Saturday, 27 September 2014

Information MWD Drilling Software Transmits

By Karina Frost


MWD which means Measurement While Drilling is measurements taken by drilling companies when the well is drilled at an angle with respect to the vertical line. MWD drilling software is used to take these measurements and analyze them. This crucial data in transmitted during operations to the surface where it is used to produce a path of the oil well in three dimensions.

The software transmits information on the direction the well is being drilled. Directional survey can be done by the software and sent in real time. Azimuth and the inclination angle of the drill hole are measured by the magnetometers and accelerometers in it. Immediately information on them has been measured it is transmitted to the surface for analysis

The data transmitted at intervals of 10m to 500m is then analyzed on the surface to calculate the location of the wellbore. It is necessary information for the company since it acts as a proof that it is not operating outside the block it is licensed to prospect. When operating vertically or near vertical direction this technology is not used due to its high cost.

Drilling has to be done is a specific direction or in a directional-drilling. The information that is obtained from the MWD tools guides the driller on steering the process in the direction to the target zone. Bent housing or bent subs aid in directional operations with the MDW providing toolface measurements from the downholde mud motors.

Information on the drilling mechanics on the drill bit is also send by the software. Downhole temperature, smoothness of rotation, and operation speed of the rotation are some of the measurements taken. Weight and torque of the bit information aid in operating more efficiently. The driller monitors the tools used from this information to make sure they are working as per the technical specifications. Geologists have a use for this information which is to determine the rock formation of that area.

Drillers use information from the MWD tools for performing geosteering to the zones targeted. The software sends formation properties of the area being drilled at that moment. This kind of information will be on porosity, inclination of the drill bit, the resistivity and the acoustic-caliper which is very important to the driller.

The MWD tool is fitted with gamma ray sensors on the inside which are used to measure the natural gamma rays occurring at the well. They are very compact and cheap and can take measurements of unmodified drill collars during the process. The lifespan of drill bits in greatly increased when using the software and costs of creating the hole reduced.

Mud-pulse telemetry method or electromagnetic telemetry are the two methods used to transmit data from the drill bit. The mud valve downhole gives the information in the mud-pulse method, by creating pressure differences when restricting mud flows. The pulse can either be continuous wave, positive or negative pulse.

Electromagnetic telemetry method of data transmission by the MWD software involves generation of altered voltage different in the upper part and the lower portion of the electrical insulator used in the drillstring. A wire attached to the wellhead on the surface and another wire attached to the rod form the electrodes of a dipole antenna. From these electrodes the voltage signals are obtained and analyzed to give information.




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