Abstract: A mining tool for a drill head of a tunnel boring machine for mining in rock includes a roller cutter fastening device. The roller cutter fastening device is mountable on the drill head for accommodating and mounting a rotatable roller cutter. The roller cutter is interchangeably and rotatably received in the roller cutter fastening device. A sensor arrangement for detecting a mechanical load of the roller cutter is formed at least partially in the roller cutter fastening device and includes at least one load-sensitive element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling dust. One method includes automatically detecting an operating status of a mining machine. The method also includes automatically, with an electronic processor, adjusting operation of a dust suppression system based on the operating status of the mining machine.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer system included as part of a drill string for use downhole in a well to convey signals across regions of the drill string that preclude the use of wired communication elements. The magnetostrictive transducer conveys a carrier signal as an acoustic wave through a drill collar region to an acoustic telemetry receiver, which passes an output both to an uphole processing system and back into the magnetostrictive transducer system. The output signal and carrier signal are compared to determine sub-harmonics or higher order harmonics of the output or carrier signal indicative of offset in the magnetostrictive core of the magnetostrictive transducer system, and provides a corrective component signal to automatically adjust the magnetostrictive core though preloading forces.

Abstract: A method for predicting a path of a borehole that will be drilled in a rock formation by a bottomhole assembly (BHA) having a drill bit includes: constructing a model of the BHA; calculating confined compressive strength of the rock formation using an axial motion drill bit model that receives drilling parameter, drill bit design and lithology information; calculating lateral motion of the drill bit using a lateral motion drill bit model; calculating a ratio of lateral motion to axial motion using the lateral motion drill bit model; calculating an inclination angle and an azimuthal direction of the BHA using a BHA steering model that receives the ratio; and iterating the above steps by updating the BHA model to include extending the borehole an incremental distance in the direction of the inclination angle and the azimuthal direction and displacing the BHA the incremental distance in the extended borehole.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for use in wellbores in the oil and gas industries relates in general to the field of transmission of data between downhole module in a wellbore and a controlling module at the surface. The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining analog filter parameters for an analog front end comprising a plurality of filter stages receiving signals from a telemetry module, by repeating the steps of; receiving a signal of a known frequency and processing said signal by determining the magnitude of the frequency of the received signal until a plurality of signals have been received and processed; calculating an optimum set of filter parameters in dependence upon the measured frequency magnitudes and a predefined set of filter stage frequency responses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the location of sensors embedded in material surrounding a well. In an example system, at least one seismic signal generator is configured to generate a seismic wave signal to communicate information that enables the determination of the sensor location to the sensor. A sensor location apparatus is provided and configured to lower the at least one seismic signal generator into the subsurface structure. A sensor location controller is provided in the sensor location apparatus and configured to actuate generation of the seismic wave signal as the at least one seismic signal generator is lowered into the well.

Abstract: Data is communicated from sensors at a downhole location near a drill bit to surface equipment. Communication to the surface equipment may be direct or may pass through a series of nodes. The nodes in some cases are intelligently reconfigured to achieve desired data rates, achieve power management goals, and/or compensate for failed nodes.

Abstract: A wired pipe segment includes a body extending from a box end to a pin end and a coupler located in one of the box and pin ends. The coupler includes a carrier having at least one electrical component disposed therein and one or more antennas supported by and spaced from the carrier and being electrically coupled to the carrier through at least one of the electrical components, the antennas being formed in the carrier in a same molding machine. The segment also includes a transmission line extending away from the coupler towards the other of the box and pin end and in communication with the one or more antennas.

