Methods for sealing openings in tubulars

A system for receiving a run-in tool, comprising:

• a sub having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore, the sub being adapted to form a portion of a length of drill string;
• the sub including at least one station having at least one slot formed therein, each at least one slot fully penetrating the tubular wall to provide a continuous channel for the passage of electromagnetic energy;
• the run-in tool being adapted for transit through the drill string and into the central bore of the sub;
• and
• means for receiving the run-in tool within the sub.

A system for receiving a run-in tool, comprising:

• a sub having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore, the sub being adapted to form a portion of a length of drill string;
• the sub including at least one inductive coupling means disposed thereon;
• the sub including at least one transmitting source or sensor disposed thereon;
• the run-in tool including at least one inductive coupling means disposed thereon;
• the run-in tool being adapted for transit through the drill string and into the central bore of the sub;
• and
• means for receiving the run-in tool within the sub.

A method for transmitting and/or receiving a signal through an earth formation, comprising:

• a) drilling a borehole through the earth formation with a drill string, the drill string including a sub having an elongated body with tubular walls and including at least one station having at least one slot formed therein, each at least one slot fully penetrating the tubular wall to provide a continuous channel for the passage of electromagnetic energy;
• b) engaging a run-in tool within the sub, the run-in tool being adapted with signal transmitting means and/or signal receiving means;
• c) locating the run-in tool within the sub such that at least one signal transmitting or receiving means is aligned with at least one slotted station on the sub;
• and
• d) transmitting or receiving a signal through the formation, respectively via the transmitting or receiving means.

A method for measuring a characteristic of an earth formation surrounding a borehole, comprising:

• a) adapting a downhole tool with at least one signal transmitting means and at least one signal receiving means;
• b) adapting the downhole tool with end means capable of accepting a fishing head or a cable connection;
• and
• c) with the fishing head on the tool, engaging the tool within a drill string to measure the formation characteristic, utilizing the transmitting and receiving means, as the drill string traverses the borehole;
• d) with the cable connection on the tool, connecting a cable to the tool and suspending the tool within the borehole to measure the formation characteristic utilizing the transmitting and receiving means.