Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080247273 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SELF-POWERED COMMUNICATION AND SENSOR NETWORK - A system for communicating between a first location and a second location comprises a jointed tubular string having a first section and a second section connected at a connection joint, with the tubular string having a fluid in an internal passage thereof. A first acoustic transducer is mounted in the internal passage of the first section proximate the connection joint, and a second acoustic transducer is mounted in the internal passage of the second section proximate the connection joint. A signal transmitted from the first location to the second location is transmitted across the connection joint as an acoustic signal in the fluid from the first acoustic transducer to the second acoustic transducer. | 10-09-2008 |
20090115623 | Bidirectional Telemetry Apparatus And Methods For Wellbore Operations - A system and method for communicating data between a downhole tool and a surface controller is provided that comprises a rotating drill string extending in a borehole and having a downhole telemetry module disposed proximate a bottom end thereof and transmitting a first signal across a telemetry channel. A surface telemetry module is disposed proximate a top end of the rotating drill string and is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the downhole telemetry module across the transmission channel. The surface telemetry module has a radio frequency transmitter disposed therein for transmitting a second signal related to the first signal. A stationary communication module has a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the second signal. | 05-07-2009 |
20090173150 | Early Kick Detection in an Oil and Gas Well - A stepped reflector on the outside of a bottomhole assembly produces two reflections in response to excitation of a transducer. The velocity of the fluid in the borehole is estimated using the two reflections. Alternatively, a change in the gas content of the borehole fluid is estimated from changes in the electrical impedance of a transducer in contact with the borehole fluid. | 07-09-2009 |
20090195408 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH-SPEED TELEMETRY WHILE DRILLING - A seismic and/or acoustic while drilling configuration includes a high speed telemetry arrangement; at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy sensor in communication with the high speed telemetry arrangement; at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy source capable of producing at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy signal receivable by the at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy sensor and methods. | 08-06-2009 |
20100108393 | DOWNHOLE MUD MOTOR AND METHOD OF IMPROVING DURABILTY THEREOF - Disclosed herein is a downhole mud motor. The mud motor includes, a stator, a rotor in operable communication with the stator, a polymer in operable communication with the stator and the rotor, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes embedded in the polymer. | 05-06-2010 |
20100271031 | Standoff-Independent Resistivity Sensor System - A contact subassembly on a downhole carrier is moved by torsion rod, rotation of which moves the contact assembly to the proximity of the borehole wall. Rotation of the torsion rod may be accomplished by a hydraulically powered piston-lever arrangement. The rotation of the torsion bar may be used to estimate the borehole size. The contact assembly may be provided with resistivity sensors, acoustic sensor for making VSP measurements while drilling, and a port for sampling a formation fluid. | 10-28-2010 |
20110139507 | Method and Apparatus for Borehole Positioning - A method of drilling boreholes is provided. The method, according to one embodiment, may include drilling a borehole, transmitting a signal into the earth formation, receiving signals at least three spaced sensors responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least three sensors. In another aspect, the method may include drilling a borehole, transmitting signals into the earth formation from at least three spaced transmitters, receiving signals at least one sensor responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least one sensor. | 06-16-2011 |
20110147086 | DOWNHOLE TOOLS WITH ELECTRO-MECHANICAL AND ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC DRIVES - An apparatus to be conveyed into a wellbore is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a housing configured to be conveyed downhole and a drive member located in the housing. The apparatus further includes a drive unit configured to actuate movement of the drive member by selectively coupling to the drive member, wherein the coupling of the device to the drive member is controlled by applying an energy to a selected material in the device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110203848 | Reverse Circulation Apparatus and Methods of Using Same - In one aspect, an apparatus for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation is disclosed, which apparatus, according to one embodiment, may include a drill string configured to be conveyed into a wellbore, wherein an annulus is formed between the drill string and a wellbore wall, a first flow device configured to circulate a first fluid from an annulus to a bore of the drill string, and a second flow device positioned downhole of the first flow device, the second flow device configured to circulate a second fluid from the bore of the drill string to the annulus. | 08-25-2011 |
20120032560 | Apparatus and Method for Downhole Energy Conversion - An apparatus for generating electrical energy in downhole tool is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, such apparatus includes a tubular configured to flow a fluid within the tubular and an energy conversion device at a selected location inside the tubular, wherein the energy conversion device comprises an active material configured to convert received pressure pulses in the fluid into electrical energy. | 02-09-2012 |
