System and method to measure or generate an electrical field downhole

摘要

The invention relates to measuring and generating electrical fields downhole. In one embodiment a system is provided that includes a first electrical conductor within a borehole and in electrical contact with the Earth. An amplifier is connected to the first electrical conductor and a second conductor completes an electrical circuit between the conductors such that the electrical field is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the borehole.