Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use on a structural member having a longitudinal axis, the structural member being configured to propagate stress wave energy in an operational state, the stress wave energy being characterized by an operational frequency spectrum. The apparatus has a housing assembly including a first end, a second end, and one or more protective enclosures configured to accommodate one or more devices. The housing assembly is configured to be rotationally registered to the structural member when coupled to the structural member, and is characterized by a predetermined housing mass. A spring arrangement is coupled between the structural member and the first end and/or coupled between the structural member and the second end in the operational state. The spring arrangement is characterized by a predetermined force-displacement relationship.

Abstract: Measurement of the inclination and azimuthal direction of a borehole extending beneath an obstacle, such as a body of water, which utilizes magnetic and gravity sensors at the drill bit of a borehole being drilled.

Abstract: Determining distance and direction from a first borehole to a second borehole including generating a time-varying magnetic field by axially reciprocating magnets of opposed polarity, at a first location in a second borehole, and detectable in the region of the first borehole. First and second sensors positioned at an observation point in the first borehole measure the amplitude and relative phase of components of the magnetic field. From these measurements, the direction, relative to the sensors, from an observation point to the first location is determined. The distance between these points is determined by measuring amplitude variations with depth of the magnetic field at observation points in the first borehole and computing theoretical variations in the amplitude for different assumed distances between the observation points and the location of the magnetic field source which are compared with theoretical variations to determine the distance between the first and second boreholes.

Abstract: A system for ranging between two wellbores. The target wellbore includes a conductive body (e.g., casing) disposed within a portion of the target wellbore. A second wellbore includes an electromagnetic field sensing instrument positioned within the wellbore. A current delivered to the conductive body in the target wellbore results in a magnetic field emanating from the target wellbore. The electromagnetic field sensing instrument is utilized to measure an electromagnetic gradient based on the magnetic field, which electromagnetic gradient can be utilized to determine the range between the wellbores.

Abstract: Determining distance and direction from a first borehole to a second borehole including generating a time-varying magnetic field by axially reciprocating magnets of opposed polarity, at a first location in a second borehole, and detectable in the region of the first borehole. First and second sensors positioned at an observation point in the first borehole measure the amplitude and relative phase of components of the magnetic field. From these measurements, the direction, relative to the sensors, from an observation point to the first location is determined. The distance between these points is determined by measuring amplitude variations with depth of the magnetic field at observation points in the first borehole and computing theoretical variations in the amplitude for different assumed distances between the observation points and the location of the magnetic field source which are compared with theoretical variations to determine the distance between the first and second boreholes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tracking a borehole drilling direction and magnetic azimuth and orienting the tool face which controls the direction of drilling in a generally horizontal path between a specified borehole entry point and a predetermined exit location. The generally horizontal path may be disposed under a geographic obstacle such a river, a highway, a railroad, or an airport runway wherein the ground above the borehole is difficult or impossible to access.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that has a first sensor assembly coupled to a mobile platform that traverses a predetermined subsurface path and has an axis of motion. The first sensor assembly obtains a gravity vector of the Earth relative to the mobile platform. A second sensor assembly is disposed in substantial alignment with a predetermined position relative to the axis of motion and is characterized by a sensitivity axis. The second sensor assembly provides a sensor signal substantially corresponding to a single vector component of the Earth's rotation vector. A control system is configured to derive the path direction relative to a known direction and an inclination angle of the mobile platform relative to the surface based on the gravity vector and the single vector component of the Earth's rotation vector.

Abstract: A system for ranging between two wellbores. The target wellbore includes a conductive body (e.g., casing) disposed within a portion of the target wellbore. A second wellbore includes an electromagnetic field sensing instrument positioned within the wellbore. A current delivered to the conductive body in the target wellbore results in a magnetic field emanating from the target wellbore. The electromagnetic field sensing instrument is utilized to measure an electromagnetic gradient based on the magnetic field, which electromagnetic gradient can be utilized to determine the range between the wellbores.

Abstract: A system for ranging between two wellbores. The target wellbore includes a conductive body (e.g., casing) disposed within a portion of the target wellbore. A second wellbore includes an electromagnetic field sensing instrument positioned within the wellbore. A current delivered to the conductive body in the target wellbore results in a magnetic field emanating from the target wellbore. The electromagnetic field sensing instrument is utilized to measure an electromagnetic gradient based on the magnetic field, which electromagnetic gradient can be utilized to determine the range between the wellbores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tracking a borehole drilling direction and magnetic azimuth and orienting the tool face which controls the direction of drilling in a generally horizontal path between a specified borehole entry point and a predetermined exit location. The generally horizontal path may be disposed under a geographic obstacle such a river, a highway, a railroad, or an airport runway wherein the ground above the borehole is difficult or impossible to access.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that has a first sensor assembly coupled to a mobile platform that traverses a predetermined subsurface path and has an axis of motion. The first sensor assembly obtains a gravity vector of the Earth relative to the mobile platform. A second sensor assembly is disposed in substantial alignment with a predetermined position relative to the axis of motion and is characterized by a sensitivity axis. The second sensor assembly provides a sensor signal substantially corresponding to a single vector component of the Earth's rotation vector. A control system is configured to derive the path direction relative to a known direction and an inclination angle of the mobile platform relative to the surface based on the gravity vector and the single vector component of the Earth's rotation vector.

Abstract: A system for ranging between two wellbores. The target wellbore includes a conductive body (e.g., casing) disposed within a portion of the target wellbore. A second wellbore includes an electromagnetic field sensing instrument positioned within the wellbore. A current delivered to the conductive body in the target wellbore results in a magnetic field emanating from the target wellbore. The electromagnetic field sensing instrument is utilized to measure an electromagnetic gradient based on the magnetic field, which electromagnetic gradient can be utilized to determine the range between the wellbores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: An electromagnetic method and apparatus for determining the azimuthal orientation of a drill bit instrumentation sub (70), with respect to a borehole bottom drilling assembly (150) includes an electromagnet (152) fastened to the drilling assembly to produce an auxiliary alternating electromagnetic field (162) having an axis (163) that is perpendicular to the borehole axis (160). The direction of the field lines (162) generated by this magnet (152) and the simultaneous measurement of an electromagnetic field (36) generated by current flow in a blowout well casing is measured by electromagnetic field sensors in the drill bit instrument sub (70) to determine the direction to a blowout The direction of the auxiliary field (162) produced by the electromagnet (152) makes it possible to determine the direction to the blowout with reference to the direction of drilling without using an intermediate parameter such as, for example, the direction of gravity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string.

Abstract: A wireline apparatus for deep well measurements in a borehole being drilled includes a drill string having multiple drill pipe sections connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section is connected in the drill string below said electrode section, and a hydraulic motor having a rotatable drill bit carrying a drill bit instrument sub having a magnetic field sensing instrument package is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string. A wireline locatable within said drill string incorporates an electrode locatable within the drill pipe electrode section, and carries at its distal end a wireline instrument package that is locatable within the nonmagnetic drill pipe section to receive data representing magnetic field data from the magnetic field sensing instrument package.