A magnetic flux receiver assembly includes a collar that defines a central passageway and an axial collar face, and a tool insert disposable within the central passageway and defining an axial insert face. One or more magnetometers are operatively coupled to the tool insert. One or more buttons are coupled to one or both of the axial collar face and the axial insert face such that an axial gap is defined at an axial interface between the axial collar face and the axial insert face to prevent electrical communication across the axial interface.

An underground directional drilling system can comprise a plurality of elongated dual-shaft segments coupled together end-to-end in a drilling string. The segments include an inner shaft that is independently rotable relative to an annular outer shaft, with the inner shafts being coupled together and the outer shafts being coupled together. The plurality of dual-shaft segments can comprise a communication segment that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a gap portion between the first and second electrodes that provides electrical insulation therebetween, and an electronic communication controller electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes. The communication controller is configured to generate voltage differences between the electrodes that cause electrical pulses to periodically transfer between the electrodes through the gap portion to wirelessly communicate drilling related data from underground to the surface.

Wellbore ranging methods and systems for active electromagnetic ranging between a pair of conductive tubulars. Methods may include generating a depth-dependent current on one conductive tubular of the pair and a return current on another and thereby causing an injection current to flow into the earth formation by electrically exciting a first conductive tubular of the pair at a first wellhead and a second of the pair at a second wellhead, wherein the return current on the one results from the injection current on the other and is received from the earth formation; making electromagnetic measurements indicative of at least one electromagnetic field resulting from the depth-dependent current in the earth formation; and estimating a relative position of the first conductive tubular with respect to the second tubular using the electromagnetic measurements.

A data acquisition and signal detection through radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a method of using the system are provided. The system includes a base station, a receiver, and an RFID device. The system is operable to be used with a wellbore and a drill string during a drilling process to obtain data regarding properties of the wellbore and/or the drill string.

A data acquisition and signal detection through radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a method of using the system are provided. The system includes a base station, a receiver, and an RFID device. The system is operable to be used with a wellbore and a drill string during a drilling process to obtain data regarding properties of the wellbore and/or the drill string.

A method of operating a directional drill rig from a remote location may involve the steps of: Issuing instructions from a remote location using a remote communications system; receiving said instructions at a drill site location using an on-site communications system; applying said instructions to a directional drill rig; and communicating directional drill rig data from the drill site location to the remote location using the remote and on-site communications systems.

A system for tracking and guiding a downhole tool underground along a desired borepath. GPS measurements are taken by a GPS unit at desired waypoints on the ground surface that overlays the desired borepath. A planned route for the downhole tool to follow underground is generated from the GPS measurements of the waypoints. A tracker is used to track the location of the downhole tool underground while drilling a borepath. GPS measurements of a series of above-ground locations that overlay the borepath created by the moving downhole tool are taken and sent to the processor. The processor checks for deviation between the GPS measurements of the above-ground locations and the planned route and provides directions to correct the borepath of the downhole tool in response to the deviation.

The method of maintaining drill bit advancement in an underground formation that contains shale, including providing an electrical signal from an insulated gap location in a drill string substantially directly behind the bit in the formation, detecting substantial change in a signal as the bit advances, and changing the direction of drilling of the bit as a function of a signal change, to thereby maintain the direction of bit advancement in the formation. A method is disclosed for detecting the existence and direction of adjacent bed boundaries. A short hop transmitter assembly generates a signal that is detected by an associated receiver assembly. The received signal(s) are tied to the azimuthal orientation of the transmitter or receiver and processed to yield the direction and/or the distance of the bed boundary. This information is transmitted to the surface via surface telemetry for real-time control of the drilling assembly to stay within, or to enter, a pay zone.

A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.

A drilling area network hub is located proximate to a drill rig and includes an uphole transceiver in bidirectional communication with a downhole transceiver by utilizing the drill string as an electrical conductor. Certain information is collected including rig-based and/or location information. At least one field report is generated based on the certain information to characterize at least one of an inground operation, an operational condition of the downhole transceiver, an operational condition of the uphole transceiver, and an operational condition of the drill rig. A drilling area network server receives the field report from the Internet at a remote location and can generate a custom report and/or recommended actions based on field data. Region specific parameters can be applied to the operation of a drilling system. The drilling area network hub can transfer data logs to the remote location according to assigned priorities.