boingboing rssfeedsspamassassintaintorg url httpboingboingnet85531633 date supplied doe announced highspeed datatransfer runs drillpipe 4inch diameter steel pipe immersed electrically conductive mud pressures 1000 atmospheres temperatures 150 deg c vibrational accelerations hundreds gs highspeed bidirectional communications link drilling systems azimuth inclination pressure temperature loads vibration along information rock characteristics near drill bit evaluated almost instantly also ability send highspeed data drill pipe technologies thought unobtainable collecting seismic data drill bit may possible highresolution seismic data collected ahead bit operators could steer drill bit precisely toward oil gasbearing sweet spots away less productive areas enhance efficiency oil gas wells reduce number wells needed produce reservoir link1 discuss2 _via 3_ 1 httpwwwfossilenergygovtechlinetl_intellipipeshtml 2 httpwwwquicktopiccomboinghvrj5gzxzsgt 3 httpslashdotorg mon 07 oct 2002 080022 0000 1mbs mud