MWD technology comes of age

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · World Oil; (United States)

OSTI ID:6311151

Dempsey, P

MWD technology is the success story of the '80s. Instruments range from compact directional-only tools to sophisticated logging instruments that supplement and, in some cases, replace conventional logging techniques. And development is accelerating with a wider array of formation sensors, more reliable directional electronics and the introduction of drilling sensors. It will soon be possible to make direct measurements of lateral forces acting on the bit. Basically, there are two kinds of MWD tools. The directional-only tool, also known as the steering tool, measures inclination, azimuth and toolface orientation. The addition of formation sensors converts the directional tool into a logging tool. An MWD logging tool can be built up in modular fashion from an existing steering tool or it may represent an entirely new design. It is not unusual for a manufacturer to offer two steering tools, one a purpose-built steering tool and the other a stripped-down logging tool, run without its formation-sensing electronics.

• OSTI ID: 6311151
• Journal Information: World Oil; (United States), Journal Name: World Oil; (United States) Vol. 205:1; ISSN WOOIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
42 ENGINEERING
420206 -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
AZIMUTH
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILL BITS
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
INCLINATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
MWD SYSTEMS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
ORIENTATION
RELIABILITY
RETROFITTING
WELL LOGGING
WELL LOGGING EQUIPMENT
WELLS