Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
367082000 | Through drill string or casing | 58 |
20080219097 | ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY TRANSCEIVER - One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes a piezoelectric transducer to generate an acoustic signal that is to modulate along a mandrel, wherein the piezoelectric transducer includes at least one piezoelectric element and at least one electrode that is without non-permanent joints. | 09-11-2008 |
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 |
20080253228 | Drill string telemetry methods and apparatus - A method is provided which transmits information using a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a drill string. In this method, a first node obtains a transmission status of a second node. When the transmission status of the second node indicates that the second node meets a selected performance threshold, information is sent from the first node to the second node. When the transmission status of the second node indicates that the second node does not meet its performance threshold, then the first node obtains a transmission status of a third node. When the transmission status of the third node indicates that the third node meets a selected performance threshold, information is transmitted from the first node to the third node for relaying along the drill string. | 10-16-2008 |
20080285386 | Training For Directional Detection - Acoustic telemetry devices and methods that provide directional detection. In one embodiment, a disclosed acoustic telemetry device comprises at least two acoustic sensors and an electronics module. The electronics module combines the detection signals from the acoustic sensors to obtain a combined signal that substantially excludes signals propagating in a direction opposite to the communication signal The disclosed systems and methods can be trained in the field and will readily accommodate an irregular and unknown signal transmission medium between the two acoustic sensors | 11-20-2008 |
20090003133 | Acoustic Telemetry - A method of transmitting data acoustically through a tubular structure, such as a drill string or production tubing in an oil or gas well, predominantly comprising a series of tubing sections ( | 01-01-2009 |
20090059722 | Wired Pipe Depth Measurement System - A method and apparatus for estimating a change in length of a wellbore conveyance device in a wellbore. A reference signal is sent along a first path and a wellbore signal having a phase relationship with the reference signal is sent along a wellbore path. A change in length of the wellbore conveyance device is estimated from a phase shift between the reference signal and the wellbore signal. The frequency of the wellbore signal may be changed downhole. The wellbore conveyance device may have at least one conductor under a maintained tension. A length of the wellbore conveyance device is estimated from the estimated change in the length. For a drill string composed of a plurality of wellbore tubulars, a phase shift of the drill sting is determined upon adding a wellbore tubular to the drill string. | 03-05-2009 |
20100008189 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATING DATA THROUGH A PIPE - An acoustic telemetry system includes a piezoelectric stack at least partially disposed within a segment of pipe, and electrical circuitry for controlling the piezoelectric stack. In response to a signal from the electrical circuitry, the piezoelectric stack generates a plurality of acoustic signals for transmission through the pipe at different frequencies spanning multiple regions of a frequency response for the pipe. | 01-14-2010 |
20100039898 | ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY SYSTEM USING PASSBAND EQUALIZATION - An embodiment includes a method comprising receiving an acoustic signal that is modulated along a jointed tubing. The method also includes performing equalization over a passband of the acoustic signal to generate an equalized signal. | 02-18-2010 |
20100067329 | METHOD OF DETERMINING BOREHOLE CONDITIONS FROM DISTRIBUTED MEASUREMENT DATA - Methods of determining borehole conditions using distributed measurement data are disclosed herein. The disclosed methods utilize real time data measurements taken from sensors distributed along the length of a drill string to assess various conditions or properties of the borehole. The disclosed methods of processing or using distributed measurement data have not been described before. In particular, the distributed data may be used for example, to track the progress of a chemical pill or also track the location of different types of borehole fluids, and also to determine the hole size or volume of the borehole. | 03-18-2010 |
20100097890 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DATA COLLECTION AND COMMUNICATION IN DRILL STRING COMPONENTS - A drill string component includes a box-end and a pin-end. Each end includes a signal transceiver, which are operably coupled together. Each signal transceiver communicates with another signal transceiver in another component to form a communication network in the drillstring. An end-cap may be placed in the central bore of the pin-end of a component to form an annular chamber between a side of the end-cap and a wall of the central bore of the pin-end when the end-cap is disposed in the central bore. In some embodiments, an electronics module may be placed in the annular chamber and configured to communicate with one of the signal transceivers. Accelerometer data, as well as other sensor data, at various locations along the drillstring may be sampled by the electronics module and communicated to a remote computer. Drillstring motion dynamics, such as vibration, may be determined based on the accelerometer data. | 04-22-2010 |
