A method for conducting survey measurements in a ranging operation between a first well and a second well include generating an electromagnetic field in a downhole location in the first well and scanning for the electromagnetic field in a downhole location in the second well. When at least one characteristic of the electromagnetic field is detected, the method includes automatically initiating survey measurements for a ranging operation without receiving a downlink command from surface.

The present invention provides a methodology and system for determining formation resistivity beyond a casing. Using devices to generate, direct, and measure electric signals, the travel speed, travel time, attenuation and phase shift of an electric signal traveling through the casing can be measured. Applying a relationship between the travel speed or travel time of an electric signal and the formation resistivity beyond a casing, it is then possible to determine the formation resistivity beyond a casing by measuring the travel speed or travel time or phase shift or attenuation of an electric signal.

The present invention provides a methodology and system for determining formation resistivity beyond a casing. Using devices to generate, direct, and measure electric signals, the travel speed, travel time, attenuation and phase shift of an electric signal traveling through the casing can be measured. Applying a relationship between the travel speed or travel time of an electric signal and the formation resistivity beyond a casing, it is then possible to determine the formation resistivity beyond a casing by measuring the travel speed or travel time or phase shift or attenuation of an electric signal.

An example system includes an electrode-based tool for deployment in a downhole environment. The electrode-based tool has a plurality of current electrodes, at least one voltage monitoring electrode, at least one return electrode, and electronics to collect one or more voltage measurements from the at least one voltage monitoring electrode as current from at least one of the plurality of current electrodes is injected into the downhole environment and flows to the at least one return electrode. The system also includes at least one processor to estimate leakage current between at least one of the plurality of current electrodes and the at least one return electrode based on the collected one or more voltage measurements and a predetermined internal impedance model or table. The at least one processor is configured to derive a corrected downhole environment parameter based at least in part on the estimated leakage current.

The present disclosure introduces an apparatus for downhole measurement of a formation resistivity. The apparatus includes a probe having a button electrode, a first guard electrode insulated from the button electrode, a second guard electrode insulated from the first guard electrode, and a return electrode positioned external to the second guard electrode. The apparatus also includes an electrical source for setting a voltage drop between the second guard electrode and the return electrode, a first impedance (R.sub.BOG) electrically coupled between the button electrode and the second guard electrode, and a second impedance (R.sub.IGOG) electrically coupled between the first guard electrode and the second guard electrode.

The present disclosure introduces an apparatus for downhole measurement of a formation resistivity. The apparatus includes a probe having a button electrode, a first guard electrode insulated from the button electrode, a second guard electrode insulated from the first guard electrode, and a return electrode positioned external to the second guard electrode. The apparatus also includes an electrical source for setting a voltage drop between the second guard electrode and the return electrode, a first impedance (R.sub.BOG) electrically coupled between the button electrode and the second guard electrode, and a second impedance (R.sub.IGOG) electrically coupled between the first guard electrode and the second guard electrode.

A method and system for resistivity imaging. A method may comprise disposing a downhole tool into a borehole, applying a voltage difference between the array of injector electrodes, constructing a first set of formation images for each of the plurality of frequencies, applying a mud effect removal algorithm to produce a second set of formation images for each of the plurality of frequencies, applying a dielectric correction algorithm to each of the plurality of frequencies to produce a third set of formation images for each of the plurality of frequencies, and combining the first set of formation images, the second set of formation images, and the third set of formation images to obtain a blended image. A system for resistivity imaging may comprise a downhole tool. The downhole tool may comprises a pad, an array of injector electrodes, and one or more return electrodes.

A method and system for resistivity imaging. A method may comprise disposing a downhole tool into a borehole, applying a voltage difference between the array of injector electrodes, constructing a first set of formation images for each of the plurality of frequencies, applying a mud effect removal algorithm to produce a second set of formation images for each of the plurality of frequencies, applying a dielectric correction algorithm to each of the plurality of frequencies to produce a third set of formation images for each of the plurality of frequencies, and combining the first set of formation images, the second set of formation images, and the third set of formation images to obtain a blended image. A system for resistivity imaging may comprise a downhole tool. The downhole tool may comprises a pad, an array of injector electrodes, and one or more return electrodes.

A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string. A power supply provides a time-varying current to the drill pipe electrode section (57) to produce a corresponding target current magnetic field to be detected at the drill bit instrument (10)2, and a communication instrument package (94) is locatable within the nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) to receive magnetic field data from the magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) on the drill bit (70).

A method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements to determine the proximity of a nearby target incorporating electrically conductive material includes a drill string (54) having multiple drill pipe sections (56, 57, 58, 59) connected end-to-end, with at least one of the drill pipe sections (57) being electrically conductive and isolated to provide an electrode section. A nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) is connected in the drill string below the electrode section (57), and a hydraulic motor (62) having a rotatable drill bit sub (70) carrying a magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) is connected to a lowermost end of the drill string. A power supply provides a time-varying current to the drill pipe electrode section (57) to produce a corresponding target current magnetic field to be detected at the drill bit instrument (10)2, and a communication instrument package (94) is locatable within the nonmagnetic drill pipe section (84) to receive magnetic field data from the magnetic field sensing instrument package (102) on the drill bit (70).