Abstract: A transceiver and a corresponding method configured to recover within less than 1 ms from quality degradation in its operating point. The transceiver includes: a receiver analog front end (Rx AFE), an adaptive module comprising at least one of an adaptive digital equalizer and an adaptive digital canceller (ADEC), a common mode sensor AFE (CMS-AFE), a fast-adaptive mode-conversion canceller (FA-MCC), and a slicer. The Rx AFE receives signals from a second transceiver. Shortly after identifying quality degradation in the transceiver's operating point, the transceiver indicates the second transceiver to reduce the rate of the transmitted data. And within less than 1 ms, the transceiver utilizes the improved detection rate to improve the accuracy of the slicing errors, which enables fast adaptation of the ADEC, that improves the quality in the transceiver's operating point to a level that enables the transceiver to indicate the second transceiver to increase the rate.

Abstract: An offset shaft bearing assembly includes a drive shaft extending through an outer housing. The drive shaft centerline is at an angle to the centerline of the outer housing. The shaft is coupled to the outer housing by radiused conical bearings which act as thrust and radial bearings. At least one of the radiused conical bearings is offset from the centerline of the outer housing. The radiused conical bearings may include a curved bearing surface, allowing the radiused conical bearings to operate despite angular misalignment.

Abstract: A method can include receiving well path data and geomechanical simulation data; rotating at least a portion of the geomechanical simulation data from geomechanical simulation coordinates to well coordinates associated with the well path data; determining at least one of an axial strain proxy and a shear strain proxy based at least in part on the rotating; and analyzing at least the one of the axial strain proxy and the shear strain proxy.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for safe mode telemetry are provide. The method may include detecting a failure of an AC power supply, switching the AC power supply to a DC power supply, booting with a safe mode telemetry system by a control unit, and capturing downhole data for recording into a memory. The apparatus may include a telemetry cartridge, a control unit to detect a failure of an AC power supply, a DC power supply, and a switching device to change from the AC power supply to the DC power supply based on the control unit's detection of the failure in the AC power supply. The DC power supply of the apparatus may be used to power the telemetry cartridge after the detection of the failure. The system may further include a surface data acquisition unit and a downhole tool including the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for continuous downlinking from a surface location to a bottom hole assembly includes using a bottom hole assembly to drill a subterranean wellbore. A drilling value is acquired at a surface location while drilling. The acquired drilling value is downlinked from the surface location to the bottom hole assembly. This process is continuously repeated while drilling.

Abstract: A method of processing borehole log data to create one or more image logs involve modelling the log data as components of an image in the form i(x, y)=l(x, y)×r(x, y) (1), in which i(x, y) is an image representative of the log data, l(x, y) denotes an illumination value of the image at two-dimensional spatial co-ordinates x, y, and r(x, y) denotes a surface reflectance value at the co-ordinates x, y. Equation (1) is transformed to a logarithmic domain, and a Fourier transform is obtained of the resulting logarithmic domain expression to obtain a Fourier domain expression. The Fourier domain expression is high-pass filtered, and an inverse Fourier transform is obtained of the resulting filtered Fourier domain expression. An exponential operation is performed on the result of inverse Fourier transform to obtain a filtered image model expression. Values of the filtered image model expression are mapped to respective color values across the range of the filtered image model expression values.

Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring well conditions includes a set of wireless transceivers placed along a drill string inside a well, each transceiver placed within at least half the maximum distance that each transceiver can transmit data, and a power generator attached to each transceiver that powers the respective transceiver, the power generator including a first material that is of one polarity and a second material that is fixed in position and is of opposite polarity of the first material, wherein the first material is propelled toward the second material based on the motion of the power generator so that the two materials have a maximized point of contact to generate maximum power. The wireless transceivers may communicate using any wireless communication technology, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and BLE.

