Outline

 Introduction

 MWD vs. LWD

 LWD vs. Wireline Decision Making

 MWD output

 Signal Transmission Methods

 MWD System Components

 Geosteering

 Conclusion
Introduction

What is MWD?
Measurement While Drilling (MWD) systems measure

formation properties (e.g. resistivity, natural gamma

ray, porosity), wellbore geometry (inclination, azimuth),

drilling system orientation (tool face), and mechanical

properties of the drilling process.

 MWD vs LWD
Logging while drilling (LWD) is closely related to MWD.

LWD provides formation measurements, while MWD

provides drilling mechanics and survey measurements.

MWD LWD
• Inclination, azimuth, tool face • density
• Rotational speed of the drill string • porosity
• Smoothness of that rotation • resistivity
• Type and severity of • acoustic-caliper
any vibration downhole • inclination at the drill bit (NBI)
• Downhole temperature • magnetic resonance
• Torque and weight on bit • formation pressure
• Mud flow volume
LWD vs. Wireline

LWD
Wireline vs. LWD
Wireline LWD
 small, light and delicate  big, heavy and tough
 since the 30s  since the 70s
 high data speeds  slow telemetry
 easy communication  limited control
 good borehole contact  subject to drilling
 powered through cable  batteries and mud turbine
 takes time  real-time
 after-the-fact  can log in any direction
 problem at high deviation  more capable in tough
environment
 susceptible to hole
condition
Real-time Surveys for
Directional Control

 Inclination
 Azimuth
 Toolface
Inclination
• Inclination is the angle between a
vertical line and the path of the
well bore at that point.

• An inclination of 0° is a vertical
hole.

• An inclination of 90° is a
horizontal hole.
 Azimuth

• Azimuth is the angle between

North Reference and a

horizontal projection of the

current Survey position.

• A hole drilled due North has

an azimuth of 0°.
 Magnetic North and True North

• The Flow of liquid Iron(Fe) in the

earth’s outer core generates electric
currents, which in turn, produce
magnetic fields.

• Originates at the poles

• The northernmost point on the earth

that lies at the top axis of rotation.
Also called geographic North.
ToolFace
 ToolFace is the angle which describes where the bend of the
motor is pointing.
ToolFace Angles
 Toolface angle = 0° - the bent
sub or steerable motor is
pointing upwards, the azimuth
should remain steady.

 Toolface angle = 90°- the hole

azimuth should turn to the right

 Toolface angle = 270°- the hole

azimuth should turn to the left
Directional Sensors

• The sensors used in steering tools and MWD/LWD tools

are solid-state electronic devices known as
magnetometers and accelerometers which respond to
the earth's magnetic field and gravitational field
respectively.
The MWD downhole tools
The MWD Surface System
 Surface sensors for measuring surface drilling parameters,
as well as the well’s depth.

 A transducer at the surface to receive the measurement

signals from the MWD tool.

 A computer for decoding downhole

data at the surface.

 A computer for processing, storing,

and using all of the data.
 How the Data is Transferred

Mud Pulse Telemetry Electromagnetic Telemetry

 Mud Pulse Telemetry

 Positive mud pulse telemetry (MPT) uses

hydraulic poppet valve to momentarily restrict
mud flow through an orifice to generate
increase in the pressure in form of positive
pulse which travel back to the surface to be
detected .
Mud Pulse Telemetry

 Negative MPT uses a controlled valve to

vent mud momentarily from the interior
of the tool into the annulus .
 This process generates a decrease in the
pressure in the form of a negative pulse
which travels back to the surface .
Electromagnetic Telemetry
 The EM does not use the drilling
mud to send pressure waves.

 The tool sends either a magnetic

pulse or electrical current through
the ground to the surface.

 On the surface the data is received

through ground antennas and the
data is processed.

 EM systems are significantly faster

(10x) than conventional mud pulse
EM & MPT

 EM systems have no moving parts and does not create

significant restrictions in the drill string.

 As a result, it is more reliable and there is less damage

from erosion caused by drill solids.

 EM tools have depth limitations which are a function

of how much power can be supplied by batteries for the
duration of the drilling interval, and at higher power
settings the battery costs may be significant.
 Geosteering

 Geosteering is the science, or art, of maintaining a

near horizontal well bore within a pre-defined
geological layer (payzone).
Geosteering

South

Target Reservoir
 Real-time decision making and well steering
 Effective placement of a well
 Maximize reservoir exposure
 Identify geohazards
 Collect available offset wells data
 Build Pre-drilling geological model
 Monitor the real time data and
Update the
geological model
 MWD/LWD technology is showing tremendous potential
to replace open hole wireline logging
 The MWD/LWD will continue its growth by using
technology to increase the efficiency and decrease the
cost of drilling and evaluating wellbores.
 Geosteering enhances early production by maximizing
reservoir contact
 Geosteering is proved technology for successful drilling
References
 Baker Hughes. (1997). Baker Hughes INTEQ's Guide to Measurement While
Drilling. Information Guide, 1-142.
 Cathedral Energy Services. (2014, March 10). MWD, Electromagnetic.
 Choudhary, D. (2011, July 5). Directional Drilling Technology. Retrieved from
Basic Terminologies Related to Directional Drilling:
http://directionaldrilling.blogspot.com/2011/07/basic-terminologies-
related-to.html
 Crain, E. R. (2014). Geosteering With MWD Data. P. Eng.
 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. (February 2008). An Introduction to
Logging While Drilling. Seminar to Marine Geophysics, 1-5.
 Middle East Technical University. (n.d.). Chapter 4, Measurement While
Drilling.
 Mottahedeh, R. (2014). Horizontal Well Geo-Navigation: Planning,
Monitoring, and Geosteering.
 Schlumberger. (2007). Schlumberger Logging School. Houston.
 Schlumberger. (2014, March 10). Oilfield Glossary. Retrieved from Gravity
Toolface:
http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms/g/gravity_toolface.aspx