Abstract: An object tracking system can include beacons and tracking module. The object tracking method can include determining the location of a mobile device and determining the location of an object beacon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus identify downhole equipment and correlate input data with the equipment to improve planning and/or inventory operations. For some embodiments, oilfield equipment or tubular goods such as drill pipe include a shaped recess along an outer circumference for receiving a tag cartridge by shrink fitting. Once tagged, detector system configurations at pipe yards may facilitate logging the presence and location of each drill pipe and correlating specific data, such as inspection data, to each drill pipe. Further, this correlation populates a database utilized to achieve other business functions such as forecasting number of additional drill pipe needed to purchase, invoicing customers according to actual tracked wear/use of the drill pipe being returned, and providing well or job specific drill string population using known history pipe joints.

Abstract: In a downhole environment, utilizing one or more ICE modules, in response to detecting light by one or more channels of a light to voltage converter, the detected light is converted into one or more voltages. The light has previously interacted with a downhole substance and has been processed by an integrated computational element. The one or more voltages are converted into one or more analog frequencies. The one or more analog frequencies are converted into one or more digital frequencies. One or more intensities are determined from one or more digital frequencies. One or more components of the substance are determined in response to the determined one or more intensities.

Abstract: In one aspect, a resistivity logging tool for a fluid-producing formation if provided. The resistivity logging tool includes at least one transmitter device connected to at least one excitation electrode, multiple receiver devices respectively connected to monitoring electrodes, and a controller. The transmitter can inject an excitation current into the formation via the excitation electrode. Each receiver device can determine a respective voltage level induced by the excitation current. The controller can determine whether a voltage level measured by at least one receiver device is within a specified range. Based on the measured voltage level, the controller can select a global amplitude adjustment algorithm for modifying excitation currents or a localized amplitude adjustment algorithm for modifying one or more gains of one or more receiver devices. The controller can modify the excitation current or gains by executing the selected algorithm.

Abstract: A wireless charging method includes determining whether at least one wireless charging device is in a wireless charging area. When it is determined that there is one wireless charging device in the wireless charging area, the wireless charging device is charged. When it is determined that at least two wireless charging devices are in the wireless charging area, the priority of wireless charging among the at least two wireless charging devices is determined, and the wireless charging device having higher priority is wirelessly charged.

Abstract: A system for communicating with subsurface components includes: a surface host connected to a subsurface location; a subsurface host connected to the surface host by a communication link, the subsurface host configured to communicate with the surface host using a communication protocol; and a plurality of tools configured to be disposed in a borehole, the plurality of downhole tools communicatively coupled to the subsurface host via a communication network. The communication network is divided into a plurality of network subsets, each network subset of the plurality of network subsets including one or more downhole tools, all of the one or more downhole tools configured to communicate using a common protocol, each network subset including a network device configured to receive data and translate the data to the common protocol, the common protocol of one network subset being different than the common protocol of at least one other network subset.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna configured to communicate with an RFID tag. The system also includes an antenna tuner electrically coupled to the RFID antenna, and configured to manually tune the RFID antenna to match an inductance of the RFID tag.

Abstract: An object tracking system can include beacons and tracking module. The object tracking method can include determining the location of a mobile device and determining the location of an object beacon.

Abstract: An approach is provided for parking availability detection based on vehicle trajectory information. A trajectory processing platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of trajectory data associated with at least one journey of at least one vehicle to determine at least one portion of the at least one journey that is associated at least one parking search by the at least one vehicle. The trajectory processing platform also determines one or more street segments associated with the at least one portion of the at least one journey. The trajectory processing platform further causes, at least in part, a classification of the one or more street segments as associated with the at least one parking search. The trajectory processing platform further determines parking availability information for the one or more street segments based, at least in part, on the trajectory data.

