Abstract: A well casing detection system includes a well casing and a ranging tool. The well casing includes a beacon with a resonant structure and a power supply. The ranging tool includes a magnetic field inducer, a magnetic field detector, and a power supply. This detection system is used to remotely detect well casing while it is deployed in a well, and may be used in conjunction with measurement while drilling (MWD) methods, logging while drilling (LWD) methods, coiled tubing drilling methods, steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), and wireline drilling methods, such that an operator may simultaneously direct the operation of a drill while operating the detection system.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a property of a sample of fluid in a borehole. A fluid sample is collected in a downhole tool. While collecting, X-rays are transmitted proximate the fluid from an X-ray source in the tool and an X-ray flux that is a function of a property of the fluid is detected. The detected X-ray flux data is processed to determine the property of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for communicating data in an offshore data communication system comprises measuring L/MWD data with a sensor disposed in a bottomhole assembly positioned in a subsea borehole. The bottomhole assembly is disposed along a drillstring extending through the subsea borehole. In addition, the method comprises communicating the L/MWD data from the bottomhole assembly to the seafloor with a telemetry signal. Further, the method comprises receiving the telemetry signal with at least one telemetry transducer positioned proximal the sea floor. Still further, the method comprises processing the telemetry signal at the seafloor to produce a processed signal. Moreover, the method comprises transmitting the processed signal from the sea floor to the sea surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate control the operation of a fluid pulse source using drilling fluid to excite vibrations in a shock sub, increasing the axial vibration in a drill string to reduce static friction between the drill string and a formation surrounding the drill string. The vibrations are excited at a fundamental frequency that is outside of the operational communications frequency range of an associated acoustic telemetry communications system. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole electromagnetic telemetry system and method whereby electrically insulating material is placed above and/or below an electrical current launching device or receiver along a well string in order to extend the range of the telemetry system, increase the telemetry rate, and/or reduce downhole power requirements.

Abstract: A fracture sensing system and method is disclosed herein. The method may include positioning a transmitter and a receiver in a borehole and magnetizing a casing disposed within the borehole to magnetically saturate the casing. The transmitter and receiver may be located inside or outside of the casing. The method may also include inducing with the transmitter an electromagnetic field in a formation surrounding the borehole. The method may also comprise receiving the induced electromagnetic field at the receiver. The induced electromagnetic field may identify a fracture within the formation based, at least in part, on a contrast agent within the fracture.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may include operating a positive displacement motor having a pair of output orifices comprising a selectably movable outer output orifice disposed proximate to a fixed inner output orifice. Operation may include rotating the outer output orifice about the longitudinal axis of the motor when drilling fluid is flowing through the pair of orifices to control fluid pressure pulse amplitude from the outer output orifice. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating an axial shear wave in a formation surrounding a wellbore comprising urging a clamp pad into contact with a wall of the wellbore, and applying an axial force to the clamp pad to impart a shear force into the wall of the wellbore to generate a shear wave in the formation.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, a system includes a drill string having a drill bit. The drill string extends through at least part of a well bore. The system also includes a first vibrational sensor, positioned on the drill bit to measure, at a first location on the drill string, an amplitude of one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system also includes a second vibrational sensor, positioned above the drill bit and on the drill string. The second vibration sensor is to measure, at a second location on the drill string, one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system includes a processor unit to determine a type of vibration based on a comparison of the amplitude at the first location to the amplitude at the second location, wherein the type of vibration is at least one of bit whirl of the drill bit and a while of a bottom hole assembly that is part of the drill string.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, a system includes a drill string having a drill bit. The drill string extends through at least part of a well bore. The system also includes a first vibrational sensor, positioned on the drill bit to measure, at a first location on the drill string, an amplitude of one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system also includes a second vibrational sensor, positioned above the drill bit and on the drill string. The second vibration sensor is to measure, at a second location on the drill string, one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system includes a processor unit to determine a type of vibration based on a comparison of the amplitude at the first location to the amplitude at the second location, wherein the type of vibration is at least one of bit whirl of the drill bit and a while of a bottom hole assembly that is part of the drill string.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a gasket configured for positioning between an end of a first drill pipe and an end of a second drill pipe, wherein the end of the first drill pipe includes an inductive coil ring and the end of the second drill pipe includes an inductive coil ring. The gasket includes an outer ring that is comprised of an elastic magnetic material that is essentially nonconductive. The outer ring has a diameter that is greater than the diameters of the inductive coil rings. The gasket includes an inner ring that is comprised of an elastic magnetic material that is essentially nonconductive. The inner ring has a diameter that is smaller than the diameters of the inductive coil rings, wherein the gasket is to be positioned such that the outer ring and the inner ring are outside and inside, respectively, the diameters of the inductive coil rings.

