Abstract: A system and method to synchronize distributed measurements in a borehole are described. The system includes a plurality of wired segments coupled together by couplers and a plurality of nodes configured to measure, process, or relay information obtained in the borehole to a surface processing system, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a local clock and being disposed at one of the couplers or between couplers. The system also includes a surface processing system coupled to a master clock and configured to determine a time offset between the master clock and the local clock of an nth node among the plurality of nodes based on a downhole generated synchronization signal.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method which includes transmitting signals over a time period between a downhole location and a surface location during drilling of a wellbore; recording the time of each signal at the surface using a surface clock and the time of each signal downhole using a downhole clock; and correcting the downhole measurements using the recorded times.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a mud-pulse telemetry system, the system including: a plurality of sensors distributed along a drill string adapted for being disposed in a borehole, each sensor configured to perform a measurement of a characteristic of at least one of mud in a column within the borehole and a mud-pulse telemetry signal propagating in the mud; and a processing unit for receiving the measurements, the processing unit comprising an algorithm to compile a data set from the measurements and to determine a parameter of the mud-pulse telemetry system using the data set to optimize the mud-pulse telemetry system. A method and a computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method to synchronize distributed measurements in a borehole are described. The system includes a plurality of wired segments coupled together by couplers and a plurality of nodes configured to measure, process, or relay information obtained in the borehole to a surface processing system, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a local clock and being disposed at one of the couplers or between couplers. The system also includes a surface processing system coupled to a master clock and configured to determine a time offset between the master clock and the local clock of an nth node among the plurality of nodes based on a downhole generated synchronization signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating at least one of a dynamic motion of a portion of interest of a drill string and a static parameter associated with the portion of interest, the apparatus having: a plurality of sensors operatively associated with the drill string at at least one location other than the portion of interest; and a processing system coupled to the plurality of sensors, the processing system configured to estimate at least one of the dynamic motion and the static parameter using a measurement from the plurality of sensors as input.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously flowing drilling fluid along a drill string includes a continuous circulation device having at least a first fluid path in fluid communication with a top drive and a second fluid path in communication with a diverter. The diverter is in selective fluid communication with a pipe stand associated with the drills string. The apparatus also includes at least one sensor that estimates at least one operating parameter associated with the continuous circulation device. A related method includes using a continuous circulation device as described to manipulate the drill string and controlling the continuous circulation device using at least one sensor configured to estimate at least one operating parameter associated with the continuous circulation device.

Abstract: A method of processing data generated from an energy industry or oilfield operation includes: receiving a data set representing parameter values generated during at least a portion of the operation, the parameter values including values of a plurality of parameters relating to the operation; dividing the data set into a plurality of data subsets, each data subset including values for multiple parameters; determining a measure of similarity between data in each subset relative to data in one or more other subsets; displaying a map of the data set in at least two dimensions, the map including a visual representation of each subset positioned relative to a visual representation of the one or more other subsets based on the measure of similarity; and analyzing the map to estimate a condition associated with the operation.

Abstract: A system for measuring a formation parameter, the system including: a formation parameter test device having: a structure capable of segregating a discrete volume including a formation interface surface within a well, and a parameter sensor in operable communication with the volume; a high bandwidth communications system in operable communication with the parameter sensor; and a processing unit in operable communication with the high bandwidth communications system and disposed remotely from the parameter sensor, the processing unit configured to receive parameter data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of locating and quantifying friction between a drillstring and a wellbore. The method includes, positioning a plurality of sensors within a wellbore, communicatively coupling the plurality of sensors, monitoring signals from the plurality of sensors, logging the sensed signals versus time versus depth of each of the plurality of sensors, locating at least one friction zone along the drillstring within the wellbore based on the logging and quantifying friction in the at least one friction zone based on the logging.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing communications between a first device disposed at a tubular and a second device, the tubular having tubular sections and being configured to be disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus including: a first optical coupler configured to be coupled to a first tubular section and configured to be in optical communication with the first device using a first optical transmission medium disposed at the first tubular section; and a second optical coupler configured to be coupled to a second tubular section and configured to be in optical communication with the second device using a second optical transmission medium disposed at the second tubular section; wherein the first optical coupler is configured to be perimetrically disposed about the second optical coupler to be in communication with the second optical coupler to provide the communications between the first device and the second device.

