Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus for wireless communications in a drilling operations environment. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an instrument hub that is inline with drill pipe of a drill string. The instrument hub includes a sensor to receive downhole communications from downhole. The instrument hub also includes a transmitter to wireless transmit data representative of the downhole communications to a data processor unit.

Abstract: A method of testing a downhole formation using a formation tester on a drill string. The formation tester is disposed downhole on a drill string and a formation test is performed by forming a seal between a formation probe assembly and the formation. A drawdown piston then creates a volume within a cylinder to draw formation fluid into the volume through the probe assembly. The pressure of the fluid within the cylinder is monitored. The formation test procedure may then be adjusted. The test procedure may be adjusted to account for the bubble point pressure of the fluid being monitored. The pressure may monitored to verify a proper seal is formed or is being maintained. The test procedure may also be performed by maintaining a substantially constant drawdown rate using a hydraulic threshold or a variable restrictor.

Abstract: A downhole, extendable apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, the extendable apparatus includes a piston that extends toward a borehole wall, the piston having an inner sampling member that is also extendable. The sampling member may be further extended to engage the borehole wall and penetrate the formation. The sampling member may also include a screen and an inner scraper or wiper that frictionally engages the screen and reciprocates to remove debris from the screen. The piston may comprise a seal pad having an internal cavity for receiving a volume of fluid. In another embodiment, the extendable apparatus comprises multiple, concentric pistons for extending the sampling member further toward the borehole wall than is possible with a single piston. The extendable apparatus may also include a retraction contact switch and position indicator.

Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Once obtained, the formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, may be corrected, calibrated and supplemented using various other data and techniques disclosed herein. Furthermore, the formation property data may be used for numerous other purposes. For example, the data may be used to correct or supplement other information gathered from the borehole; it may be used to supplement formation images or models; or, it may be used to adjust a drilling or producing parameter. Various other uses of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole, extendable testing apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, an extendable sample device is connected to a draw down piston assembly. A position indicator may be used to show the position of the draw down piston during movement, and the draw down piston may be stopped and re-started, and moved at different rates. A filter may be used to clean fluids drawn into the extendable sample device. In another embodiment, the extendable sample device may connected to a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit may include accumulators for accumulating fluid pressures and operating the apparatus. Further apparatus and methods are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for downhole sampling are presented. The sampling system includes a control unit and a housing to engage a conduit. The housing at least partially encloses at least one formation sampler to collect a formation sample. The formation sampler is stored in a sampler carousel. A sampler propulsion system forces the formation sampler into the formation. The propulsion system is in communication with the control unit.