Abstract: In an approach for locating parking, a computer identifies driving directions to a destination. The computer receives a navigation input from a user to locate parking associated with the destination. The computer calculates one or more navigation paths based on the destination, wherein the one or more navigation paths include one or more street segments that connect identical starting and ending points with at least one different street segment and overall values indicating priority based on one or more weight factors associated with the one or more street segments. The computer selects a first navigation path from the calculated one or more navigation paths utilizing an ordered ranking of the one or more navigation paths. The computer provides driving directions associated with the first navigation path. The computer determines whether the user locates parking while utilizing the first navigation path.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a plurality of modules to sense temperature and vibrations of a motor assembly, a hub computer to collect the sensed temperature and vibrations, and an analyzer computer to analyze the collected temperature and vibrations. The modules contain detectors that measure a temperature and vibrations in three axes of the motor assembly, a transceiver integrated circuit that measures a die temperature of the transceiver integrated circuit, a microcontroller integrated circuit that self-adjusts its clock pulses, and a memory that stores parameters set for the operation of the modules. The microcontroller integrated circuit and the memory are configured to check parameters corruption upon transferring the parameters from the memory to the microcontroller integrated circuit and prior to utilizing by the microcontroller integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a tool string including one or more perforating guns, a conveyance operably coupled to the tool string at a socket coupling location and configured to help convey the tool string downhole, a load-measuring device arranged on the tool string and including one or more tension sensors configured to measure tensile load on the conveyance, the load-measuring device further including communication equipment capable of transmitting one or more uphole signals, wherein the one or more uphole signals includes measurement signals corresponding to the tensile load, and a computer system locatable at or near the surface location and communicably coupled to the tool string, the computer system being configured to receive and process the one or more uphole signals and further configured to transmit one or more downhole signals to the tool string to operate the one or more perforating guns.

Abstract: An intrinsic barrier device, method and computer program product for isolating a communication channel of an input/output (IO) module from a field device. The intrinsic barrier device includes a front end having a programming input adapted to receive an analog input (AI), analog output (AO), digital input (DI) or digital output (DO) IO type configuration signal. The intrinsic barrier device also includes a processor to process the IO type configuration signal and an associated memory device storing an intrinsic barrier IO type configuration (IBTC) program. The processor is programmed to implement the IBTC program. The processor, responsive to the IO type configuration signal configures the intrinsic barrier device to operate as the AI, AO, DI or DO for supporting communications through the intrinsic barrier device over the communication channel between the IO module and the field device in the AI, AO, DI or DO.

Abstract: An example downhole tool includes a tool body and a multi-layer sensor coupled to the tool body. The multi-layer sensor may include a first transmitter coupled to a first conformable element and a first receiver coupled to a second conformable element. One of the first conformable element and the second conformable element may overlay the other of the first conformable element and the second conformable element.

Abstract: This present invention generally relates to the issue of signal obstruction in down hole applications. This invention relates to conformal coatings and down hole transmission systems to aid in transmission of wireless signals down hole. The conformal coating includes a substrate material that has an array of rods embedded therein. These embedded rods are made of a Mie Resonance based dielectric material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.

Abstract: A top connector for a tether of a subsea buoy is disclosed. The connector has a support, a lever member movable about a pivot axis, and a chain stop mechanism mounted on the lever member to be situated below the pivot axis in use. The lever member is pivotably connected to the support via a flex joint arranged to bear a tensile load exerted by a top chain of the tether when engaged with the chain stop mechanism. The flex joint improves bending fatigue life of the top chain. A frame extends upwardly from the support to carry a sheave for the top chain. A pivotably connected lever member extends downwardly from the support. The lever member is pivotable relative to the support and the frame, allowing a compact arrangement that avoids the frame, the top chain or the sheave clashing with the shell of the buoy.

