Abstract: Downhole assemblies comprise at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter relating to a downhole condition. The downhole assembly further includes a communications assembly having at least one device for controlling a characteristic of fluid flow through the downhole assembly and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to selectively alter the characteristic of fluid flow through the downhole assembly with the at least one device in response to data received from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method for verifying that a kick or loss detected by surface monitoring equipment has occurred includes: receiving an input signal having notification that a kick or a loss has been detected in an earthen borehole during a time interval when drilling fluid is not being pumped into a drill string disposed in the borehole; sensing a pressure in the borehole to provide sensed pressure readings; comparing the sensed pressure readings to an upper threshold and a lower threshold; verifying that a kick has occurred if the notification comprises a kick detection and the sensed pressure reading are above the upper threshold; verifying that a loss has occurred if the notification comprises a loss detection and the sensed pressure readings are below the lower threshold; and transmitting a kick or loss verification signal to a signal receiving device upon verification that the kick or loss has occurred.

Abstract: Downhole assemblies comprise at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter relating to a downhole condition. The downhole assembly further includes a communications assembly having at least one device for controlling a characteristic of fluid flow through the downhole assembly and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to selectively alter the characteristic of fluid flow through the downhole assembly with the at least one device in response to data received from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for determining an influx at a wellbore is provided. A flowback parameter is obtained for a plurality of flowback events at the wellbore prior to a current flowback event. An average of the flowback parameter (?) and a standard deviation (?) of the flowback parameter is determined from the plurality of prior flowback parameters. An alarm threshold is set based on the determined average and the standard deviation. A current flowback parameter is measured and the influx is determined when the current flowback parameter meets the alarm threshold.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from a downhole location to a location at the surface of the earth includes determining a minimum value and a maximum value of M-samples of data values, determining a keycode for the M-samples of data values that provides an indication of the maximum and minimum values of the M-samples, and encoding the keycode and the data values into one or more encoded words. The one or more encoded words are then transmitted as an acoustic signal in drilling fluid by modulating a mud-pulser. The acoustic signal is received by a transducer uphole from the mud-pulser and converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is demodulated into a received encoded word, which is decompressed into the M-samples in accordance with the keycode. The M-samples are then received by a computer processing system disposed as the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A method enables communication with downhole tools during a “flow off” condition by energizing at least one sensor and a controller using a local power source only after flow of drilling fluid has been reduced below the threshold flow rate value. Thereafter, the method involves generating the at least one predetermined pattern into the wellbore, detecting the at least one predetermined pattern using the at least one sensor and the controller, and transmitting a signal using the controller in response to the detected at least one predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method for verifying that a kick or loss detected by surface monitoring equipment has occurred includes: receiving an input signal having notification that a kick or a loss has been detected in an earthen borehole during a time interval when drilling fluid is not being pumped into a drill string disposed in the borehole; sensing a pressure in the borehole to provide sensed pressure readings; comparing the sensed pressure readings to an upper threshold and a lower threshold; verifying that a kick has occurred if the notification comprises a kick detection and the sensed pressure reading are above the upper threshold; verifying that a loss has occurred if the notification comprises a loss detection and the sensed pressure readings are below the lower threshold; and transmitting a kick or loss verification signal to a signal receiving device upon verification that the kick or loss has occurred.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from a downhole location to a location at the surface of the earth includes determining a minimum value and a maximum value of M-samples of data values, determining a keycode for the M-samples of data values that provides an indication of the maximum and minimum values of the M-samples, and encoding the keycode and the data values into one or more encoded words. The one or more encoded words are then transmitted as an acoustic signal in drilling fluid by modulating a mud-pulser. The acoustic signal is received by a transducer uphole from the mud-pulser and converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is demodulated into a received encoded word, which is decompressed into the M-samples in accordance with the keycode. The M-samples are then received by a computer processing system disposed as the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for determining an influx at a wellbore is provided. A flowback parameter is obtained for a plurality of flowback events at the wellbore prior to a current flowback event. An average of the flowback parameter (?) and a standard deviation (?) of the flowback parameter is determined from the plurality of prior flowback parameters. An alarm threshold is set based on the determined average and the standard deviation. A current flowback parameter is measured and the influx is determined when the current flowback parameter meets the alarm threshold.