2008 MWD/LWD Services Directory

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APS Technology

APS Technology provides MWD/LWD, vibration management, and drilling performance systems with electromechanical, instrumentation, and sensor designs for the oilfield.

SureShot directional and directional plus gamma sensors provide reliable and flexible measurement-while-drilling performance in combination with APS’ rotary pulser. The tool can be powered by battery modules, turbine alternator, or a combination of the two.

APS says its second generation rotary pulser is the toughest, most advanced mud pulse transmitter in the industry. The oscillating rotary design with new DC brushless motor and controller chews through lost circulation material (LCM) over a wide range of mud weights and conditions. The rotary pulser is user-configured for retrievable or fixed-mount operation.

The APS Rotary Steerable Motor (RSM) combines a rotary steering unit with a mud motor power section. Using proven “push-the-bit” technology, the RSM enables control under drillstring rotation with power and bit speed optimized for drilling conditions. The RSM uses hydraulic steering pads powered by the mud motor driveshaft. Sensor and control electronics send timed signals to the steering pads to achieve the programmed path. Operating modes and build rates may be changed in real time by signaling a series of mud pump speed changes from the surface.

Baker Hughes INTEQ

INTEQ says its tools are highly modular to facilitate optimal sensor placement within the Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) for each Answers While Drilling application.

New services are as follows:

• The AziTrak Deep Azimuthal Resistivity employs a fully integrated MWD/LWD tool that is compatible with INTEQ’s AutoTrak rotary steerable service. AziTrak provides directional, azimuthal famma, multiple propagation resistivity, deep azimuthal propagation resistivity imaging, annular pressure, and vibration stick-slip measurements from a single sub. The inclusion of the deep azimuthal propagation resistivity measurement allows real-time detection of approaching boundaries at any azimuthal angle, delivering an image that allows the operator to visualize and take action to navigate the wellpath into and through the reservoir. This new tool compliments (and enhances) the Reservoir Navigation Service the company offers. The integrated design allows the sensors to be closer to the bit for enhanced reservoir navigation performance
• The MagTrak Advanced Magnetic Resonance While Drilling service delivers matrix independent porosity data including total and partial porosities, permeability index, light hydrocarbon saturation, and as the only LWD MR tool, Real Time T2 distribution data
• The Bit Resistivity service provides a resistivity reading within very short distance of the bit for the earliest detection of formation changes; this fault zone, casing/coring point, and reservoir entry detection application works well in both water-based and oil – or pseudo oil-based drilling fluids
• The TruTrak Automated Direction Drilling system is a 3D directional drilling service for lower inclined (typically <30°, but no limit defined) wells such as S & J-shaped wells. The TruTrak service range has been expanded to cover the 5 7⁄8-in.-6 ¾-in. hole size and includes a magnetic kick-off option for drilling on coiled tubing.

DrilTech LLC

In 2008, DrilTech introduced to its MWD/Gamma product line an optimized telemetry system designed to reduce susceptibility to LCM-induced flow channel clogging. Tool tolerance to all types of fibrous and granular LCMs has been improved to exceed industry norms.

In late 2007, the DrilTech Survey While Drilling (SWD) tool was introduced. This SWD system uses tri-axial magnetometers and tri-axial accelerometers to achieve MWD speed and quality survey measurements at less cost. The large flow area, positive pulse telemetry system is designed to run unattended in the most aggressive LCM environments and without the need for pipe screens. Onboard memory allows survey data to be stored when telemetry is unavailable. The tool is fully retrievable/reinsertable and can be “racked back” between runs.

Halliburton/Sperry Drilling Services

Sperry Drilling Services goes beyond wireline replacement by providing tools and solutions for wellbore positioning to help achieve maximum recovery from the reservoir. In 2008, Sperry Drilling Services continued roll out of the InSite generation of LWD sensors. This new LWD system consists of deeper reading, higher resolution sensors with faster telemetry and greater reliability. The first members of this new generation include the InSite ADR azimuthal deep resistivity sensor, the InSite AFR azimuthal focused resistivity sensor, and the InSite IXO interface to the IntelliServ Network from Grant Prideco.

The InSite ADR sensor provides omni-directional and directionally sensitive resistivity data, as well as geosteering measurements in one collar. These directionally sensitive resistivity measurements penetrate as deep as 18 ft (5.5 m) into the formation. Ideal for geosteering applications, this sensor calculates distances and directions to bed boundaries using azimuthally sensitive data, and can provide critical geosteering information even in transition zones and thinly laminated formations.

The InSite AFR sensor delivers high-resolution images suitable for fracture identification, thin-bed delineation, and dip determination. Additionally, omni-directional, laterolog-type data having three depths of investigation are provided.

The InSite IXO interface provides the connectivity for Sperry LWD components to transmit data at rates of 57,000 bits per second via the IntelliServ Network. The IXO interface opens up new possibilities for real-time transmission of higher resolution imaging, seismic while drilling, and other data intensive applications.

PathFinder Energy Services

Recently developed, tested, and ready for commercial deployment is the iFinder density imaging tool. The tool produces borehole images of bulk density, photoelectric index, and ultrasonic standoff. The primary measurement of this tool is bulk density imaging. Bulk density images are a graphical representation of the variation of bulk density around the circumference of the borehole. Imaging of this measurement is possible due to the collimated source and detectors of the density tool, which focus the density measurement on the formation directly in front of the sensor. As the tool rotates, data is collected around the entire circumference of the borehole.