Abstract: Sensor-enabled cutting elements for an earth-boring drilling tool may comprise a substrate base, and a cutting tip at an end of the substrate base. The cutting tip may comprise a tapered surface extending from the substrate base and tapering to an apex of the cutting tip, and a sensor coupled with the cutting tip. The sensor may be configured to obtain data relating to at least one parameter related to at least one of a drilling condition, a wellbore condition, a formation condition, and a condition of the earth-boring drilling tool. The sensor-enabled cutting elements may be included on at least one of an earth-boring drill bit, a drilling tool, a bottom-hole assembly, and a drill string.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, a system includes a drill string having a drill bit. The drill string extends through at least part of a well bore. The system also includes a first vibrational sensor, positioned on the drill bit to measure, at a first location on the drill string, an amplitude of one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system also includes a second vibrational sensor, positioned above the drill bit and on the drill string. The second vibration sensor is to measure, at a second location on the drill string, one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system includes a processor unit to determine a type of vibration based on a comparison of the amplitude at the first location to the amplitude at the second location, wherein the type of vibration is at least one of bit whirl of the drill bit and a while of a bottom hole assembly that is part of the drill string.

Abstract: An improved cementing tool is presented which allows for relatively easy removal and insertion of the tool through the use of non-threaded low-torque connections. The cementing tool uses a combination of threaded connections and non-threaded, low-torque connections configured to create a stack of components including plug launchers, ball launchers and plug launch indicator/counters. Use of non-threaded low-torque connections allows for breaking down the tool by hand, requiring no special torquing equipment.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum horizontal stresses, and horizontal to overburden stress ratio, are estimated using radial profiles of shear moduli. Inversion enables estimation of maximum and minimum horizontal stresses using radial profiles of three shear moduli associated with an orthogonal set of axes defined by the three principal stress directions. Differences in the far-field shear moduli are inverted together with two difference equations obtained from the radial profiles of the dipole shear moduli C44 and C55, and borehole stresses in the near-wellbore region. The horizontal to overburden stress ratio is estimated using differences in the compressional, dipole shear, and Stoneley shear slownesses at two depths in the same lithology interval where the formation exhibits azimuthal isotropy in cross-dipole dispersions, implying that horizontal stresses are nearly the same at all azimuths.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies are described for measuring isotropic, anisotropic, or directionally dependent, characteristics of a subterranean formation. Sensor assemblies can include sensors deployed on a tool string. One or more of the sensors can be rotatable relative to the tool string. Rotating one or more sensors relative to the tool string can provide data about the subterranean formation at multiple points around the tool string.

Abstract: A subsea sensor hub is for a coupling sensor element to an electrical unit. In an embodiment, he subsea sensor hub includes a first end for receiving a sensor element, a second end for receiving the electrical unit, and at least one through hole extending from the first end to the second end. Furthermore, at least one electrical connecting element is arrangeable to extend through the at least one through hole.

Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported in a drill string section by centralizing features of a centralizer that is slidably removable from the drill string section. The centralizer may comprise a tubular body having a bore defined through it. A bore wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length. The centralizer may optionally comprise and/or be coated with a vibration damping and/or electrically insulating material.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring operation of a motor may include initially determining a no load torque versus temperature characteristic of the motor over a range of operating temperatures. After a period of operation, a no load torque value and temperature of the motor may be determined. Motor temperature may be measured by a local thermistor or the like. Motor torque may be determined from measured motor current. The motor torque and temperature may then be compared to the initial torque versus temperature characteristic to determine a change in load of said motor due to break down of motor oil, worn bearings, or similar condition. In some embodiment, the method and system may be used with a downhole tool for drilling a well, such as a rotary steerable system.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine is provided with a storage unit configured to store the flow rate of a machining fluid delivered to a sealing portion in a machining tank in association with the flow rate of the machining fluid delivered to a nozzle. The flow rate of the machining fluid delivered to the nozzle is measured, and the flow rate of the machining fluid to be supplied to the sealing portion is read from the flow rate storage unit and set, based on the measured flow rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure involve a method comprising computing a true stratigraphic thickness (“TST”) index based on one or more dynamic images, one or more measurement images, or combinations thereof. Computing the TST index comprises outputting a dynamic image value channel comprising a median value on each depth of the one or more dynamic images, a dynamic normalized image value channel comprising a normalization of the dynamic image value channel, a measurement image value channel comprising a median value on each depth of the measurement image, and the TST index. The method also involves computing a decomposition channel based on the TST, extracting lamination boundaries from the dynamic image value channel based on the decomposition channel, and computing the lamination properties based on the lamination boundaries.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring the gas content in drilling fluids in real time using optical computing devices. One system includes a flow path circulating a drilling fluid into and out of a borehole during drilling operations, a first optical computing device arranged at or near an outlet of the borehole and having a first integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the drilling fluid as it exits the borehole and generate a first output signal corresponding to a concentration of a gas present in the drilling fluid at the outlet of the borehole, and a signal processor communicably coupled to the first optical computing device and configured to receive the first output signal and determine the concentration of the gas present in the drilling fluid at the outlet of the borehole.

