98073-ST

98116-ST
 INSITE Applications Drilling Optimization

State of the Art

in MWD

98116-ST
 Mud Pulse Telemetry

Positive
Pulse
Open Closed

Closed

Open

98116-ST
 Mud Pulse Telemetry

Negative
Pulse
Open Closed

Closed

Open

98116-ST
 Mud Pulse Telemetry

Continuous
Carrier Wave
Open Closed
Pressure

Time

98116-ST
 Mud Pulse Telemetry

Downhole Memory

Some tools augment real-time telemetry with a downhole

memory for higher frequency data, and for recording data
while not circulating. These data are usually read from
memory when the tool is at the surface or transmitted from
downhole when convenient.

98116-ST
 Electromagnetic Telemetry

Limited to:
• Moderate to high formation
FM Receiver resistivities
• Mostly onshore use
> 100'

Data Rate:
• About same as mud pulse
Advantages: - potential to go higher
• Air drilling
• No flow limitation

Insulation V

98116-ST
 Retrievable vs Non-Retrievable
Retrievable Non-Retrievable

Drill Collar

Sensor and Electronics Sensors and

electronics can be electronics are
pulled and loaded integral part of
into standard or the drill collar.
slightly modified
drill collars. Sensors
MWD Tool

+ — ++ —
• Zero or limited • Limited sensors • Typically multi- • High lost-in-hole
lost-in-hole sensor charges
charges • Typically lower
reliability • Higher reliability • Trip to replace
• Light, easily
transported
• Lower cost
• Run or replace
on slick line
98116-ST
when needed
 MWD Power Sources
Mud Turbines Batteries

+
—

+
—

Stator
+
Rotor —

+ — + —
• More power • Only works • Measurements all • Shorter life
when circulating the time
• Longer life • Temperature
• Erosion in limited
abrasive muds
• Less power

• Handling of
lithium batteries
98116-ST
 MWD 16” Short Normal Resistivity

Drill Collar
Insulation

Transmitter

Force a
16" Constant Current I,
and Measure Voltage V
R ~ V/I
Receiver

98116-ST
 MWD Applications

Gamma Ray (CPS) R16 (OHMM)

0 50 0.00 2.50
11900

Shale

11940 Oil
16" Short Normal
Filled
Sand • Hydrocarbon Zone
Identification (Qualitative)
Oil/Water Contact
• Coring Point Selection
11980
Depth (Feet)

Water
Filled
12020 Sand

12060

Shale

12100

98116-ST
 MWD Applications

.1 .5 1.0 5.0

PORE PRESSURE AND

3000 13-3/8 CASING SHOE
EXAMPLE
4000 10
11
12

5000
Offshore Gulf
16" Short Normal Resistivity Applications
Coast • Pore Pressure Estimation in Under-Compacted Shales
10
6000
Shale Resistivity • Casing Point Selection
SAND
• Qualitative Hydrocarbon Detection
7000
SAND

MUD WEIGHT USED

8000 9.4
10.3

9000 11.0
10
Casing Point Set 9-5/8 11.5
13 11
14 12
in Transition Zone 14.0
15.0
15
Pressure Transition Zone
10000
16
17.2

11000 SAND

17

12000 7-5/8 17.4 “Normal” Trend Line

14

LOSING MUD SAND

13000 17.7
17
STUCK PIPE
15
14000

15000
16

16000

98116-ST
 MWD 2 MHz Resistivity
Basic Principle

Signal at
T receiver R1
Attenuation
R1
R2

Signal at Phase Shift

receiver R2

• 2 MHz tools emit a wave from a transmitter (T) and measure the phase shift and
attenuation
• between signals detected at two receivers (R1 & R2). These
measurements are then transformed into resistivities.
In addition, several depths of investigation and/or compensation can be achieved
with multiply spaced transmitters and receivers. Multiple depths of investigations
are also possible by using multiple transmitter frequencies.

