Abstract: A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Pressures are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the pressures is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured pressure.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Pressures are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the pressures is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured pressure.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Pressures are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the pressures is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured pressure.

Abstract: A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Forces are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the forces is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured force.

Abstract: A method of testing mechanical properties of an earth formation can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, impacting the probe against a wall of the wellbore, and measuring a parameter related to at least one of a displacement, displacement rate, strain, and strain rate, of at least one of the probe and the formation. Another method can include disposing a probe and a known material in a wellbore, and after the disposing, penetrating the known material with the probe. Another method can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, measuring a displacement of the probe into a wall of the wellbore while measuring a load applied to the probe, and applying fluid pressure to the formation via the probe.

Abstract: Fiber optic sensing systems and methods. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic sensing system includes an optical fiber transmitting energy to a chemical vapor deposited diamond material proximate a substance in a well. The diamond material is deposited as a coating on a substrate. The substrate and coating are heated when the energy is transmitted by the optical fiber. This heats the substance in the well, which is detected to determine a property of the substance. In another embodiment, light energy is transmitted through the diamond material.

Abstract: Fiber optic sensing systems and methods. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic sensing system includes an optical fiber transmitting energy to a chemical vapor deposited diamond material proximate a substance in a well. The diamond material is deposited as a coating on a substrate. The substrate and coating are heated when the energy is transmitted by the optical fiber. This heats the substance in the well, which is detected to determine a property of the substance. In another embodiment, light energy is transmitted through the diamond material.

Abstract: A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit.

Abstract: A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Pressures are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the pressures is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured pressure.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Forces are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the forces is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured force.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Forces are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the forces is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured force.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole measurement and communications are disclosed. The system includes a communications medium, at least partially disposed in a drillpipe, a processor coupled to the communications medium, at least two sensor modules coupled to the communications medium, where at least one of the sensor modules is along a drillpipe, and at least one communications coupler to couple at least one sensor module to the communications medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling oil well drilling equipment is disclosed. One or more sensors are distributed in the oil well drilling equipment. Each sensor produces a signal. A surface processor coupled to the one or more sensors via a high speed communications medium receives the signals from the one or more sensors via the high speed communications medium. The surface processor is situated on or near the earth's surface. The surface processor includes a program to process the received signals and to produce one or more control signals. The system includes one or more controllable elements distributed in the oil well drilling equipment. The one or more controllable elements respond to the one or more control signals.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Forces are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the forces is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling oil well drilling equipment is disclosed. One or more sensors are distributed in the oil well drilling equipment. Each sensor produces a signal. A surface processor coupled to the one or more sensors via a high speed communications medium receives the signals from the one or more sensors via the high speed communications medium. The surface processor is situated on or near the earth's surface. The surface processor includes a program to process the received signals and to produce one or more control signals. The system includes one or more controllable elements distributed in the oil well drilling equipment. The one or more controllable elements respond to the one or more control signals.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Forces are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the forces is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured force.

Abstract: A heated fluid injection string (106) injects heated treatment fluid into a well (102) in a subterranean zone (112) and generates an acoustic signal. An acoustic detector (212) detects the acoustic signal, and an acoustic signal analyzer (214) interprets the detected acoustic signal. In some implementations, the acoustic signal analyzer (214) interprets the detected acoustic signal to determine information about at least one of the heated fluid injection string (106), the well (102), or the subterranean zone (112).