Abstract: In general, in one aspect, embodiments relate to a method that includes assembling a downhole tool from a plurality of subassemblies with a robotic tool assembly disposed on a subsea tree at a sea-floor in a subsea environment. The method may also include introducing the downhole tool into a wellbore, traversing the wellbore with the downhole tool to reach one or more target depths, performing at least a wellbore operation with the downhole tool at the one or more target depths, and retrieving the downhole tool from the wellbore after performing the wellbore operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotary steerable tool operable to steer a drill bit for drilling a wellbore. In some embodiments, the rotary steerable tool is operable in an acknowledgment mode to confirm receipt of a downlink transmission by performing a detectable acknowledgement action that continues to rotate the drill bit, but temporarily suspends the steering of the drill bit for a period of time by maintaining the valve motor in a stationary rotational position relative to the valve.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a bottom hole assembly that comprises a stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly operable to generate a magnetic field. The stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly comprises a coil comprising a plurality of windings and a sleeve, wherein the coil is disposed within the sleeve. The bottom hole assembly further comprises a solenoid control assembly disposed adjacent to the stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly, wherein the solenoid control assembly is communicatively coupled to a controller and electrically connected to the coil and a mud motor comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein the stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly is disposed around the mud motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a wellbore include delivering electrical energy to a downhole end of the wellbore. A tapered drill string, with larger drill pipes connected in an up-hole portion with a turbine and an electrical generator and a smaller drill pipes coupled in downhole portion may be used to deliver the electrical power. A turbine and generator may be sufficiently sized to harvest the necessary hydraulic energy and safely operated in a subterranean environment. A lower portion system carried by the downhole portion of the drill string is electrically coupled to the generator through the downhole portion of the drill string to utilize the electric power provided by the electrical generator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotary steerable tool operable to steer a drill bit for drilling a wellbore. In some embodiments, the rotary steerable tool is operable in an acknowledgment mode to confirm receipt of a downlink transmission by performing a detectable acknowledgement action that continues to rotate the drill bit, but temporarily suspends the steering of the drill bit for a period of time by maintaining the valve motor in a stationary rotational position relative to the valve.

Abstract: An extendable member diagnostic assembly determines performance of one or more components of a rotary steerable system. Based on the determined performance, an operation can be altered, such as a drilling operation. Performance may be based on measurements received from one or more sensors associated with components of the extendable member diagnostic assembly. For example, performance may be based on the time to transition a valve between states where the valve controls actuation of an extendable member, downhole temperature, downhole pressure or any other factors that affect performance of components that are used to perform the drilling operation. A controller receives the measurements from the one or more sensors and updates baseline parameters to determine an accurate performance. Using real time data to determine performance increases efficiency of an operation by eliminating unnecessary replacement of components and indicating that a downhole tool should be retrieved prior to failure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a bottom hole assembly that comprises a stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly operable to generate a magnetic field. The stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly comprises a coil comprising a plurality of windings and a sleeve, wherein the coil is disposed within the sleeve. The bottom hole assembly further comprises a solenoid control assembly disposed adjacent to the stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly, wherein the solenoid control assembly is communicatively coupled to a controller and electrically connected to the coil and a mud motor comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein the stator solenoid winding transmitter assembly is disposed around the mud motor.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit, a drill bit including a first pair of electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive a first electrical pulse from the pulse-generating circuit and form a first electrical arc between the first pair of electrodes during a pulsed drilling operation. The system further includes a sensor to record responses to the first electrical pulse during the pulsed drilling operation and a sensor analysis system communicatively coupled to the sensor, where the sensor analysis system is configured to obtain a first measurement from the sensor representing the responses recorded by the sensor during the pulsed drilling operation. Additionally, the system may determine a first value of a dielectric constant associated with a portion of a formation in proximity to the drill bit, where the first value of the dielectric constant is based on the first measurement.

Abstract: An extendable member diagnostic assembly determines performance of one or more components of a rotary steerable system. Based on the determined performance, an operation can be altered, such as a drilling operation. Performance may be based on measurements received from one or more sensors associated with components of the extendable member diagnostic assembly. For example, performance may be based on the time to transition a valve between states where the valve controls actuation of an extendable member, downhole temperature, downhole pressure or any other factors that affect performance of components that are used to perform the drilling operation. A controller receives the measurements from the one or more sensors and updates baseline parameters to determine an accurate performance. Using real time data to determine performance increases efficiency of an operation by eliminating unnecessary replacement of components and indicating that a downhole tool should be retrieved prior to failure.

