Apparatus, system and method to transmit and display acquired well data in near real time at a remote location

• US 5,864,772 A
• Filed: 12/23/1996
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Provost, J. Thomas, Alvarado, Juan C., Craievich, Danielle S. P.
• Primary Examiner(s): McElheny, Jr., Donald E.
• Application Number:
  US08/772,956
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 702/6, 702/7, 702/9, 702/16, 367/71, 367/72
• US Class Current: 702/9
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for transmitting logging data from a primary location to a remote location in near real time. The logs can be viewed almost simultaneously at the primary and remote locations, as data is being acquired. The present invention also provides for a system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location which includes a first means for reading while writing at the primary location, a second means for reading while writing at the remote location which is identical to the first means for reading while writing, a first file system at the primary location, the first file system having data written to it by the first means for reading while writing as numerical data or graphics data, a first rendering means for reading the graphics data from the first file system and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed, a first display means for displaying the rendered graphics data, a first file transfer utility means for transmitting the data from the primary location to the remote location over a communications system, a second file transfer utility means for receiving the data at the remote location, a second file system at the remote location, to which the second file transfer utility means writes the received data using the second means for reading while writing, a second rendering means for reading graphics data from the second file system and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed, a input interface means which directs signals from an user input to the second rendering means to adjust the display of the log, and a second display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the remote location.

Claims

1. An apparatus for viewing a log in near real time at a primary location and a remote location comprising

a) at the primary location, a first means for reading while writing the log to a first file;

b.) a first renderer at the primary location for reading the log as it is being written to the first file and rendering the log;

c.) a primary monitor for receiving signals from the first renderer and for viewing the rendered log at the primary location;

d.) a means for transmitting the log from the first file at the primary location as it is being written to the remote location over a communication means, the communication means having a physical link, a protocol and a transport mechanism;

e.) at the remote location, a second means for reading while writing, which writes the log as it is received from the primary location to a second file at the remote location;

f.) a second renderer at the remote location for reading the log as it is being written to the second file and rendering the log; and

g.) a remote monitor for receiving signals from the second renderer and for viewing the rendered log at the remote location.

2. An apparatus for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location comprising

a.) a first format file at a primary location having data and a second format file at a secondary location;

b.) a means for reading while writing the data to the first format file and the second format file;

c.) a communications means including a physical link, a protocol and a transport mechanism; and

d.) a first file transfer utility program and a second file transfer utility program, the first file transfer utility program for retrieving data from the first format file in near real time using the means for reading while writing and for transferring the data from the first format file to a second file transfer utility program over the communications means, the second file transfer utility program for writing the data in near real time to the second format file using the means for reading while writing.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising:

e.) a first means at the primary location for obtaining the data from the format file and for rendering the log data into images for display on a first display means at the primary location; and

f.) a second means at the primary location for obtaining the log data from the data format file and for rendering the log data into images for display on a second display means at the remote location.

4. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location comprising:

a.) a first means for reading while writing at the primary location;

b.) a second means for reading while writing at the remote location which is identical to the first means for reading while writing;

c.) a first file system at the primary location, the first file system having data written to it by the first means for reading while writing as numerical data or graphics data;

d.) a first rendering means for reading the graphics data from the first file system and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed;

e.) a first display means for displaying the rendered graphics data;

d.) a first file transfer utility means for transmitting the data from the primary location to the remote location over a communications system;

e.) a second file transfer utility means for receiving the data at the remote location;

f.) a second file system at the remote location, to which the second file transfer utility means writes the received data using the second means for reading while writing;

g.) a second rendering means for reading graphics data from the second file system and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed;

h.) a input interface means which directs signals from an user input to the second rendering means to adjust the display of the log; and

i.) a second display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the remote location.

5. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first means for reading while writing is a read while write module.

6. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 5 wherein the second means for reading while writing is a read while write module identical to the first read while write module.

7. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first file system includes a first format file.

8. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first file system includes a first data format file and a first log format file.

9. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first rendering means includes a first rendering software, a rendering server and a third means for reading while writing identical to the first means for reading while writing.

10. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first display means includes a first monitor.

11. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first display means includes a first printer.

12. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4, wherein the first file transfer utility means includes a first file transfer server.

13. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first file transfer utility means includes a first file transfer client.

14. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 12 wherein the first file transfer server includes a copy of the first means for reading while writing.

15. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 12 wherein the first file transfer client includes a copy of the first means for reading while writing.

16. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the first rendering software includes a first reader/interpreter means, a first object builder, a first object rendering module, and a first output module.

17. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 16, wherein the first reader/interpreter means includes a first reader/interpreter.

18. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 16, wherein the first reader/interpreter means includes a first reader and a first interpreter.

19. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4, wherein the second file transfer utility means includes a second file transfer server.

20. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the second file transfer utility means includes a second file transfer client.

21. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 or 7, wherein the second file system includes a second format file.

22. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 or 8, wherein the second file system includes a second data format file and a second log format file.

23. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4, wherein the second rendering means includes a second rendering software, and a fourth means for reading while writing identical to the first means for reading while writing.

24. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 23, wherein the second rendering software includes a second reader/interpreter means, a second object builder, a second object rendering module, and a second object module.

25. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 23, wherein the second reader/interpreter means comprises a reader/interpreter.

26. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 23, wherein the second reader/interpreter means comprises a reader and an interpreter.

27. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4, wherein the input interface means includes an input, a message handler module and an user interface module.

28. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the second display means includes a second monitor.

29. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the second display means includes a second printer.

30. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the second display means includes a native printer.

31. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4, wherein the communication system includes a physical link, a protocol and a transport mechanism.

32. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the protocol is TCP/IP.

33. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the physical link comprises satellite communication.

34. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the physical link comprises telephone communication.

35. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the physical link comprises communication via microwave transmission.

36. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the physical link comprises radio communication.

37. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the physical link comprises cellular communication.

38. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 31, wherein the physical link comprises communication via modem.

39. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4, wherein the communication system also allows for person to person communication between the primary location and the remote location.

40. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 39, wherein the personal communication comprises typed (chat box) communication.

41. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 39, wherein the personal communication comprises audio communication.

42. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 39, wherein the personal communication comprises video communication.

43. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 39, wherein the personal communication comprises electronic whiteboard communication.

44. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 4 wherein the primary location is a wellsite and further comprising:

a data acquisition system for acquiring data from logging tools and sending it to the first means for reading while writing for storage onto the first file system.

45. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location comprising:

a.) a first read while write module at the primary location;

b.) a second read while write module at the remote location which is identical to the first read while write module;

c.) a first data format file at the primary location having numerical data written to it by the first read while write module;

d) a first log format file at the primary location having graphical data written to it by the first read while write module;

e.) a first rendering software suite for reading the graphics data from the first log format file and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed;

f.) a first monitor means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the primary location;

g.) a first printer means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the primary location;

h.) a first file transfer utility means for transmitting the data from the primary location to the remote location over a communications system, the communication system including a physical link, a protocol and a transport mechanism;

i.) a second file transfer utility means for receiving the data at the remote location;

j.) a second data format file at the remote location to which the second file transfer utility means writes the received numerical data using the second means for reading while writing;

k.) a second log format file at the remote location to which the second file transfer utility means writes the received graphical data using the second means for reading while writing;

l.) a second rendering software suite for reading graphics data from the second log format file and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed;

m.) a input interface means which directs signals from an user input to the second rendering means to adjust the display of the log; and

i.) a second display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the remote location.

46. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45 wherein the first rendering software suite includes a first rendering software, a rendering server and a third read while write module identical to the first read while write module.

47. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45 wherein the first monitor means includes a first monitor.

48. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45 wherein the first printer means includes a first printer.

49. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the first file transfer utility means includes a first file transfer server.

50. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the first file transfer utility means includes a first file transfer client.

51. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 49, wherein the first file transfer server includes a copy of the first means for reading while writing.

52. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 50, wherein the first file transfer client includes a copy of the first means for reading while writing.

53. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 46, wherein the first rendering software includes a first reader/interpreter means, a first object builder, a first object rendering module, and a first output module.

54. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 53, wherein the first reader/interpreter means includes a first reader/interpreter.

55. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 53, wherein the first reader/interpreter means includes a first reader and a first interpreter.

56. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the second file transfer utility means includes a second file transfer server.

57. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the second file transfer utility means includes a second file transfer client.

58. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the second rendering means includes a second rendering software, and a fourth means for reading while writing identical to the first means for reading while writing.

59. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 58, wherein the second rendering software includes a second reader/interpreter means, a second object builder, a second object rendering module, and a second object module.

60. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 59, wherein the second reader/interpreter means comprises a reader/interpreter.

61. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 59, wherein the second reader/interpreter means comprises a reader and an interpreter.

62. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the input interface means includes an input, a message handler module and an user interface module.

63. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the second display means includes a second monitor.

64. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the second display means includes a second printer.

65. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the second display means includes a native printer.

66. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the protocol is TCP/IP.

67. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 66, wherein the physical link comprises satellite communication.

68. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 66, wherein the physical link comprises telephone communication.

69. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 66, wherein the physical link comprises communication via microwave transmission.

70. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 66, wherein the physical link comprises radio communication.

71. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 66, wherein the physical link comprises cellular communication.

72. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 66, wherein the physical link comprises communication via modem.

73. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the communication system also allows for person to person communication between the primary location and the remote location.

74. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 73, wherein the personal communication comprises typed (chat box) communication.

75. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 73, wherein the personal communication comprises audio communication.

76. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 73, wherein the personal communication comprises video communication.

77. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 73, wherein the personal communication comprises electronic whiteboard communication.

78. A system for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 45, wherein the primary location is a wellsite and further comprising:

a data acquisition system for acquiring data from logging tools and sending it to the first means for reading while writing for storage onto the first data format file and the first log format file.

79. A method for viewing a log in near real time at a primary location and a remote location comprising the steps of:

a.) writing data including numerical data and graphics data to a first file system at the primary location;

b.) reading the data from the first file system while writing it;

c.) rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed at the primary location;

d.) displaying the graphics data at the primary location;

e.) reading the data while it is being written and transferring the data from the primary location to the remote location over a communication system, the communication system including a physical link, a protocol and a transport mechanism;

f.) receiving the data at the remote location;

g.) writing the data as it is being received to a second file system at the remote location;

h.) reading the data from the second file system while writing it;

c.) rendering the graphics data from the second file system so that it can be displayed at the remote location; and

d.) displaying the graphics data at the remote location.

80. A method for viewing a log in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the display of the log at the second location responsive to user input.

81. A method for viewing a log in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the log is displayed at the remote location on a remote monitor.

82. A method for viewing a log in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the log is displayed at the remote location on a remote printer.

83. A method for viewing a log in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the log is displayed at the remote location on a native printer.

84. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the protocol is TCP/IP.

85. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 84, wherein the physical link comprises satellite communication.

86. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 84, wherein the physical link comprises telephone communication.

87. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 84, wherein the physical link comprises communication via microwave transmission.

88. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 84, wherein the physical link comprises radio communication.

89. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 84, wherein the physical link comprises cellular communication.

90. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 84, wherein the physical link comprises communication via modem.

91. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the communication system also allows for person to person communication between the primary location and the remote location.

92. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the personal communication comprises typed (chat box) communication.

93. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the personal communication comprises audio communication.

94. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the personal communication comprises video communication.

95. A method for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location and a remote location as in claim 79, wherein the personal communication comprises electronic whiteboard communication.

96. An apparatus for sharing a data file between a primary location and a remote location comprising:

a.) a first means for reading while writing at the primary location;

b.) a second means for reading while writing at the remote location which is identical to the first means while writing;

c.) a first file system at the primary location, the first file system having data written to it by the first means for reading while writing as either numerical data or graphics data;

d.) a first rendering means for reading the graphics data from the first file system and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed at the primary location;

e.) a first display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the primary location;

f.) a first file transfer utility means for transmitting the data from the primary location to the remote location over a communications system, the communication system including a physical link, a protocol and a transport mechanism;

g.) a second file transfer utility means for receiving the data at the remote location;

h.) a second file system at the remote location, to which the second file transfer utility means writes the received data using the second means for reading while writing;

i.) a second rendering means for reading graphics data from the second file system and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed at the remote location;

j.) a input interface means which directs signals from user input to the second rendering means to adjust the display of the log; and

k.) a second display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the remote location.

97. An apparatus for viewing logs in near real time at a primary location, a first remote location and one or more supplementary remote location comprising:

a.) a first read while write module at the primary location;

b.) a second read while write module at the first remote location which is identical to the first read while write module;

c.) a first data format file at the primary location having numerical data written to it by the first read while write module;

d) a first log format file at the primary location having graphical data written to it by the first read while write module;

e.) a first rendering software suite for reading the graphics data from the first log format file and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed;

f.) a first monitor means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the primary location;

g.) a first printer means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the primary location;

h.) a first file transfer server for transmitting the data from the primary location to the first remote location over a communication system, the communication system including a physical link, a protocol and transport mechanism;

i.) a first file transfer client for receiving the data at the first remote location and sending it to a secondary file transfer server the supplementary remote location;

