Abstract: A method of managing bottom hole assembly vibrations while drilling a wellbore including obtaining data regarding drilling parameters related to one or more drilling operations, determining if the bottom hole assembly has vibration levels outside of the range of normal operation parameters, modifying the drilling mud formulation to alter at least one of its physical properties and rheological properties to keep or maintain the vibration levels of the bottom hole assembly within the range of normal operation parameters, and mitigating the vibrations.

Abstract: A method of managing bottom hole assembly vibrations while drilling a wellbore including obtaining data regarding drilling parameters related to one or more drilling operations, determining if the bottom hole assembly has vibration levels outside of the range of normal operation parameters, modifying the drilling mud formulation to alter at least one of its physical properties and rheological properties to keep or maintain the vibration levels of the bottom hole assembly within the range of normal operation parameters, and mitigating the vibrations.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a rate-of-penetration of a drill bit is provided, which in one embodiment includes a first sensor positioned on a drill bit configured to provide a first measurement of a parameter at a selected location in a formation at a first time, and a second sensor positioned spaced a selected distance from the first sensor to provide a second measurement of the parameter at the selected location at a second time when the drill bit travels downhole. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to estimate the rate-of-penetration using the selected distance and the first and second times.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for continuously powering tools downhole for extended periods of time, such as for the life of the producing well. Batteries may power the downhole tools, but traditionally, the batteries may last up to 2 years, and in some cases, up to 5 years may be reached with an optimized data sampling rate and power management scheme. After that time, operations may be halted temporarily for replacing the batteries. According to embodiments of the present invention, in contrast, rechargeable batteries may be utilized downhole to provide power to operate the tools, and rather than halting operations and retrieving the rechargeable batteries to the surface for recharging, reserve batteries may be used for recharging the rechargeable batteries. In many cases, these well tools may be designed to operate for a long period of time (e.g., around 10-20 years), depending on the life of the producing well.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be a witness material that may change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit. The module may detect when the witness material is separated from the bit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for continuously powering tools downhole for extended periods of time, such as for the life of the producing well. Batteries may power the downhole tools, but traditionally, the batteries may last up to 2 years, and in some cases, up to 5 years may be reached with an optimized data sampling rate and power management scheme. After that time, operations may be halted temporarily for replacing the batteries. According to embodiments of the present invention, in contrast, rechargeable batteries may be utilized downhole to provide power to operate the tools, and rather than halting operations and retrieving the rechargeable batteries to the surface for recharging, reserve batteries may be used for recharging the rechargeable batteries. In many cases, these well tools may be designed to operate for a long period of time (e.g., around 10-20 years), depending on the life of the producing well.

Abstract: In one aspect, a removable module or sub is provided for use in drilling a wellbore, which sub in one embodiment may include a body having a pin end and a box end configured for coupling between two members of a drill string, the body having a bore therethrough for flow of a fluid, and a sensor disposed in a pressure-sealed chamber in one of the pin end and the box end and configured to provide measurements relating to a downhole condition.

Abstract: A bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; embedding at least one electrical circuit into the bit, the circuit including a temperature sensor; and providing a module to monitor the circuits and generate an indication of bit wear. The electrical circuit may experience a change in resistance or conductivity due to wear of the bit and/or changes in an earth formation adjacent the bit. The bit wear and/or formation changes may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be a witness material that may change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit. The module may detect when the witness material is separated from the bit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be a witness material that may change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit. The module may detect when the witness material is separated from the bit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a rate-of-penetration of a drill bit is provided, which in one embodiment includes a first sensor positioned on a drill bit configured to provide a first measurement of a parameter at a selected location in a formation at a first time, and a second sensor positioned spaced a selected distance from the first sensor to provide a second measurement of the parameter at the selected location at a second time when the drill bit travels downhole. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to estimate the rate-of-penetration using the selected distance and the first and second times.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for supporting a drill bit for repair. The spindle assembly includes a plurality of stepped segments of ever-decreasing diameter above a base, each segment sized to be received in a bore of a service cap inserted in the shank of a bit to be repaired. An end-cap for carrying an electronics module includes an end-cap body comprising a bore of similar diameter to the service cap bore diameter, but having one or more lugs protruding radially thereinto to prevent a spindle segment from entering the end cap bore so that the drill bit cannot be supported on the spindle.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be one or more electrical circuits that may experience a change in resistance or conductivity due to wear of the bit. The module may determine wear by detecting an open circuit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be a witness material that may change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit. The module may detect when the witness material is separated from the bit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation includes a plurality of cutting elements and a shank extending from a bit body. A set of accelerometers disposed in the drill bit include a radial accelerometer and a tangential accelerometer. An annular chamber is formed within the shank. A data evaluation module is disposed in the annular chamber and includes a processor, a memory, and a communication port. The data evaluation module is configured for performing a bit acceleration analysis. The analysis includes sampling acceleration information from the radial accelerometer and the tangential accelerometer over an analysis period and storing the acceleration information in the memory to generate an acceleration history. The acceleration history is analyzed to determine a cutting effectiveness of the cutting elements responsive to changes in the acceleration history. The cutting effectiveness is reported through the communication port.

Abstract: In one aspect, a removable module or sub is provided for use in drilling a wellbore, which sub in one embodiment may include a body having a pin end and a box end configured for coupling between two members of a drill string, the body having a bore therethrough for flow of a fluid, and a sensor disposed in a pressure-sealed chamber in one of the pin end and the box end and configured to provide measurements relating to a downhole condition.

Abstract: A method for the anodic electrochemical synthesis of ammonia gas. The method comprises providing an electrolyte between an anode and a cathode, providing nitrogen and hydrogen gases to the cathode, oxidizing negatively charged nitrogen-containing species and negatively charged hydrogen-containing species present in the electrolyte at the anode to form adsorbed nitrogen species and adsorbed hydrogen species, respectively, and reacting the adsorbed nitrogen species with the adsorbed hydrogen species to form ammonia. Nitrogen and hydrogen gases may be provided through a porous cathode substrate. The negatively charged nitrogen-containing species in the electrolyte may be produced by reducing nitrogen gas at the cathode and/or by supplying a nitrogen-containing salt, such as lithium nitride, into the molten salt electrolyte.