Abstract: A system for determining a location and a diameter of a pipe deployed in a bore includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced acoustic transmitters and a plurality of circumferentially spaced acoustic receivers deployed in a wall of the bore. A processor is configured to identify and process received acoustic waveforms that are reflected by the pipe to compute the location and the diameter of the pipe. The system may include a drill string deployed in a drilling riser.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a drill pipe joint deployed in a bore includes at least one magnetometer deployed on the bore. A processor is in electronic communication with the magnetometer and is configured to process magnetic field measurements made by the magnetometer to determine at least one of an axial position and a lateral position of the drill pipe joint.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a drill pipe joint deployed in a bore includes at least one magnetometer deployed on the bore. A processor is in electronic communication with the magnetometer and is configured to process magnetic field measurements made by the magnetometer to determine at least one of an axial position and a lateral position of the drill pipe joint.

Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.

Abstract: An intelligent drilling riser telemetry system includes a mud pulse telemetry transmitter deployed in a drill string. At least one annular pressure sensor is deployed on a drilling riser and is configured to sense mud pulse telemetry signals in an annular region thereof. A surface processor is in electronic communication with the annular pressure sensor via an electrical transmission line that extends along a length of the drilling riser from the annular pressure sensor to the drilling rig. The processor is configured to decode a transmitted mud pulse telemetry signal.

Abstract: A system for determining a location and a diameter of a pipe deployed in a bore includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced acoustic transmitters and a plurality of circumferentially spaced acoustic receivers deployed in a wall of the bore. A processor is configured to identify and process received acoustic waveforms that are reflected by the pipe to compute the location and the diameter of the pipe. The system may include a drill string deployed in a drilling riser.

Abstract: A system and a method use dual telemetry for tools located in a wellbore. A first telemetry system and a second telemetry system coordinate communication with the tools. Both the first telemetry system and the second telemetry system may transmit data regarding the tools and/or drilling conditions from the tools to a surface location simultaneously. The first telemetry system or the second telemetry system may communicate with the surface location if communication using the other telemetry system is interrupted. The first telemetry system and the second telemetry system may have a master/slave relationship so that data requests from a specific telemetry system do not interfere with data requests from the other telemetry system.

Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.

Abstract: A method (and system) is provided that enhances production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation by identifying at least one target interval of the subterranean formation that is in proximity to a pay interval, wherein the at least one target interval has an electrical resistance less than electrical resistance of the pay interval. A plurality of electrodes are placed in positions spaced apart from one another and adjacent the at least one target interval. Electrical current is injected into the target interval by supplying electrical signals to the plurality of electrodes. The electrical current injected into the at least one target interval passes through at least a portion of the at least one target interval in order to heat the at least one target interval and heat the pay interval by thermal conduction for enhancement of production of hydrocarbons from the pay interval.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating of hydrocarbon fluid where a traveling waveguide structure is configured to confine traveling wave electromagnetic radiation within its interior chamber and to contain hydrocarbon fluid that is subject to heating by such traveling wave electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus can be configured to heat hydrocarbon fluid to a reaction temperature suitable for visbreaking of the hydrocarbon fluid. The reaction temperature can be in the range of 350° C. to 500° C., which is suitable for visbreaking of heavy oil.

Abstract: An inductive coupler apparatus have a first inductive coupler with a first magnetic center shaft having a recessed portion, a first outer magnetic layer disposed around the first magnetic center shaft, and a first coil disposed around the first magnetic center shaft and disposed within the first outer magnetic layer and a second inductive coupler with a second magnetic center shaft having a recessed portion, a second outer magnetic layer disposed around the second magnetic center shaft, and a second coil disposed around the second magnetic center shaft and disposed within the second outer magnetic layer. When the first and second inductive couplers are in the coupled position the inductive couplers can provide for the transmission of power and/or communication between downhole tools in a bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A logging while drilling (LWD) caliper includes a drill collar, at least one movable pad, a hinge coupler, a power transmitter and a power receiver. The hinge coupler couples the movable pad to the drill collar in such a way that the movable pad can move between an open position and a closed position. The power transmitter is coupled to the drill collar in such a way that the power transmitter receives power from the drill collar. The power receiver is coupled to the movable pad in such a way that the power receiver provides power to the movable pad. Also, the power transmitter is coupled to the drill collar and the power receiver is coupled to the movable pad is such a way that power is transmitted from the power transmitter to the power receiver.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) configured for use in a drill string of a wellsite drilling system. The BHA includes a measuring-while-drilling (MWD) module, a wireless power and data connection, and a rotary steerable system (RSS). The MWD module is configured for coupling to a drill string, and includes a power generation component and a direction and inclination (D&I) survey package. The wireless power and data connection is disposed above a drilling motor in the drill string and for providing power and data connectivity between the MWD module and the drilling motor. The RSS is coupled to the drilling motor for receiving power from and communicating with the MWD module via the wireless power and data connection and the drilling motor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for wireless power and/or data communications transmissions to a sensor subassembly above a mud motor in a bottom hole assembly are disclosed. Power and/or data are supplied by rotary modulator and power generation system positioned above the mud motor. Wires may connect to an annular coil. Power and/or communications are transmitted through the annular coil to an inductively coupled second, mandrel coil that is attached to the rotor. By leveraging resonantly tuned circuits and impedance matching techniques for the coils, power and/or data can be transmitted efficiently from one coil to the other despite relative movement and misalignment of the two coils.

Abstract: A motor steering system includes a drill collar, a transmitter circuit having a power transmitting coil, a rotor, and a receiver circuit having a power receiving coil. The transmitter circuit is coupled to the drill collar and the receiver circuit is coupled to the rotor such that the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit are positioned with respect to one another such that power is coupled from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil whereby the drill collar provides electric power to the rotor.

Abstract: A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for measuring reservoir formation properties comprises a bit head and a pin body, and an electrically insulated gap joint between two conductive parts of the drill bit assembly. The electrically insulating gap joint can fill a gap between bit head and pin body engagement sections such that the bit head and pin body are mechanically connected together at connecting ends but electrically separated. Alternatively or additionally, the pin body can have two pieces which are separated by an electrically insulating gap joint. An electrical conductor is electrically connected at a first end to the bit head and is communicable at a second end with an alternating current signal to transmit an alternating current into the bit head, thereby inducing an electric current into a reservoir formation adjacent the bit head.

Abstract: Example inductive couplers are provided herein. The inductive couplers can provide for the transmission of power and/or communication between downhole tools in a bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for wireless power and data communications transmissions to a sensor subassembly below a mud motor in a bottom hole assembly are disclosed. In a certain embodiment, a float valve is located above the motor. Power is supplied by a turbine or by batteries located in a subassembly above the float valve. Wires pass through the float valve and connect to an annular coil. Power is transmitted through the annular coil to an inductively coupled second, mandrel coil that is attached to the rotor. By leveraging resonantly tuned circuits and impedance matching techniques for the coils, power can be transmitted efficiently from one coil to the other despite relative movement and misalignment of the two coils.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for wireless power and data communications transmissions to a sensor subassembly below a mud motor in a bottom hole assembly are disclosed. Power and/or communications are transmitted through stationary or fixed coils. By leveraging resonantly tuned circuits and impedance matching techniques for the stationary coils, power and/or communications can be transmitted efficiently from one stationary coil to the other stationary coil despite any vibration and/or misalignment of the two coils.