Abstract: A method of determining the supercharge pressure in a formation intersected by a borehole having a wall, the method comprising disposing a formation pressure test tool into the borehole having a probe for isolating a portion of the borehole. The method further comprises extending the probe into sealing contact with the borehole wall. The method further comprises performing at least one drawdown test with the formation pressure test tool. The method further comprises modeling the supercharge pressure of the formation using the dynamic properties of the mudcake. The method further comprises determining the supercharge pressure of the formation using the supercharge pressure model. The formation pressure test tool may be conveyed into the borehole using wireline technology or on a drill string. Using the supercharge pressure, the drawdown test may be optimized, the characteristics of the drilling fluid altered, or the measurements of other sensors adjusted.

Abstract: A pressure pulse generator, or "pulser," and methods for operation are described. The pulser is constructed of a stator and rotor mounted within a housing, each being configured with a central hub and one or more radially extending lobes. An equal number of ports are spaced between the lobes. The lobes of the rotor are cross-sectionally tapered in the streamwise direction. The rotor and stator are maintained within the housing in a coaxial spaced relation from each other. The axial distance between the rotor and stator may be selectively varied by a linear actuator. In a preferred embodiment, the linear actuator comprises a conventional solenoid assembly which is operably associated with the rotor to move it axially within the housing with respect to the stator between a first position, wherein the distance between the rotor and stator is reduced, and a second position, wherein the distance between the rotor and stator is increased. The linear actuator is energized in response to signals from an encoder.