Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the generation of acoustic waves for acoustic stimulation, as well as for analysis of subterranean formations, using downhole tools and associated equipment that are not conventionally designed to do so. For example, in certain embodiments, formation testing tools, formation, measurement tools, inflatable packers, and so forth, may be controlled by control systems to, for example, create pressure pulses that generate the acoustic waves. In addition, in certain embodiments, a tool conveyance system that conveys a formation testing or measurement tool into a wellbore may include acoustic receivers that may detect the acoustic waves after they reflect from subterranean features of the formation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of evaluating characteristics of an earth formation, comprising deploying a packer assembly in a borehole penetrating an earth formation, the packer assembly comprising an instrumented inflatable packer element including fiber optic sensors; inflating the instrumented inflatable packer elements; detecting, using the fiber optic sensors, events occurring in the earth formation; and transmitting data corresponding to the detected events to a surface processing system. The disclosure also relates to a packer element and a instrumented packer assembly system. The disclosure may enable to derive formation characteristic in several configurations such as a stress test or a hydraulic fracturing configuration.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an expandable packer assembly that includes a mechanical flow assembly. In some embodiments, the mechanical flow assembly includes a fluid arm that directs a flow of fluid into an expandable element to inflate the expandable element, and a support arm that provides support to the fluid arm during inflation of the expandable element. In some embodiments, the mechanical flow assembly is rotatably coupled to a piston and a packer conduit of the expandable element via linkages.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of evaluating characteristics of an earth formation, comprising deploying a packer assembly in a borehole penetrating an earth formation, the packer assembly comprising an instrumented inflatable packer element including fiber optic sensors; inflating the instrumented inflatable packer elements; detecting, using the fiber optic sensors, events occurring in the earth formation; and transmitting data corresponding to the detected events to a surface processing system. The disclosure also relates to a packer element and a instrumented packer assembly system. The disclosure may enable to derive formation characteristic in several configurations such as a stress test or a hydraulic fracturing configuration.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an expandable packer assembly that includes a mechanical flow assembly. In some embodiments, the mechanical flow assembly includes a fluid arm that directs a flow of fluid into an expandable element to inflate the expandable element, and a support arm that provides support to the fluid arm during inflation of the expandable element. In some embodiments, the mechanical flow assembly is rotatably coupled to a piston and a packer conduit of the expandable element via linkages.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filling a pressure compensated fluid container with a liquid. An example method includes restraining movement of a piston slidably disposed within the fluid container in a first piston position, wherein the piston divides the fluid container into first and second portions. The method further includes pumping the liquid into the first portion to compress gas located within the first portion, stopping the pumping of the liquid into the first portion, and stopping the restraining of movement of the piston to permit the piston to move to a second piston position due to expansion of the gas compressed within the first portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filling a pressure compensated fluid container with a liquid. An example method includes restraining movement of a piston slidably disposed within the fluid container in a first piston position, wherein the piston divides the fluid container into first and second portions. The method further includes pumping the liquid into the first portion to compress gas located within the first portion, stopping the pumping of the liquid into the first portion, and stopping the restraining of movement of the piston to permit the piston to move to a second piston position due to expansion of the gas compressed within the first portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for borehole seismic investigation are provided. The devices are a downhole tool having gripping devices which may improve contact between the downhole tool and the borehole wall (or casing of the borehole wall) and reduce slippage as compared to downhole tools without the gripping devices. The methods involve lowering a downhole tool having the gripping devices into a borehole and applying force to cause the gripping devices to penetrate or create an indentation in the borehole wall (or casing of the borehole wall). The methods and devices may improve the coupling between the downhole tool and surface to be monitored and/or may enhance the frequency range due to higher coupling frequency as compared to downhole tools without the gripping devices.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing tool for use with a carrier disposed in a wellbore may include a base and a resilient clamp disposed around the base. The clamp may move between a retracted position, in which the clamp interior surface engages the carrier, and an expanded position, in which the clamp exterior surface engages the wellbore. A sensor is coupled to the clamp. An actuator is movable along the base and operably coupled to the clamp. The actuator is operable to move the clamp between the retracted and expanded positions and configured to maintain contact with the clamp in both the retracted and expanded positions so that movement of the actuator in a first direction causes the housing to move to the expanded position, and movement of the actuator in a second, opposite direction causes the housing to move to the retracted position.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing tool for use with a carrier disposed in a wellbore may include a base and a resilient clamp disposed around the base. The clamp may move between a retracted position, in which the clamp interior surface engages the carrier, and an expanded position, in which the clamp exterior surface engages the wellbore. A sensor is coupled to the clamp. An actuator is movable along the base and operably coupled to the clamp. The actuator is operable to move the clamp between the retracted and expanded positions and configured to maintain contact with the clamp in both the retracted and expanded positions so that movement of the actuator in a first direction causes the housing to move to the expanded position, and movement of the actuator in a second, opposite direction causes the housing to move to the retracted position.