IADC/SPE 112702

The Utilization of the Massive Amount of Real-Time Data Acquired in Wired

Drillpipe Operations
Tor Stein Olberg and Harald Laastad, SPE, StatoilHydro, and Bill Lesso, SPE, and Adrian Newton, Schlumberger

Copyright 2008, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2008 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference held in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., 4–6 March 2008.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not
been reviewed by the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily
reflect any position of the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any
part of this paper without the written consent of the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is
restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of IADC/SPE copyright.

Abstract

Drilling data telemetry rates with the current commercial mud pulse MWD systems present a severe bottleneck to the users of
downhole drilling data. Wired drillpipe (WDP) telemetry allows for a several orders of magnitude increase in data
transmission rates. StatoilHydro tested WDP during the drilling of the horizontal section of a well on the Visund platform in
the Norwegian North Sea. There were two aspects of this test: first, the hardware and process operation of the wired drill
pipe with a full range of MWD and LWD tools, and second, the use of this data by a multi-disciplinary team in real-time to
turn data into information so that better drilling decisions could be made. While this paper discusses both of these areas, it
concentrates on the use of WDP data.

High bandwidth downhole formation evaluation, wellbore, and drilling mechanics data from WDP telemetry were combined
with standard surface drilling and depth data for transmission from the platform to an onshore support center. The WDP
Enhanced Decision Team was deployed in a passive test mode adjacent to the center. The members of this team had
expertise in geomechanics, petrophysics, geology, image interpretation, structural modeling, and drilling mechanics. The
nature of the test was that the group could not directly make decisions, but could make recommendations to the Visund
operations team who remained the sole authority responsible for the well.

Several value cases were identified during the test, most of which were used in the drilling decision process. These could be
broadly categorized into HSE, improved drilling operations, well placement/geosteering, and data transmission. The most
obvious and immediate benefit of WDP technology was identified in the areas of fast downlinks and control of downhole
tools. High-frequency, time-based data was also useful for real-time torque and drag analysis and borehole quality using
real-time caliper data. Better monitoring of downhole formation and wellbore pressures provided a basis for improved well
control and borehole stability. The ability to send significantly more curves with higher resolution enhanced the well
placement/geosteering process, and may, in the end, represent an even more significant value potential for this technology.
Future WDP wells may easily implement these technologies.

Introduction
StatoilHydro has closely monitored the development of wired drillpipe (WDP) for a number of years 1,2. In 2005/2006
StatoilHydroi, Schlumberger, and GrantPrideco’s IntelliServe subsidiary cooperated in the development of a wired drill pipe
interface sub so that Schlumberger MWD and LWD tools could be run on future wells utilizing WDP. There were several
drivers for introducing this technology:

1) Improved HSE during drilling operations due to better well control;

2) Improved well placement and interpretation of geology in real-time using new tools and technologies to reduce
reservoir uncertainties, especially in ERD wells;
3) Reduced non-productive time (NPT) in the drilling process with better utilization of time and depth based data;
4) Greatly improved ability to transmit high frequency data from downhole to surface to make better/faster decisions.
2 IADC/SPE 112702

Increased data transmission capability between downhole tools and surface processing is a key factor in achieving better
precision and understanding of the subsurface environment in real-time. WDP is the technology that currently has the
highest potential to deliver the necessary step change in data rates to make this a reality.

The Visund Field has a history of drilling challenging ERD wells3. In order to address experiences from earlier ERD wells
beyond 9000m in measured depth, a new well, A-25BH, was selected to be the first well to test
the capabilities of this new technology. The test objectives were focused on an as is approach,
HWDP in other words, what can be achieved today with current hardware and software technologies.
Still, much of the hardware used in the operations did need to be modified for WDP use, and
some BHA components were run in a commercial well for the first time. The failure of one of
these elements, a wired under-reamer, after about four days of drilling and 512m, resulted in
jars the termination of the WDP testing. WDP was used to drill an 8 ½-in. section landing an ERD
horizontal well where the inclination ranged from 82 to 107 degrees. A rotary steerable system
with two way communication was used for the directional work. A wide range of MWD and
LWD measurements and images from nuclear, resistivity, acoustic, drilling dynamics, annular
HWDP and formation pressures were made and controlled in real time. WDP telemetry conveyed this
data to and from the surface. The interface sub was designed with a redundancy feature that
upper BHA

