Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are configured to monitor gas storage in a well and, more specifically, to invert optical measurements to predict the fractional molar composition of an unknown composition of a gas mixture comprised of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, other gases, or combinations thereof, in any underground reservoir or salt dome where hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and/or the other gases are stored or exist.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a well. The drilling system may include a drillstring, a gas detector, and a computer system. The drillstring may include a downhole motor operable to rotate a drill bit and the downhole motor may include a stator and a rotor, at least one of the stator or the rotor comprising an elastomer compound. The gas detector may be operable to detect a gas indicative of deterioration of the elastomer compound. The computer system may be programmed to generate an indication based on the detection of the gas indicative of the deterioration by the gas detector.

Abstract: Contamination estimation of a mud filtrate or reservoir sample requires a robust handle on the properties of mud filtrate at downhole conditions. Coupling acquired data with downhole measured data provides a robust estimation of contamination by encompassing the entire available data. Downhole density of the mud filtrate sample may be estimated based on a characteristic of the mud filtrate sample. A density of a formation fluid of the reservoir may be determined using a formation tester tool. The contamination of the formation fluid may be estimated based on the clean fluid density and the estimated mud filtrate density by, for example, using a material balance equation or ratio. An estimated pump-out time for the formation fluid may be determined based on the estimated contamination and a trend of the estimated contamination of the formation fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing isotopes of a gas from a wellbore to determine geological information associated with the wellbore. A drill device can be used to drill rocks or particles in a wellbore, which can cause a gas to be released within the wellbore. Fluid can be pumped into the wellbore as the drill bit drills the rocks or particles and the fluid, along with the gas released, can flow through the wellbore and to a surface of the wellbore. A gas detector can be positioned near the wellbore for detecting an amount of gas and a type of gas in the fluid and gas mixture and transmitting data about the amount and type of the gas to a computing device. The computing device can output data based on the amount and type of gas in the mixture for determining geological information about the wellbore.

Abstract: Analysis of chemical and physical properties of drilling and formation fluids associated with pulse power drilling operations that are performed in a borehole extending below a surface into one or more layers of formation material are conducted to determine one or more properties associated with the formation material and/or the drilling and formation fluids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining rheology characteristics of a drilling fluid include a drop-in unit sized to fit within a flowline of a drilling fluid circulation system upstream of a mud shaker. The drop-in unit has an entry funnel having an end plate with an opening through the end plate. The entrance of the entry funnel has an outer diameter that is larger than a diameter of the opening through the end plate. An instrumentation tubular is an elongated member with an inner bore that is in fluid communication with the opening through the end plate. The instrumentation tubular includes a downstream sensor and an upstream sensor. The upstream and downstream sensors are operable to sense a parameter of the drilling fluid traveling through the instrumentation tubular for calculating a change of viscosity of the drilling fluid within the flowline between a first time and a second time.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling and monitoring a cementing process injecting a cement slurry down a well that causes a return of a drilling fluid includes a first and second flowmeters disposed in the primary return conduit configured to generate a flow rate measurements of the returned drilling fluid, a first control valve receiving control signals from a microprocessor to regulate conducting the returned drilling fluid to a reservoir, a choke valve disposed downstream from the first and second flowmeters receiving control signals from a microprocessor to regulate diverting the returned drilling fluid in the primary return conduit in response to a detection of the presence of gas in the returned drilling fluid, and a mud-gas separator disposed in the primary return conduit configured to receive the diverted drilling fluid and separate the diverted drilling fluid into a mud component for return to the reservoir and a gas component for controlled burn off.

Abstract: Gas-extraction device (152) for extracting at least one gas contained in a drilling mud, the device comprising: —an enclosure (162), —an equipment (164) for supplying the drilling mud to the enclosure (162), —an equipment (170) for introducing a carrier gas into the enclosure (62; 162), wherein the device comprises a flow regulator (204) able to regulate the flow rate of a gas flow containing at least carrier gas, and a pressure controller situated downstream of the enclosure (162) configured for locally setting a pressure lower than the pressure of the enclosure (162), wherein the flow, regulator (204) is interposed between the pressure controller and the enclosure (162).