Abstract: A wellbore communication system includes a first downhole positionable cable spool and a second downhole positionable cable spool. A downhole relay receives and repeats power and/or data signals between cables of the first and second cable spools.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, a system includes a drill string having a drill bit. The drill string extends through at least part of a well bore. The system also includes a first vibrational sensor, positioned on the drill bit to measure, at a first location on the drill string, an amplitude of one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system also includes a second vibrational sensor, positioned above the drill bit and on the drill string. The second vibration sensor is to measure, at a second location on the drill string, one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system includes a processor unit to determine a type of vibration based on a comparison of the amplitude at the first location to the amplitude at the second location, wherein the type of vibration is at least one of bit whirl of the drill bit and a while of a bottom hole assembly that is part of the drill string.

Abstract: A well bore is drilled in the formation. Cuttings are retrieved from the well bore while drilling the formation and a hyperspectral image of the cuttings is continuously obtained. The hyperspectral image of the cuttings is analyzed to determine formation characteristics.

Abstract: A downhole sensor calibration apparatus includes a rotational or gimbaling mechanism for guiding a sensing axis of an orientation responsive sensor through a three-dimensional orbit about three orthogonal axes. A method includes using measurements taken over the three-dimensional orbit to calibrate the sensor and determine other characteristics of the sensor or tool.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a gasket configured for positioning between an end of a first drill pipe and an end of a second drill pipe, wherein the end of the first drill pipe includes an inductive coil ring and the end of the second drill pipe includes an inductive coil ring. The gasket includes an outer ring that is comprised of an elastic magnetic material that is essentially nonconductive. The outer ring has a diameter that is greater than the diameters of the inductive coil rings. The gasket includes an inner ring that is comprised of an elastic magnetic material that is essentially nonconductive. The inner ring has a diameter that is smaller than the diameters of the inductive coil rings, wherein the gasket is to be positioned such that the outer ring and the inner ring are outside and inside, respectively, the diameters of the inductive coil rings.

Abstract: A magnetostrictor assembly (100) includes a magnetostrictor element (105), a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictor element, and a bluff body (101) coupled to the magnetostrictor element via a transfer arm (103). The bluff body is to be placed in a fluid flow path to, at least in part, produce motion that, at least in part, causes strain in the magnetostrictor element. A preload mechanism comprising a control circuit (1100) may optimize a magnetostrictive generator.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to monitor a first condition associated with transmitting or receiving a signal in a formation or on a drill string, or both, over a first selected interval of a drill string located down hole; to monitor a second condition associated with transmitting or receiving the signal in the formation or on the drill string or both, over a second selected interval of the drill string; to compare the first condition to the second condition to provide a comparison result; and based on the comparison result, to select one of the first selected interval or the second selected interval to transmit or receive the signal in the formation or on the drill string, or both. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method may operate to mount one or more communication assemblies relative to the exterior of a casing being placed in a borehole. Two communication assemblies can be placed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another along the casing, wherein each communication assembly is configured to obtain excitation responses from electrodes of a fluid sensing component, where the excitation responses vary based on properties of fluids in one or more regions of the annulus surrounding the casing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Downhole positioning systems and associated methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a downhole source, an array of receivers, and a data hub. The downhole source transmits an electromagnetic positioning signal that is received by the array of receivers. The data hub collects amplitude and/or phase measurements of the electromagnetic positioning signal from receivers in the array and combines these measurements to determine the position of the downhole source. The position may be tracked over time to determine the source's path. The position calculation may take various forms, including determination of a source-to-receiver distance for multiple receivers in the array, coupled with geometric analysis of the distances to determine source position. The electromagnetic positioning signal may be in the sub-hertz frequency range.