j.) a second data format file at the remote location which the first file transfer client writes the received numerical data using the second means for reading while writing;

k.) a second log format file at the remote location to which the first file transfer client writes the received graphical data using the second means for reading while writing;

l.) a second rendering software suite for reading graphics data from the second log format file and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed;

m.) a input interface means which directs signals from an user input to the second rendering means to adjust the display of the log the first remote location;

n.) a second display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the first remote location;

o.) a tertiary data format file at the supplemental remote location to which the secondary file transfer server writes the received numerical data using a tertiary means for reading while writing, the tertiary means for reading while writing being identical to the first means for reading while writing;

p.) a tertiary log format file at the remote location to which the secondary file transfer server writes the received graphical data using the tertiary means for reading while writing;

q.) a tertiary rendering software suite for reading graphics data from the tertiary log format file and rendering the graphics data so that it can be displayed at the supplemental remote location;

r.) a second input interface means which directs signals from an second user input to the tertiary rendering means to adjust he display of the log at the supplemental remote location; and

s.) a tertiary display means for displaying the rendered graphics data at the supplemental remote location.

98. A system including primary location apparatus adapted for generating a log at a primary location and allowing the viewing of said log at said primary location in near real time, said primary location apparatus comprising:

a first apparatus adapted for receiving a set of log data and modifying said log data thereby generating modified log data which represents said log;

a first file; and

a first read while write apparatus operatively interconnected between said first apparatus and said first file, said first read while write apparatus being adapted for reading said modified log data from said first apparatus while writing said modified log data to said first file.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein said primary location apparatus further comprises:

a second read while write apparatus operatively connected to said first file; and

a first renderer operatively connected to said second read while write apparatus,

said second read while write apparatus adapted for reading said modified log data from said first file while writing said modified log data to said first renderer,

said first renderer rendering said modified log data thereby allowing said modified log data to be displayed.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein said primary location apparatus further comprises:

a primary monitor operatively connected to said first renderer adapted for receiving signals from said first renderer indicative of a rendered modified log data and for viewing the rendered modified log at said primary location.

101. The system of claim 98, wherein said primary location apparatus further comprises:

a semaphore file associated with said first file indicating that said first file is sharable;

a second read while write apparatus operatively connected to said first file and to said semaphore file; and

a first renderer operatively connected to said second read while write apparatus,

said second read while write apparatus adapted for reading said modified log data from said first file when said second read while write apparatus detects the existence of said semaphore file associated with said first file while writing said modified log data to said first renderer,

said first renderer rendering said modified log data.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein said primary location apparatus further comprises:

a primary monitor operatively connected to said first renderer for receiving signals from said first renderer indicative of a rendered modified log data and for viewing the rendered modified log at said primary location.

103. The system of claim 98 wherein said system further includes a remote location apparatus adapted for allowing the viewing of said log at a remote location in near real time approximately simultaneously with the generation of said log at said primary location, and a communication link operatively interposed and interconnected between said first file of said primary location apparatus and said remote location apparatus for communicating said modified log data from said first file of said primary location apparatus to said remote location apparatus.

104. The system of claim 103, wherein said primary location apparatus comprises a semaphore file associated with said first file indicating said first file is sharable, and wherein said communication link communicates said modified log data from said first file of said primary location apparatus to said remote location apparatus when said semaphore file is associated with said first file.

105. The system of claim 103, wherein said communication link includes a primary file transfer utility apparatus operatively connected to said first file and adapted to receive said modified log data from said first file, a remote file transfer utility apparatus, and a communication medium interposed and operatively interconnected between said primary file transfer utility apparatus and said remote file transfer utility apparatus adapted for communicating said modified log data from said primary file transfer utility apparatus to said remote file transfer utility apparatus, and wherein said remote location apparatus comprises:

a second file operatively connected to said remote file transfer utility apparatus and adapted to receive said modified log data from said remote file transfer utility apparatus; and

a further read while write apparatus operatively connected to said second file.

106. The system of claim 105, further comprising a further semaphore file associated with said second file, and wherein said remote location apparatus further comprises:

a second renderer operatively connected to said further read while write apparatus,

said further read while write apparatus adapted for reading said modified log data from said second file when said further semaphore file is associated with said second file while writing said modified log data to said second renderer,

said second renderer rendering said modified log data thereby allowing said modified log data at said remote location to be displayed.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein said remote location apparatus further comprises:

a remote monitor operatively connected to said second renderer for receiving signals from said second renderer indicative of a rendered modified log data and for viewing the rendered modified log at said remote location.

