Electromagnetic MWD The electromagnetic MWD downhole tool transmits its downhole survey measure- ments by emitting electromagnetic . which are received at a surface antenna, processed by a computer, and outputted as printouts and trajectory plots that can be used by the directional driller to make drill string corrections. The electromag. netic waves carrying survey data transmit through the rock formations between the downhole tool and the surface (sce Figure 12-10). Because the electromagnetic transmission does depend on the rock types being traversed by the waves, the operational capability of this MWD system can be depth limited. This electromag netic telemetry system does not depend on a particular type of drilling fluid being in the well, thus the system can be used with any rotary drilling fluid system. The electromagnetic telemetry system operates on a longilife battery subsystem; there- fore, no drilling fluid driven on-board generator is needed These electromagnetic MWD tools are available with either magnetometer/ accelerometerbased survey subsystems or gyroscope-based survey subsystems. ‘The threeaxis magnetometer and accelerometer survey subsystem must util nonmagnetic housings and drill collars in much the same manner as the downhole magnetic survey instruments discussed earlier. The alternative gyroscope-based sur- vey subsystem utilizes two, two-axis gyroscopes, and three-axis accelerometers This gyroscope-based subsystem does not require nonmagnetic housings or drill collars. Here again, any downhole motor that can operate on compressed air (or other gas), aerated drilling mud, or stable foam can be used with a steering tool to provide directional drilling capabilities for air and gas drilling operations. ‘The most serious problems are the depth transmission limitation of the elec- tromagnetic system and its reduced transmission capability through halite rock formations. This can be relieved somewhat by using relay subs placed in the drill string at strategic intervals to boost the transmission signal from the MWD to the surface antenna, It is not clear if this signal boosting technique will be feasible in the small diameter boreholes that are used most often in compressed air (or other gas) drilling operations. FAGURE 1210. Schema of an elactomapnatic Jonna couresy of “y i trarsmission of daa Yow surace