Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a presence of oil-based mud (OBM) in a downhole fluid. Methods include generating measurement values by measuring one or more gross physical properties of the downhole fluid with at least one sensor, the measurement values comprising at least one measurement value representative of each gross physical property; and estimating with at least one processor a relative concentration of OBM with respect to the downhole fluid by using a model correlating the measurement values with the relative concentration. Methods may include taking measurements from the downhole fluid in situ and/or estimating the relative concentration in real-time with respect to generating the measurement values. The model may comprise a correlation prediction function mapping the measurement values to the relative concentration, which may use the measurement values as input to predict the relative concentration.

Abstract: A sensor for obtaining downhole data includes a first piezoelectric layer. The sensor also includes a second piezoelectric layer having a trench extending a depth below a surface of the second piezoelectric layer. The sensor also includes an electrode positioned within the trench. The first piezoelectric layer is directly coupled to the second piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for detecting neutrons with a housing, a gas chamber at least partially defined by the housing, an anode extending through at least a portion of the gas chamber, and a pseudogas arranged within the gas chamber. The pseudogas comprises a mixture of gas and suspended solid particles that contain an element with a high cross-section for thermal neutron capture.

Abstract: A system for downhole optical imaging includes a housing forming at least a portion of a tool string. The system also includes a source arranged within the housing, the source emitting light through a window formed in the housing. The system further includes an imager arranged within the housing, the imager receiving imaging data through the window. The system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the imager, the control system processing the image data using one or more algorithms, the one or more algorithms modifying the imaging data based at least in part on a scattering material surrounding the housing.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a cutting element comprising a hard material and at least one of a signal generator configured to provide an electromagnetic or acoustic signal to an interface between a surface of the hard material and a surface of a subterranean formation, and a sensor configured to receive an electromagnetic or acoustic signal from the interface. A method of forming a wellbore includes rotating the earth-boring tool within a wellbore and cutting formation material with a cutting element, transmitting a signal through the cutting element to an interface between the cutting element and the formation material, and measuring a response received at a sensor. A cutting element includes a transmitter oriented and configured to dispense a signal to an interface between the cutting surface and a surface of a formation and a sensor oriented and configured to measure a signal from the interface.

Abstract: A method for forming a wellbore in an earth formation includes positioning a drill string in a wellbore; the drill string including a bottom hole assembly (BHA) that includes a steering unit, one or more sensors responsive to one or more formation properties, and one or more sensors responsive to the current orientation of the BHA in a wellbore. The method also includes receiving information from the BHA related to the formation properties and information related to a current orientation of the BHA in the wellbore and processing the information using computing device that is either a programmable optical computing device or a quantum computing device. The computing device calculates the position of formation features with respect to current wellbore position in real time and compare the current position to a prescribed path.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis system includes an optical sensor comprising, which includes a light source configured to emit light comprising a plurality of wavelengths, a light detector, and an optical tip through which at least a portion of the light travels and returns to the detector, wherein the incident angle of the light causes total internal reflection within the optical tip. The system further includes a piezoelectric helm resonator that generates a resonance response in response to an applied current, and an electromagnetic spectroscopy sensor positioned symmetrically with respect to the piezoelectric helm resonator in at least one direction. The light may be reflected in the optical tip at one or more reflection points, and each reflection point may generate an evanescent wave in a medium surrounding the optical tip. The light may be internally reflected in the optical tip at a plurality of reflection points.

Abstract: A thermal aging estimator for use in a borehole having an ambient temperature of at least 200° F. The estimator may include a thermal aging element positioned adjacent to a heat-sensitive component while in the ambient temperature of at least 200° F. The thermal aging element has a permanent change in an electrical property in response to a thermal exposure, which correlates to cumulative thermal damage from the thermal exposure. The change estimating circuit applies an electrical signal to the thermal aging element.