Abstract: An example method for drilling automation may comprise generating a model of a drilling system based, at least in part, on a first set of downhole measurements. The model may accept drilling parameters of the drilling system as inputs. A rate of penetration for the drilling system may be determined based, at least in part on the model. The model may be simulated using a first set of values for the drilling parameters, and a control policy for the drilling system may be calculated based, at least in part, on the rate of penetration and the results of the simulation. A control signal to the drilling system may be generated based, at least in part, on the control policy.

Abstract: A method of formation testing and a formation testing instrument are provided. The formation testing instrument includes a first pump, a dual packer module, a reverse injection module and a second pump. The dual packer module is provided with a support arm at one side thereof capable of setting after deployed; and the dual packer module is provided with first and second probes at the other side. The first probe is located above the second probe and the first and second probes can establish a channel with the formation. The second pump injects the acidizing liquid in the reverse injection module into the fluid region in the formation by the second probe; and the first pump sucks the fluid in the formation by the first probe.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to detect rugosity in a borehole. Additional activity may include generating a rugosity correction, responsive to detecting rugosity in the borehole, by finding an effective borehole diameter, consistent with the presence of rugosity, for which a simulation of a model of the borehole using the effective borehole diameter generates simulation resistivity measurements that match, within a tolerance, resistivity measurements before execution of a borehole correction algorithm. Additional activity may include applying rugosity correction by generating resistivity logs, using the effective borehole diameter, that are corrected for rugosity and borehole effect. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for presenting oilfield data to a user includes: searching a plurality of oilfield data sources for raw oilfield data; applying an algorithm as needed to the raw oilfield data; providing a quality control check on the oilfield data; deleting any oilfield data that does not pass the quality control check; tagging oilfield data that passes the quality control check with one or more searchable identifiers; storing any oilfield data that passes the quality control check and associated one or more identifiers in a storage medium; receiving a request for specified oilfield data from a user; searching identifiers in the storage medium to identify the specified oilfield data; and sending the identified specified oilfield data in the storage medium to the user. The method may also include planning an oilfield action using the specified oilfield data and implementing the planned oilfield action using oilfield equipment.

Abstract: A management server is coupled to a plurality of rig systems by a network, each of the rig systems having a plurality of sensors, a rig and a rig node. The management server stores data received from at least one of the plurality of rig systems, the data including values associated with one or more attributes of the rig. The management server derives a model signature for at least one phase from a timeline for at least one rig system based on analytics of information stored in the database and the data, where the model signature includes a set of attributes for the at least one of the plurality of rig systems. In addition, the management server generates a recommendation including one or more actions for planning rig system management operations corresponding to at least one attribute of the set of attributes.

Abstract: A method for using a downhole probe. The method comprises providing a probe, at least one vertical cross section of the probe having an area of at least pi inches squared. The method further comprises inserting the probe into a bore of a drill collar and passing a drilling fluid through the bore of drill collar at a flow velocity of less than 41 feet per second.

Abstract: A telemetry method transmits data by MP telemetry to a telemetry relay system which retransmits the data by EM telemetry. The method avoids the need to incorporate MP telemetry pressure transducers into rig equipment and permits telemetry from regions unfavorable for EM telemetry because of depth and/or characteristics surrounding formations.