20100118657 | Bit Based Formation Evaluation and Drill Bit and Drill String Analysis Using an Acoustic Sensor - A drill bit having a bit body includes one or more acoustic sensors that are configured to detect elastic waves when the drill bit is used for drilling a wellbore. The acoustic sensor may be configured to detect a sonic signature associated with a failure event. In further arrangements, the acoustic sensors may be configured to receive signals from a controlled acoustic source. | 05-13-2010 |
20100135117 | Downhole Timing Recovery and Signal Detection - The present invention relates to telemetry apparatus and methods, and more particularly to acoustic telemetry apparatus and methods used in the oil and gas industry. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for enhancing a received signal transmitted by acoustic telemetry through a drill string by modifying the received signal by a multiplication of the received signal with a second waveform. | 06-03-2010 |
20100149919 | DOWNHOLE TELEMETRY SYSTEM - A downhole telemetry system usable with a subterranean well comprises at least one pressure pulse generator, at least one pressure transmitter located in the internal tubular annulus in the well head and at least one pressure transmitter located in the casing annulus near the well. The system comprises a packer providing hydraulic isolation of the casing annulus and at least one transmitter located below the packer and responding to at least one physical quantity characterizing the bottom-hole zone. The system also includes a data encoder located below the packer to read out the transmitter located below the packer and to respond to at least one physical quantity characterizing the bottom-hole zone, a pressure pulse modulator to modulate pressure pulses generated by the pressure pulse generator, a surface-mounted data-collection unit to converts the output data of the transmitters and to provide a surface-mounted data decoder with data for analysis. | 06-17-2010 |
20100172211 | Resistivity Measurement Through Metal Casing Using Magnetic Field and Magnetoacoustic Phenomena - Measurements of acoustic velocities are made through a case borehole in the absence and presence of an applied magnetic field. A formation resistivity parameter may be estimated from differences in the acoustic velocities. | 07-08-2010 |
20100195441 | PARALLEL-PATH ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY ISOLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An acoustic telemetry isolation system and method for use with tubular assemblies such as drillpipe and production tubing includes an acoustic wave transmitter and an acoustic isolator. A “down” wave propagated toward the isolator is reflected back substantially in phase with an “up” wave propagated from the acoustic wave source away from the isolator. Furthermore, the acoustic isolator is similarly effective in reflecting “up” propagating waves originating from below the isolator, hence further protecting the acoustic wave source from possible deleterious interference. The construction of the isolator utilizes a specified combination of waves traveling in parallel in materials whose properties aid the beneficial combination of reflected and transmitted waves. The design of the isolator is to generally provide a bandstop filter function, thereby aiding the frequency isolation of an acoustic transmitter over a passband that may be constrained by the geometry of drill pipe or components of production tubing. It causes substantially all of the emitted wave energy to travel in a chosen direction along the drill pipe, thus aiding the efficiency of acoustic telemetry in the pipe. | 08-05-2010 |
20100208552 | ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY STACKED-RING WAVE DELAY ISOLATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A stacked-ring, slow-wave acoustic telemetry isolation system and method for use with tubular assemblies such as drillpipe or production tubing comprising an acoustic wave transmitter, the acoustic isolator behaving such that a “down” wave propagated toward the isolator is reflected back substantially in phase with an “up” wave propagated from the acoustic wave source away from the isolator. The acoustic isolator is similarly effective in reflecting “up” propagating waves originating from below the isolator, hence further protecting the acoustic wave source from possible deleterious interference. It causes substantially all of the emitted wave energy to travel in a chosen direction along the drill pipe, thus aiding the efficiency of acoustic telemetry said pipe. | 08-19-2010 |
20100290313 | PULSE STIMULATION TOOL AND METHOD OF USE - A downhole pulse stimulation tool for use within a production or injection string including a tubing string, a rotating or reciprocating rod string and a downhole pump. The tool is formed by a resonance chamber defined by a cylindrical outer tubular member connected to the tubing string and having pulse emitting openings, a pulse generator rotatably disposed within the resonance chamber having longitudinal channels and defining pulse generating openings, wherein the pulse generating openings periodically align with the pulse emitting openings as the pulse generator rotates or reciprocates within the resonance chamber. | 11-18-2010 |
