Abstract: Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.

Abstract: Apparatus and the methods for deploying a sensor in the formation down a borehole. The apparatus comprises a downhole drilling system which is connected at a first end to the surface and is connected at a second end to a flexible drilling string downhole in the borehole. At least a portion of the flexible drilling string is locatable in a lateral hole of the borehole, and at least one downhole sensor is connectable to the portion of the drilling string that is locatable in the lateral hole.

Abstract: A main borehole is drilled into an underground reservoir comprising a plurality of layers of different fluid mobilities. The fluid mobility in each of the plurality of layers is determined. A number of lateral boreholes extending from the main borehole in each of the plurality of layers are then drilled based on the determined fluid mobility in each of the plurality of layers, such that resulting fluid production rates in each of the plurality of layers are substantially similar.

Abstract: Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.

Abstract: Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprising a housing, two or three gyroscope units and three accelerometer units. The gyroscope units are oriented orthogonally respective to each other and mounted within the housing. Each gyroscope unit includes a plurality of gyroscopes with input axes parallel to each other. The accelerometer units are oriented orthogonally respective to each other and mounted within the housing. Each accelerometer unit includes a plurality of accelerometers with detection axes parallel to each other.

Abstract: A drilling system is presented for use in drilling lateral boreholes from a main borehole. The drilling system generally comprises a drilling machine, a drill string connected to the drilling machine so as to be driveable in an axial direction, and a guide connected to the drilling machine such that when the drill string is driven axially by the drilling machine, it interacts with the guide so as to be directed in a predetermined radial direction. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole is also presented, comprising the steps of: positioning the drilling system in the main borehole; anchoring the guide in the borehole; operating the drilling machine to drive the drill string in an axial direction; and deflecting the drill string, by means of the guide, in a radial direction into the wall of the main borehole to drill the lateral borehole.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to perform downhole fluid analysis using an artificial neural network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves obtaining a first formation fluid property value of a formation fluid sample from a downhole fluid analysis process. The first formation fluid property value is provided to an artificial neural network, and a second formation fluid property value of the formation fluid sample is generated by means of the artificial neural network.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprising a housing, two or three gyroscope units and three accelerometer units. The gyroscope units are oriented orthogonally respective to each other and mounted within the housing. Each gyroscope unit includes a plurality of gyroscopes with input axes parallel to each other. The accelerometer units are oriented orthogonally respective to each other and mounted within the housing. Each accelerometer unit includes a plurality of accelerometers with detection axes parallel to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and the methods for deploying a sensor in the formation down a borehole. The apparatus comprises a downhole drilling system which is connected at a first end to the surface and is connected at a second end to a flexible drilling string downhole in the borehole. At least a portion of the flexible drilling string is locatable in a lateral hole of the borehole, and at least one downhole sensor is connectable to the portion of the drilling string that is locatable in the lateral hole.

Abstract: A method of determining the arrangement of lateral boreholes to be drilled from a main borehole that traverses an underground reservoir comprising at least two layers of different fluid mobility, the method comprising: determining formation parameters in each layer of interest so as to determine the fluid mobility in each layer; and determining borehole parameters for a series of lateral boreholes in each layer, the number, arrangement and dimensions of the lateral boreholes being selected such that the drainage surface in each layer provides for substantially similar fluid drainage in each layer irrespective of the fluid mobility in that layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating fractures in a geological formation surrounding a well bore. In one implementation, a treatment material may be disposed at the bottom of the well bore. One or more propellant apparatuses may be immersed in the treatment material and a propellant may then be burned inside a first propellant apparatus to create fractures in the geological formation.

Abstract: Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.

Abstract: Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating fractures in a geological formation surrounding a well bore. In one implementation, a treatment material may be disposed at the bottom of the well bore. One or more propellant apparatuses may be immersed in the treatment material and a propellant may then be burned inside a first propellant apparatus to create fractures in the geological formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to perform downhole fluid analysis using an artificial neural network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves obtaining a first formation fluid property value of a formation fluid sample from a downhole fluid analysis process. The first formation fluid property value is provided to an artificial neural network, and a second formation fluid property value of the formation fluid sample is generated by means of the artificial neural network.

Abstract: A drilling system, comprising: a drilling machine (10), —a drill string (26) connected at one end to the drilling machine so as to be driveable in an axial direction; and a guide (30) connected to the drilling machine such that when the drill string is driven axially by the drilling machine, it interacts with the guide so as to be directed in a predetermined radial direction; wherein the drill string is permanently engaged so as to be slideable in the guide. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole, comprises: positioning a drilling system as claimed in any preceding claim in the main borehole; anchoring the guide in the borehole adjacent the location at which the lateral borehole is to be drilled; operating the drilling machine to drive the drill string in an axial direction; and deflecting the drill string, by means of the guide, in a radial direction into the wall of the main borehole to drill the lateral borehole.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal circumferentially about a liner having pre-formed openings that is positioned in a wellbore includes the steps of running a perforating device and a seal applicator into the slotted liner, the seal applicator carrying a sealing fluid and a pumping mechanism, creating an aperture through the slotted liner at the region by activating the perforating device and pumping the sealing fluid from the seal applicator through the aperture and circumferentially about the liner to form a sealing plug in the annulus between the slotted liner and the wellbore.

Abstract: Samples of hydrocarbon are obtained with a coring tool. An analysis of some thermal or electrical properties of the core samples may be performed downhole. The core samples may also be preserved in containers sealed and/or refrigerated prior to being brought uphole for analysis. The hydrocarbon trapped in the pore space of the core samples may be extracted from the core samples downhole. The extracted hydrocarbon may be preserved in chambers and/or analyzed downhole.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal circumferentially about a liner having pre-formed openings that is positioned in a wellbore includes the steps of running a perforating device and a seal applicator into the slotted liner, the seal applicator carrying a sealing fluid and a pumping mechanism, creating an aperture through the slotted liner at the region by activating the perforating device and pumping the sealing fluid from the seal applicator through the aperture and circumferentially about the liner to form a sealing plug in the annulus between the slotted liner and the wellbore.