automatically activated mud pulse telemetry in the event of a WDP telemetry loss without any
stb break in operations. When this occurred with the wired under-reamer failure, operations
continued to the end of the section with mud pulse telemetry.
HWDP
The Visund A-25BH WDP project also included the deployment of a multi-disciplinary team
under for enhanced decision support to utilize the vastly increased data flow from the downhole tools
transmitted via wired drillpipe. This team, which comprised eight specialists with expertise in
reamer different subsurface disciplines, was assembled at the operators Sandsli offices in Bergen,
Norway. Their remit was to investigate whether a co-located, multi-disciplinary team using
stb current software and interpretation techniques could identify added value opportunities and
future potential from real-time analysis of high bandwidth data.
WDP
The team used a suite of new well construction software that simultaneously displayed and
interface synchronized measurements on both a time and depth index. The BHA was graphed to scale
with the depth data to note formation boundaries in relation to BHA geometry changes such as
stb stabilizer locations. An internet data transmission and management system brought drilling,
petrophysical and structural geology data to the various software applications with no serious
LWD latency issues. This internet and software system adequately handled the increased data flow
from WDP. The team identified several different value cases from this pilot. These value
(Sonic) cases can be broadly categorized into HSE, improved drilling operations, well
placement/geosteering, and data transmission.
FPWD
The most obvious and immediate benefit of WDP technology was in the areas of fast down
lower BHA

linking and two-way communication with the new generation of MWD, directional and LWD
MWD tools. High frequency, time-based data was also useful for real-time torque and drag analysis
(dir) and borehole quality using LWD caliper data. Better monitoring of downhole formation and
wellbore pressures provided a basis for improved well control. The ability to view
LWD significantly more curves with higher resolution provided opportunities to enhance horizontal
well placement. Time-lapse logs will provide ability to interpret some formation properties.
(nuc/res) The work of the team will provide a road map for effective utilization of WDP data on future
wells.
RSS

bit
Figure 1. The WDP test BHA
IADC/SPE 112702 3

Technologies Used in the Well Test

The WDP test in A-25BH used a mix of new and tried-and-tested technologies to provide the wired drillpipe team with data
software and information to enhance decisions. The link between existing downhole technologies and wired drillpipe is a
newly designed interface sub. MWD/LWD service companies need a means of electrically connecting their tools to the WDP
system for data transmission to the surface. This interface sub appears like another MWD tool on the BHA data stream,
gathering data from the various tools and processing it for transmission. Instead of preparing the data for mud pulse
telemetry, the data is passed over to the WDP telemetry processing. Thus all tools in the BHA and drill string above must be
wired. This effectively divides the BHA into two sections: the lower MWD/LWD directional drilling to-the-bit section and
the wired upper BHA section. The wired drill pipe completes the in-hole hardware. The interface sub is the dividing point.
Below it, the MWD/LWD, bit and other downhole tool service providers have technical responsibility; above it, the WDP
provider supplies all the components. These BHA and drill string elements must all be wired.

The Visund test, quite naturally, involved an extensive MWD/LWD lower BHA. A new generation of tools that are
distinguished by two-way communication capabilities were deployed. This included: 1) a point-the-bit rotary steerable
system, 2) multi-function LWD with multiple depth of investigation resistivities, neutron porosity, natural gamma ray, and
density porosity and imaging, 3) MWD surveying tool with high-speed mud pulse telemetry, directional measurements,
drilling mechanics and dynamics sensors, 4) formation pressure sampling tool with pumps down annular pressure measuring
capabilities, and 5) tunable sonic LWD. The BHA is shown in Figure 1. These tools require multiple wall contact points.
Additional stabilizers were required to manage drilling mechanics. A wired under-reamer that opened the 8 ½-in. hole to 9
7/8-in. was placed above the interface sub. The upper BHA consisted of stabilizers, hevi-weight drillpipe and jars. All of
this was wired by the WDP provider. The top of the hevi-weight drillpipe is the end of the BHA, and the drill string of 5 7/8-
in WDP with repeater subs continued to the surface.

