MEASUREMENT WHILE DRILLING (MWD), LOGGING WHILE DRILLING (LWD) AND GEOSTEERING

ADVANCED DRILLING ENGINEERING PAB4333

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Having worked through this session the students will be able to:
1.

2.

Describe the benefits of using and the general principles behind the MWD, LWD and Geo-steering concept. Describe the applications of the MWD, LWD and Geo-steering.

LEARNING CONTENTS
1.

2.
3. 4.

5.
6. 7.

8.
9.

Introduction Transmission System Power Source Sensors Directional Tools Gamma ray Tools Transmission and Control Systems Surface System Future Development

INTRODUCTION

Concept

- Real Time data

Application - Directional - Petrophysical - Drilling parameters

MWD CONFIGURATION

TOOLS CONFIGURATION

SENSOR
Rate of Penetration Rotary or bit speed Mechanical Efficiency Log Sticking pipe indicator Strain gauge Temperature Pressure Gamma Ray Resistivity Conductivity Neutron

DATA PRODUCED
Drilling Rate, ft/Min or ft/hr Revolution per minutes (RPM) Monitor bit condition Monitors friction losses Weight on Bit, Torque, Bending Moment Bottom Hole Mud temperature Bottom Hole Hydrostatic mud Pressure Lithology Log Short Normal, Focused resistivity Induction, High-frequency Conductivity Porosity Log

MWD AND LWD INSTRUMENT SPECIFICATIONS

TOOLS FEATURE

OPERATING PARAMETERS

LOGGING IN DIRECTIONAL WELL

Gamma Ray Directional System

Resistivity - Gamma Ray Directional System

Pulser Unit
Receives stored data and converts it to high-frequency pressure pulse in the mud column, using mud pressure differentials between the inside and the outside drill collar. Pressure pulse travel through the mud column to a sensitive pressure detector at the surface. Surface equipment includes a decoder to convert the pressure pulse to electrical pulses and digital type displays and recorder.

Pressure Differential of Mud Pulser

Large varieties of sensors have been developed for evaluation of the data. A pressure transducer installed in stand pipe receives the signal, whic is further decoded. The weight of a drilling fluid plays an important role in mud pulse telemetry. To calculate Pressure differential of mud pulser used:

TELEMETRY TECHNIQUES
Pulses are sent to surface

HARD WIRE ELECTROMAGNETIC ACCOUSTIC MUD PULSE TELEMETRY

TRANSMISSON SYSTEM

POSITIVE MUD PULSE NEGATIVE MUD PULSE CONTINUES WAVE (SIREN) [FREQUENCY MODULATION]

TRANSMISSON SYSTEM

POSITIVE MUD PULSE

In the positive mud pulse system valve inside MWD tools partially closes, creating a temporary increase in standpipe pressure.

NEGATIVE MUD PULSE

In all system, fluid must be circulating through the drillstring. In the negative mud pulse system a valve inside the MWD tools opens and allows a small volume of mud to escape from the drillstring into the annulus. The opening and closing of this valve creates a small drop in standpipe pressure (50-100 psi), which can be detected by a transducer on surface.

MUD SIREN
A standing wave is set up in the mud column by a rotating slotted disc. The phase of this continuous wave can be reversed. The data is transmitted as a series of phase shifts.

TRANSMISSION TECHNIQEUS

POWER SOURCES

Directional Tools
All MWD use basically the same directional sensors for calculating Inclination, Azimuth and Tool face. The sensor package consists of 3 orthogonal accelerometer and 3 orthogonal magnetometer.

C axis is aligned with the axis of tool, and B axis define the reference for the measuring toolface angle.

Figure A

Orientation of Sensors in Tool

Measuring Offset Toolface

The Locations of Sensors in The Inclinometer

Accelerometer
Measure the component of earths gravitational field along the axis. A test mass is suspended from a quartz hinge which restricts any movement to along one axis only (See Figure). As the mass tends to move due to gravity acting along that axis, its central position is maintained by an opposing electromagnetic force. The larger the gravitational force, the larger pick-up current required to oppose it. Accelerometer can calculate the angle of inclination and tool face. There must be enough non-magnetic drill collars above and below the sensor to stop any such interference.