Abstract: A degasser system may comprise a mass flow controller device and a sample pump coupled to a sample degasser for controlling the dilution of gases extracted from drilling fluid in the sample degasser by a dilution fluid, such as nitrogen gas. The mass flow controller may inject the dilution fluid into the tank of the sample degasser to dilute the gases extracted from the drilling fluid. The dilution fluid may be aspirated or sparged into the sample degasser. The sample pump may extract a sample of the gases separated from the drilling fluid by the sample degasser. The rate of injection of the dilution fluid into the sample degasser and the rate of extraction of the gas sample from the drilling fluid may be adjustable to control the dilution of the gas sample for analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to a detection of interface mixing between downhole materials within a wellbore. A system comprises a sensor configured to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The sensor is in fluid communication with a downhole material recovered from a wellbore, wherein the sensor is fluidly coupled to a circulatory system for the wellbore. The system also includes a system controller in communication with the sensor. The system controller is configured to indicate concentrations of the VOCs.

Abstract: A mud gas analyzer and a well-site system using the mud gas analyzer are described. The mud gas analyzer includes at least one degasser adapted to extract gas from drilling mud passing through a flow path formed at least partially by a drill string within a well and an annulus positioned between an exterior surface of the drill string and a formation surrounding the well at a well-site, at least one gas analyzer adapted to interact with the gas extracted from the drilling mud. The gas analyzer determines an isotopic composition of a gas liberated from the drilling mud and generates a sequence of signals indicative of ratios of isotopes of a gas species liberated from the drilling mud.

Abstract: It can sometimes be difficult to determine accurately the in-process degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid, thereby leading to inaccurate feedback from an ongoing drilling operation. Methods for determining degassing efficiency of a drilling fluid can comprise: combining a measured amount of an analysis gas with a drilling fluid sample; transferring the drilling fluid sample and the analysis gas to a degassing unit; withdrawing at least a portion of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample in the degassing unit; conveying the withdrawn analysis gas from the degassing unit to a detector with an inert carrier gas; determining an amount of the withdrawn analysis gas with the detector; and calculating an extraction efficiency of the analysis gas from the drilling fluid sample based upon the amount of the withdrawn analysis gas. The extraction efficiency may provide an estimate of the degassing extent for other gases.

Abstract: A classification scheme for classifying sized bridging materials is disclosed. The scheme identifies a durability metric for the sized bridging materials. The scheme then identifies a value range having a higher relative strength and a lower relative strength. The sized bridging materials may then be tested according to the durability metric and associated with a relative strength based on the durability metric determined during the test.

Abstract: A driving head for telescopic drill rods has a frame, a cylindrical collar rotatably coupled with said frame, and provided at least with one internal surface comprising at least one driving rack adapted to be coupled with corresponding driven racks of telescopic drill rods, and actuation means to drive said cylindrical collar into rotation, said driving rack being coupled with said cylindrical collar by means of removable connection means. A machine provided with said driving head is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for wellbore characterization are disclosed, including: separating, in a separation vessel, drilling mud from gas produced during drilling of a wellbore; transporting the separated produced gas from the separation vessel to a downstream process; and measuring at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a mass flow rate, and a volumetric flow rate of the separated produced gas during transport using one or more sensors. Properties of the gas separated from the mud may be used to determine characteristics of a wellbore.

Abstract: A sample that includes formation content from a subsurface formation and other sample constituents is obtained while the sample is in close proximity to the subsurface formation. While downhole, the formation content is separated from the other sample constituents by passing the sample through an oil-wet porous plate, a water-wet porous plate, or through both plates, and analyzed. Various petrophysical properties of the formation content may be determined. To further separate the formation content, one may pass the sample through a mesh, pass the sample into an expansion chamber, or draw the sample into a chamber using a moveable piston. The formation content may be analyzed downhole using, for example, a mass spectrometer, FTIR, or chromatograph. The hydrocarbon contribution from oil based drilling fluid can be accounted for. Alternatively, a capsule may be charged with “live” formation content and conveyed uphole to be analyzed.