Abstract: A method for estimating a temperature within sub-surface materials traversed by a wellbore includes: obtaining temperature data from a plurality of measurements of temperature taken within the wellbore; calculating an overall heat transfer coefficient from the measurement data; calculating a geothermal gradient from the overall heat transfer coefficient; and using the geothermal gradient to estimate the temperature within the sub-surface materials. A system and a computer program product are provided.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a rate-of-penetration of a drill string includes a plurality of sensors in operable communication with the drill string and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller is connectable to a downhole active vibration control device and capable of outputting a signal to the downhole active vibration control device for optimizing the rate-of-penetration of the drill string.

Abstract: A method for estimating an inclination and azimuth at a bottom of a borehole includes forming a last survey point including a last inclination and a last azimuth; receiving at a computing device bending moment and at least one of a bending toolface measurement and a near bit inclination measurement from one or more sensors in the borehole; and forming the estimate by comparing possible dogleg severity (DLS) values with the bending moment value.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a rate-of-penetration of a drill string includes a plurality of sensors in operable communication with the drill string and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller is connectable to a downhole active vibration control device and capable of outputting a signal to the downhole active vibration control device for optimizing the rate-of-penetration of the drill string.

Abstract: A perforating system, comprising a perforating gun with shaped charges, and a pre-detonation orientation apparatus and method. The pre-detonation orientation device comprises an orientation device in communication with the firing means of the perforating gun. Detonation of the shaped charges can be contingent upon the perforating gun orientation.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a rate-of-penetration of a drill string includes a plurality of sensors in operable communication with the drill string; and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller is connectable to a drill string motivator and capable of outputting a signal to the drill string motivator for optimizing the rate-of-penetration of the drill string, and the signal is configured to provide at least one of weight on bit, an amount of speed to rotate the drill string, an amount of torque to be applied to the drill string, and an amount of mudflow to the drill string.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating data between a downhole tool and a surface controller is provided that comprises a rotating drill string extending in a borehole and having a downhole telemetry module disposed proximate a bottom end thereof and transmitting a first signal across a telemetry channel. A surface telemetry module is disposed proximate a top end of the rotating drill string and is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the downhole telemetry module across the transmission channel. The surface telemetry module has a radio frequency transmitter disposed therein for transmitting a second signal related to the first signal. A stationary communication module has a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the second signal.

Abstract: A perforating system, comprising a perforating gun with shaped charges, and a pre-detonation orientation apparatus and method. The pre-detonation orientation device comprises an orientation device in communication with the firing means of the perforating gun. Detonation of the shaped charges can be contingent upon the perforating gun orientation.

Abstract: A system for measuring directional characteristics of a downhole tool includes: at least one bending moment (BM) measurement device disposed at a downhole component, the at least one BM measurement device configured to generate bending moment data at at least one depth in the borehole, the bending moment data including a bending vector of the downhole tool, a bending moment representing an amplitude of the bending vector, and a bending tool face (BTF) angle representing an orientation of the bending vector; and a processor in operable communication with the BM measurement device and configured to receive bending moment data from the BM measurement device, calculate a dogleg severity (DLS) from the bending moment and a well tool face (WTF) angle from the BTF angle, and calculate at least one of a change in inclination and a change in azimuth based on the DLS and the WTF angle.

Abstract: A method for generating corrected geologic depth information is disclosed. The method includes: estimating a depth of each of a plurality of different locations along a length of a drillstring disposed in a borehole; measuring at least one environmental factor at each of the plurality of different locations and determining a deformation of the drillstring at each of the plurality of different locations from the measured environmental factor; and generating a non-linear model of the deformation along the length relative to a reference point. A system and computer program product for generating corrected geologic depth information is also disclosed.