Abstract: A method includes utilizing a charging and communication interface and a sensor system to gather downhole measurements. The method further includes charging and activating the sensor system using the charging and communication interface, installing the sensor system into a nozzle of a drill bit, running the drill bit into a wellbore, conducting measurements using the sensor system, pulling the drill bit out of the wellbore, and contacting the charging and communication interface with the sensor system to retrieve the measurements from the sensor system.

Abstract: A system and a method for forming a composite electrolyte structure are provided. An exemplary composite electrolyte structure includes, at least in part, polymer electrolyte preforms that are bonded into the composite electrolyte structure.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of use are provided for a drilling stabilizer with chemical compartments within the teeth of the drilling stabilizer. The drilling stabilizer features dissolvable windows that allow chemicals to flow from the chemical compartments into the wellbore. The chemicals released can include cross-linkers or activators, which can react with polymers downhole to generate a plug for fluid loss control.

Abstract: Cutters for a downhole drill bit can be formed by providing a catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamond (PCD) having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 8 millimeters; providing a substrate comprising tungsten carbide; and attaching the synthesized PCD to the substrate comprising tungsten carbide to form a PDC cutter.

Abstract: A drilling system measures a fluid level in a wellbore. The drilling system may include a drill pipe and a sensor sleeve attached to the drill pipe. The sensor sleeve may include a transmitter that transmits a sensing signal in a direction of a fluid in the wellbore, a receiver that receives the sensing signal after the sensing signal is reflected on a surface of the fluid, and a repeater that determines a distance between the sensor sleeve and the fluid level from the transmitted and received sensing signal. The fluid level in the wellbore may be calculated using the distance determined by the repeater and a distance between the sensor sleeve and a surface of the wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for using smart polymers. Units of smart polymers with per-hydrogen (pH) sensitivity are inserted into drilling fluid pumped into a well during drilling. The smart polymers are configured to be triggered by hydrogen ion concentrations. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored and indicates a time that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of returning mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymer are captured by a camera positioned at a sensing location and linked to the monitoring system. An estimate of pH values at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using the continuous images, observed characteristics, and insertion timestamps, and based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to be made to drilling parameters are suggested.

Abstract: Cutters for a downhole drill bit can be formed by providing a catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamond (PCD) having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 8 millimeters; providing a substrate comprising tungsten carbide; and attaching the synthesized PCD to the substrate comprising tungsten carbide to form a PDC cutter.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for using smart polymers. Units of smart polymers with per-hydrogen (pH) sensitivity are inserted into drilling fluid pumped into a well during drilling. The smart polymers are configured to be triggered by hydrogen ion concentrations. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored and indicates a time that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of returning mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymer are captured by a camera positioned at a sensing location and linked to the monitoring system. An estimate of pH values at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using the continuous images, observed characteristics, and insertion timestamps, and based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to be made to drilling parameters are suggested.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining a cutting image data using an image capturing device. The cutting image may be obtained from drilling fluid cuttings circulated out of a wellbore. The method may include obtaining drilling operation data in real-time regarding the drilling system and obtaining drilling fluid data. The method may include determining a cutting parameter of the cuttings by using the cutting image data and an image processing function. The method may include determining a lithology parameter of the cuttings using the cutting image data and a machine-learning model. The method may include determining an equivalent circulating density (ECD) value of the drilling fluid using an ECD model, the cutting parameter, the lithology parameter, the drilling operation data, and the drilling fluid data. The method may include transmitting a command that adjusts a drilling parameter based on the ECD value of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an annular fluid level may include a floating element disposed on a surface of a drilling fluid within an annulus of the well, during mud cap drilling operations. The system may also include an antenna disposed above the floating element. The antenna may be configured to transmit a first signal to the floating element, and to receive a second signal from the floating element in response to the first signal. The system may also include a processor configured to determine a time value that measures a time between a transmittal, by the antenna, of the first signal and a receipt, by the antenna, of the second signal. The processor may also determine a state of a drilling fluid level within the annulus based on the time value, and update a drilling program for the well based on the state of the drilling fluid level.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for using smart polymers. Units of smart polymers with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) sensitivity are inserted by a monitoring system into drilling fluid pumped into a well. The smart polymers are configured to be triggered by increasing H2S concentrations. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored. Each insertion timestamp indicates a time that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of returning mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymer are captured by a camera positioned at a sensing location and linked to the monitoring system. An estimate of H2S levels at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using continuous images, observed characteristics, and insertion timestamps, and based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to drilling parameters are suggested.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for using smart polymers. Units of smart polymers with heat sensitivity are inserted by a monitoring system into drilling fluid pumped into a well. The smart polymers are configured to be triggered by exposure to increasing levels of heat. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored. Each insertion timestamp indicates a time that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of returning mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymer are captured by a camera positioned at a sensing location and linked to the monitoring system. An estimate of temperatures at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using continuous images, observed characteristics, and insertion timestamps, based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Suggested changes to be made to drilling parameters are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for using smart polymers. Units of smart polymers with chloride ion sensitivity are inserted into drilling fluid pumped into a well. The smart polymers are configured to be triggered by chlorine ion concentrations. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored. Each insertion timestamp indicates a time that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of returning mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymers are captured by a camera positioned at a sensing location and linked to the monitoring system. An estimate of salinity in the drilling fluid is determined using continuous images, observed characteristics, and insertion timestamps, and based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to drilling parameters are suggested based on the estimate of the salinity.

