Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for communicating information from a downhole location to the surface including a plurality of releasable vessels containing predetermined signal information affixed to the vessels prior to placement of the vessels downhole and indicative of the presence of at least one of three or more predetermined downhole conditions and a sensing and releasing system that senses the occurrence of the downhole condition, such as a simple threshold, and release the vessels in response to the sensing. The predetermined downhole condition can be characteristic of the fluid being produced in the borehole, such as water fraction, a certain level of mechanical wear or damage to downhole equipment such as bit wear, or the firing a one or more charges on a wireline deployed perforation tool.

Abstract: A drill string telemetry system comprises an acoustic reflector mounted to the surface end of the drill string. The reflector is adapted to reflect surface-generated torsional acoustic noise away from the drill string. The reflector attenuates the power of 500 Hz torsional acoustic noise power impinging on the reflector by a factor of at least 2.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for communicating information from a downhole location to the surface. A plurality of releasable vessels are positioned downhole, each containing signal information affixed to the vessels prior to placement of the vessels downhole. The signal information indicates the presence of at least one of three or more predetermined downhole conditions. A detecting system is positioned on the surface such that the signal information can be detected on one or more of the vessels. The predetermined downhole condition can be characteristic of the fluid being produced in the borehole, such as water fraction, a certain level of mechanical wear or damage to downhole equipment such as bit wear, or the firing a one or more charges on a wireline deployed perforation tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a telemetry signal in a drillstring is disclosed. Opposite torsional forces are imparted on the drillstring at two or more different locations. A steel shaft inside the drillstring is coupled to the drillstring via electromagnetic actuators at end and rigidly attached to the drillstring at the other end. A similar method and apparatus for generating axial telemetry signal in the drillstring is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill string telemetry system comprises an acoustic reflector mounted to the surface end of the drill string. The reflector is adapted to reflect surface-generated torsional acoustic noise away from the drill string. The reflector attenuates the power of 500 Hz torsional acoustic noise power impinging on the reflector by a factor of at least 2.