Pages

Friday, October 3, 2014

Information From MWD Drilling Software

By Karina Frost


MWD which in full is Measurement While Drilling is measurement taken when drilling on an angle of inclination to the vertical line. These measurements are taken by the MWD Drilling Software. This data is used to produce a 3-D plot of the path of the oil well. This software will transmit crucial information to the operator during operations.

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.

MWD tools are capable of measuring the formation properties and send the data to drillers when drilling is ongoing. They use this information to perform geosteering to the target zone. The information varies from porosity, inclination at the bit, acoustic-caliper, density, and resistivity.

There is also the measurement of natural gamma rays measurements at the well using internal gamma ray sensor installed in MWD tools. The sensors cost a lot, are compact and able to take measurements when drilling unmodified drill collars. Compacts and cheap sensors will do unmodified drill collars during operations. MWD software cuts the various process costs and increases the lifespan of the drill bits.

There are two types of transmission of data on drilling; either mud-pulse telemetry method or electromagnetic telemetry. The functioning of the mud-pulse telemetry method is where the mud valve deep down the hole restricts the flow of slurry thus brings about the differences in pressure which are sent to the surface for further analysis. There are three types of pulses; positive, negative pulse or continuous wave.

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.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

Share

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More