20100309750 | Sensor Assembly - An assembly for passive detection of features at known locations of a conduit. The assembly is a sensor assembly particularly well suited for detection of casing collars at known locations of cased wells, such as segmented hydrocarbon wells. Thus, the assembly is able to provide real time positioning information relative to any tool coupled thereto which is being advanced in the well pursuant to a well application. Given that the detection takes place in a passive manner via the combination of a magneto-responsive sensor and voltage responsive device, no separate dedicated power source or additional electronics are required. | 12-09-2010 |
20110069583 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY MEASUREMENT OF WELL BORE FORMATION DEBRIS ACCUMULATION - An invention is claimed wherein the signal loss along steel drill pipe walls can be estimated in the absence of a loss mechanism due to the formation debris at various positions in the well bore; the signal loss in excess of the calculated attenuation is generally and directly attributable to the build-up of said formation debris and an estimation of the amount can be determined. Furthermore, by use of distributed acoustic nodes positioned in the well between the transmitter in the BHA and the surface receiver—configured as repeaters—the formation debris build-up can be determined in each section so defined. This new information enables the driller to implement hole cleaning means in a timely manner and as appropriate, thus avoiding the problems of getting stuck in the hole, and possible well abandonment. An extension of the method enables the hole cleaning process to be automated, thereby improving efficiency. | 03-24-2011 |
20110141852 | AIR HAMMER OPTIMIZATION USING ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY - A system and method of optimizing air hammer performance in a well drilling rig whereby an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) is used to monitor the effects of changing any of the operating parameters under his or her control. The signals are visually presented to the drill operator based on an EAR's output, along with current settings, allowing the drill operator to dial in the parameters of his or her choice until the optimal frequency of the air hammer is regained. The visual output displays the amplitude response of acoustic waves being detected and decoded at the surface by the EAR. The drill operator can observe and use this information to determine the changes necessary in the operating parameters to return the hammer to optimal frequency, and thus optimal performance. | 06-16-2011 |
20110149687 | ACOUSTIC TRANSCEIVER WITH ADJACENT MASS GUIDED BY MEMBRANES - An acoustic transceiver assembly including a housing, an oscillator, and at least one membrane. The housing has at least one inner wall defining a cavity. The housing also has a first end and a second end defining an axis of the acoustic transceiver assembly. The oscillator is provided in the cavity. The oscillator is provided with a transducer element, and a backing mass acoustically coupled to the transducer element. The at least one membrane extends outward from the backing mass to support at least the backing mass within the cavity. The at least one membrane is flexible in an axial direction parallel to the axis of the acoustic transceiver assembly to permit the backing mass to oscillate in the axial direction, and rigid in a transverse direction to restrict lateral movement of the backing mass relative to the housing. | 06-23-2011 |
20110164468 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF TRANSMITTING ACOUSTIC SIGNALS FROM A WELLBORE - Transmitting acoustic signals from a wellbore. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including transmitting an acoustic signal comprising downhole data, receiving the acoustic signal (the receiving by a receiver disposed within the internal diameter of a casing in the wellbore) converting the acoustic signal to a corresponding first electromagnetic signal, and inducing a second electromagnetic signal in a tubing responsive to the first electromagnetic signal. | 07-07-2011 |
20110176387 | BI-DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATING DATA ALONG A PIPE - A bi-directional acoustic telemetry system is presented for communicating data and/or control signals between a first modem and a second modem along tubing. The system includes a communication channel defined by the tubing, a transducer of the first modem, and a transducer of the second modem. The transducer of each modem are configured to transmit and receive data and/or control signals, and are further configured to electrically communicate with a power amplifier characterized by an output impedance Zs and a signal conditioning amplifier characterized by an input impedance Zr. The system also includes a reciprocal response along the communication channel between the output impedance Zs and the input impedance Zr. | 07-21-2011 |
20110205847 | WIRELESS TELEMETRY SYSTEMS FOR DOWNHOLE TOOLS - Apparatus and method for transmitting data in a borehole ( | 08-25-2011 |
20110280104 | Dual top drive systems and methods for wellbore operations - Systems and methods for wellbore operations using a dual top drive system with two top drives. | 11-17-2011 |
