and single-hop methods can be operated in parallel, for example, so that each telemetry method caries data concurrently from the Measuring-While-Drilling tool located in the Bottom-Hole-Assembly. The multi-hop and single-hop methods can also be operated in series, for example, so that data from the Measuring-While-Drilling tool located in the Bottom-Hole-Assembly are first carried with the single-hop telemetry method and then transferred to the multi-hop telemetry method at one or more node(s) close to the surface. Preferably, the multi-hop telemetry method can also carry data from along-string sensors. Another combined telemetry system that can be used while drilling a wellbore consists of two single-hop telemetry methods combined in parallel.

Abstract: A tool is positioned inside a production casing in a well such that at least one acoustic telemetry device provided in an extendable arm of the tool is located less than six inches away from at least another acoustic telemetry device provided in a casing module. Such proximity can ensure that the acoustic signals can be transmitted between acoustic telemetry devices through the production casing. The tool identifies a condition in the well that is measured in the B-annulus between the production casing and a next outer casing. In turn, the tool broadcasts the measured condition in the well to the Earth's surface where the measurement can be used to inform a decision about the well.

Abstract: A combined telemetry system that can be used while drilling a wellbore consists of a multi-hop telemetry method and a single-hop telemetry method combined in parallel. The multi-hop and single-hop methods can be operated in parallel, for example, so that each telemetry method caries data concurrently from the Measuring-While-Drilling tool located in the Bottom-Hole-Assembly. The multi-hop and single-hop methods can also be operated in series, for example, so that data from the Measuring-While-Drilling tool located in the Bottom-Hole-Assembly are first carried with the single-hop telemetry method and then transferred to the multi-hop telemetry method at one or more node(s) close to the surface. Preferably, the multi-hop telemetry method can also carry data from along-string sensors. Another combined telemetry system that can be used while drilling a wellbore consists of two single-hop telemetry methods combined in parallel.

Abstract: The detection of a barrier behind a wellbore casing involves the injection of a fluid into the wellbore casing or the pumping of a fluid from the wellbore casing, and the monitoring in real-time of the fluid properties in two downhole fluid volumes separated by a packer. A detection system utilizes a pipe string equipped with a telemetry that is capable of transmitting fluid property data to a surface monitor while the pipe string remains in the wellbore casing, and preferably while the packer remains set against the wellbore casing.

Abstract: A hybrid telemetry system includes a plurality of telemetry networks configured to communicate a modulated signal representing digital data along adjoining sections of a pipe string. The plurality of telemetry networks may each be optimized or particularly suitable for the configuration of the pipe string, the well, and/or the environment of the well occurring in each of the adjoining sections. Some of the plurality of telemetry networks may overlap to provide redundancy of the communication of the digital data.

Abstract: Systems capable of seismically investigating the earth can include seismic sources and a disposable seismic sensor such as a fiber optic seismic sensor included within a drill string. The fiber optic seismic sensor can include a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings. Related methods can include using the seismic sources and the fiber optic seismic sensor to conduct seismic investigations.

Abstract: A method for optimizing drilling operations. The method includes providing an earth model of a volume having a well, obtaining petrotechnical data about the volume while drilling the well, comparing the petrotechnical data with the earth model, updating the earth model with the petrotechnical data based on the comparison, and modifying a drilling plan of the well using the updated earth model.

Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.

Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.

Abstract: A method for optimizing drilling operations. The method includes providing an earth model of a volume having a well, obtaining petrotechnical data about the volume while drilling the well, comparing the petrotechnical data with the earth model, updating the earth model with the petrotechnical data based on the comparison, and modifying a drilling plan of the well using the updated earth model.

Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.

Abstract: Aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe. In one aspect, a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force. In another aspect, a coupler head is coupled to a body, and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe. In another aspect, a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe, adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed, and after the indication of signal communication is observed, retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired.

Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modeling formations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a source spaced from receivers. The source is to transmit a signal and the receivers are to receive at least a portion of the signal. The example apparatus also includes a processor to process waveform data associated with the signal by generating a parameter estimate used in an inversion of Stoneley dispersion to enable a Stoneley shear slowness to substantially correspond to a slow-shear slowness when the apparatus is at least partially positioned in a horizontal wellbore of a vertical transverse isotropy formation.

Abstract: Aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe. In one aspect, a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force. In another aspect, a coupler head is coupled to a body, and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe. In another aspect, a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe, adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed, and after the indication of signal communication is observed, retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired.

Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.