Abstract: There is provided a wellbore measuring apparatus including a tubular outer body connectable in line with a drill string. The apparatus includes arms pivotally coupled to the body. Each arm has a retracted position and is moveable from the retracted position to an extended position so that a free end portion thereof is radially away from an outer surface of the body. The free end portions of the arms have rounded configurations. The arms are angularly spaced apart around the body and arranged in a plurality of tiers. Each tier includes three or more of the arms. The tiers are spaced apart axially from one another along the body. Each arm of a first tier is angularly offset relative to the arms of a second tier. The apparatus includes sensors operatively connected to the arms, respectively, and via which a profile of a wellbore is measured.

Abstract: There is provided a wellbore measuring apparatus according to one aspect. The wellbore measuring apparatus includes an outer body that is tubular with spaced-apart ends threaded for connection in line with a drill string. The outer body has a plurality of recesses extending around the outer surface thereof in one or more helical patterns. The wellbore measuring apparatus includes a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to and each positioned within a respective said recess of the outer body. Each sensor is arranged to measure at least one characteristic of a wellbore. The wellbore measuring apparatus may include at least one rib coupled to and extending radially outwards from the outer surface of the outer body. The at least one rib is helical in shape and with the plurality of sensors extending along and being adjacent to the at least one rib.

Abstract: An electrical insulated threaded connection includes a conductive box with a plurality of internal threads, a conductive pin with a plurality of external threads, and a double-threaded electrical insulator sleeve disposed between the conductive pin and box. The double-threaded electrical insulator sleeve comprises a plurality of external threads that mate with the plurality of internal threads of the conductive box and a plurality of internal threads that mate with the plurality of external threads of the conductive pin. In certain embodiments, the double-threaded electrical insulator sleeve fills a full volume between the plurality of internal threads of the conductive box and the plurality of external threads of the conductive pin, and there are no voids or pockets between any of the mating threads.

Abstract: An external gap assembly for a gap sub includes a plurality of non-conductive spacer rings and a plurality of high-strength conductive spacer rings arranged in an alternating pattern about an exterior of the gap sub, a non-conductive external gap seal sleeve disposed beneath the spacer rings that electrically insulates the conductive spacer rings from upper and lower conductive portions of the gap sub, and a plurality of seals disposed between an internal diameter of an upper conductive portion and an interior diameter of a lower conductive portion of the gap sub and the non-conductive external gap seal sleeve. Advantageously, the resistance of the non-conductive gap may be controllably increased, compression and torque on the stack may be controlled, and conductive drilling fluids may be prevented from penetrating the gap sub, thereby enhancing transmission efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the profile of a wellbore includes a cylindrical body having first and second ends threaded for connection in line with a drill string. A passage extends through the body between the first and second ends. A plurality of arms are pivotally coupled on an outer surface of the cylindrical body. Each of the arms is biased to pivot so as to move a free end thereof radially away from the outer surface of the body. The plurality of arms are angularly spaced apart around the cylindrical body and arranged in a plurality of tiers. Each of the tiers comprises three or more of the arms. The tiers are spaced apart axially from one another along the cylindrical body. Sensors are operable to directly or indirectly measure radial extension of each of the arms from the cylindrical body. A holding mechanism is operable to hold the arms in a retracted configuration and to selectively release the arms to pivot away from the cylindrical body.

Abstract: There is provided a wellbore measuring apparatus according to one aspect. The wellbore measuring apparatus includes an outer body that is tubular with spaced-apart ends threaded for connection in line with a drill string. The outer body has a plurality of recesses extending around the outer surface thereof in one or more helical patterns. The wellbore measuring apparatus includes a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to and each positioned within a respective said recess of the outer body. Each sensor is arranged to measure at least one characteristic of a wellbore. The wellbore measuring apparatus may include at least one rib coupled to and extending radially outwards from the outer surface of the outer body. The at least one rib is helical in shape and with the plurality of sensors extending along and being adjacent to the at least one rib.

Abstract: An electrical insulated threaded connection includes a conductive box with a plurality of internal threads, a conductive pin with a plurality of external threads, and a double-threaded electrical insulator sleeve disposed between the conductive pin and box. The double-threaded electrical insulator sleeve comprises a plurality of external threads that mate with the plurality of internal threads of the conductive box and a plurality of internal threads that mate with the plurality of external threads of the conductive pin. In certain embodiments, the double-threaded electrical insulator sleeve fills a full volume between the plurality of internal threads of the conductive box and the plurality of external threads of the conductive pin, and there are no voids or pockets between any of the mating threads.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a drill direction continuously during a drill operation comprising the steps of: selecting a desired downhole response value; computing from a preset mathematical relationship a corresponding surface control value; setting the surface control variable to the desired surface control value; measuring the surface control variable continuously downhole and computing at downhole an averaged surface control value; computing a corresponding downhole response value from the averaged measured surface control value; and setting the downhole response variable to the computed downhole response value.

Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the profile of a wellbore includes a cylindrical body having first and second ends threaded for connection in line with a drill string. A passage extends through the body between the first and second ends. A plurality of arms are pivotally coupled on an outer surface of the cylindrical body. Each of the arms is biased to pivot so as to move a free end of the arm to move radially away from the outer surface of the body. The plurality of arms are angularly spaced apart around the cylindrical body and arranged in a plurality of tiers. Each of the tiers comprises three or more of the arms. The tiers are spaced apart axially from one another along the cylindrical body. Sensors are operable to directly or indirectly measure radial extension of each of the arms from the cylindrical body. A holding mechanism is operable to hold the arms in a retracted configuration and to selectively release the arms to pivot away from the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.

Abstract: A method and system for downhole pulse generation determines an optimal frequency and, in some embodiments, amplitude of axial pressure pulses to maximize the rate of penetration. Specifically, one or more sensors may be disposed on or near an axial oscillation tool that provides near real-time raw sensor data relating to speed, velocity, and acceleration of the tool. With this sensor data, an optimal set of parameters, namely an optimal frequency and, in some embodiments, amplitude may be determined based on the hydraulic conditions and frictional forces of the actual drilling environment. An optimizing control system may directly communicate these parameters to the axial oscillation tool or pass the parameters to an axial oscillation tool control system that controls the operation of the tool. Advantageously, frictional forces may be substantially reduced, the rate of penetration may be substantially enhanced, and power consumption may be intelligently managed.

Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.

Abstract: A method and system for downhole pulse generation determines an optimal frequency and, in some embodiments, amplitude of axial pressure pulses to maximize the rate of penetration. Specifically, one or more sensors may be disposed on or near an axial oscillation tool that provides near real-time raw sensor data relating to speed, velocity, and acceleration of the tool. With this sensor data, an optimal set of parameters, namely an optimal frequency and, in some embodiments, amplitude may be determined based on the hydraulic conditions and frictional forces of the actual drilling environment. An optimizing control system may directly communicate these parameters to the axial oscillation tool or pass the parameters to an axial oscillation tool control system that controls the operation of the tool. Advantageously, frictional forces may be substantially reduced, the rate of penetration may be substantially enhanced, and power consumption may be intelligently managed.

Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.

Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.

Abstract: A method for establishing downlink telemetry communication to a downhole system involves placing into a drillstring a telemetry transcoder, and advancing the drillstring so the telemetry transcoder is below the surface. The method then transmits downlink EM telemetry signals from surface equipment. These signals are received at the telemetry transcoder which retransmits the signals as mud pulse signals. The mud pulse signals are received at the downhole system.

Abstract: A vehicle for detecting fields relevant to the suitability of a location for EM telemetry reception. The vehicle may include a magnetometer, a voltage monitoring system and position sensors. A wireless transmitter may transmit readings from the meters, monitoring systems and/or sensors to a receiver. The vehicle may include equipment for inserting or removing ground conductors for use in receiving electromagnetic telemetry signals. The vehicle may be driven or may drive itself autonomously. The vehicle may obtain measurements of magnetic field and/or potential differences at spaced apart locations along a path. Data obtained by the vehicle may be analyzed to identify hot spots. After selecting hot spots, the vehicle may be configured to insert ground conductors at selected locations within the hot spots. After installing ground rods, the vehicle may be configured to continuously monitor the area to maintain an optimum configuration of ground conductors.

Abstract: A pressure measurement apparatus for a downhole measurement-while-drilling tool comprises a feed through connector and a pressure transducer. The feed through connector comprises a body with a first end and an opposite second end, at least one electrical interconnection extending axially through the body and out of the first and second ends, and a pressure transducer receptacle in the first end and a communications bore extending from the receptacle to the second end. The pressure transducer is seated in the receptacle such that a pressure at the first end can be measured, and comprises at least one electrical contact that extends from the pressure transducer through the communication bore and out of the second end. The pressure transducer can take pressure measurements used to predict wear of a primary seal in a motor subassembly of the tool, detect a pressure-related battery failure event, and control operation of a dual pulse height fluid pressure pulse generator.

Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.