A method (60) of determining core orientation of a core sample (12) cut from the ground by a drill rig (10) having a drill string and a drill bit (20) coupled to a downhole end of the drill string. Drilling data (Cn, Rn) is continuously acquired while the drill rig (10) is operating to cut and retrieve the core sample (12). The drilling data is a combination of core orientation data Cn and rig operational data Rn, where the rig operational data is constituted by either one or both of: (a) near bit rig data Nn; and, (b) at surface rig data Sn. The drilling data is analyzed for a specific pattern of rig operational data Rn indicative of the core sample being broken from ground by operation of the drill rig (10). On detection of the specific pattern, the orientation of the core sample prior to being broken from the ground is the acquired core orientation data Cn coinciding with that specific pattern of rig operational data Rn.

The present application pertains to a universal bottom hole assembly node module. The module may comprise an azimuthal resistivity module, an azimuthal gamma module, a pressure while drilling module, or any combination thereof. A communication system may be configured to provide two way communication between two or more components of a bottom hole assembly, for example, between a rotary steerable system and a measurement while drilling system. This advantageously allows real time geosteering, well control, hydraulics analysis for drilling optimization, and/or evaluation of motor efficiency.

The present application pertains to a universal bottom hole assembly node module. The module may comprise an azimuthal resistivity module, an azimuthal gamma module, a pressure while drilling module, or any combination thereof. A communication system may be configured to provide two way communication between two or more components of a bottom hole assembly, for example, between a rotary steerable system and a measurement while drilling system. This advantageously allows real time geosteering, well control, hydraulics analysis for drilling optimization, and/or evaluation of motor efficiency.

A method for imaging a downhole formation. The method includes combining the captured images to generate a partial image of the formation, wherein the partial image includes captured images separated by gaps representing portions of the formation not captured with sensors what were disposed downhole. The method includes locating dips in the formation within the partial image and interpolating the partial image using the located dips within the partial image.

The present invention relates to a method of estimating the region of damage due to collapse in the wall of a well during the drilling operation, normally using drilling fluid, where said well can, for example, be intended either for the injection or else for the production of a gas or oil reservoir. Other uses can be found in mining and in civil engineering work. This method is characterized by a set of analytical steps that allow establishing, for example, optimal drilling parameters so as to allow the fastest possible drilling speed that is also safe enough to allow is charging the collapse material without jamming the drilling tool. This method likewise allows assessing both the width and depth of damage in the wall of the well.

The present invention relates to a method of estimating the region of damage due to collapse in the wall of a well during the drilling operation, normally using drilling fluid, where said well can, for example, be intended either for the injection or else for the production of a gas or oil reservoir. Other uses can be found in mining and in civil engineering work. This method is characterized by a set of analytical steps that allow establishing, for example, optimal drilling parameters so as to allow the fastest possible drilling speed that is also safe enough to allow is charging the collapse material without jamming the drilling tool. This method likewise allows assessing both the width and depth of damage in the wall of the well.

A transmitter of a downhole tool inserted in a borehole of a geological formation transmits a first signal. A receiver of the downhole tool receives a second signal, where the second signal is induced by the first signal in the geological formation. A simple response matrix is determined based on the second signal, where the simple response matrix includes a plurality of response components. One or more of the response components are combined and a modified response matrix is formed by replacing one or more of the plurality of response components in the simple response matrix with a linear combination of the response components of the simple response matrix. The modified response matrix is inverted and an indication of formation properties in the geological formation is output.

Systems and methods for controlling subsurface drilling operations are described. The methods include performing the subsurface drilling operation using a bottomhole assembly having a disintegrating device, detecting, with a sensor, a formation layer orientation, approaching, with the disintegrating device, a rock layer, and generating a steering command to change an angle of attack of the disintegrating device relative to the rock layer based on the detected formation layer orientation.

In a drilling system, a control system coupled to a drilling rig controls a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to drill a borehole through a geological formation along a drilling path. The control system determines a present position of the BHA and calculates a toolface vector to create a convergence path from the present position of the BHA to a desired target path. The control system also receives geological information and compensates the toolface vector to account for an estimated geologic formation drift. The control system causes at least one control parameter to be modified in order to alter a drilling direction of the BHA based on the calculated toolface vector and transmits the at least one control parameter to the drilling rig to target the BHA in accordance with the calculated toolface vector. The control system iteratively performs this process until convergence with the desired target path is achieved.

In a drilling system, a control system coupled to a drilling rig controls a bottom hole assembly (BHA) to drill a borehole through a geological formation along a drilling path. The control system determines a present position of the BHA and calculates a toolface vector to create a convergence path from the present position of the BHA to a desired target path. The control system also receives geological information and compensates the toolface vector to account for an estimated geologic formation drift. The control system causes at least one control parameter to be modified in order to alter a drilling direction of the BHA based on the calculated toolface vector and transmits the at least one control parameter to the drilling rig to target the BHA in accordance with the calculated toolface vector. The control system iteratively performs this process until convergence with the desired target path is achieved.