A method for detecting a beacon signal using an above-ground tracker. The tracker comprises an antenna assembly comprising a plurality of antennas. Each antenna is oriented in a different direction. During operation, if the beacon signal is interrupted due to a local noise source, transmission of the beacon signal is stopped. The tracker then detects radiation from the local noise source and the processor determines a direction from which peak ambient noise arrives at the tracker. The beacon signal is then resumed. A processor included in the tracker excludes any signals generated by the antenna assembly that are representative of radiation that arrived at the tracker from the same direction the peak ambient noise arrived at the tracker. The tracker then detects the beacon signal using the non-excluded signals.

A method for displaying performance of a wellbore drilling operation including wellbore cleaning includes defining drilling parameters for the drilling operation. The method includes defining a visualization tool including a boundary defined by the drilling parameters, where the boundary depicts an optimal rate of penetration (ROP). The method includes displaying the visualization tool with the optimal ROP, where the optimal ROP defines a maximum ROP for optimal wellbore cleaning based on the drilling parameters. The method includes displaying an actual rate of penetration (ROP) with respect to the optimal ROP on the visualization tool. The method further includes adjusting the actual ROP to match the optimal ROP.

A system for use in a wellbore can include a component that is positioned in a flow path through a tubular for fluid. The component can be movable by the fluid between a first position and a second position for changing a magnitude of a magnetic field that is detectable by a sensor or inducing a current in the sensor. The system can also include the sensor positioned external to the tubular for determining a direction of a flow of the fluid through the tubular based on the magnitude of the magnetic field or a polarity of the current.

A repeater system provided in a wellbore including a plurality of communication units spaced at intervals along a length of a wellbore, the communication units being communicatively coupled via a transmission medium. The communication units are configured to relay data from one communication unit to another communication unit selected from the plurality of communication units along the transmission medium, wherein at least one of the communication units is hopped over as data is relayed across the plurality of communication units along the length of the wellbore.

A system for tracking an object in oil and gas wellbore operations wherein a releasable object carrying a first signal system is released into tube system associated with a wellbore. The first signal system communicates with one or more second signal systems positioned along the travel path of the object; along the surface of the formation; and/or throughout the wellbore. First signal system and the second signal system may communicate by RF signals. First signal system and any second signal systems positioned on the surface communicate by through-the-earth or very low frequency signals. A global positioning system may be utilized in conjunction with any second signal systems on the surface to identify the absolute location of the object in the underground wellbore. The first signal system carried by the object may be a piezoelectric system disposed to transmit a signal when the object experiences a predetermined pressure.

A method for logging a wellbore includes positioning a downhole tool having a downhole clock in the wellbore, logging the wellbore with the downhole tool, transmitting a surface signal from a wellbore surface to the downhole tool, and receiving the surface signal at the downhole tool. The method also includes transmitting a downhole signal from the downhole tool to the surface, receiving the downhole signal at the wellbore surface, and determining clock drift based on an arrival time of the surface signal at the downhole tool and an arrival time of the downhole signal at the wellbore surface.

A method for logging a wellbore includes positioning a downhole tool having a downhole clock in the wellbore, logging the wellbore with the downhole tool, transmitting a surface signal from a wellbore surface to the downhole tool, and receiving the surface signal at the downhole tool. The method also includes transmitting a downhole signal from the downhole tool to the surface, receiving the downhole signal at the wellbore surface, and determining clock drift based on an arrival time of the surface signal at the downhole tool and an arrival time of the downhole signal at the wellbore surface.

Hydrocarbon wells and methods of probing a subsurface region of the hydrocarbon wells. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore, a downhole sensor storage structure, and a detection structure. The wellbore may extend within a subsurface region and between a surface region and a downhole end region. The downhole sensor storage structure is configured to release a flowable sensor into a wellbore fluid that extends within the wellbore, and the flowable sensor may be configured to collect sensor data indicative of at least one property of the subsurface region. The detection structure may be configured to query the flowable sensor to determine the at least one property of the subsurface region. The methods include releasing a flowable sensor, collecting sensor data with the flowable sensor, and querying the flowable sensor.

A drill-pipe communication assembly includes a first drill pipe segment. A conductor extends at least partially along a length of the first drill pipe segment. An antenna is electrically coupled to the first drill pipe segment. The antenna facilitates wireless transmission of signals from the first drill pipe segment to an adjacent second drill pipe segment.

A drill-pipe communication assembly includes a first drill pipe segment. A conductor extends at least partially along a length of the first drill pipe segment. An antenna is electrically coupled to the first drill pipe segment. The antenna facilitates wireless transmission of signals from the first drill pipe segment to an adjacent second drill pipe segment.