Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore. The drill string includes a drill collar, a drill bit, and survey sensors (e.g., a triaxial accelerometer set and a triaxial magnetometer set) deployed therein. The triaxial accelerometer set and the triaxial magnetometer set make corresponding accelerometer and magnetometer measurements while drilling (rotating). These measurements are synchronized to obtain synchronized accelerometer and magnetometer measurements and then further processed to compute at least an inclination and an azimuth of the subterranean wellbore while drilling. The method may further optionally include changing a direction of drilling the subterranean wellbore in response to the computed inclination and azimuth.

Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore. The drill string includes a drill collar, a drill bit, and survey sensors (e.g., a triaxial accelerometer set and a triaxial magnetometer set) deployed therein. The triaxial accelerometer set and the triaxial magnetometer set make corresponding accelerometer and magnetometer measurements while drilling (rotating). These measurements are synchronized to obtain synchronized accelerometer and magnetometer measurements and then further processed to compute at least an inclination and an azimuth of the subterranean wellbore while drilling. The method may further optionally include changing a direction of drilling the subterranean wellbore in response to the computed inclination and azimuth.

Abstract: A method for automatically evaluating a survey of a subterranean wellbore includes receiving downhole navigation sensor measurements and automatically evaluating surface sensor data obtained at substantially the same time as the navigation sensor measurements to determine whether or not the navigation sensor measurements were obtained during satisfactory wellbore survey conditions. The navigation sensor measurements are evaluated to determine whether or not they meet certain predetermined conditions necessary for obtaining a satisfactory survey. A survey recommendation is automatically generating based on the automatic evaluations performed.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system including a plurality of inclinometers in offset wellbores and a processing unit for receiving a vibration signal from the inclinometers and determining a distance between the offset wellbore and a central wellbore based on the vibration signal. Also, a method of avoiding wellbore collisions by determining relative movement of a drill bit within a central wellbore including the steps of determining an original distance between the central wellbore and an offset wellbore, drilling in the central wellbore so that the drill bit moves a known distance with respect to the offset wellbore, capturing vibration readings during the drilling step, characterizing movement of the drill bit based on the drilling step, and calculating drill bit movement during drilling with respect to the offset wellbore based upon the characterizing step.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system including a plurality of inclinometers in offset wellbores and a processing unit for receiving a vibration signal from the inclinometers and determining a distance between the offset wellbore and a central wellbore based on the vibration signal. Also, a method of avoiding wellbore collisions by determining relative movement of a drill bit within a central wellbore including the steps of determining an original distance between the central wellbore and an offset wellbore, drilling in the central wellbore so that the drill bit moves a known distance with respect to the offset wellbore, capturing vibration readings during the drilling step, characterizing movement of the drill bit based on the drilling step, and calculating drill bit movement during drilling with respect to the offset wellbore based upon the characterizing step.