A modular downhole logging system includes a transmitter module having a local frequency, wherein the transmitter module transmits interrogation signals into a formation based on the local frequency. The downhole system also includes a receiver module axially-spaced from the transmitter module and that receives response signals corresponding to the interrogation signals, wherein the receiver module includes sampling logic and sync estimation logic. The sync estimation logic is configured to perform sync estimation operations including estimating the local frequency of the transmitter module based on analysis of response signal Fourier transform results corresponding to different frequencies. The sampling logic/clock is configured to sample the response signals based on the estimated local frequency of the transmitter module, wherein a processor derives formation property values using the sampled response signals.

An automated slide drilling system (ASDS) may be used with a drilling rig system to control slide drilling. The ASDS may autonomously control slide drilling without user input during the slide drilling. The ASDS may further support a transition from rotary drilling to slide drilling to rotary drilling without user input during the transitions. The ASDS may also support user input and user notifications for various steps to enable manual or semi-manual control of slide drilling by a driller or an operator.

Apparatus and methods of identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An apparatus includes an acoustic sensor installed in a drilling fluid circulation system of a drilling rig, the acoustic sensor coupled to one of the following: (i) a bell nipple, (ii) a gooseneck, or (iii) a standpipe. Raw acoustic sensor data generated real-time as a result of rotational contact of the drill bit with rock during drilling is received, and a plurality of acoustic characteristics are derived from the raw acoustic sensor data. The lithology type of rock undergoing drilling may be determined from the acoustic characteristics. Petrophysical properties of the rock undergoing drilling may be determined using a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm employable to predict the petrophysical properties of rock undergoing drilling from the raw acoustic sensor data.

A system for self-tuning sonic transmitters which transmits a plurality of frequencies into a downhole formation, then identifies which of the transmitted frequencies generates the best response from the formation. The system then uses the best frequency identified for subsequent logging of formation data until a subsequent tuning sequence is initiated.

A method may comprise recording a first reflected waveform with a first transducer to form a first data set from a first excitation, recording a second reflected waveform with a second transducer to form a second data set from a second excitation, estimating a first sensitivity correction factor for the first data set, applying the first sensitivity correction factor to at least a portion of the first data set to form a first sensitivity corrected data set. The method may further comprise estimating a second sensitivity correction factor for the second data set, applying the second sensitivity correction factor to at least a portion of the second data set to form a second sensitivity corrected data set, stacking the first sensitivity corrected data set amplitudes and forming a first image, stacking the second sensitivity corrected data set amplitudes and forming a second image, and comparing the images.

A system for monitoring data quality in a drilling operation includes a controller and a plurality of data sources configured to provide data to the controller. The controller is configured to receive data from a plurality of data sources during a drilling operation; apply data quality rules to the received data; calculate a score for each data source of the plurality of data sources based on adherence of the received data for that data source to the data quality rules; compare the calculated scores for the plurality of data sources to determine which calculated scores meet or exceed a threshold score; receive a selection of one of the plurality of data sources having a calculated score that meets or exceeds the threshold score; and use the data from the selected data source. Methods and non-transitory machine-readable media for monitoring data quality are also provided.

An azimuthal acoustic LWD apparatus is sequentially provided with a centralizer, a transmitting circuit, transmitting transducers, an acoustic insulator, a receiving transducer array, ultrasonic transducers and a receiving circuit on a drill collar. The azimuthal acoustic LWD apparatus is capable of operating in a dipole mode or a unipole mode, to cover all the sectors around a wellbore by adopting a fixed time interval measurement mode or an alternating time interval measurement mode according to a relationship of an interval between measurement times and a rotation speed of the apparatus, thereby achieving azimuthal acoustic LWD. This apparatus overcomes problems that the fixed time interval measurement mode may not cover all the sectors and further may not achieve azimuthal acoustic imaging in a case where the rotation speed and the interval between measurement times are under certain conditions.

Event amplitudes associated with a reflector in a subterranean formation are estimated, wherein the events are detected by azimuthally distributed receivers of an acoustic tool in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The receiver closest to an azimuthal position of the reflector is identified based on the estimated event amplitudes. The azimuthal position of the reflector is determined using data obtained from (1) the receiver identified as closest to the azimuthal position of the reflector, and (2) two others of the receivers that are azimuthally adjacent the receiver identified as closest to the azimuthal position of the reflector.

System and methods for measuring properties within a subterranean well include a ring assembly. The ring assembly includes a structural ring sized with a ring inner diameter to circumscribe a tubular string and a ring outer diameter to fit within a bore of the subterranean well. A measurement tool is integrated with the structural ring. Wheels are spaced around an inner diameter surface of the structural ring.

The present invention provides a methodology and system for formation boundary detection ahead and around of a drilling bit. By setting symmetrical design of receivers/transmitters around a transmitter/receiver and the direction of the receivers/transmitters, the system can measure the signals reflected by a formation boundary ahead of and around the drilling bit. The measured signals can be used to determine formation boundary positions.