Abstract: A system and method for hydrocarbon production forecasting which includes creating an integrated production model representative of at least two interconnected subsurface tanks, at least one well, and a surface network, wherein the surface network comprises multiple components including at least one pipeline; parameterizing a subsurface part of the integrated production model by using material balance to characterize the at least two interconnected subsurface tanks; parameterizing a well part of the integrated production model based in part on well geometry; parameterizing the surface network based on the multiple components of the surface network; combining the parameterized subsurface part, the parameterized well part and the parameterized surface network into an improved integrated production model; forecasting hydrocarbon production based on the improved integrated production model and displaying the input, output and intermediary products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring microseismic activity in a formation. The method and apparatus include placing a tool string having a shuttle including a sensor thereon in a stimulation well, and activating the shuttle to acoustically couple the sensor to an inner surface of a casing. The sensor is acoustically decoupled from the tool string. Fluid is then injected into the formation via the tool string. The sensor is reengaged with the tool string. The tool string may then be removed from the stimulation well or moved to another position along the wellbore.

Abstract: A disconnector drill string has an uphole section and a downhole section coupled together by a disconnection sub, an operative length and an internal fluid conduit that extends along its operative length. The disconnection sub is operable to receive wirelessly a pre-designated command signal, to selectively couple the uphole section and the downhole section together, and to selectively uncouple the uphole section and the downhole section from one another. A method for using the disconnector drill string in a well bore includes the steps of introducing the disconnector drill string into the well bore, transmitting wirelessly the pre-designated command signal to the disconnection sub such that the disconnection sub selectively operates to uncouple the uphole section of the disconnector drill string from the downhole section of the disconnector drill string, and removing the uphole section of the disconnector drill string from the well bore.

Abstract: A method of processing downhole measurement data includes: receiving formation measurement data generated by a downhole tool during a logging-while drilling operation over a selected time period; receiving a measured depth corresponding to the selected time period based on data taken at a surface location; receiving tool rotation data generated by measurements of a rotational rate of the downhole tool taken by a downhole sensor during the selected time period; calculating a new depth of the tool as a function of time over the selected time period based on a relationship between the tool rotation data and the measured depth; and correcting an original depth of the measurement data with the new depth.

Abstract: A real time telemetry system is disclosed for use with a drilling system including a rotary valve 28 controlling the supply of drilling fluid or mud to a downhole tool. The system comprises receiving data to be transmitted, encoding the data as a duration, and controlling the rotation the rotary valve 28 such that the rotary valve 28 is rotated for the said duration at a predetermined rotary speed to cause the formation of pressure fluctuations or waves in the drilling fluid or mud.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for utilizing a radio frequency communication system to wirelessly exchange data with well logging tools and external devices. A logging tool component is operably fitted with an extension antenna which travels through the thick casing of the logging tool. The extension antenna enables data exchange, for example, between radio frequency identification tags inside the logging tool and devices outside of the logging tool.

Abstract: An arrangement having a piston configured to move along an axial pathway a rotating seal configured to seal an inside environment from an outside environment, the rotating seal configured to be acted upon by a pressure exerted from the piston, a differential pressure sensor measuring a pressure difference between a first fluid from the outside environment and a second fluid on the inside environment, a motor connected to the piston, the motor configured to actuate the piston to a position along an axial pathway and an electronic feedback control system connected to the motor, the electronic feedback system configured to interface with the differential pressure sensor and maintain a pressure generated by the piston onto the rotating seal to a desired pressure.

Abstract: H2S (hydrogen sulfide) alarm methods include automated systems for creating reports, initiating different safety drills and/or recording certain calibration and bump tests. The methods being automated reduces the chance of human error and falsified records. The H2S alarm methods are particularly useful for ensuring the safety of workers at remote worksites.

