OTC 2014: Weatherford's EM antenna system increases telemetry depth

Offshore staff

HOUSTON– Weatherford has been recognized by the OTC Spotlight Awards committee for the CasingLink EM antenna system.

The technology was developed to address the signal attenuation encountered while drilling in deeper depths with an EM telemetry system. This method employs an insulated wire that is externally attached to a standard casing string; a borehole receiver typically located downhole and connected to the casing; and a surface transceiver.

The borehole receiver picks up the EM signal at the casing connection terminal and transmits it via the external signal wire to the surface transceiver, which decodes the EM signal. The wire exits the casing near the surface and passes through a wellhead modified to accept the cable pass through. There is negligible signal attenuation within the transmission wire, which increases telemetry depth.