A system for use in navigating and/or forming a tunnel includes a tunneling device including a body assembly and a fluid line coupled to the body assembly. The body assembly includes a first section and a second section that are configured to selectively adjust their size and move the body assembly through an underground location when a pressurized fluid is delivered to the body assembly through the fluid line. The system further includes at least one sensor coupled to the body assembly and/or the fluid line. The at least one sensor is configured to provide information related to an operating parameter of at least one of the first section of the body assembly or the second section of the body assembly. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an environmental characteristic of the tunnel based on the information provided by the at least one sensor.

An underground transmitter can be configured for use with a drill head and configured for wireless communication. The underground transmitter can include a control circuitry and a multi-coil antenna assembly. The control circuitry is configured for transmitting data associated with an operation of the drill head. The multi-core antenna can include an antenna core and a plurality of distinct wire coils. The plurality of distinct wire coils can be positioned proximate (e.g., around) the antenna core, with the distinct wire coils each having a different inductance associated therewith and thereby capable of transmitting in a separate frequency range. The control circuitry can be selectably coupled with the distinct wire coils to control which of the distinct wire coils are activated and thereby generating data signals at a given time.

A downhole energy harvesting system configured for use in a downhole tool. The system utilizes at least one harvesting antenna supported within the downhole tool. During operation, the harvesting antenna harvests energy from a beacon signal emanating from a beacon included in the downhole tool. The harvested energy is used to power electronics included within the downhole tool during the course of a boring operation.

A downhole energy harvesting system configured for use in a downhole tool. The system utilizes at least one harvesting antenna supported within the downhole tool. During operation, the harvesting antenna harvests energy from a beacon signal emanating from a beacon included in the downhole tool. The harvested energy is used to power electronics included within the downhole tool during the course of a boring operation.

A wireless data telemetry system for use in a drilling system can include a drill head wireless transmitter and at least one data link transceiver. The drill head wireless transmitter can be in a drill head of the drilling system, the drill head wireless transmitter configured to generate and transmit one or more data signals associated with a drilling process. The at least one data link transceiver can be wirelessly coupled to at least one of the drill head wireless transmitter or another data link transceiver, with the drill head wireless transmitter and the at least one data link transceiver configured to be physically coupled within a drill string and spaced apart from one another. The drill head wireless transmitter and the at least one data link transceiver together configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more data signals beyond a transmission range of the drill head wireless transmitter.

An assembly to recover hydrocarbon gas from a seabed comprises one or more self-propelled drilling devices that include hydrocarbon sensors and a sublimation mechanism to induce sublimation of crystallized hydrates into hydrocarbon gases. As the drilling device moves through the wellbore, hydrocarbon deposits are detected and the sublimation mechanism induces sublimation of the deposits to release hydrocarbon gases up through the formation to the seabed. A bladder is positioned atop the wellbore to capture the release hydrocarbon gas and transfer it to a surface vessel for collection.

A wireless data telemetry system for use in a drilling system can include a drill head wireless transmitter and at least one data link transceiver. The drill head wireless transmitter can be in a drill head of the drilling system, the drill head wireless transmitter configured to generate and transmit one or more data signals associated with a drilling process. The at least one data link transceiver can be wirelessly coupled to at least one of the drill head wireless transmitter or another data link transceiver, with the drill head wireless transmitter and the at least one data link transceiver configured to be physically coupled within a drill string and spaced apart from one another. The drill head wireless transmitter and the at least one data link transceiver together configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more data signals beyond a transmission range of the drill head wireless transmitter.

A system for use in navigating and/or forming a tunnel includes a tunneling device including a body assembly and a fluid line coupled to the body assembly. The body assembly includes a first section and a second section that are configured to selectively adjust their size and move the body assembly through an underground location when a pressurized fluid is delivered to the body assembly through the fluid line. The system further includes at least one sensor coupled to the body assembly and/or the fluid line. The at least one sensor is configured to provide information related to an operating parameter of at least one of the first section of the body assembly or the second section of the body assembly. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an environmental characteristic of the tunnel based on the information provided by the at least one sensor.