At the surface a wired collector sub was Wired Drillpipe Data Flow and Processing
MWD/LWD
attached to the top drive as a saver sub. The surface system Interface Sub
collector took the signal from the rotating
WDP WDP MWD
string and passed it to the WDP surface data acquisition
component component
surface system wired
processing software. The data minus the
drill pipe
WDP diagnostics measurements was then
LWD1
passed to the MWD/LWD surface systems processing
for processing, display and rig site use (see & display
sonic
Figure 2). The data and displays were then rig site

MWD/LWD data bus

sent via internet to the operator onshore RSS
surface downhole
support center. All well tactical decisions net
i nter FPWD
were made by the Visund asset team with the
onshore support and rig site personnel. The LWD2
data and displays from the internet were depth/time
available to the WDP test team, quite petrophysical
MWD
image/dip
literally, isolated in another room. The structural
Visund asset team could and did visit the test geosteering
software packages Mud pulse telemetry
team, but the test project boundaries were (onshore)
clear and the operations team made all the
well construction decisions. Figure 2. The data flow from downhole tools, thru’ WDP to the surface and
Hardware and software systems used in the processing.

Telemetry Utilization
WDP allows data to flow at approximately 10,000 times the rate of fast mud pulse telemetry. It is expected that WDP
telemetry rates will increase 20 fold to 1 megabit per second in the future. Current MWD and LWD tools cannot fully utilize
this increase in bandwidth. Service companies that have lived with the restrictions of mud pulse telemetry are moving from
data compression in downhole firmware to data expansion. A glimpse of current utilization was obtained in this test during
nominal drilling data flow. This data can be divided into six groups: 1) standard petrophysical (resistivity and nuclear), 2)
acoustic petrophysical, 3) MWD directional, 4) RSS directional, 5) pressures while drilling, and 6) drilling mechanics and
dynamics. There was a two order of magnitude increase in data transmitted with WDP as compared to mud pulse telemetry.
Thus a future system that allows for a five-plus magnitude increase in data rates can today utilize a two order increase. The
WDP data was transmitted in a three second data frame which is quite arbitrary. It could easily be set to one second. But a
lot of the downhole sensors, particular nuclear measurements that are statistical in nature, would not benefit from this. Other
petrophysical data that is not statistical, such as resistivity measurements, become redundant in short time intervals where the
4 IADC/SPE 112702

sensors move very little in measured depth. The 3 second rate struck a good balance among the downhole sampling rates.
Also, there are other frames such as formation pressure sampling, imaging, and downhole seismic measurements. These are
new developments and a comparison is difficult, but this is where expanded utilization of WDP is most likely to occur.

Challenges
The introduction of WDP technology along with the associated massive increase in real-time dataflow present a new set of
challenges for both operators and service providers since current work flows and processes were never designed to handle
this. To reap the full benefit, new solutions will have to be developed that can provide answers and enable actions to be
taken in real-time or near real-time as appropriate. This will involve removing bottlenecks that exist in the current hardware
and software data stream and then to extract specific information from this data to enable higher quality decisions.

Multi-Disciplinary Approach
One of the goals of the WDP test team was to combine the increased data availability with a multi-disciplinary approach to
output and answers from the group and thus provide tools for real-time analysis and decision support. The eight member
team had expertise in geomechanics, petrophysics, geology, image interpretation, structural modeling, and drilling mechanics
and worked together in the same room. The result was the establishment of four desks and a cross-disciplinary synergy that
is often overstated but underrated. Each discipline provided an autonomous service largely based on existing processes and
software tools, though with some discrete modifications. The primary focus of the multi-disciplinary team was to expose the
value available from each discipline given the current state of technology, enhanced by WDP telemetry. As a secondary
focus, each domain attempted to capture opportunities to enhance the total service offering for the future enabled by WDP.