Abstract: A system and method to synchronize distributed measurements in a borehole are described. The system includes a plurality of wired segments coupled together by couplers and a plurality of nodes configured to measure, process, or relay information obtained in the borehole to a surface processing system, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a local clock and being disposed at one of the couplers or between couplers. The system also includes a surface processing system coupled to a master clock and configured to determine a time offset between the master clock and the local clock of an nth node among the plurality of nodes based on a downhole generated synchronization signal.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for transmitting data along tubing in a borehole, comprising generating an acoustic signal using a transmitter at a first location on the tubing, and receiving the acoustic signal at a receiver at a second location on the tubing. The method and system further comprise: (i) generating the acoustic signal at the transmitter at a first frequency and bit rate; (ii) receiving the acoustic signal at the first frequency at the receiver and attempting to synchronize the receiver at the first frequency, and (iiia) if the synchronization is successful, continuing to transmit the acoustic signal so as to pass the data from the transmitter to the receiver; or (iiib) if the synchronization is unsuccessful, adjusting the frequency and/or bit rate of the signal and repeating steps (i)-(iii) on the basis of the adjusted signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for facilitating oilfield operations utilizing auditory data. In one embodiment, the present invention generates one or more auditory mapping structures whereby oilfield data may be mapped to sounds. The present invention provides at least one computer generated selection tool through which the user may select one or more portions of displayed oilfield data for auditory enhancement. Once the user has indicated an area of interest using the selection tool, the present invention may identify the oilfield data displayed within the outlined area of interest, identify auditory data associated with the displayed oilfield data utilizing one or more auditory mapping structures, and emit at least a portion of the identified auditory data to enhance the user's understanding of the displayed oilfield data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.

Abstract: A method for generating an alert or advice for drilling a borehole penetrating an earth formation includes: receiving with a processor a borehole image from a downhole tool disposed at a drill tubular drilling the borehole; detecting a first breakout and a second breakout shifted approximately 180° apart from the first breakout if breakouts are in the image using a method for detecting breakouts implemented by the processor; and generating an alert or advice with the processor if the first and second breakouts are detected.

Abstract: A system performs methods for well and reservoir management for optimized production of fluids in a reservoir. The system includes a knowledge engine configured to receive a plurality of field inputs, process and analyze the field inputs, and provide a plurality of outputs for presentation to an operator. The system also includes a user data interface configured to display the plurality of data outputs. The plurality of field inputs comprises chemical sensing data and at least one of: temperature, pressure, flow rate and concentration of production components from one or more individual wells located within the reservoir, seismic surveys of the reservoir, permeability, geochemistry and lithology of rock formations, and geographic information system (GIS) data associated with the reservoir.

Abstract: A generally three-part EM gap sub comprising a first conductive cylinder incorporating a male tapered threaded section, a second conductive cylinder incorporating female tapered threaded section, both axially aligned and threaded into each other is described. One or both tapers incorporate slots whereby non-conductive inserts may be placed before assembly of the cylinders. The inserts are designed to cause the thread roots, crests and sides of the tapered sections of both cylinders to be spatially separated. The cylinders can be significantly torqued, one into the other, while maintaining an annular separation and therefore electrical separation as part of the assembly procedure. The co-joined coaxial cylinders can be placed into an injection moulding machine wherein a high performance thermoplastic is injected into the annular space, thereby forming both an insulative gap (the third part) and a strong joint between the cylinders in the newly created EM gap sub.

Abstract: A borehole array for ranging and crosswell telemetry is disclosed along with certain methods for employing such a borehole array. Some embodiments of the borehole array include electrically coupled reference nodes distributed along the length of a reference well. Each reference node includes a solenoid operated by a control unit. The control unit employs the solenoid to generate a magnetic field for guiding a bottomhole assembly in a nearby well. The control unit further serves as a communications intermediary between the bottomhole assembly and a surface facility. The bottomhole assembly can be guided in turn by subsequent reference nodes of the array and employ the closest reference node as a communications link to the surface. Moreover, the use of multiple reference nodes offers greater precision in determining the bottomhole assembly's position relative to the reference well. The borehole array can be used to guide multiple drilling operations concurrently.

Abstract: An electromagnetic telemetry repeater. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising inducing an electrical signal along a metallic tubular (the electrical signal carrying the information and the inducing within a borehole beneath the ocean floor), sensing an electric field proximate to the ocean floor, sensing a magnetic field proximate to the ocean floor, recreating the information using one sensed field as indicative of the information and the other sensed field as indicative of the noise, and sending the information toward the ocean surface.