20110286307 | ACOUSTIC LOGGING WHILE DRILLING TOOL HAVING RAISED TRANSDUCERS - An acoustic logging while drilling tool includes an acoustic transmitter and a linear array of acoustic receivers. At least one of the transmitter and the linear array of receivers is deployed on a blade having an outer diameter greater than that of the tool body. In preferred embodiments the transmitter and linear array are each deployed on a distinct blade. Deployment of the transmitter and/or the receivers on a blade reduces the standoff distance to the borehole wall which tends to improve the signal strength of received guided waves without an increase in transmitter power or receiver sensitivity. | 11-24-2011 |
20120063267 | Well Monitoring by Means of Distributed Sensing Means - Methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring are provided by interrogating an unmodified optic fibre ( | 03-15-2012 |
20120170409 | Determining the Order of Devices in a Downhole String - A string of subs includes a controller sub. The controller sub includes a first end, a second end, a controller, a first controller bus coupled to the controller, the first controller bus exiting at the first end of the controller sub, and a second controller bus coupled to the controller, the second controller bus being separate from the first controller bus, the second controller bus exiting at the second end of the controller sub. The string of subs also includes a first measuring sub and a second measuring sub. A process, running on a computer, discovers that the first measuring sub is connected to the first controller bus, discovers that the second measuring sub is connected to the first controller bus, determines that the first measuring sub is physically closer to the controller sub than the second measuring sub, and use the fact that the first measuring sub is physically closer to the controller sub than the second measuring sub in controlling the operation of the string of subs. | 07-05-2012 |
20120170410 | PIPING COMMUNICATION - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to communicate, by an information-bearing signal across a mechanical interface, between a pair of electromechanical transducer elements when the pair is compressively loaded. Compressive loading may occur after coupling a male portion of a pipe joint to a female portion of the pipe joint to form the pipe joint. A first one of the pair of electromechanical transducer elements may be included in the male portion, and a second one of the pair may be included in the female portion. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 07-05-2012 |
20120218863 | INGROUND DRILL STRING HOUSING AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL COUPLING - An inground housing is insertable in at least one joint of a drill string extending from a drill rig. The inground housing supports an electronics assembly for processing a data signal relating to the inground operation and a signal coupling arrangement for transferring the data signal between the electronics assembly and the drill rig by electromagnetically coupling the data signal between the signal coupling arrangement and the drill string such that the data signal is electrically conducted as an electrical data signal along at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the inground housing. In another feature, a current transformer is resiliently supported to isolate the current transformer from mechanical shock and vibration that is produced by an inground operation that is performed using the drill string. In another feature, a drill string repeater is described. | 08-30-2012 |
20120250461 | TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER SYNCHRONIZATION FOR WIRELESS TELEMETRY SYSTEMS - An acoustic modem for communication in a network of acoustic modems via a communication channel. The acoustic modem comprises a transceiver assembly, transceiver electronics, and a power supply. The transceiver assembly is adapted to convert acoustic messages into electrical signals. The transceiver electronics is provided with transmitter electronics and receiver electronics. The transmitter electronics cause the transceiver assembly to send acoustic signals into the communication channel. The receiver electronics comprises at least one microcontroller adapted to execute instructions to (1) enable the receiver electronics to receive electrical signals indicative of the acoustic message from at least one other acoustic modem via the transceiver assembly, (2) estimate a carrier frequency of the electrical signals by analyzing an estimation frame of the electrical signals, (3) estimate a starting time of a data frame of the electrical signals by synchronizing with a synchronization frame of the acoustic message in parallel with at least two bit rates, and (4) decode the data frame. The power supply supplies power to the transceiver assembly and the transceiver electronics. | 10-04-2012 |