Applications:
Same as 16" SN resistivity, plus...
Quantitative petrophysics in water- and oil-based muds
Integrated interpretation with wireline logs
Improved wellbore placement – geosteering
Time lapse identification of moveable fluids
98116-ST
 MWD 2 MHz Applications
These examples compare resistivity
measurements made while drilling with
wireline measurements made several days
after drilling. In general, the MWD
A measurements of phase shift and attenuation
are made very soon after the formation has
been drilled; therefore, the measurements are
less affected by invasion than wireline
measurements.
50 ft

B
In thin beds, such as those in Zone A, phase
shift resistivity is closer to the true resistivity
(Rt). In very thin beds, a thin bed correction
must be applied to both MWD and wireline
50 ft

C resistivities to determine Rt. In Zone B,

separation between phase shift and
attenuation resistivities is evidence of rapid
invasion even at MWD time; however, the
50 ft

D MWD attenuation resistivity is reading much

closer to Rt. In Zone C, the phase shift
resistivity measurement provides excellent
thin bed resolution as compared to the
standard wireline induction measurements
which do not resolve these thin beds. In Zone
D, we see that the MWD 2 MHz
measurements are very close to the true
resistivity while the wireline measurements
are adversely affected by deep invasion.

98116-ST
 MWD Focused Resistivity
Standard Measurements Resistivity At-The-Bit Measurements
Current Pattern RBit ~ V/I2
Applications:
T1
Same as 16” SN,
Lateral
T2
T3
Resistivity
(RLat)
plus quantitative
petrophysics in
Bit
conductive muds.
Resistivity
(RBit)

Measure
Current
IM
Current Pattern: Water-Based Mud

T1

T2
T3

Bit
Resistivity
Principle is same as wireline "Laterolog" (RBit)
tools. Voltage (V) across guards and
measuring electrode is held constant to
focus alternating current into formation.

RLat ~
V/IM
Limitations: Conductive water- based mud. Current Pattern: Oil-Based Mud
Bit/rock interaction makes a
conductive path for current.

98116-ST
 Gamma Ray
• The Gamma Ray tool measures the
Natural/Spectral naturally occurring gamma radiation in
the formations.
• Most naturally occurring radiation
comes from potassium which is
contained in clay minerals. Thus the
gamma ray log is useful for
Potassium distinguishing shales from non-shales.
Gamma
Ray Uranium • Some gamma radiation comes from
Detector
Thorium uranium (which is most often found in
formations through which water once
flowed) or thorium (which is found in
various clay minerals).
• The spectral gamma ray device
differentiates these three sources of
gamma radiation based on the energy
distribution of the gamma rays striking
the detector.

98116-ST
 Natural Gamma Ray Log

Uses:
• Distinguish shales from non-shales
• Estimate clay content in sands and limestones
• Correlation of real-time data with offset logs to determine geologic
location
• Picking casing and coring points

Limitations:
• Count rates are time-dependent and are thus less accurate at high
ROPs.
• The drill collar absorbs gamma rays differently than the housing of
a wireline gamma ray tool, making exact comparison of wireline
and MWD gamma ray logs difficult.

98116-ST
 Neutron Porosity

• A chemical course generates

Neutron neutrons that scatter into the
Source formation.

Slowing
• Hydrogen nuclei slow neutrons
of down and various elements
Neutrons
capture these slowed neutrons.
Near • When a neutron is captured, a
Detector
gamma ray is emitted.
Far
Detector • Slowed neutrons and/or capture
gamma rays are detected at each
of the two detectors.
• Typically, the only hydrogen in the
formation is in water and
hydrocarbons.
• The use of two detectors allows
compensation for borehole effects.

98116-ST
 Neutron Porosity

Uses:
 Alone or with formation density to determine porosity
 Normalized count rates from the near and far detectors
can be used to distinguish gas from oil.
 With density to determine rock type via cross-plot
 With density, crossover indicates presence of gas

Limitations:
 Shallow depth of investigation increases sensitivity to
washout, but since measurements are made soon after
drilling, this is less often a problem than with wireline logs.
 Clay materials contain hydrogen in bound water, often
making neutron logs difficult to interpret.

