Abstract: Disclosed are telemetry systems and methods that employ a plurality of electromagnetic transceivers disposed outside a well casing string at a corresponding plurality of depths along the casing string. Each transceiver includes one or more toroidal inductors circumferentially surrounding the casing string and inductively coupled thereto to allow signal transmission between transceivers via currents induced in the casing. In some embodiments, signals are relayed via a chain of transceivers to facilitate indirect communication between a surface facility and other transceivers located too deep for direct communication to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods using multi-electrode configurations for characterizing fluids in subterranean formations during various treatment operations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: placing a tubular base structure having a multi-electrode configuration disposed thereon in at least a portion of a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, the multi-electrode configuration comprising at least first and second electrodes with a dielectric layer between the tubular base structure and the electrodes; collecting electromagnetic measurements using the multi-electrode configuration; and processing the electromagnetic measurements to obtain a characterization of at least one fluid in an annulus between the tubular base structure and an inner wall of the well bore. The first and second electrodes of the multi-electrode configuration may be oriented along non-parallel planes and/or positioned at different heights from an outer surface of the tubular base structure.

Abstract: A communication assembly including at least one sensor assembly made up of interrogation circuitry and one or more antennae is described. The interrogation circuitry comprises at least one inductor comprising at least two sensing coils for reception of signals from the MEMS data sensors.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies are deployed in a borehole for a well, such as an oil well or other hydrocarbon recovery well. The sensor assemblies may be coupled to a casing string (e.g., the exterior of the casing), and detect RFID tags or other properties of material (e.g., fluids) in an annulus surrounding the casing string. During cementing or other operations, RFID tags may be used to track fluids. RFID detection circuits may be used to scan at different frequencies, and corresponding results may be compared by various means and processes to determine the presence of RFID tags.

Abstract: Systems and methods using multi-electrode configurations for characterizing fluids in subterranean formations during various treatment operations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: placing a tubular base structure having a multi-electrode configuration disposed thereon in at least a portion of a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, the multi-electrode configuration comprising at least first and second electrodes with a dielectric layer between the tubular base structure and the electrodes; collecting electromagnetic measurements using the multi-electrode configuration; and processing the electromagnetic measurements to obtain a characterization of at least one fluid in an annulus between the tubular base structure and an inner wall of the well bore. The first and second electrodes of the multi-electrode configuration may be oriented along non-parallel planes and/or positioned at different heights from an outer surface of the tubular base structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods using multi-electrode configurations for characterizing fluids in subterranean formations during various treatment operations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: placing a tubular base structure having a multi-electrode configuration disposed thereon in at least a portion of a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, the multi-electrode configuration comprising at least first and second electrodes with a dielectric layer between the tubular base structure and the electrodes; collecting electromagnetic measurements using the multi-electrode configuration; and processing the electromagnetic measurements to obtain a characterization of at least one fluid in an annulus between the tubular base structure and an inner wall of the well bore. The first and second electrodes of the multi-electrode configuration may be oriented along non-parallel planes and/or positioned at different heights from an outer surface of the tubular base structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods using multi-electrode configurations for characterizing fluids in subterranean formations during various treatment operations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: placing a tubular base structure having a multi-electrode configuration disposed thereon in at least a portion of a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, the multi-electrode configuration comprising at least first and second electrodes with a dielectric layer between the tubular base structure and the electrodes; collecting electromagnetic measurements using the multi-electrode configuration; and processing the electromagnetic measurements to obtain a characterization of at least one fluid in an annulus between the tubular base structure and an inner wall of the well bore. The first and second electrodes of the multi-electrode configuration may be oriented along non-parallel planes and/or positioned at different heights from an outer surface of the tubular base structure.

Abstract: A communication assembly including at least one sensor assembly made up of interrogation circuitry and one or more antennae is described. The interrogation circuitry comprises at least one inductor comprising at least two sensing coils for reception of signals from the MEMS data sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed are telemetry systems and methods that employ a plurality of electromagnetic transceivers disposed outside a well casing string at a corresponding plurality of depths along the casing string. Each transceiver includes one or more toroidal inductors circumferentially surrounding the casing string and inductively coupled thereto to allow signal transmission between transceivers via currents induced in the casing. In some embodiments, signals are relayed via a chain of transceivers to facilitate indirect communication between a surface facility and other transceivers located too deep for direct communication to the surface.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can include a die attached to an inductive-capacitive (LC) circuit including a capacitive element coupled to an inductive element. The LC circuit can have a resonant frequency that varies according to properties of fluid proximate the RFID tag. The RFID tag can further include a coating material disposed around the die to form an outer surface of the RFID tag. The coating material may have a thickness over a portion of the LC circuit, to permit a conductivity property of a fluid proximate the outer surface to affect the resonant frequency of the LC circuit such that the resonant frequency shifts to a second resonant frequency. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies are deployed in a borehole for a well, such as an oil well or other hydrocarbon recovery well. The sensor assemblies may be coupled to a casing string (e.g., the exterior of the casing), and detect RFID tags or other properties of material (e.g., fluids) in an annulus surrounding the casing string. During cementing or other operations, RFID tags may be used to track fluids. RFID detection circuits may be used to scan at different frequencies, and corresponding results may be compared by various means and processes to determine the presence of RFID tags.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can include a die attached to an inductive-capacitive (LC) circuit including a capacitive element coupled to an inductive element. The LC circuit can have a resonant frequency that varies according to properties of fluid proximate the RFID tag. The RFID tag can further include a coating material disposed around the die to form an outer surface of the RFID tag. The coating material may have a thickness over a portion of the LC circuit, to permit a conductivity property of a fluid proximate the outer surface to affect the resonant frequency of the LC circuit such that the resonant frequency shifts to a second resonant frequency. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A screw jack assembly (10) for a towed vehicle (100) has a spring housing (30) and a leg section (20) (which may be fitted with a castoring jockey wheel (120) or foot (130) in telescopic relationship, and a compression spring (40) is compressed so that the position of the spring housing (30) relative to weight indicating indicia (20) on the leg section (20) can indicate the tongue weight of the towed vehicle (100). By locking the spring housing (30) and leg section (20) together, a crank shaft (50) can move a main housing (80) relative to the leg section (20) to enable the assembly (60) to raise and lower the vehicle (100) in the manner of a conventional screw jack assembly.