20130051177 | Full Flow Pulser for Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Device - An apparatus, method, and system described for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid utilizing a flow throttling device longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve actuator assembly is described. The main valve actuator assembly includes a main valve pressure chamber, a magnetic cup encompassing a rotary magnetic coupling, and a pilot actuator assembly. Passage of drilling fluid through a series of orifices, valves, shields, and screens where the fluid eventually combines with a pilot exit fluid that flows toward a main exit flow such that as the fluid becomes a pilot fluid that ultimately combines with the main flow such that the combined fluid causes one or more flow throttling devices to generate large, rapid controllable pulses that produce transmission of well developed signals easily distinguished from other noise resulting from other vibrations due to nearby equipment that is within or exterior to the borehole such that the signals also provide predetermined height, width and shape. | 02-28-2013 |
20130308424 | Method of Generating and Characterizing a Seismic Signal in a Drill Bit - A method, apparatus and system for estimating a parameter of interest downhole is disclosed. An acoustic source signal is generated at a drill bit downhole. The generated acoustic source signal is received at a source sensor at the drill bit. A character of the generated acoustic source signal is determined from the received signal at the source sensor. The characterized source signal is used to estimate the downhole parameter of interest. | 11-21-2013 |
20140112100 | AIR HAMMER OPTIMIZATION USING ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY - A system and method of optimizing air hammer performance in a well drilling rig whereby an electronic acoustic receiver (EAR) is used to monitor the effects of changing any of the operating parameters under his or her control. The signals are visually presented to the drill operator based on an EAR's output, along with current settings, allowing the drill operator to dial in the parameters of his or her choice until the optimal frequency of the air hammer is regained. The visual output displays the amplitude response of acoustic waves being detected and decoded at the surface by the EAR. The drill operator can observe and use this information to determine the changes necessary in the operating parameters to return the hammer to optimal frequency, and thus optimal performance. | 04-24-2014 |
20140126330 | COILED TUBING CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM - A system and techniques for acoustically establishing the onset of an emergent condition relative coiled tubing in a well. The system may include fiber optic line run through the coiled tubing for sake of vibration detection in coiled tubing indicative of buckling, structural defects or other downhole coiled tubing conditions. Thus, application optimization action may be undertaken in a manner that enhances coiled tubing operational efficacy. | 05-08-2014 |
20140126331 | ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY WITH DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING SYSTEM - An acoustic telemetry method for use with a subterranean well can include positioning a well tool in the well, the well tool including an acoustic transmitter and a sensor, and an acoustic receiver in the well receiving an acoustic signal transmitted by the transmitter, the acoustic signal including information representative of a measurement by the sensor. A system for use with a subterranean well can include a well tool positioned in the well, the well tool including an acoustic transmitter and a sensor, the acoustic transmitter transmits an acoustic signal including information representative of a measurement by the sensor to an acoustic receiver positioned in the well. | 05-08-2014 |
20140126332 | VERIFICATION OF WELL TOOL OPERATION WITH DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING SYSTEM - A system for use with a subterranean well can include a well tool which generates an acoustic signal in response to operation of the well tool, the acoustic signal being detected by an acoustic receiver in the well. A method for verification of operation of a well tool can include operating the well tool, thereby generating an acoustic signal, and an acoustic receiver receiving the acoustic signal generated by the well tool, the acoustic signal including information indicative of the well tool operating. Another system for use with a subterranean well can include a well tool which generates an acoustic signal in response to operation of the well tool, an optical waveguide which receives the acoustic signal, and an optical interrogator connected to the optical waveguide. The optical interrogator detects the acoustic signal, which is indicative of the well tool operation. | 05-08-2014 |
20140133276 | Telemetry System, a Pipe and a Method of Transmitting Information - The invention relates to a telemetry system for use in a pipe having a wall, comprising a transmitter adapted to generate at least one acoustic wave in a frequency range of about 50-300 kHz and to inject the acoustic wave in the wall of the pipe, wherein the transmitter is further arranged to binary code information conceived to be transmitted with the acoustic wave. The invention further related to a pipe comprising the telemetry system and to a method of transmitting information via a pipe. | 05-15-2014 |
20140153369 | DOWNHOLE LOW RATE LINEAR REPEATER RELAY NETWORK TIMING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A downhole repeater network timing system for a drilling rig including a drillstring extending subsurface downwardly from a surface wellhead. The system includes a node located at the drillstring lower end and including a sensor adapted for providing a signal data set output corresponding to downhole drilling conditions. Multiple nodes are located downhole between the Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) and the wellhead and are associated with the drillstring. The nodes are adapted for receiving and transmitting the signals. The timing control system is adapted for controlling all times within a timeframe according to pre-configured constants known to all nodes. A downhole low rate linear repeater network timing method uses the system. | 06-05-2014 |