Geomechanics
The monitoring of the wellbore condition, investigating time-lasped borehole failure, updating the mud weight window, and
updating the geomechanical pre-drill model all in real-time were the objectives of the geomechanics team members. The
drilling time/depth real-time data analysis software and a geomechanical modeling program were used to update the model.
Gamma ray (natural and spectroscopy), resistivity, sonic, density, and formation pressure samples were streamed through
both programs. Observations were made continuously during working hours, and a daily summary was assembled and
discussed with the Visund asset team at morning meeting time.

Petrophysics
Formation evaluation from petrophysical data took place during the test. Team members from this desk investigated the
potential impact of real-time petrophysical interpretation on the asset team decision process and worked on improving the
well placement process with water saturation results. They used a new LWD data analysis package capable of performing
real-time petrophysical evaluation with data streamed in from the rig via the internet.

Geology and Image Interpretation

The main interest from the asset team was to obtain dip information along the borehole and to indentify faults and isolated
compartments drilling up and down section. LWD data analysis software was used here to obtain dips and geological
features crossed by the borehole. Dips were calculated from the density image data. The dip results were used for structural
interpretation and for building a basic geological cross section.

Depth based data was packaged twice daily depending on drilling activity. This facet of the test was different from the others.
The team geologist had direct and scheduled contact with the Visund asset team. The geologist evaluated this data at 06 :00
and 12 :00 hrs and reported this with two DLIS files, one with density image channels and the other with petrophysical data.
This was a routine service at Visund. In this case, the process remained the same, only the data was enriched by WDP
telemetry.

The asset team used this information to re-evaluate the structure and geology, including regional bedding, sedimentation,
unconformities, and faults. The updates consisted of image snapshots with dip processing, determination of an up or down
section, discussion of the structure, identifying any non-regional bedding, and the zonation of dip data to understand which
dip was related to which structure. Visund geology is recognized as being difficult due to the large number of faults and
limited seismic data.

Drilling Mechanics
The objectives in using WDP drilling data were : 1) real time torque & drag / hydraulics comparisons with models, 2)
downhole BHA dynamics/vibrations monitoring, and 3) tests in closed loop trajectory control. The drilling time/depth real-
time data analysis software was used for this. This software frame was designed for plug-in modules such as a torque & drag
IADC/SPE 112702 5

or hydraulics package. The modules would calculate the expected values similar to a well planning mode. The overall
software would then compare to the real-time data of surface and downhole tension, torque, and pressures. An overlay
between the model and actual data meant everything was as expected. Deviation indicated a potential problem.

WDP data speeds allowed for a test of closed loop trajectory control. The difficulty with closed loop systems is that both
depth calculations and survey data are needed either at the surface or downhole. The plug-in used in this test was a surface
closed loop. Continuous survey measurements were delivered by the WDP telemetry about every 30 seconds. The tendency
based software would calculate modeled vs actual curve rates and rotary steerable system directional performance. It would
then recommend a downlink to be sent to the tool. That is as far as it went in this test. The directional driller remained in
control of trajectory peformance as per the mandate of the test.

Structural Model Updating

Validating and updating of the geological model with structural framework of horizon and fault interpretation was
accomplished in real-time using a cross section display package. The main focus points were to: 1) vertically reposition and
update the structural horizons in the geological model by interpreting the well tops along the drilled borehole and
incorporating them in the horizon building process, and 2) adjust the location of faults in the fault model, allowing for lateral
movements in the fault framework, by interpreting the intersection of fault surfaces identified along the drilled borehole.
During the WDP test the petrophysical data and images were visualized along the well path in a section window and in a
well-fence window. The data update frequency was set to 5 seconds. The software was tested at different levels to determine
optimal updating of both the horizon and fault models.

Well Test Operations

Visund A-25BH wire drillpipe test took place in April 2007. The well was planned as a horizontal oil producer in the upper
Statfjord reservoir with a proposed total depth of 5440m with the horizontal section varying around 2940m TVD. The
horizontal section was about 1900m long. The WDP test took place in the first or landing part of this section. It was drilled
with an 8 ½-in. bit and, while drilling, opened to 9 7/8-in. using an under-reamer to facilitate running casing.

