Abstract: An apparatus for combined coring and drilling in a wellbore that includes a core drilling assembly with a coring drill head, an outer tubing for conveying forces to the drill head, an inner tubing with a lower end adapted for receiving a core sample. The apparatus further includes: a lifting device; closure elements with embedded cutting implements for cutting the core sample; and one or more controller device(s) for controlling activation and deactivation of the closure elements. The closure elements are connected to the core drilling assembly below an opening of the inner tubing such that, when in an open position the core sample can enter the inner tubing, and when in a closed position core material is cut and the cut core material is prevented from entering the inner tubing and exits to the borehole annulus via drill head openings provided in the wall of the coring drill head.

Abstract: An apparatus for combined coring and drilling in a wellbore includes a core drilling assembly with a coring drill head, an outer tubing for conveying forces to the drill head, an inner tubing with an upper end connected to a bearing assembly, and a lower end adapted for receiving a core sample. The apparatus further includes: a lifting device, for controlling the position of the inner tubing along the longitudinal axis of the core drilling assembly, that is connected to or is arranged as a part of the bearing assembly; closure elements with embedded cutting implements for cutting core sample; and one or more controller device(s) for controlling activation and deactivation of the closure elements.

Abstract: A core drilling apparatus and a method for converting between a core drilling assembly and a full-diameter drilling assembly by means of a lifting device and a coring drill head with closure elements and integrated cutting implements. The lifting device comprises a release mechanism that when activated, releases forces acting on the lifting device, such that when the lifting device is in an upper position when activated, the lifting device lowers an inner tubing thereby pushing the closure elements of the drill head in an open position, and when the lifting device is in a lower position when activated, the lifting device lifts the inner tubing from the closure elements such that the closure elements is in a closed or partly closed position.

Abstract: A technology is described of a system capable of altering between extracting a core sample from, or drilling of, a downhole subterrain formation. In coring mode the core is encapsulated downhole at in-situ conditions with a material capable of providing a pressure tight seal around the core, protecting the core and temporary storing the core downhole in an inner string for later retrieval. In drilling mode the unwanted sections of the core is grinded away and the material discarded. No tripping to surface is required to change the composition of the drillstring to alter between drilling mode and coring mode. Downhole sensor technology and intelligence is used to distinguish between areas of interest where the core is encapsulated and kept, and areas of no interest where the core is discarded.

Abstract: A technology is described of a system capable of altering between extracting a core sample from, or drilling of, a downhole subterrain formation. In coring mode the core is encapsulated downhole at in-situ conditions with a material capable of providing a pressure tight seal around the core, protecting the core and temporary storing the core downhole in an inner string for later retrieval. In drilling mode the unwanted sections of the core is grinded away and the material discarded. No tripping to surface is required to change the composition of the drillstring to alter between drilling mode and coring mode. Downhole sensor technology and intelligence is used to distinguish between areas of interest where the core is encapsulated and kept, and areas of no interest where the core is discarded.

Abstract: A formation pressure testing while drilling device on a bottomhole assembly makes measurements of fluid pressure during drilling of a borehole. Based on the pressure measurements, drilling direction can be altered to maintain the wellbore in a desired relation to a fluid contact. Acoustic transmitters and/or receivers on the bottomhole assembly can provide additional information about bed boundaries, faults and gas-water contacts.

Abstract: Flowable devices provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments. The flowable devices having unique addresses are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable devices are used for providing information to a downhole controller and/or retrieving information from a downhole device.

Abstract: This invention relates to flowable devices and methods of utilizing such flowable devices in wellbores to provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments, among downhole devices, establish a communication network in the wellbore, act as sensors, and act as power transfer devices. The flowable devices are adapted to move with a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable device may be memory device or a device that can provide a measure of a parameter of interest or act as a power transfer device. The flowable devices are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The fluid moves the device in the wellbore. If the device is a data exchange device, it may be channeled in a manner that enables a device in the wellbore to interact with the memory device, which may include retrieving information from the flowable device and/or recording information on the flowable device. The sensor in a flowable device can take a variety of measurement(s) in the wellbore.

Abstract: A formation pressure testing while drilling device on a bottomhole assembly makes measurements of fluid pressure during drilling of a borehole. Based on the pressure measurements, drilling direction can be altered to maintain the wellbore in a desired relation to a fluid contact. Acoustic transmitters and/or receivers on the bottomhole assembly can provide additional information about bed boundaries, faults and gas-water contacts.