Abstract: A method for forming a wellbore in an earth formation includes positioning a drill string in a wellbore; the drill string including a bottom hole assembly (BHA) that includes a steering unit, one or more sensors responsive to one or more formation properties, and one or more sensors responsive to the current orientation of the BHA in a wellbore. The method also includes receiving information from the BHA related to the formation properties and information related to a current orientation of the BHA in the wellbore and processing the information using computing device that is either a programmable optical computing device or a quantum computing device. The computing device calculates the position of formation features with respect to current wellbore position in real time and compare the current position to a prescribed path.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more properties of a downhole fluid includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a location-sensitive optical detector, arranged within a chamber formed by the housing. The apparatus further includes a light source, arranged within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a lens, positioned at an end of the housing, the lens preferably having a flat side and a curved side, the flat side positioned proximate the chamber to position the flat side closer to the light source than the curved side. The apparatus further includes a mirror, arranged outside the housing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining an acoustic parameter of a downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly. Methods include transmitting a plurality of pulses; measuring values for at least one wave property measured for reflections of the plurality of pulses received at at least one acoustic receiver, including: a first value for a first reflection traveling a first known distance from a first acoustically reflective surface having a first known acoustic impedance, a second value for a second reflection traveling a second known distance substantially the same as the first known distance from a second acoustically reflective surface having a second known acoustic impedance, and a third value for a third reflection traveling a third known distance from a third acoustically reflective surface having a third known acoustic impedance substantially the same as the second acoustic impedance; and estimating the acoustic parameter using the values.

Abstract: An electrode includes a structure comprising a porous material and an electrically-conductive liquid covering at least a portion of the porous material, wherein the electrode is configured to be immersed in fluids of interest, the electrically-conductive liquid being immiscible in the fluids of interest.

Abstract: Systems and sensor elements for indirect monitoring of cumulative damage to downhole components are described. The systems include a sensor body defining an internal cavity with at least one electrical wear element located within the sensor body. A portion of the at least one electrical wear element electrically extends from the internal cavity, through the sensor body, and to an exterior of the sensor body. An abrasive substance is located within the internal cavity, the abrasive substance being moveable within the internal cavity to contact and erode material of the at least one electrical wear element such that erosion of the at least one electrical wear element causes a resistance of the at least one electrical wear element to increase.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for performing downhole optical fluid analysis including positioning an optical analysis tool in a downhole environment. The method also includes regulating a flow of a fluid sample into a reaction chamber of the optical analysis tool. The method further includes providing a catalyst within the reaction chamber that reacts with an analyte in the fluid sample to emit light. The method includes detecting the emitted light.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for manufacturing an electrical assembly, such as a completed downhole circuit board, for use in well logging. Methods include attaching an electrical component to a printed circuit board by mechanically fastening the electrical component to the printed circuit board. Methods may include using a laser to attach a plurality of legs to contact surfaces. Methods may include applying light from the laser to a material of the printed circuit board to produce heat, including mitigating reflection of the light from the material. Methods include forming a connection between a first electrical component of the electrical assembly and a second electrical component of the electrical assembly by causing heating of an additive manufacturing material by applying light from a laser. The connection may be at least one of: i) an electrical connection; ii) a structural connection; iii) an electrical insulation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for detecting neutrons with a housing, a gas chamber at least partially defined by the housing, an anode extending through at least a portion of the gas chamber, and a pseudogas arranged within the gas chamber. The pseudogas comprises a mixture of gas and suspended solid particles that contain an element with a high cross-section for thermal neutron capture.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus that includes an acoustic transducer, and a backing coupled to the transducer, wherein the backing includes solid grains with fluid between the grains.

Abstract: A method for estimating a chemical composition of hydrocarbons of interest includes: performing a measurement for each physical property of a plurality of physical properties of the hydrocarbons of interest using a sensor to provide a value for each different physical property being measured; and estimating the chemical composition of the hydrocarbons of interest by using a correlation prediction function for each chemical component in the chemical composition in terms of the different physical properties being measured.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for detecting neutrons with a housing, a gas chamber at least partially defined by the housing, an anode extending through at least a portion of the gas chamber, and a pseudogas arranged within the gas chamber. The pseudogas comprises a mixture of gas and suspended solid particles that contain an element with a high cross-section for thermal neutron capture.

Abstract: A method for performing a formation fluid test in a borehole penetrating a subsurface formation includes disposing a fluid tester in the borehole, extracting a sample of fluid from the subsurface formation using the fluid tester, and analyzing the sample using the fluid tester to provide test data for a process used to analyze the sample. The method also includes fitting an equation to the test data and calculating a ratio of a first derivative of the equation to a second derivative of the equation. The method further includes continuing to extract the sample from the subsurface formation in response to the ratio indicating a clean sample will be forthcoming and terminating the extracting of the sample from the subsurface formation in response to the ratio indicating a clean sample will not be forthcoming.