Abstract: A method and a system for detecting or measuring influxes of formation water or brine into a drilling fluid being used to drill a borehole through an earth formation are described. The method and system comprising using an electrode based sensor system to determine changes in capacitance and/or conductance of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operations of a formation tester are disclosed. The formation tester (400) is placed in a wellbore at a location of interest. The formation tester comprises a first isolation pad (402) coupled to a pad carrier (410) and a second isolation pad (404). The first isolation is extendable to substantially seal a probe of the formation tester against a well bore wall. The first isolation pad is then replaced with the second isolation pad if it is determined that the first isolation pad should be replaced with the second isolation pad.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fluid expansion in mud gas logging to determine downhole the composition of a downhole hydrocarbon fluid sample by expanding the sample using an incrementally adjustable piston or a series of fixed chambers to extract vapor containing composition components of interest.

Abstract: Methods including providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation having at least one pore opening; providing a proposed wellbore operation; providing a proposed treatment fluid; providing proposed FLCM particulates; calculating the suspendability of the proposed FLCM particulates in the proposed treatment fluid as determined by a yield gravity function based on properties of the proposed treatment fluid and properties of the proposed FLCM particulates or as determined by an experimental FLCM function; manipulating at least one of the properties of the proposed treatment fluid, the properties of the proposed FLCM particulates, or the proposed wellbore operation based on the yield gravity function or the experimental FLCM function so as to produce a FLCM-suspension treatment fluid; and introducing the FLCM-suspension treatment fluid into the wellbore in the subterranean formation so as to contact the at least one pore opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining a mass spectrum of a sample and determining a concentration of a component of the sample by utilizing a model of chemical and electron ionization and the obtained mass spectrum.

Abstract: A system for creating a log during gas detection and monitoring is disclosed herein. The system can include a gas detection and well logging device for sensing and transmitting data, which can include a processor in communication with a monitoring device. The monitoring device can monitor, acquire, and transmit data associated with a drilling operation. The processor can receive the data, calibrate the data, and log the data into files. The processor can capture sensed data based on a time event and a depth event. The processor can scale the data and form a geological-hydrocarbon log for transmission. A client device can be in communication with the gas detection and well logging device, and can have computer instructions for querying the geological hydrocarbon log, the data, and the files to obtain real time streaming data for instant display.

Abstract: A gas analyzer system that can detect atmospheric air gasses in drilling mud is used to calculate an actual lag time in a well. The calculated lag time and a theoretical lag time may be compared to estimate a caving percentage in an open hole section of the well.

Abstract: The method uses a gas processor, various data collection devices each having a unique device protocol to receive drilling data, calibrate the devices and graphically present the data using both time events and depth events. The method includes computer implemented steps to scale the data and form the geological-hydrocarbon executive dashboard for transmission to various client devices to obtain real time streaming data, real time calibration information, while adding and removing detection devices and sensors online without shutting down the entire monitoring and analysis system for instant display.

Abstract: The system includes a gas processor with gas processor data storage and computer instructions to receive in various device protocols simultaneously information from rig based sensors and gas analysis devices drilling data, calibrate the devices and graphically present the data using both time events and depth events. Computer instructions scale the data and form the geological-hydrocarbon executive dashboard for transmission to various client devices to present real time streaming data, real time calibration information, real time alarms while enabling users to add and remove detection devices and sensors, including rig servers and remote servers, online without shutting down the entire monitoring and analysis system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acquiring mud gas logging data, comparing the mud gas logging data to second data associated with a sidewall fluid sample measurement, and adjusting calibration data associated with a mud gas logging tool based on the comparison of the mud gas logging data and the second data associated with the sidewall fluid sample measurement.

Abstract: A device (53) comprises an enclosure (63) and means (65, 67) for circulating a drilling mud in the enclosure (63). The inventive device is also provided with means (69) for introducing a gas carrier into the enclosure (63), which comprises a pipe (113) provided with a unit (121) for adjusting the gas carrier flowrate. The device (53) comprises a gas extracting pipe (71) open into the enclosure (63). The gas introducing means (69) comprise a sensor (123) for measuring a pressure at a point located downstream of the adjusting unit (121) and means (117) for controlling the flowrate of the gas carrier injected through said adjusting unit (121) according to the difference between a pressure measured by the sensor (123) and a determined gas extraction pressure.