98116-ST
 Formation Density

• A chemical source generates

gamma radiation that is focused into
Gamma
Ray the formation.
Source
• Gamma rays collide with electrons in
Scattering the formation and are scattered,
and
Absorption losing energy in the process, and
are finally absorbed.
Near
Detector • The number and energy of gamma
rays received at each of the two
Far
Detector detectors are measured.
• The number of gamma rays
measured is a function of the density
of electrons in the formation which is
approximately proportional to the
density of the formation.
• By using two detectors, correction
can be made for mud cake and
small irregularities in borehole
smoothness.
98116-ST
 Formation Density

Uses:
 Alone or with neutron porosity to determine formation porosity
 With neutron porosity to determine rock type
 With neutron porosity, crossover indicates the presence of gas
 Pore pressure estimation

Limitations:
 Very shallow depth of investigation thus sensitive to:
 Thick mud cake
 Washouts, but since measurements are made soon after
drilling, these are les often a problem than with wireline
logs
 Large borehole sizes
 Tool geometry may affect the placement of stabilizers in the
BHA

98116-ST
 Formation Evaluation
Field Presentation of MWD Data

Gamma Ray Amplitude Ratio Resistivity Neutron Porosity

AAPI ohm-m Sandstone p.u.

Using MWD Gamma,

D
200 E .2 200 50 -10
P
T

Resistivity, Density and

H Phase Difference Resistivity Density Porosity
ohm-m Sandstone p.u.
.2 200 50 -10

Neutron
1-2%
Limestone Porosity
A
Shale

Water- 19-20%
Sandstone bearing B Porosity

Density - Neutron
Crossplot
1850

40
Shale

40
30
ne
to
nds
Sa
19

30
2.30 20
B Lim
es
to
ne

2.40
20
10
Density

2.50

2.60 10
0

2.70
0
A
2.80

2.90

Anhydrite
3.00
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Neutron Porosity
98116-ST
 Drilling Efficiency
MWD Measurements
Directional Resistivity Gamma Density Neutron Weight/ Turbine Shock Caliper
Applications Sensors Ray Torque Speed Sensor
Surveying 
Direction
Inclination
Tool Face
While Rotating
Correlation/ Safety      
Casing Point Selection
Coring Point Selection
Pore Pressure Monitoring
Kick Detection
Drillstring Mechanics    
Pipe Sticking
Borehole Stability
Twist Off Prevention
Washout Detection
Slip-Stick Avoidance
Bit Mechanics  
Locked Cones
Tooth Wear
Bit Condition
Improving ROP
Weight Transfer Efficiency
Improving PDC Life

98116-ST
 Directional MWD Sensors
 The three axis accelerometer
Three axis
accelerometer
measures:
 The earth’s gravitational
Three axis
magnetometer
vector relative to the tool
axis and a point along
the circumference of the
tool called a scribe line.
 From this measurement,

Earth's magnetic
one can determine
field vector
inclination and tool face.
 The three axis
Earth's gravitational vector
magnetometer measures:
 The components of the
earth’s magnetic field
relative to the tool axes.
 From this measurement
and the accelerometer
readings one can
determine the azimuth.

98116-ST
 Directional Measurements

Azimuth is the
directional orientation
of the wellbore relative
Up
(vertical)
Up to the North.
N (High side)

W Azimuth
Inclination is the
Scribe measure of the
Line
S
deviation of the
wellbore from vertical.
E
Inclination
Tool Face is a measure
of the angle between
the scribe line on a
Tool Face
bent portion of the BHA
relative to the high side
of the wellbore.

98116-ST
 Magnetic Interference Correction

 There are several methods in use to correct for

axial magnetic interference caused by the steel
in the drillstring above and below the MWD tool.
 One method, licensed to several service
companies, also corrects for cross-axial
interference.
 It requires transmission of the three
accelerometer and the magnetometer
measurements and multiple surveys at
different toolface headings.
 This method also provides checks for the
quality of the survey data.