20140177392 | Acoustic Reception - A pressure-balanced acoustic-signal-receiving apparatus and methods therefor. The apparatus may comprise a first housing, a first actuator, a second housing, and a second actuator. The first housing may comprise a fluid chamber, a passage connecting a first and second portion of the fluid chamber, a tubular-contact assembly, an isolating member within the fluid chamber and coupled to the assembly, an acoustic-signal receiver within the isolating member and coupled to the assembly, and a communication member coupled to the receiver. A method for receiving an acoustic signal generated within a wellbore may comprise receiving the acoustic signal with a tubular-contact assembly, sensing the acoustic signal with an acoustic-signal receiver positioned within a fluid chamber and coupled to the assembly, equilibrating fluid pressures in the first and second portions of the fluid chamber, and transmitting information generated by the acoustic-signal receiver through a communication member. | 06-26-2014 |
20140233353 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR WELL COMMUNICATION - The present invention concerns a method and a well string element for transmitting data in a well. The well string element ( | 08-21-2014 |
20140307527 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO PRODUCE DATA PULSES IN A DRILL STRING - A method and assembly to produce data pulses in a drilling fluid in a drill string. The assembly comprises a shear valve that includes a valve member mounted in a valve passage in fluid flow communication with a fluid flow conduit of a drill string to which the assembly is connectable. The valve member is connected to a reciprocation mechanism comprising a rocker, a driven crank arrangement, and a slider member that provides a sliding coupling between the crank arrangement and the rocker. The slider member is pivotally connected to the crank arrangement, is keyed to the rocker for angular displacement about a valve axis, and is radially slidable relative to the rocker, so actuation of the crank arrangement causes angular reciprocation of the rocker, and hence of the valve member, about the valve axis, to produce data pulses in the drilling fluid. | 10-16-2014 |
20150023137 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING CONTROLLED VIBRATIONS FOR BOREHOLE COMMUNICATIONS - A system for producing controlled vibrations within a borehole comprises a vibration mechanism an impact to produce a plurality of vibration beats. The vibration mechanism is located substantially near a bottom hole assembly within the borehole. A damping mechanism selectively damps the vibration beats to encode information therein. The damping mechanism is located remotely from the vibration mechanism along a drill string of the bottom hole assembly. | 01-22-2015 |
20150085611 | ACOUSTIC MONITORING OF WELL STRUCTURES - An embodiment of a monitoring system for inspecting underground well structures includes a transmitter, a receiver, a processing module, and a power supply. The monitoring system is used to monitor pipe casings and structures surrounding the exterior of the pipe casings of a well. During operation, the transmitter directs time dependent energy radially towards a portion of a pipe casing, and the receiver measures energy that is returns to the system. The processing module amplifies, digitizes, and analyses the measurements of energy to produce monitoring information regarding the well structures. | 03-26-2015 |
20150131410 | Wellbore Telemetry and Noise Cancelation Systems and Methods for the Same - A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor. | 05-14-2015 |
20150292319 | Telemetry for Wireless Electro-Acoustical Transmission of Data Along a Wellbore - A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body and a specially configured network to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy. | 10-15-2015 |
20150292320 | Wired and Wireless Downhole Telemetry Using Production Tubing - A system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body such as a pipe in a wellbore. The nodes allow for hybrid wired-and-wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication partially up a wellbore, and then high speed data transmission using a wire for the remaining distance up to the surface. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to deliver wireless signals partially up the wellbore, and then wired signals the remaining distance. | 10-15-2015 |
20150300159 | Apparatus and Method for Evaluating Cement Integrity in a Wellbore Using Acoustic Telemetry - An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. In one embodiment the nodes are placed within the cement sheath surrounding the joints of casing and allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of cement sheath integrity. A method of evaluating a cement sheath in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed. | 10-22-2015 |