Abstract: The method includes extraction of gases contained in a mud, in order to obtain a gas stream of extracted gases containing hydrocarbons to be analyzed and at least one parasitic compound. The method includes transporting the gas stream through a transport line (54) and passing it through a separation column (121) in order to separate the hydrocarbons to be analyzed according to their elution times in the separation column (121). The parasitic compound is likely to have an elution time in the separation column (121) between the elution time for the first hydrocarbon to be analyzed and the elution time of the final hydrocarbon to be analyzed. The method includes passing the gas stream over a surface (141) for chemical and/or physical interaction with the parasitic compound in order to selectively retain the or each parasitic compound without retaining the hydrocarbons to be analyzed.

Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbon zones in a geological formation, including obtaining a plurality of pulverized drill cutting samples representative of the geological material encountered at measured depth intervals, each drill cutting obtained at periodic intervals during the drilling process; measuring each cutting sample with a color measuring device to obtain a value representing the degree of lightness of the particular cutting sample; and analyzing the measured lightness values by order of borehole depth that the respective cutting sample was obtained to determine the presence of geological zones likely to possess producible hydrocarbons. L* data may be combined with other well logging data to improve the hydrocarbon layer determination accuracy. A method also for locating the drill bit within a desired hydrocarbon layer during directional drilling.

Abstract: A gas trap apparatus for liberating gas from drilling mud and collecting such gas for analysis. A motor is connected to a rotatable vertical shaft having beater bars thereon, which when the shaft is immersed in drilling mud and rotate, stirs such mud to liberate gas entrained therein. The gas trap is characterized in having a top member and a bottom member which surrounds the vertical shaft and which is releasably secured to the top member thereof by a quick release mechanism which facilitates rapid detachment of the bottom member from the top member to permit quick access said vertical shaft and beater bars thereon for replacement or servicing. The vertical shaft may further likewise be provided with a quick-release means to allow quick release of the shaft from the motor for easy replacement and servicing of same.

Abstract: An assembly for transient and continuous testing of an open portion of a well bore arranged in a lower part of a drill string includes at least two packers fixed outside of the drill string, which are expandable for isolating a reservoir interval. The assembly includes a down-hole pump, sample chamber, sensors, closing valve, sensors and telemetry for measuring and realtime transmission of flow rate, pressure and temperature of fluid flow from the reservoir interval, from the down-hole pump, in the drill string and in an annulus above the packers, a mud driven turbine or electric cable, and a circulation unit. The circulation unit, independent of the circulation rate for mud to the annulus, can feed formation fluid from the reservoir interval into the annulus, so that at any time a well can be kept in over balance and the mud can solve the formation fluid from the reservoir interval.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus that continuously change the physical state and characteristics of drilling fluids at planned periodic intervals to consistently and correctly compensate for differing geological formation properties, wellbore characteristics, rate of penetration, solids removal efficiency, and other essential factors involved in the drilling process, comprising: initiating a system correction of a Minimum Base Required (“MBR”); and administering a dilutant to a drilling fluid according to the MBR. The system corrections may be performed recursively, adjusting the system's base dilutant and chemical product additions according to MBR. The drilling fluid consistency produced is based upon several drilling-rig specific parameters.

Abstract: This invention describes an apparatus and a method for integrity monitoring of a borehole and the seal integrity of a caprock suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases. The apparatus includes plural neutrally buoyant sensors for placement outside of a casing, placement including distribution within at least mud filter cake, cement, and proppant. This invention also includes a method for monitoring integrity of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases or other types of well using the described apparatus.

Abstract: A gas trap apparatus for liberating gas from drilling mud and collecting such gas for analysis. A motor is connected to a rotatable vertical shaft having beater bars thereon, which when the shaft is immersed in drilling mud and rotate, stirs such mud to liberate gas entrained therein. The gas trap is characterized in having a top member and a bottom member which surrounds the vertical shaft and which is releasibly secured to the top member thereof by a quick release mechanism which facilitates rapid detachment of the bottom member from the top member to permit quick access said vertical shaft and beater bars thereon for replacement or servicing. The vertical shaft may further likewise be provided with a quick-release means to allow quick release of the shaft from the motor for easy replacement and servicing of same.