Abstract: A downhole closed loop method for controlling a curvature of a subterranean wellbore while drilling includes drilling the subterranean wellbore using a drilling tool. A set point curvature is received at a downhole controller. Sequential attitude measurements made at a single axial location on the drilling tool and a rate of penetration of drilling are processed to compute a curvature of the wellbore being drilled. The drilling direction is adjusted such that the computed curvature is substantially equal to the set point curvature.

Abstract: Stable back pressure control devices are used to control fluid pressure in a wellbore to provide constant downhole pressure. Back pressure may be estimated from a correlation between the speed of a mud pump and the pressure exerted from the pump. Drilling plans disclosed herein provide for the continued operation of one or more back pressure control devices for providing constant bottomhole pressure when casing connections are being made.

Abstract: A technique facilitates monitoring of strain related effects along a tubing string, such as a tubing string extending from surface equipment toward a sea floor in a subsea well application. A monitoring module is employed to monitor the strain related effects and may have a tubular structure. The monitoring module also has a reduced wall thickness region constructed to concentrate strain in this reduced wall thickness region. Additionally, the monitoring module comprises at least one sensor mounted to the tubular structure in the reduced wall thickness region for monitoring of strains.

Abstract: Methods and systems output at least one drill string whirl attribute, such as magnitude, orientation, velocity and type, without requiring determination of whirl frequency. Transforming acceleration data into drill string motions provides a path of one point along the drill string. Fitting these motions throughout one complete revolution of the drill string to a revolution ellipse, for example, provides revolution ellipse centers defining centers of rotation for each revolution fitted. A whirl ellipse, for example, derives from another fitting using a plurality of the revolution ellipse centers. Coefficients from the whirl ellipse and/or vector direction of the centers provide at least one whirl attribute for output.

Abstract: A downhole system usable with a well string is provided that can include a first resonator positioned on the well string. The system can also include a second resonator positioned to couple with the first resonator by an evanescent field. The second resonator can include a load. Further, the system can include a metamaterial positioned between the first resonator and the second resonator for amplifying or extending a range of the evanescent field.

Abstract: The method and system for determining position with improved calibration allows a device to initiate activity at the proper location, such as navigating a drill bit through a rock formation. A pair of position sensors in opposite orientations generates position data signals. A temperature sensor detects temperature and duration of the temperature. An adjusted plastic bias value is determined by a processor module based on the temperature data signal, the duration of the temperature, and the position data signals so as to account for bias and hysteresis errors and error correction based on the opposing orientations of the pair of position sensors. A position value is set according to the adjusted plastic bias value so that the position value is more accurate. The activity of the terminal device is initiated or maintained according to the position value calibrated by the adjusted plastic bias value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting a temperature associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A clearing or unjamming process utilizes bidirectional agitation and non-deterministic behavior to clear debris that is jamming a downhole rotary tool. In accordance to at least one embodiment the clearing or unjamming process uses irregular oscillation of the jamming debris which may be produced by varying pause times in a bidirectional movement of the rotor. In some embodiments the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the rotor is maintained constant during the unjamming process.

Abstract: An example method for making downhole measurements may include positioning a tool with a conformable sensor within a pipe in a borehole in a subterranean formation, and generating a first electromagnetic signal using at least one of a plurality of transmitters of the conformable sensor. A first response to the first electromagnetic signal may be measured using at least one of a plurality of receivers of the conformable sensor. At least one of a scale parameter, a pipe parameter, and a stand-off distance between the conformable sensor and the pipe may be determined using the first response.

Abstract: Wind turbine consisting of an anchoring to the ground or to a base and a mast, the natural oscillation frequency of which is purposely adjusted to the frequency of appearance of the air vortices or eddies produced after the collision of a laminar and stationary airflow against the surface thereof. The aeroelastic energy thus absorbed is converted into electrical energy due to the use of materials with high electromechanical coupling.

Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a locking mechanism with a bore of a drill string section. The probe comprises a first spider and a second spider at the uphole and downhole sections of the probe. The locking mechanism secures the probes in the bore against axial and rotational movement relative the drill string section.

Abstract: An in-situ and on-line acoustic measuring system for natural gas flux at the hydrocarbon seeps at a seafloor includes a seepage tent and a flow measuring channel. The flow measuring channel includes a lower bubble breaking channel, an ultrasonic transducer measuring channel and an upper bubble breaking channel. The lower bubble breaking channel communicates with the seepage tent provided with bubble breaking grids. Lower and upper bubble breaking devices, arranged in a bubble rising direction, are respectively mounted in the lower and upper bubble breaking channels. One side of the ultrasonic transducer measuring channel is fixedly connected with an acoustic wave demultiplexer, and the other side is fixedly connected with flat receiving transducers receiving transmitting acoustic waves generated by an acoustic wave branching unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using fiber optics with increased acoustic sensitivity are provided. Acoustic sensing of a wellbore, pipeline, or other conduit/tube based on DAS may have increased acoustic sensitivity through fiber optic cable design and/or increasing the Rayleigh backscatter property of a fiber's optical core. Some embodiments may utilize a resonant sensor mechanism with a high Q coupled to the DAS device for increased acoustic sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from a downhole tool to a surface location includes running a downhole tool into a wellbore. The downhole tool includes a pressure sensor. An annulus pressure in the wellbore is measured at a first time, using the pressure sensor, to produce a first pressure measurement. The first pressure measurement is compressed to produce a reference sample. The reference sample is transmitted to the surface location. The annulus pressure in the wellbore is measured at a second time, using the pressure sensor, to produce a second pressure measurement. A difference between the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement is determined to produce a first delta pressure measurement. The first delta pressure measurement is compressed to produce a first compressed delta pressure measurement. The first compressed delta pressure measurement is transmitted to the surface location.

Abstract: Drilling system and methods may employ a weight-on-bit optimization for an existing drilling mode and, upon transitioning to a different drilling mode, determine an initial weight-on-bit within a range derived from: a sinusoidal buckling ratio, a helical buckling ratio, and the weight-on-bit value for the prior drilling mode. The sinusoidal buckling ratio is the ratio of a minimum weight-on-bit to induce sinusoidal buckling in a sliding mode to a minimum weight-on-bit to induce sinusoidal buckling in a rotating mode, and the helical buckling ratio is the ratio of a minimum weight-on-bit to induce helical buckling in the sliding mode to a minimum weight-on-bit to induce helical buckling in the rotating mode. The ratios are a function of the length of the drill string and hence vary with the position of the drill bit along the borehole.

Abstract: A pressure measurement apparatus for a downhole measurement-while-drilling tool comprises a feed through connector and a pressure transducer. The feed through connector comprises a body with opposing first and second ends, at least one electrical interconnection extending axially through the body and out of both ends, and a pressure transducer receptacle in the first end and a communications bore extending from the receptacle to the second end. The pressure transducer is seated in the receptacle such that a pressure at the first end can be measured, and comprises at least one electrical contact that extends from the pressure transducer through the communication bore and out of the second end. The pressure transducer can take pressure measurements for predicting wear of a primary seal in a motor subassembly of the tool, detect a pressure-related battery failure event, and control operation of a dual pulse height fluid pressure pulse generator.

Abstract: A message to be sent from a downhole tool in a wellbore is modulated into a data uplink signal of pressure variations in the drill string. The pressure variations are generated by varying the torque on the rotor of the generator by varying the electric load on the generator. The pressure variation sequence of the data uplink signal may be selected from a look up table of known sequences. The message may be received by a surface receiver using one or more pressure sensors. The message may be demodulated from the detected pressure data using digital and analog signal processing. The frequency of the data uplink signal may be selected based in part on detected noise in the wellbore. The data uplink signal may be modulated using a spread spectrum protocol.