98116-ST
 Measurements
PRINCIPLE:
Use sets of 4 strain gauges fixed to drill collar.
Stretching a strain gauge increases its electrical resistance.

Weight on Bit
and Torque

B X
Z
C D
A Y
W

WOB results in stretching A,B Torque results in compressing

and compressing C,D. W,X and stretching Y,Z.

PRIMARY APPLICATION:
Direct measurement of downhole weight and torque without
98116-ST
effects of drag and wellbore friction.
 MWD
Torque and Weight Applications
• Monitoring Hole Condition from Weight
and Torque Transfer Problems
Sliding Friction

DEPTH (ft) MD
ROP (ft/hr) DWOB (klb) DTOR (kft-lb) Factor
250 0 0 30 0 10 0 .20
GAMMA RAY Rotating Friction
(cps) SWOB (klb) STOR (kft-lb) Factor
0 100 0 30 0 10 .10 .30

x400
C Connections

Normal
C Rotating
Friction ~ 0.25
x500

C Wiper
x600 Trip at
Connection

Perfect Weight Transfer

After Wiper Trip
98116-ST
 MWD
Torque and Weight Applications
• Detecting Bit Cone Locking
• Correlation at the Bit
ROP (M/HR) GAMMA RAY DWOB (KKG) DTOR (KNM) TD
Dimensionless
25.0
torque can be used
12.5

25.0

50.0

25.0

0.08

0.16
0.0

0.0

5.0

0.0
2425

to discriminate
Start
Bit Run shales, ahead of
the gamma ray, as

Limestone
Shale
the bit breaks the
2455

Line

rock. The jump in

dimensionless

(Limestone Stringers)
torque above
2465

“Shale Line” clearly

Shale
indicates cone
locking. Bit was
2515

pulled and graded

T4 : B8 two locked

(Sandstone Stringers)
Sands cones.

Shale
2545

Cone
2575

Locking
Dimensionless Torque, TD = DTOR/(DWOB*D)
98116-ST
 MWD
Torque and Weight Applications
• Correlation at the Bit (PDC Example)

TD is the DIMENSIONLESS SURFACE WEIGHT

dimensionless TORQUE, TD GAMMA RAY (CPS) Depth ON BIT (KLBS)
1 0 0 100 (ft) 0 20
downhole torque
(DTOR/DWOB* bit RATE OF RESISTIVITY MD DOWNHOLE WEIGHT
diameter). By dividing PENETRATION (ft/hr) (OHM MTRS) ON BIT (KLBS)
500 0 0 3 0 20
DTOR by DWOB the
effects of varying
weight-on-bit are x 1000
removed.

In the shale sections x 1100

TD is relatively
constant. In the
SWOB
sandstone sections
TD shows a sharp x 1200

increase due to a GR
change in the drilling
R
action of the bit. The
x 1300
TD curve shows
excellent correlation TD
with the MWD
gamma ray and x 1400
resistivity but is
available as the bit
ROP DWOB
breaks the rock.

98116-ST
 MWD

ROP (ft/hr)
250 0

0
Time (hrs)

Surface Speed (rpm)

50

100
0
Downhole Shocks (cps)
100
Drilling Vibration and
Downhole Shock
X100

BIT RUN #2
Measurements
X200
 Avoiding tool failures and
Combination of higher RPM
and BHA configuration resulted
potential twist-offs with
BIT RUN #3
RPM
increased
in high downhole vibration
downhole vibration
measurements made with
X300 accelerometers
BIT RUN #4

Small Tool failure due

changes to excessive shock
in RPM
eliminate
downhole
shocks
X400

ROP

Note how small changes in RPM in Bit Run #4 (X310 to X480)

can result in significant changes in downhole vibration.
98116-ST
 END

98116-ST