20120118647 | DOWNHOLE MUD MOTOR AND METHOD OF IMPROVING DURABILTY THEREOF - A downhole mud motor includes, a stator, a rotor in operable communication with the stator, and a plurality of nanoparticles embedded in at least a portion of the stator | 05-17-2012 |
20120217068 | Lateral Well Drilling Apparatus and Method - In one aspect, a drilling apparatus is provided, where the drilling apparatus includes a fluid pump disposed in a main wellbore, a lateral well in fluid communication with the fluid pump and a drilling assembly disposed in the lateral well, wherein the drilling assembly is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid pump to power the drilling assembly and to transport cuttings from the drilling assembly to the main wellbore. The drilling apparatus further includes a sealing mechanism disposed in the main wellbore, the sealing mechanism being configured to direct the cuttings in the fluid downhole of the sealing mechanism. | 08-30-2012 |
20130000981 | CONTROL OF DOWNHOLE SAFETY DEVICES - A drilling system for drilling a borehole includes a drill string including a bottom hole assembly and a telemetry system coupled together and a communication device coupled to the drillstring configured to transmit sensor data to and receive control data from a control unit located at a surface location through the telemetry system. The system also includes a sensor coupled to the drillstring, the sensor providing the sensor data to the communication device and a downhole safety device coupled to the drill string and in operable communication with the communication device, the downhole safety device configured to actuate after receiving an activation signal initiated by the control unit. | 01-03-2013 |
20130133950 | Apparatus and Methods Utilizing Progressive Cavity Motors and Pumps with Rotors and/or Stators with Hybrid Liners - An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a rotor having an outer lobed surface disposed in a stator having an inner lobed surface, wherein the inner lobed-surface or the outer-lobed surface includes a sealing material on a first section thereof and a metallic surface on a second section thereof. | 05-30-2013 |
20140144699 | TRANSMISSION LINE FOR WIRED PIPE - A wired pipe system includes a wired pipe segment having a first end and a second end and a first coupler in the first end and a second coupler in the second end. The system also includes a transmission line disposed in the wired pipe segment between the first and second ends. The transmission line includes an inner conductor, an insulating material surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission line, the outer conductor being formed by deforming around the inner conductor a sheet of material into a substantially tubular member. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148027 | WIRED PIPE COUPLER CONNECTOR - 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 communication element and a coupler connector in electrical communication therewith and extending away from the communication element. The segment also includes a transmission line extending away from the coupler towards the other of the box and pin end, the transmission line including an inner conductor surrounded by a dielectric material, the inner conductor extending beyond an end of the dielectric material. The segment also includes a connector that electrically connects the coupler to the transmission line, the connector including a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with the coupler connector and a second end configured to have the inner conductor attached to an outer surface thereof. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148028 | WIRED PIPE COUPLER CONNECTOR - 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 including a communication element and a coupler connector in electrical communication therewith and extending away from the communication element. The segment also includes a transmission line extending away from the coupler towards the other of the box and pin end, the transmission line including an inner conductor surrounded by a dielectric material, the inner conductor extending beyond an end of the dielectric material. The segment also includes a connector that electrically connects the coupler to the transmission line, the connector including an inner conductive connection having first and second ends that are, respectively, in contact with the inner conductor and the coupler connector. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148029 | WIRED PIPE COUPLER CONNECTOR - 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 end or the pin end, the coupler including a communication element and a coupler connector in electrical communication therewith and extending away from the communication element. The segment also includes a transmission line extending away from the coupler towards the other of the box and pin end, the transmission line including an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating material, the inner conductor of the transmission line having an end with a non-cylindrical shape. The segment also includes a connector that electrically connects the coupler to the transmission line. | 05-29-2014 |
20140166364 | MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR CONTINUOUS CIRCULATING DRILLING OPERATIONS - An apparatus for continuously flowing drilling fluid along a drill string includes a continuous circulation device having at least a first fluid path in fluid communication with a top drive and a second fluid path in communication with a diverter. The diverter is in selective fluid communication with a pipe stand associated with the drills string. The apparatus also includes at least one sensor that estimates at least one operating parameter associated with the continuous circulation device. A related method includes using a continuous circulation device as described to manipulate the drill string and controlling the continuous circulation device using at least one sensor configured to estimate at least one operating parameter associated with the continuous circulation device. | 06-19-2014 |