Abstract: A pipe in pipe electric heater assembly comprising a work string comprising an inner pipe and an outer pipe and a heater element, wherein the heater element is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors and associated methods.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a pulse-generating circuit, a drill bit including a first pair of electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive a first electrical pulse from the pulse-generating circuit and form a first electrical arc between the first pair of electrodes during a pulsed drilling operation; a sensor to record responses to the first electrical pulse during the pulsed drilling operation; and a sensor analysis system communicatively coupled to the sensor, the sensor analysis system configured to obtain a first measurement from the sensor representing the responses recorded by the sensor during the pulsed drilling operation, and determine a first value of the dielectric constant associated with a portion of a formation in proximity to the drill bit, the first value of the dielectric constant based on the first measurement.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a roller cone drill bit having a roller cone and at least one antenna loop disposed in the roller cone for detecting magnetic or electromagnetic waves indicative of a target, a resistivity, or a boundary of the subterranean formation, man-made structure, or object. The drilling system may utilize the antenna loop to determine resistivity measurements of a subterranean formation through which the drill bit is being drilled. The location of the antenna in the roller cone may enable increased look-ahead and look-around measurements. In addition, the location of the antenna in the roller cone may facilitate anisotropic resistivity measurements to aid in steering the drill string into a desired portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An example method for control of a drilling assembly includes receiving measurement data from at least one sensor coupled to an element of the drilling assembly positioned in a formation. An operating constraint for at least a portion of the drilling assembly may be determined based, at least in part, on a model of the formation and a set of offset data. A control signal may be generated to alter one or more drilling parameters of the drilling assembly based, at least in part, on the measurement data and the operating constraint. The control signal may be transmitted to a controllable element of the drilling assembly.

Abstract: A drill bit analysis and optimization system for use in a wellbore is provided. The system includes a drill bit including a cutter, a sensor that collects a data signal on a surface of the drill bit proximate to the cutter, and a signal processor unit that receives the data signal from the sensor and receives the expected drilling properties from the data reservoir. The processor analyzes the data signal to detect a resistivity profile from the sensor through a formation and optimizes a drilling parameter by comparing actual drilling properties with expected drilling properties.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to transmit a data signal along a transmission line extending lengthwise along a drill string, the transmission line comprising an outer conductive path provided by a tubular wall of a drill pipe that extends along the drill string; and an internal conductive path extending along an interior passage that is bounded by a radially inner cylindrical surface of the drill pipe and along which drilling fluid is conveyed, the inner conductive path being substantially insulated from the outer conductive path. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing data from radially-oriented look-ahead sensors coupled to a drill bit are disclosed herein. A system comprises a processor, a memory, and a data analysis module. The data analysis module is operable to receive formation information from each of a plurality of formation sensors coupled to a downhole drilling system, the formation information being associated with one or more properties of a formation at a depth in front of the downhole drilling system, receive angular information from one or more orientation sensors coupled to the downhole drilling system, the angular information being associated with the formation information, compile sensor data based on the formation information and the angular information, and generate a visualization based on the sensor data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ranging from ahead of a drill bit is described. The ranging apparatus includes a ranging probe with at least one sensor that may be deployed ahead of the drill bit. The ranging probe may be conveyed via a cable through the interior of a drill string. In an alternative embodiment, the ranging probe may be attached to a ram that is seated inside of the drill string and that may be extended and retracted. In such an embodiment, the ranging probe may be retrievable by cable. The ranging probe optionally includes collapsible arms that retract when the ranging probe is inside the drill string or drill bit and that extend when the ranging probe is deployed ahead of the drill bit. One or more ranging sensors may be coupled to the collapsible arms. Ranging measurements may be communicated to the surface using telemetry.

Abstract: A wellbore ranging system includes a processor, a memory, and a wellbore ranging module. The wellbore ranging module is operable to receive survey information in response to a survey measurement signal and determine a location of a first wellbore in a formation. The wellbore ranging module is further operable to receive first ranging information in response to a first ranging measurement signal and determine, based on the first ranging information, a location of a second wellbore in the formation and a second wellbore location error associated with the determined location of the second wellbore in the formation. The wellbore ranging module is also operable to determine, using the location of the first wellbore, the location of the second wellbore, and the second wellbore location error, a next location at which to send a second ranging measurement signal.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus, sensor, system and method. The drilling apparatus includes a drill bit and a steering controller that steers the drill bit. The drilling apparatus includes a reluctance sensor system that measures changes in magnetic flux. The reluctance sensor includes two or more magnets creating a bucking effect. The drilling apparatus includes a processor in communication with the reluctance sensor that receives the measurements made by the reluctance sensor to determine a distance or direction to a target object. The distance is utilized by the steering controller to steer the drill bit.

Abstract: An example slip-ring interface may include a first section and a second section rotationally independent from the first section. At least one conductor path between the first section and the second section may be selectively associated with and dedicated to the transmission of signals with a first signal type. At least one conductor path between the first section and the second section may be selectively associated with and dedicated to the transmission of signals with a second signal type. If error conditions occur, the signal types associated with one or more of the conductor paths may be changed so that signals of both the first and second signal types are transmitted across the interface.