The reservoir section was planned to be drilled along a series of six targets or aiming points. This complex well path design
was used to help reduce the chances of sidetracks needed due to the complex geological setting and related uncertainties. The
horizontal well trajectory design and pre-drill geological structure are shown in Figure 3. The WDP test took place from
before T1 up to a point half way between T2 and T3.

c d
a b

Figure 3. 2D cross section of the reservoir section for well A-25 as planned before drilling.
6 IADC/SPE 112702

Opportunities for Enhanced Decisions

During the course of the WDP test, the team identified a number of opportunities to improve on tactical decisions. These
occurred during the test and were discussed with the asset team. They may not have been implemented, but they suggest
where WDP will be most useful.

Evaluating Directional Response

The BHA did not respond as planned when building
angle to land the well horizontally in the Statfjord
formation with the rotary steerable system. The BHA
was designed to build at 3 deg/30m, but less than one
degree of build was observed after the first stand had
been drilled. This raised a concern that the well would
land too deep at this lower build rate with the
possibility that the first geological target might be
missed. This is shown in Figure 4. The asset team was
faced with two possibilities; 1) a drilling equipment
malfunction requiring a trip out of the hole to replace
failed/damaged BHA components, or 2) a formation
change or other effect causing the unexpected
directional tendency where the trip out would not be
expected to change the outcome.
Figure 4. Possible results of directional performance issues
upon landing the well.

Included in the WDP data stream were several additional tool status indicators for all the BHA components, including the
RSS. These were sent at a much higher frequency than they would have been with conventional mud pulse telemetry. The
indicators were available in real-time while on bottom drilling from the start. The directional driller was able to determine
with a high degree of confidence that the RSS was, in fact, functioning as expected. The dip calculations, that were just
starting to come in, indicated the possibility of a formation change or fault. These results supported the formation change or
other effect hypothesis. The decision was made to continue drilling ahead with the expectation that directional performance
would improve once drilling moved past the formation change boundary.

Figure 5 shows the directional performance for the 180m section where this event occurred. The plot shows the static
directional surveys plus two continuous inclination (red) and azimuth (green) measurements from both the MWD and RSS
tools. Nine RSS down link commands are shown 90 280

with direction and percent of tool full power at the

top of the plot. Note that from the start of the run at RSS 80% 60%
down links
3556m with a neutral tool setting that the red 85 260
neutral 40% 60% 70% 100% 100% 50%
inclination curves are nearly flat at about 70
Inclination (deg)

Azimuth (deg)
degrees. Down links 2 through 6 show a steady
increasing of the percentage up to 100% of RSS 80
n
240

surveys a tio
power. This plot is real-time data. The lin
in old hole 3556 in c
directional driller had WDP data that positively n ed
start run n
indicated that the down links were accurately 75 p la )
220

t io n( s
reflecting tool performance. The decision not to lina directional
trip was made during the sixth down link (first inc control
70 quickly regained 200
100%). Then at 3665m the build rate increased
dramatically. The DD responded within 5m and
brought the RSS percentage power down from azimuth(s)
65 180
100% to 50% in two down links avoiding an 3520 3540 3560 3580 3600 3620 3640 3660 3680 3700
unwanted dog-leg. Measured Depth (m)

Figure 5. Directional performance at the well landing with RSS down link
commands. Inclination (reds) dropped below the blue plan line due to
formation changes. When this changed again at 3665m, a quick response
and the 60%, then 50% down link on WDP prevented an unwanted dog-leg.
Two Way Communication
Arguably, the most significant finding of the WDP test was the insight into the effectiveness of two-way communication with
downhole tools. These tool commands took place from the rig site computers, transparent to the drilling operation. A
command would be sent to a tool, and it would be verified in seconds by a status change on the logging computers.
IADC/SPE 112702 7

Altogether there were 27 down links to the RSS some of which were shown in the previous figure.

Five formation pressure tests were taken during this bit run. Several attempts had to be made to orient the probe in order to
get a good seal in the horizontal borehole on the first pressure test. Also significant effort was needed in depth correlation.
The fast update of tool attitude and status and reaming gamma ray measurements for the correlation reduced the time to do
this as compared to mud pulse telemetry. Several intermediate steps in formation pressure testing were eliminated due to
more versatile communication. While all these tests were made while circulating, WDP telemetry allows for pumps off
testing if this is required.