Abstract: A remote asset management system comprising a network of programmable wireless modules, each having an antenna and an identification module and configured to communicate via a radio communication protocol. The system further includes a plurality of assets each linked to one of the wireless modules and configured to be managed by the linked wireless module. A remote system server service platform is configured to receive remote asset data from the wireless modules, pass the remote asset data to and from the wireless modules, send messages to at least one of the wireless modules, monitor the wireless modules by requesting and receiving current mode information, and remotely program the wireless modules. A data processing module located within the wireless module(s) and configured to process messages received by the wireless module, authenticate said message, analyze authenticated messages, and carry out asset management instructions included in the message.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to determine a clock signal when separate clocks are used. In one embodiment, a disciplined clock system comprising an update subsystem and a synthesis subsystem is provided. A first clock phase estimate is provided to the update subsystem and used, along with the update subsystem, to determine a frequency offset estimate and a phase offset estimate. The clock signal is determining using the frequency offset estimate, the phase offset estimate, and the synthesis subsystem. Alternatively, two clocks can be synchronized by generating a signal associated with a first clock; modulating the signal; transmitting the modulated signal; receiving the modulated signal by a receiver associated with a second clock; correlating the received signal; determining the time of arrival of the received signal; determining the time difference between the two clocks; and synchronizing the two clocks.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for relative positioning of wells. A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment may include drilling a new well in a field having at least three completed wells using a drilling tool that includes a magnetometer. The method may further include driving current on a first pair of the at least three completed wells and then driving current on a second pair of the at least three completed wells, wherein the current is driven on each of the first and second pairs in a balanced mode. The method may also include measuring a direction of a first magnetic field generated by the current on the first pair using the magnetometer, measuring a direction of a second magnetic field generated by the current on the second pair using the magnetometer, and determining a location of the drilling tool relative to the completed wells based on the direction of the first magnetic field and the direction of the second magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus having: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transmitter disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy at a first frequency into the formation; a first antenna disposed at the carrier and configured to receive electromagnetic signals from the formation as a result of the transmitted electromagnetic energy interacting with the formation; and an active filter coupled to the antenna and configured to filter electromagnetic signals received by the antenna to let the electromagnetic signals at the first frequency pass for processing to estimate the property.

Abstract: A method for a pressure release encoding system for communicating downhole information through a wellbore to a surface location includes positioning a valve and a brake in a drilling mud circulation system, initiating flow of drilling mud through the system, sensing flow through the valve and setting the brake at predefined pressure levels, sensing downhole conditions and releasing corresponding percentages of pressure across the valve at time intervals, and determining the downhole conditions at the surface by analyzing those associated time intervals. The method includes activation of the encoding system using drilling mud flow and setting predefined pressure levels, so that the pressure drops in the encoding process are from predefined levels at equilibrium and independent of fluid flow.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, tools and methods for estimating a property or characteristic of a fluid downhole. In one aspect, the method may include: heating the fluid at a selected or first location during a first time phase, taking temperature measurements of the fluid substantially at the selected location during a second time phase, and estimating the property of the downhole fluid using temperature measurements. Temperature measurements may also be taken at a location spaced apart from the first location and used to estimate the property of the fluid. The tool may include a device that heats the fluid during a first time phase and takes temperature measurements of the fluid during a second time phase. A processor uses the temperature measurements and a model to estimate a property of interest of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters includes: an optical fiber sensor configured to be disposed along a path in an environment to be measured, the path of the optical fiber sensor defining a longitudinal axis; and at least one section of the optical fiber sensor configured so that an entire length of the at least one section is exposed to an at least substantially homogeneous environmental parameter, at least part of the at least one section extending in a direction having a radial component relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing notifications to monitoring systems that are remotely located from a well upon failure of a surge suppressor in a drive system for equipment used in the operation of the well. In one embodiment, an ESP system is installed in a well. A VSD having a surge suppressor is coupled between a power source and the ESP system. The surge suppressor is monitored to detect a failure of its surge suppression capabilities. In response to detecting a failure, a notification is provided to a monitoring system that is located remotely from the well. The notifications may be provided via phone call, email, text message or other means. The surge suppressor may also provide a local indication of the failure. The VSD may be configured to continue operation despite the failure of the surge suppression capability.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring formation resistivity includes a tool body and multiple transceivers deployed on the tool body. Each transceiver includes a switch to control the transceiver to switch between a transmitter mode and a receiver mode. At least one transceiver acting in the transmitter mode transmits compensating signals. At least one transceiver acting in the transmitter mode transmits measuring signals. At least a pair of transceivers acting in the receiver mode which are positioned on two sides of the transceiver transmitting compensating signals and substantially symmetrical with respect to it receives the compensating signals and the measuring signals. The pair of transceivers acting in the receiver mode measures the amplitudes and phases of the compensating signals and the measuring signals in a sequential order and computes a compensated amplitude ratio and a compensated differential phase accordingly. A corresponding method for measuring formation resistivity is also provided.