Abstract: This invention relates to flowable devices and methods of utilizing such flowable devices in wellbores to provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments, among downhole devices, establish a communication network in the wellbore, act as sensors, and act as power transfer devices. The flowable devices are adapted to move with a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable device may be memory device or a device that can provide a measure of a parameter of interest or act as a power transfer device. The flowable devices are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The fluid moves the device in the wellbore. If the device is a data exchange device, it may be channeled in a manner that enables a device in the wellbore to interact with the memory device, which may include retrieving information from the flowable device and/or recording information on the flowable device. The sensor in a flowable device can take a variety of measurement(s) in the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining permeability of a subterranean formation is provided. The apparatus and method comprise a work string, at least one selectively extendable member mounted on the work string to isolate a portion of the annular space between the work string and borehole. A predetermined distance proportional to the radius of a control port separates at least two ports in the work string. A sensor operatively associated with each port is mounted in the work string for measuring at least one characteristic such as pressure of the fluid in the isolated section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining samples of pristine formation or; formation fluid, using a work string designed for performing other downhole work such as drilling, workover operations, or re-entry operations. An extendable element extends against the formation wall to obtain the pristine formation or fluid sample. The apparatus includes at least one extendable gripper element for anchoring the apparatus during testing and sampling operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to flowable devices and methods of utilizing such flowable devices in wellbores to provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments, among downhole devices, establish a communication network in the wellbore, act as sensors, and act as power transfer devices. The flowable devices are adapted to move with a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable device may be memory device or a device that can provide a measure of a parameter of interest or act as a power transfer device. The flowable devices are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The fluid moves the device in the wellbore. If the device is a data exchange device, it may be channeled in a manner that enables a device in the wellbore to interact with the memory device, which may include retrieving information from the flowable device and/or recording information on the flowable device. The sensor in a flowable device can take a variety of measurement(s) in the wellbore.

Abstract: This invention relates to flowable devices and methods of utilizing such flowable devices in wellbores to provide communicate between surface and downhole instruments, among downhole devices, establish a communication network in the wellbore, act as sensors, and act as power transfer devices. The flowable devices are adapted to move with a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The flowable device may be memory device or a device that can provide a measure of a parameter of interest or act as a power transfer device. The flowable devices are introduced into the flow of a fluid flowing in the wellbore. The fluid moves the device in the wellbore. If the device is a data exchange device, it may be channeled in a manner that enables a device in the wellbore to interact with the memory device, which may include retrieving information from the flowable device and/or recording information on the flowable device. The sensor in a flowable device can take a variety of measurement(s) in the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool and method for obtaining at least one parameter of interest such as pressure of a subterranean formation in-situ. The tool comprises a carrier member for conveying the tool into a borehole, at least one selectively extendable member mounted on the carrier member for separating the annulus into a first portion and a second portion, a first port exposable to formation fluid in the first portion, a second port exposable to a fluid containing drilling fluid in the second portion, a first sensor for determining a first value indicative of a first portion characteristic, a second sensor for determining a second value indicative of a second portion characteristic referenced to the first value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining permeability of a subterranean formation is provided. The apparatus and method comprise a work string, at least one selectively extendable member mounted on the work string to isolate a portion of the annular space between the work string and borehole. A predetermined distance proportional to the radius of a control port separates at least two ports in the work string. A sensor operatively associated with each port is mounted in the work string for measuring at least one characteristic such as pressure of the fluid in the isolated section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining samples of pristine formation or formation fluid, using a work string designed for performing other downhole work such as drilling, workover operations, or re-entry operations. An extendable element extends against the formation wall to obtain the pristine formation or fluid sample. While the test tool is in a standby condition, the extendable element is withdrawn within the work string, protected by other structure from damage during operation of the work string. The test apparatus is mounted on a sliding, non-rotating, sleeve on the work string.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining samples of pristine formation or formation fluid, using a work string designed for performing other downhole work such as drilling, workover operations, or re-entry operations. An extendable element extends against the formation wall to obtain the pristine formation or fluid sample. While the test tool is in standby condition, the extendable element is withdrawn within the work string, protected by other structure from damage during operation of the work string. The apparatus is used to sense or sample downhole conditions while using a work string, and the measurements or samples taken can be used to adjust working fluid properties without withdrawing the work string from the bore hole. When the extendable element is a packer, the apparatus can be used to prevent a kick from reaching the surface, adjust the density of the drilling fluid, and thereafter continuing use of the work string.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for obtaining samples of pristine formation fluid, using a work string designed for performing other downhole work such as drilling, workover operations, or re-entry operations. An extendable element extends against the formation wall to obtain the pristine fluid sample. While the test tool is in a standby condition, the extendable element is withdrawn within the work string, protected by other structure from damage during operation of the work string. The apparatus is used to sense downhole conditions while using a work string, and the measurements taken can be used to adjust working fluid properties without withdrawing the work string from the bore hole. When the extendable element is a packer, the apparatus can be used to prevent a kick from reaching the surface, adjust the density of the drilling fluid, and thereafter continuing use of the work string.