20150337652 | ACOUSTIC SIGNAL ENHANCEMENT APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate control the operation of a fluid pulse source using drilling fluid to excite vibrations in a shock sub, increasing the axial vibration in a drill string to reduce static friction between the drill string and a formation surrounding the drill string. The vibrations are excited at a fundamental frequency that is outside of the operational communications frequency range of an associated acoustic telemetry communications system. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 11-26-2015 |
20150337653 | Well Monitoring by Means of Distributed Sensing Means - Methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring are provided by interrogating an unmodified optic fibre ( | 11-26-2015 |
20150354351 | Apparatus and Method for Monitoring Fluid Flow in a Wellbore Using Acoustic Signals - An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the wellbore. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid within a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string sending signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed. | 12-10-2015 |
20150361789 | Multi-Frequency Dielectric Borehole Imager - Systems, methods and devices for dielectric borehole imagery are disclosed. Systems may include one or more transmitters that induce, at azimuthally-spaced positions on a borehole wall, a plurality of fields having components in non-coplanar directions within a formation; one or more directionally sensitive receivers that sense the components caused by each of the one or more transmitters; and a controller that processes signals received from the one or more directionally sensitive inductive sensors to provide a set of measurements representative of dielectric parameters at two or more azimuthal positions within the borehole. | 12-17-2015 |
20150377017 | ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER FOR TRANSMITTING A SIGNAL THROUGH A DOWNHOLE MEDIUM - An acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal through a downhole medium includes a voltage source; a composite load; and switching circuitry that applies voltage from the voltage source across the composite load in response to a drive signal. The composite load includes charge control circuitry, in the form of at least one inductor, connected electrically in series with a piezoelectric transducer that may be electrically modeled as a capacitor. | 12-31-2015 |
20160003036 | Acoustic Data Compression Technique - Acoustic data acquired in a MWD/LWD system can be compressed for transmission to the surface. The compression technique can include semblance processing acoustic signals received at a plurality of receivers spaced apart from a transmitter to generate a semblance projection at each of a plurality of depths. Peaks of the semblance projection can then be telemetered to the surface, with each peak including a slowness (velocity) value and a coherence (semblance) value. The telemetered values may be processed at the surface to generate logs as a function of depth. | 01-07-2016 |
20160024913 | ACOUSTIC RECEIVER FOR USE ON A DRILL STRING - An acoustic receiver for use on a drill string includes a housing attachable to the drill string; a first sensor mounted within the housing for measuring a first parameter at a first location on the drill string and for generating a first parameter signal representative of the first parameter; a second sensor mounted within the housing for measuring a second parameter at a second location on the drill string and for generating a second parameter signal representative of the second parameter; and a controller mounted within the housing and communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors. The magnitudes of the first and second parameters vary in proportion to magnitude of the acoustic wave and the first and second parameters have a quadrature phase relationship. The controller is configured to combine the first and second parameter signals to determine the magnitude of the acoustic wave. | 01-28-2016 |
20160047236 | Acoustic Communications Network with Frequency Diversification - An acoustic communications network includes acoustic modems that exchange messages on an acoustic communications medium, such as tubing deployed in a wellbore. The acoustic communications medium is characterized by an acoustic transfer function having a plurality of passbands and a plurality of stopbands. The messages are communicated by encoding the message into a plurality of symbols representing the message and distributing the plurality of symbols across a bandwidth of a wideband acoustic signal that spans at least one passband and at least one stopband of the acoustic transfer function. | 02-18-2016 |
20160108725 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DUAL TELEMETRY ACOUSTIC NOISE REDUCTION - A method for dual telemetry noise reduction on a drilling rig comprises receiving an acoustic signal including first telemetry data transmitted over a drill string of the drilling rig. A pressure signal is received including the first telemetry data transmitted through drilling mud of the drill string of the drilling rig. The pressure signal is substantially similar to the acoustic signal and offset from the acoustic signal by a first period of time. The telemetry data is determined and the noise contained within the acoustic signal and the pressure signal rejected responsive to both the received acoustic signal and the received pressure signal. | 04-21-2016 |
20160194954 | PIPING COMMUNICATION | 07-07-2016 |