Accelerometer

Accelerometer

Magnetometer

A magnetometer is a instrument used to measure the strength and/or direction of the magnetic field in the vicinity of the instrument The size of current is related to the direction of the coil with respect to the direction of magnetic field. As with the accelerometer the voltage is measured across a resistor in the pick-up circuit of the magnetometer. The voltage read each magnetometer can be used to calculated the azimuth.

Magnetometer

Calculation for Inclination, Toolface and Azimuth

Inclination ( ) The angle between C accelerometer and vertical. Looking at a vertical cross-section:
Eq. 1

Toolface ( ) the angle between high side and B accelerometer. Looking down the tool along the C axis:

Calculation for Inclination, Toolface and Azimuth

Eq. - 2

Note : This gives the toolface of the MWD tool itself. To measure the toolface of the bent sub the offset angle must be included. Azimuth ( ) - the angle between Z axis and magnetic North, when projected on to the horizontal plane. Looking in the horizontal plane we define 2 vectors V1 and V2 where V1 lies along tool axis.

Calculation for Inclination, Toolface and Azimuth

And substituting for a, b :
Eq. - 3

Example Calculation

The following data were obtained from the output of a MWD survey:

Accelerometer Voltage: Magnetometer Voltage Ga = - 0.0132 Hx = 0.1062 Gb = 0.0157 Hy = 0.2510 Gc = 1.0141 H z = 0.9206 The offset toolface = 0 and the magnetic declination = 7 W. From this data calculate: 1. Inclination, 2. Azimuth 3. Gravity Toolface

Accuracy of MWD Surveys

Inclination : +/- 0.25 Azimuth : +/- 1.50 Toolface : +/- 3.00

Comparison of MWD and Wireline Log

Comparison of MWD and Wireline Log

LWD AND WIRELINE COMPARISON

WIRELINE LOG EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE LOGGING PROGRAM

EXAMPLE LOGGING PROGRAM

Geosteering
In the process of drilling a well, geosteering is the act of adjusting the borehole position (inclination and azimuth angles) on the fly to reach one or more geological targets. These changes are based on geological information gathered while drilling. Used of information gained while drilling to make real time decision on the trajectory of the well. Geosteering is used in : 1. High-angle deviated wells in thin formations where productivity can be achieved only if the wellbore remains in a thin permeable zone. 2. Horizontal wells where it is necessary to remain a fixed distance from either a fluid contact or an overlying tight formation. 3. Closed proximity to a fault . 4. Drilling with a fixed orientation to a natural fracture.

1. http://chinookconsulting.ca/News/Remote-GeoSteering.html 2. http://www.makinhole.com/IMAGES/PDF/Stoner_ Technical%20Geosteering.pdf

Geosteering

1.
2. 3.

4.

Data produced: Deviation Cutting, including HC shows and gas reading. Transmission of LWD tools in real time, typically up/down GR, density, neutron and resistivity. Drilling parameters such as: Losses, Kick ROP, and torque.

Example of Up/Down Response as Borehole Crosses Boundary from Above

Example of Up/Down Response as Borehole Crosses Boundary from Above

Example of Up/Down Response as Borehole Crosses Boundary from Above

Example of Up/Down Response as Borehole Crosses Boundary from Above

Example of Up/Down Response as Borehole Crosses Boundary from Above

Four Scenario of Wellbore Leaving a Formation

Example of geosteered Well

Landing a Horizontal Well Using Geosteering

Source : http://www.makinhole.com/IMAGES/PDF/Stoner_Technical%20Geosteering.pdf

Example of Up/Down Response as Borehole Crosses Boundary from Above

Q & A

Assignment (Due date 1 Sept 2010)

A. While drilling an 8 -in diameter hole at a deviation of 95 when the reservoir is existed. The offset between the up and down reading is 2 m, with the up reading responding first. 1. What is the relative dip between the bore hole and formation. 2. If the direction of dip of the formation is the same as the borehole, what is the absolute formation dip. 3. Suppose that it is known that the formation dip azimuth is at an angle of 40 to the borehole trajectory. What is now the true formation dip.

ASSIGNMENT (Due date 1 Sept 2010

B. Discuss the application of Gamma-Ray and resistivity Sensors in MWD tool that may be useful in drilling operations. C. Discuss the relative merits of the two types of gamma-ray sensors that are presently used in MWD tools. D. What Factors should be considered when comparing MWD gamma-ray logs with wire line gamma-ray logs?