Abstract: A method for determining a property of formations surrounding an earth borehole being drilled with a drill bit at the end of a drill string, using drilling fluid that flows downward through the drill string, exits through the drill bit, and returns toward the earth's surface in the annulus between the drill string and the periphery of the borehole, including the following steps: obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a pre-bit sample of the mud in the drill string as it approaches the drill bit; obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a post-bit sample of the mud in the annulus, entrained with drilled earth formation, after its egression from the drill bit; implementing pre-bit measurements on the pre-bit sample; implementing post-bit measurements on the post-bit sample; and determining a property of the formations from the post-bit measurements and the pre-bit measurements.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a desired property of a fluid downhole is described. In some non-limiting examples, the method comprises receiving an input signal representing sound speed of a fluid downhole, processing the input signal using a correlation equation expressing the desired property in terms of at least sound speed to produce an output signal representing the desired property, and outputting the output signal. In some examples, the correlation equation is derived through a chemometric analysis of a training data set, the training data set comprises a plurality of input values and a plurality of output values derived from said input values, between the desired fluid property and the first measured property, and the output values are calculated from the input values using a series of correlation equations. In at least one example, the desired property is gas oil ratio. In another example, the desired property is gas brine ratio.

Abstract: A method of characterizing formation fluid present in a subsurface earth formation during drilling using methods for correcting the measured concentrations of gas components in drilling mud. Gas trap values for the gas components of interest, light hydrocarbons, are measured during mud logging and are corrected using relative response factors, determined from laboratory fluid analysis values and relative extraction efficiency values. The relative response factors for each gas component of interest can be used for correcting additional gas trap values measured in the same well or for correcting gas trap values measured in surrounding wells utilizing a similar drilling fluid. The corrected gas trap values for each of the gas components of interest can be utilized to calculate gas/oil ratios for characterizing the formation fluid from the volume of drilling mud.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer programs disclosed herein, in one aspect, estimate a temperature of a selected region of an earth formation using a virgin formation temperature of the earth formation, a downhole fluid temperature measured over time, an elapsed time between drilling proximate the selected region and making of a formation evaluation measurement of the selected region, an estimate of thermal conductivity of the earth formation, and a heat capacity of the earth formation. In another aspect, the apparatus, methods and computer programs utilize the estimated temperature and the formation evaluation measurement to estimate a property of interest of the selected region. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The method includes extraction of gases contained in a mud, in order to obtain a gas stream of extracted gases containing hydrocarbons to be analyzed and at least one parasitic compound. The method includes transporting the gas stream through a transport line (54) and passing it through a separation column (121) in order to separate the hydrocarbons to be analyzed according to their elution times in the separation column (121). The parasitic compound is likely to have an elution time in the separation column (121) between the elution time for the first hydrocarbon to be analyzed and the elution time of the final hydrocarbon to be analyzed. The method includes passing the gas stream over a surface (141) for chemical and/or physical interaction with the parasitic compound in order to selectively retain the or each parasitic compound without retaining the hydrocarbons to be analyzed.

Abstract: A method of determining a particle size distribution in a wellbore fluid including collecting a volume of mud from a vibratory separator, sampling a volume of the collected mud, and testing the volume of collected mud with a test kit to determine the concentration of a sized additive in the mud is disclosed. A system for determining particle size distribution of a fluid, the system including a vibratory separator, a meter configured to receive a separated material from the vibratory separator, a counter configured to count the number of loads collected by the meter, a test kit including a sieve and a measuring tube, and a centrifuged configured to receive the measuring tube is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low maintenance adjustable system for sampling gas from a well using a gas analyzer; a conditioning and filtering device; a gas trap having a plurality of couplings, a plurality of hammer unions, a plurality of base manifold pipes, a base manifold flow line, a chimney pipe connected to the base manifold flow line, a controllable valve, a reducer connected to the chimney, an expansion chamber component connected to the reducer, a restrictor mounted to the expansion chamber component, and a conduit connection connected to the restrictor for engaging a conduit to flow a gas sample from the gas trap to a gas analyzer.

