MWD (Measurement While Drilling) systems are now ever-present in modern drilling operations all over the world. Frankly, the popularity of MWD systems is not surprising at all, considering what they offer: numerous benefits and greater control over the drilling operation.
What Are Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) Systems?
MWD systems are typically used to extend a wellbore while evaluating crucial physical parameters in the three-dimensional space. These parameters include temperature, pressure, and wellbore trajectory.
MWD systems make measurements while downhole, store them in solid-state memory and then transmit them to the surface. Data transmission can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they typically involve digitally encoded data and transmission to the surface via pressure pulses.
Why Are MWD Systems Important?
If it isn’t obvious already, MWD systems are important because the drilling operation has become more complex over the decades. As a result, the logging technology also had to adapt and improve, which it did with MWD systems.
MWD systems are important because they provide real-time information, allowing smooth and accurate steering of the drill. MWD systems rely on magnetometers, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to accurately measure borehole inclination and azimuth.
Such real-time feedback allows for crucial decisions to be made while the drilling takes place to avoid accidents and ensure a smoother drilling operation.
How to Select MWD Systems for a Drilling Operation?
When selecting the right MWD system for a drilling operation, it’s important to pay attention to three basic components: The Inertial Measurement Unit, Telemetry, and the Surface System.
Inertial Measurement Unit
This is a general term summarizing the sensors used to calculate the drill’s position and orientation. Inclination and azimuth are the two primary measurements that the MWD system makes, so it’s important to look at the measurement ranges for the system you choose.
Telemetry
Once the measurements have been made, the MWD system needs to transmit the data to the surface. Mud-pulse telemetry and electromagnetic telemetry are the primary methods. It’s important to know what type of signal to expect from the MWD system you select.
For instance, designing an MWD system with a mud-pulse surface system and an EM transmitter can lead to an embarrassing situation.
Surface System
The surface system is responsible for receiving the transmitted data and displaying the information to the rig operators. For a mud-pulse telemetry system, you’ll need a pressure transducer to detect the pressure pulses.
For electromagnetic telemetry, electronics in the surface system are designed to detect the sinusoidal signal that will be transmitted from the wellbore.
How to Select the Right MWD Systems?
Get in touch with True Shot, the leaders in Survey on Connection and directional drilling completions. Their first-of-its-kind survey tool, The M1 Unmanned MWD System, combines years of experience and expertise with state-of-the-art technology.
Give them a call now to figure out the right drilling solutions. For more information, you can also drop an email at info@trueshotllc.net.