Acoustic measurements have many different uses aside from porosity determination. During this test, sonic compressional
and shear wave transit times were critical inputs for the evaluation of elastic rock properties used in geomechanical analysis.
Current real-time data is not quite the same quality as recorded mode data for a number of reasons. The full wave form can
be evaluated at the surface, and various filters were applied primarily to get a good shear measurement. WDP allowed the
testing of using these filters in real-time. While the full wave form was not available in real-time, this next generation of
acoustic tools can be tuned with these filters with effective two-way communication enabled by WDP.

Real-Time Data Visualization

Visualization of data so that informed decisions can be made during drilling operations has traditionally been done in either
the depth or time domain. A new software package was used in this WDP test by several of the interpretation desks for data
visualization and interpretation. A time-based log and a depth-based log were synchronized via a current time line. During
on and off bottom operations, the time log continues as per the selected time scale. The depth based log would only advance
when drilling or reaming down. It retreats when back-reaming. Petrophysical and hole condition indicators, such as drilling
caliper measurements, can also be displayed in time and offer an effective means of time lapse measurements over the same
depth interval. The depth log also included a scale model of the BHA that can be used to determine where upsets or stabilizer
blades are near formation boundaries. Thus, a weight or pressure increase on the time log can be evaluated by looking at the
position of key BHA components on the depth log in relation to petrophysical data. The package also divides all time below
the drill floor into 17 different rig states. Figure 6 shows the drilling of two stands of drillpipe. The depth data which is
mostly petrophysical is plotted to the left with the BHA sketch and a formation type shading. The time data with a clock

Figure 6. A snapshot of the real-time depth and time based data visualization software used during the WDP test. The depth data
also has a BHA sketch to the depth scale for correlating formation boundaries with key points such as stabilizers on the BHA.
While this is a comprehensive and complicated view of drilling and petrophysical data, the different disciplines on the test could
modify the display to accent different issues.
8 IADC/SPE 112702

index is plotted to the right. At the bottom of the time log is a red line, indicating current time. Note that the petrophysical
data has not reached the location of the time line. This is due to the different above bit distances to the LWD sensors in the
BHA. This particular display was used by the team in monitoring ECD and associated wellbore stability. Just to the right of
the time index is the rig state analysis. Green indicates drilling, shades of black/grey are various modes of pulling up while
blues indicate slacking off or going down. These rig states are critical in comprehensive torque & drag and hydraulics
analysis and the management of drilling optimization strategies.

Evaluating Hole Opener Performance in Real-time

Understanding wellbore shape and condition is key to the success of the well construction process. Wellbore shape analysis
can impact numerous operational phases which include: 1) identification of zones of instability or tight hole for optimal
tripping and casing operations, 2) optimizing of cement flow rates for reduced losses and optimal zonal isolation, 3)
identification of gauge hole intervals for swellable packer locations, and 4) confirmation of hole opening operations for over
gauge completions.

Wellbore stability issues at Visund have led to using an under-reamer to open the 8 ½-in. hole to 9 7/8-in. for ease in drilling
and completion operations. Hole shape was monitored using both ultrasonic and density caliper measurements. Both
measurements transmitted average, horizontal and vertical calipers for hole shape analysis. To evaluate the under-reamer
effectiveness, a reaming pass had to be made raising the LWD tools into the hole section where the under-reamer had already
All calipers showing shoulder cut. Mud pulse telemetry rates usually
Ultrasonic (brown) and density and good hole where bit drilled
caliper (blue) showing in gauge hole is entered with LWD tool require slower reaming speeds to get an
drilled hole
adequate data density. The WDP test
allowed for a faster reaming evaluation
of hole shape. The reaming data is
displayed as time-lapsed depth data.
Reamed interval with
caliper sensor (18m behind This was added as time data
bit) ~3647-3676 m
synchronized to depth using the
positioned BHA measure points. It is
plotted in the time index track and
shown in Figure 7. It shows the
3659 – depth to which
undereamer cut boundary between the under-reamed
and pilot hole sections, confirming that
the under-reamer was working. The
reaming passes led to the conclusion
that the hole was in good condition with
no signs of wellbore instability or
washout.