Abstract: A system can include a transformer and a rectifier to derive DC power from AC power at a wye point of an electric motor; a sensor that includes a sensor signal output to output a sensor signal; a telemetry driver that includes a DC power input to receive the derived DC power and that includes an input to receive the sensor signal and an output to output a data signal representing the sensor signal; and circuitry to deliver the data signal representing the sensor signal to the wye point of the electric motor. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An EM antenna for location on a pipe (10) surrounded by a casing (12). The antenna has a power source (21) for injecting a current across a first insulated section (25) of the pipe (10) and an electrode (22) for conducting the current from the pipe (10) to the casing (12). There is also a second insulated section (23) of the pipe arranged to operate together with the electrode (22) and first insulated section (25) for directing a path flow of the current. Such antennas are described both in relation to repeater arrangements as well as land and sea applications.

Abstract: A method for aggregating data for a drilling operation. The method includes acquiring the data from a number of data sources associated with the drilling operation, synchronizing a timing of the data for aggregating the data to generate synchronized aggregated data, determining a drilling context based on the synchronized aggregated data, and assigning the determined drilling context to the synchronized aggregated data. The method further includes analyzing the synchronized aggregated data in the drilling context to generate an analysis and presenting the analysis to at least one user.

Abstract: A wellbore communication system for a wellsite having a downhole tool deployed from a rig into a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation is provided. The system includes at least one wellsite sensor adapted to collect wellsite data, at least one mobile communication module locatable at various positions about the wellsite and a surface unit operatively connected to the at least one communication module. The communication module includes a housing, at least one communication interface adapted to receive signals from the at least one wellsite sensor, at least one signal-conditioning module positioned in the housing, a power supply and a connector adapted to receive a communication link to the surface unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.

Abstract: A wireless node for monitoring landslide conditions has at least one tubular probe body deployed in a borehole in a landslide prone area and anchored to rock below soil, multiple sensors carried by and deployed within and or outside of the tubular probe body for measuring geologic motion, hydrologic saturation and pressure at three or more levels of soil above the rock, a data acquisition board in communication with the sensors carried by and or deployed within or outside of the probe body, and a wireless transceiver in communication with the data acquisition board and accessible to a local area wireless network (LAWN). Geologic and hydrologic data of layers of soil above the anchor rock is from the sensors deployed on or near the probe body, the data qualified against threshold readings to provide graduating levels of alerts culminating in a warning of a landslide.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to transform acquired data into transformed data using at least one transform selected from a plurality of transforms according to an optimization metric calculation that operates on single, fixed-length packets of the transformed data, and a preselected quality criterion threshold. Further activity may include transmitting an amplified version of an electrical signal in a geological formation, the electrical signal including the transformed data. The amplified version may be received, and further activity may include transforming the transformed data into an estimate of acquired data, the transforming using at least one transform selected from a plurality of transforms according to an optimization metric calculation that operates on single, fixed-length packets of the transformed data and/or the estimate, and a preselected quality criterion threshold. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.