108. The system of claim 102, wherein said system further includes a remote location apparatus adapted for allowing the viewing of said log at a remote location in near real time approximately simultaneously with the generation of said log at said primary location, and a communication link operatively interposed and interconnected between said first file of said primary location apparatus and said remote location apparatus for communicating said modified log data from said first file of said primary location apparatus to said remote location apparatus.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein said primary location apparatus comprises a semaphore file associated with said first file indicating said first file is sharable, and wherein said communication link communicates said modified log data from said first file of said primary location apparatus to said remote location apparatus when said semaphore file is associated with said first file.

110. The system of claim 108, wherein said communication link includes a primary file transfer utility apparatus operatively connected to said first file and adapted to receive said modified log data from said first file, a remote file transfer utility apparatus, and a communication medium interposed and operatively interconnected between said primary file transfer utility apparatus and said remote file transfer utility apparatus adapted for communicating said modified log data from said primary file transfer utility apparatus to said remote file transfer utility apparatus, and wherein said remote location apparatus comprises:

a second file operatively connected to said remote file transfer utility apparatus and adapted to receive said modified log data from said remote file transfer utility apparatus; and

a further read while write apparatus operatively connected to said second file.

111. The system of claim 110, further comprising a further semaphore file associated with said second file, and wherein said remote location apparatus further comprises:

a second renderer operatively connected to said further read while write apparatus,

said further read while write apparatus adapted for reading said modified log data from said second file when said further semaphore file is associated with said second file while writing said modified log data to said second renderer,

said second renderer rendering said modified log data thereby allowing said modified log data to be displayed.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein said remote location apparatus further comprises:

a remote monitor operatively connected to said second renderer adapted for receiving signals from said second renderer indicative of a rendered modified log data and for viewing the rendered modified log at said remote location.

113. A method of displaying or printing acquired well data in near real time at a location relative to the acquisition of said well data, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a set of log data by a first apparatus at said location in response to said acquired well data;

(b) reading by a first read while write apparatus at said location said set of log data from said first apparatus while writing said set of log data to a first file;

(c) displaying or printing said set of log data in said first file at said location.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein the displaying or printing step (c) comprises the steps of:

(c1) reading by a second read while write apparatus said set of log data from said first file while writing said set of log data to a first renderer apparatus; and

(c2) displaying by said first renderer apparatus said set of log data on a display or printing said set of log data on a printer in near real time relative to the acquisition of said acquired well data.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the displaying or printing step (c) further comprises the steps of:

(c3) reading said set of log data in said first file; and

(c4) transmitting said set of log data read during the reading step (c3) from said location to another said location.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the displaying or printing step (c) further comprises the steps of:

(c5) receiving at said another said location said set of log data and writing said set of log data in a second file;

(c6) reading by a further read while write apparatus said set of log data from said second file while writing said set of log data to a further renderer apparatus; and

(c7) displaying by said further renderer apparatus said set of log data on a display or printing said set of log data on a printer in near real time relative to the acquisition of said acquired well data.

117. The method of claim 113, wherein the displaying or printing step (c) comprises the steps of:

(c1) reading said set of log data in said first file; and

(c2) transmitting said set of log data read during the reading step (c1) from said location to another said location.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the displaying or printing step (c) further comprises the steps of:

(c3) receiving at said another said location said set of log data and writing said set of log data in a second file;

(c4) reading by a further read while write apparatus said set of log data from said second file while writing said set of log data to a further renderer apparatus; and

(c5) displaying by said further renderer apparatus said set of log data on a display or printing said set of log data on a printer in near real time relative to the acquisition of said acquired well data.

119. The method of claim 114, wherein the reading step (c1) comprises the steps of:

(c11) determining if a semaphore file is associated with said first file; and

(c12) reading by said second read while write apparatus said set of log data from said first file when said semaphore file is associated with said first file while writing said set of log data to a first renderer apparatus.

120. The method of claim 116, wherein the reading step (c6) comprises the steps of:

(c61) determining if a semaphore file is associated with said second file; and

(c62) reading by said further read while write apparatus said set of log data from said second file when said semaphore file is associated with said second file while writing said set of log data to said further renderer apparatus.

121. The method of claim 118, wherein the reading step (c4) comprises the steps of:

(c41) determining if a semaphore file is associated with said second file; and

(c42) reading by said further read while write apparatus said set of log data from said second file when said semaphore file is associated with said second file while writing said set of log data to said further renderer apparatus.