Abstract: Collection of hydrocarbons in a collection region that is non-contiguous to a production well is described. A path between the production well and a collection well is determined, which is not necessarily the shortest distance path. A fluid communication channel is then provided within a geological formation between the production well and collection well, along the determined path. Fluid communication is provided between the production well and the collection well without intersecting the collection well with the production well, and without otherwise drilling a hole to connect the production well and collection well.

Abstract: In an acoustic logging system utilizing one or more acoustic sources, each with a specified radiation pattern around a source orientation, an acoustic signal is transmitted into a formation with a source oriented in a first source orientation. An acoustic waveform is received in response with a receiver oriented in a first direction. The slowness of the formation in the first direction is calculated using the received acoustic waveform.

Abstract: Example methods are disclosed for collecting hydrocarbons in a collection region that is non-contiguous to a production well. In an example method, a production well and a collection well are formed. A path between the production well and the collection well is determined, which is not necessarily the shortest distance path. A fluid communication channel is then provided within a geological formation between the production well and collection well, along the determined path. Fluid communication is provided between the production well and the collection well without intersecting the collection well with the production well, and without otherwise drilling a hole to connect the production well and collection well.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to test an acoustic sensor. Apparatus and methods can include collecting an acoustic wave from a transmitter of the acoustic sensor and directing the acoustic wave to a receiver of the acoustic sensor along a path different from the acoustic sensor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article may operate to move fluid from at least one fluid container into a flow line so as to cause the fluid to contact at least one surface having a condition affecting sensor information provided by a sensor. Additional activities may include adjusting operation of a fluid transport mechanism based on the sensor information and baseline information, to continue moving the fluid and change the condition until the fluid is depleted from the at least one fluid container or the sensor information conforms to the baseline information to a selected degree. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article may operate to move fluid from at least one fluid container into a flow line so as to cause the fluid to contact at least one surface having a condition affecting sensor information provided by a sensor. Additional activities may include adjusting operation of a fluid transport mechanism based on the sensor information and baseline information, to continue moving the fluid and change the condition until the fluid is depleted from the at least one fluid container or the sensor information conforms to the baseline information to a selected degree. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to test an acoustic sensor. Apparatus and methods can include collecting an acoustic wave from a transmitter of the acoustic sensor and directing the acoustic wave to a receiver of the acoustic sensor along a path different from the acoustic sensor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that may include separating modes in a plurality of coherent time-domain signals to form a plurality of separated modes, generating frequency coherence information for each of the plurality of separated modes, and combining the frequency coherence information for each of the plurality of separated modes to form combined frequency coherence information. An apparatus and system may include a processor and a storage device that can be encoded with computer-readable instructions, wherein the instructions when read and executed by the processor may include activities such as separating modes in a plurality of coherent time-domain signals, and recombining the modes in a frequency domain.

Abstract: A downhole crystal-based clock that is substantially insensitive to the factors that cause frequency deviation. The clock may be maintained at a predetermined temperature using a temperature sensing device and a heating device, where the predetermined temperature corresponds to the temperature at which the crystal experiences only slight frequency deviation as a function of temperature. A microprocessor may monitor the clock and compensate for long-term aging effects of the crystal according to a predetermined algorithm. The predetermined algorithm may represent long-term aging effects of the crystal which were derived by comparing the crystal clock to a more accurate clock (e.g., an atomic clock) prior to placing the clock downhole. In this manner, the crystal-based clock may be substantially free from the factors that cause frequency, and therefore time variations.

Abstract: A downhole crystal-based clock that is substantially insensitive to the factors that cause frequency deviation. The clock may be maintained at a predetermined temperature using a temperature sensing device and a heating device, where the predetermined temperature corresponds to the temperature at which the crystal experiences only slight frequency deviation as a function of temperature. A microprocessor may monitor the clock and compensate for long-term aging effects of the crystal according to a predetermined algorithm. The predetermined algorithm may represent long-term aging effects of the crystal which were derived by comparing the crystal clock to a more accurate clock (e.g., an atomic clock) prior to placing the clock downhole. In this manner, the crystal-based clock may be substantially free from the factors that cause frequency, and therefore time variations.