Abstract: An assembly for transient and continuous testing of an open portion of a well bore arranged in a lower part of a drill string includes at least two packers fixed outside of the drill string, which are expandable for isolating a reservoir interval. The assembly includes a down-hole pump, sample chamber, sensors, closing valve, sensors and telemetry for measuring and realtime transmission of flow rate, pressure and temperature of fluid flow from the reservoir interval, from the down-hole pump, in the drill string and in an annulus above the packers, a mud driven turbine or electric cable, and a circulation unit. The circulation unit, independent of the circulation rate for mud to the annulus, can feed formation fluid from the reservoir interval into the annulus, so that at any time a well can be kept in over balance and the mud can solve the formation fluid from the reservoir interval.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nano-robots system and methods for well logging and borewell measurements. In one embodiment, a nano-robot includes a propulsion system for providing thrust in drilling mud, with extendable fins to help steer nano-robot in the drilling mud. The fins are also extendable to a further position then when used for steering, so that the nano-robot may embed itself into a formation to measure its properties, such as porosity and permeability. In an embodiment, a nano-robot includes electrodes to generate a voltage from the ions in the drilling mud, and a transceiver and antenna to provide communication with other nano-robots, and with a transponder on a drilling string so that measured data may be transmitted to surface receivers for data storage and analysis. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for a wireless sensor to monitor barrier system integrity, such as used or employed during sequestration of greenhouse gases. This invention includes an apparatus for integrity monitoring of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases. The apparatus includes one or more sensors for placement outside of a casing to monitor a borehole, and a tool for movement within the casing to power and interrogate the one or more sensors. This invention also includes a method for monitoring integrity of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases or other types of well. The method includes the step of disposing one or more sensors outside a casing and the step of powering the one or more sensors with a tool inside the casing. The method also includes the step of interrogating the one or more sensors with the tool to monitor an engineered borehole and/or a natural caprock seal.

Abstract: In a formation pressure tester tool, an elongated filter piston possibly having a tapered or sharp edge configured to penetrate mud cake while the probe is being set. At the end of the setting sequence, the filter piston is retracted, thus opening a flowpath from the formation, through the mudcake, to the probe.

Abstract: Technique for deterring and monitoring internal defect condition of a mud pump during the operation and/or in a laboratory conditions are illustrated. One or more acoustic transducers are attached in the proximity of one or more valves of the pump. Variation(s) in the output signal parameters are continuously monitored. Variation of the signal over the predetermined threshold level indicate a gradual degradation of the pump or if the variation of the signal occurs over a short interval it may indicate a sudden failure of the pump. Likewise, a system of detecting internal defect condition of the pump and apparatus for monitoring the pump condition is illustrated. The techniques are also applied to duplex and/or triplex high-pressure pumps used to push hydrocarbons through pipelines. Apparatus and system similar to that disclosed for the mud pump is equally applicable to the high-pressure pumps used to push hydrocarbons through pipelines.

Abstract: A method for determining a property of formations surrounding an earth borehole being drilled with a drill bit at the end of a drill string, using drilling fluid that flows downward through the drill string, exits through the drill bit, and returns toward the earth's surface in the annulus between the drill string and the periphery of the borehole, including the following steps: obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a pre-bit sample of the mud in the drill string as it approaches the drill bit; obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a post-bit sample of the mud in the annulus, entrained with drilled earth formation, after its egression from the drill bit; implementing pre-bit measurements on the pre-bit sample; implementing post-bit measurements on the post-bit sample; and determining a property of the formations from the post-bit measurements and the pre-bit measurements.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thin section sample includes affixing the sample to a receptacle using an affixing media that includes a material having a thickness-sensitive characteristic. The sample may then be shaped to have an asymmetric cross-section. The method may further include reducing a thickness of the material until the thickness-sensitive material exhibits a change in an optical characteristic. The added material, which may be quartz, may exhibit a predetermined optical characteristic at a specified thickness and/or exhibit a change in an optical characteristic in response to a change in thickness. In one application, the method may include retrieving the sample from a subterranean formation. For instance, the sample may be retrieved from a gas shale formation.

Abstract: A method for determining drilling fluid losses or gains by providing a drilling fluid, measuring a plurality of supply parameters of the drilling fluid, delivering the drilling fluid to a subsurface drilling operation, the subsurface drilling operation providing a returns drilling fluid, measuring a plurality of returns parameters of the returns drilling fluid, and determining change in composition, or loss of or gain of drilling fluid from a comparison between the supply parameters and the returns parameters.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring rotational time of a rotatable equipment. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising powering a sensor coupled to a rotatable equipment, the powering by a self-contained electronic system integral to the rotatable equipment monitoring rotational time of the rotatable equipment by way of the sensor, and providing a report of rotational time of the rotatable equipment upon request.