Designed and developed by PathFinder, a proven platform of high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) M/LWD tools has realized continued success in accuracy and reliability. The SURVIVOR suite incorporates HP/HT directional sensors and formation evaluation logging tools. These tools can operate in flow rates up to 2,000 gpm, pressures of 25,000 psi, and temperatures of 175° C (347° F). This suite includes the slim-hole Density/Neutron Standoff Caliper (SDNSC) tool, the dual-frequency Array Wave Resistivity (AWR) tool and the slim hole AWR, the Dynamic Pressure Module (DPM), and the HP/HT directional and gamma ray tools that can run in four different configurations, including retrievable.

The PathMaker Rotary Steerable System (RSS) now is available in 8 3⁄8-in. to 16 ½-in. hole sizes for directional and vertical control. Designed to run in “point-the-bit” or “push-the-bit” mode depending on the application, the system can provide near-bit real-time caliper, stick-slip, and vibration measurements with integrated sensors. Automated inclination and azimuth hold mode are available for tangent and horizontal sections. The motor-assist PathMaker RSS is available for performance drilling.

Other PathFinder technologies include:

• The e-sonic, a dual-frequency LWD sonic tool that includes slow shear analysis
• At-bit inclination and gamma-ray (PZIG) system, which provides gamma ray and inclination measurements <1-2 ft, respectively, from the bit
• The Drilling Formation Tester (DFT), a drilling tool that uses a dual inflatable packer arrangement to measure and transmit formation pressure information while drilling
• New directional surveying and passive ranging techniques in drilling areas of magnetic interference, which provide accurate well avoidance, well twinning, and relief well drilling services
• Patented gravity-based survey techniques and Gyro MWD services for drilling in environments where accurate surveying in magnetic interference is problematic
• Proprietary software that include advanced resistivity analysis (anisotropic and dielectric effects), invasion profiling, thin bed analysis, shear porosity, natural fracture identification, pay-zone steering, and pore pressure analysis.

Schlumberger

A new-generation Scope while-drilling service to improve drilling performance and well placement is available, says Schlumberger. This system increases the data transmission rate by more than 10 times over the industry standard.

The family of Scope tools encompasses the following:

• The PeriScope production enhancement technology, a proactive geosteering tool for directional or horizontal drilling that generates a 360º image, and detects and measures distance to resistivity boundaries such as cap rock and fluid contacts up to 21 ft (6 m) from the wellbore
• The EcoScope multifunctional LWD, which has a pulsed neutron generator plus drilling and formation evaluation sensors incorporated into one 26-ft (8-m) collar to provide a comprehensive measurement suite
• The StethoScope formation pressure-while-drilling tool, which provides formation pressure measurements to improve efficiency and to reduce the risk
• The TeleScope high-speed telemetry-while-drilling system, when used with the Orion II telemetry platform, increases data transmission rates tenfold, and ensures reliable data transmission from the longest ERD wells.

Sondex Drilling

Sondex Drilling has added three new offerings to its fleet during the last year. CPR is a combined 400 KHz/2 MHz LWD propagation resistivity tool that provides fully borehole compensated data and multiple depths of investigation in a compact package. It is compatible with existing transmission and sensor systems. WellTracer is a vertical borehole monitoring system that does not require specialist crew at the wellsite. Full rig crew training is provided. Pilot is a full function retrievable and replaceable directional/gamma ray MWD system that combines a highly efficient Pulser, superior signal size and a wireless surface system with full data processing capability in the Rig Floor Display.

Weatherford

This year, Weatherford has added a new high-temperature rotary steerable to its fleet of advanced drilling sensors. The Revolution HT Rotary Steerable is designed to operate in wells with a maximum temperature of 175° C (347° F) and pressures of 25,000 psi. The Revolution HT is available in all tool sizes.

The True Vibration Monitor (TVM) sensor is a downhole drilling mechanics tool that provides critical data in both real-time and recorded formats. The tool has six accelerometers orthogonally arranged and two magnetometers arranged in two axes to provide high-resolution vibration and shock data in both high- and low-vibration environments. The magnetometers provide a downhole RPM measurement. The enhanced data gathering capabilities of this tool allow for real-time identification of drillstring vibration so corrective actions can be made in a timely manner.

Weatherford also added a new resistivity tool to its PrecisionLWD system that improves geosteering capabilities and formation evaluation results in deeply invaded reservoirs. The Multi-Frequency Resistivity Plus (MFR-Plus) tool makes phase and attenuation measurements at 2 MHz, 400 kHz, and 100 kHz at several antenna-receiver spacings up to 80 in. (203.2 cm). The deep, 100 kHz 80-in. measurement has a diameter of investigation exceeding 860 in. (71.5 ft) and has been used to resolve true resistivity (Rt) in deeply invaded reservoir zones, while being run in measurement-after-drilling (MAD) or while-drilling mode.

Borehole imaging has been enhanced in 2008 with the addition of the capability to transmit 16-bin images in real time. Using advanced compression algorithms, Weatherford can provide real-time gamma ray and density images for geosteering and evaluation with recorded image resolution.

This year’s MWD/LWD Services Directory updates and expands a worldwide directory of services in the global measurement-while-drilling (MWD) and logging-while-drilling (LWD) markets.

For quick and easy reference, the directory is divided into measurement groups, and then sub-divided by company, and service line. While there are exceptions to every “rule,” the following guidelines limit the number of exceptions for this year’s directory:

• Independent measurement subs, or short tool joints, are listed as a single entry within their respective measurement categories. If the sub can be used with associated telemetry or other tools, it is listed again in the respective measurement group
• Tools with multiple measurement capability are listed in each applicable measurement group
• Independent measurement sub lengths are listed so the reader can combine desired components as desired
• Only directional tools capable of greater than one-axis surveys were considered for the directory
• Tool manufacturers were not included in this year’s directory. Only companies providing services in the measurement-while-drilling and/or logging-while-drilling markets were included.