APS Technology releases WPR propagation resistivity tools

Jan. 19, 2010
APS Technology has released its WPR propagation resistivity tools after four successful field trials.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- APS Technology has released its WPR propagation resistivity tools after four successful field trials. WPR is a compensated-geometry, dual-frequency (400 kHz & 2 MHz), dual-spacing formation evaluation tool designed for logging-while-drilling (LWD) and measurements-after-drilling (MAD) services in all well types. The tool's symmetrical design with central receive antennas delivers direct, real-time spatial compensation, eliminating errors due to mud invasion between measurements, borehole rugosity and receiver channel differences, the company says.

WPR operates in all mud types, including oil-base and salt-saturated muds, and provides real-time resistivity with flexible transmission formats. High-resolution data is stored in downhole memory and can be retrieved and processed during trips. Downhole storage in the WPR is 32 MB, with an additional 32 MB in the MWD tool.

The tool's applications include geosteering, correlation, pore pressure trend analysis, casing point selection, wireline replacement, logging while tripping and logging with, and without the flow switch enabled (for air and foam-drilled wells). Remote access capabilities include diagnostics, real-time and post-survey transfer of data via WITSML and remote geosteering. APS provides a complete set of software-enabled borehole corrections and applications with WPR, including formation analysis and a well-modeling geosteering front-end.

WPR interfaces with APS's SureShot Directional plus Gamma (DG) MWD system and uses industry-standard antenna spacings and dielectric corrections. The tool offers industry-standard vertical resolution and depths of investigation, enabling computation of True Resistivity (Rt) values for fundamental log interpretation. The complete SureShot plus WPR system operates to 150° C (175° C optional), and is powered by batteries, turbine alternator or batteries plus turbine alternator. WPR is available in 3.5 in. (89 mm), 4.75 in. (121 mm), 6.75 in. (171 mm), and 8.0 in. (203 mm) nominal diameters. The 4.75, 6.75, and 8.0 in. tools offer a pressure-while-drilling (PWD) option which measures annular and bore pressures up to 20 kpsi (137.9 MPa).

01/18/2010