Rig telemetry system

Abstract

A drillstring communications system includes one or more pipe segments, a communication sub coupled to the pipe segment that includes a communication sub antenna, and a leaky feeder antenna in communication with the communication sub antenna.

1 . A drillstring communications system, the system including:
 one or more pipe segments;   a communication sub coupled to the pipe segment that includes a communication sub antenna; and   a leaky feeder antenna in communication with the communication sub antenna.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the leaky feeder antenna is arranged vertically. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drilling rig;   wherein the leaky feeder antenna is physically attached to the drilling rig.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the leaky feeder antenna is arranged vertically. 
     
     
         5 . A method of communicating information between a downhole location and a surface computing device comprising:
 transmitting a signal from the downhole location through telemetry system to a surface sub;   transmitting the signal or a signal formed from the signal wirelessly from the surface sub; and   receiving the signal or a signal formed from the signal with a leaky feeder antenna.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the leaky feeder antenna is arranged vertically. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the leaky feeder antenna is attached to a drilling rig. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the leaky feeder antenna is arranged vertically. 
     
     
         9 . A drill string communications system, the system including:
 one or more drill pipe segments;   a communication sub coupled to the drill pipe segment that includes a communication sub antenna; and   a plurality of leaky feeder antennas in communication with the communication sub antenna.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the leaky feeder antennas are arranged vertically. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a drilling rig;   wherein the leaky feeder antennas are physically connected to the drilling rig.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the leaky feeder antennas are arranged vertically. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the drill pipe segments are wired pipe segments. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drill pipe segments are wired pipe segments.