Abstract: A rotational continuous circulation system and methods includes a circulation sub having an internal bore extending along a central axis. The circulation sub has an uphole body having a reduced outer diameter along a downhole length of the uphole body. A central valve selectively opens and closes the uphole internal bore. At least one check valve is located within a sidewall of the uphole body to selectively allow fluid to flow into the uphole internal bore through the at least one check valve. A downhole body has an uphole portion circumscribing a downhole portion of the uphole body. A sleeve assembly circumscribes the reduced outer diameter of the uphole body. The uphole body and the downhole body are configured to rotate about the central axis independently from the sleeve assembly. A side-entry port of the sleeve assembly provides a fluid flow path from an exterior of the sleeve assembly to the at least one check valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods include techniques for using smart polymers. Units of smart polymers with per-hydrogen (pH) sensitivity are inserted into drilling fluid pumped into a well during drilling. The smart polymers are configured to be triggered by hydrogen ion concentrations. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored and indicates a time that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of returning mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymer are captured by a camera positioned at a sensing location and linked to the monitoring system. An estimate of pH values at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using the continuous images, observed characteristics, and insertion timestamps, and based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to be made to drilling parameters are suggested.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining well pressure. Units of pressure-responsive smart polymers are inserted into drilling fluid pumped into a well during a drilling operation. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored indicating times that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of drilling mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymers are captured by a camera. An estimate of a bottom hole pressure (BHP) at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using the continuous images, the observed characteristics, and the insertion timestamps associated with each unit of smart polymer. Determining the estimate is based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to be made to drilling parameters for the drilling operation are suggested based on the estimated BHP.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining well pressure. Units of pressure-responsive smart polymers are inserted into drilling fluid pumped into a well during a drilling operation. An insertion timestamp associated with each unit is stored indicating times that each unit was inserted. Continuous images and observed characteristics of drilling mud exiting through an annulus of the well and containing the units of smart polymers are captured by a camera. An estimate of a bottom hole pressure (BHP) at a drill bit of the drilling operation is determined using the continuous images, the observed characteristics, and the insertion timestamps associated with each unit of smart polymer. Determining the estimate is based at least in part on executing image processing algorithms, machine-learning models, and deep-learning models. Changes to be made to drilling parameters for the drilling operation are suggested based on the estimated BHP.

Abstract: A method for operating a circulating sub in a well includes opening a port of the circulating sub, including: dropping a ball into a drill pipe containing a downhole fluid; and seating the ball on an actuator slidably disposed concentrically within the drill pipe, in which seating the ball on the actuator causes motion of the actuator relative to the drill pipe to open a port defined in a wall of the drill pipe. The method includes closing the port of the circulating sub, including: introducing a solvent different from the downhole fluid into the drill pipe, in which a solubility of the ball in the solvent is greater than a solubility of the ball in the downhole fluid; and degrading the ball in the solvent, in which the degrading of the ball causes motion of the actuator relative to the drill pipe to close the port.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems, for monitoring the flow of drilling mud from a wellbore by image processing. One method includes: capturing, using a digital imaging device, images of drilling mud at a surface of the wellbore as the drilling mud flows through one or more image capture zones of a circulation system that circulates drilling mud through the wellbore and a wellbore drilling assembly; receiving, by one or more processors of a computer system operatively coupled to the digital imaging device, the images captured by the digital imaging device; and processing, by the one or more processors, the images captured by the digital imaging device to determine a rate of flow of the drilling mud through the one or more image capture zones.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of use are provided for a drilling stabilizer with chemical compartments within the teeth of the drilling stabilizer. The drilling stabilizer features dissolvable windows that allow chemicals to flow from the chemical compartments into the wellbore. The chemicals released can include cross-linkers or activators, which can react with polymers downhole to generate a plug for fluid loss control.