Figure 7. A variation on the display used to determine the effectiveness of

under-reamer using the LWD density caliper measurements.

Vibrations Monitoring
Wired drillpipe data enabled higher transmission rates for drilling mechanics and dynamics data. This included downhole
weight-on-bit (DWOB), downhole torque (DTOR), lateral, axial, and torsional vibrations, along with downhole RPM’s.
These measurements were presented and combined with the torque & drag and hydraulics modeling calculations for the real-
time comparison. Any discrepancy would be caused by a problem in the modeling or the onset of a drilling mechanics
problem. Two types of problems are usually seen: 1) problems with hole cleaning and, 2) excessive BHA vibrations. The
plan on this test was to compare modeled vs. actual surface torque and hook load with the various downhole dynamics data to
help build a methodology for detecting and managing vibrations events.

The agreement between actual and modeled hookload was surprisingly good. This data pair can be viewed as a quality
control indicator. A modeled hookload is primarily sensitive to rig surface sensor calibrations and the drill string tally of
component lengths and weights. There were redundant and well calibrated sensors on the Visund platform. Both hookload
and surface torque are sensitive to drilling mechanics problems. When drilling started on the WDP test, actual vs. modeled
torque matched. As drilling progresses, actual torque gradually increased above the modeled values. This appeared to be
related to hole cleaning in the horizontal section and whether or not a stand was reamed after it was drilled down. Since the
project rules prevented a direct voice communication with the rig, this work was performed in observation mode only. As it
was, the hole cleaning problems were judged to be inconsequential.
IADC/SPE 112702 9

Several stands showed high fluctuation in downhole

collar RPM, which is a stick-slip indicator. These
HKLD occurred when there was a large spread between actual
and modeled surface torque.
An example of this is shown in
TQ TQ DH RPM Figure 8. This is the drilling
mechanics display used with
the time/depth software. It
has a similar feel in the depth
tracks to the other discipline
displays. Note that the right
(from mud pulse) hand depth track is different
from the one in Figure 7. The
track (in Fig 8) shows the
directional performance and
down linking data. The time
plots are quite different. The
WDP telemetry data left-most time track shows

Figure 8. A drilling mechanics data showing modeled vs. actual hookload,

surface torque and pressures. Excessive torque was caused by stick-slip.

depths and block position on and off bottom. The next track is the weight track. It shows the hookload modeled vs. actual
(blue and black respectively). DWOB is plotted in red. The next track is the torque track. Modeled vs. actual surface torque
is plotted in orange and brown. DTOR is plotted in a darker orange. The fourth track has flow and pressure data. Actual
surface pressure vs. hydraulic program modeled pressure is shown in green and orange respectively. Downhole ECD vs. the
hydraulics package model is shown in brown and orange. The flow rate is in blue. The fifth track has RPM data. Surface
measured RPM is shown in red, and the downhole CRPM is shown in pink. Note the difference between the RPM data for
stand 9 vs. the end of stand 8 above it. Also notice the effect this had on surface torque. The insert with this figure shows the
stand 9 data from the mud pulse telemetry. The last track shows the downhole lateral, axial and torsional senor package data.

Annular Pressure Monitoring

As with torque & drag analysis, the hydraulics package modeled vs. actual surface and downhole pressures comparisons are
important in maintaining a stable 7250

horizontal wellbore. A glimpse of this is

seen in Figure 8. The usual problem stand
with this work is that downhole pressure
7200
Drilling ECD’s
12 13
goes off line when the pumps are going 7150
14 15 16 17
down, and mud pulse telemetry drops
out. The WDP test allowed for an
Annular Pressure (psi)

7100
opportunity to look at the pressure
transitions in downhole pressure or its 7050
more useful component equivalent
circulating density (ECD) and its 7000
transition to equivalent static density
(ESD). The LWD formation pressure 6950
sampling tool was battery powered and
programmed to continue sending 6900
pressure data when the pumps were static
going down for a connection. Thus any
swab/surge pressures can be detected
6850
(ESD)
that might lead to losses and hole
6800
instability. An example of this is shown 20:00 22:00 0:00 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00
in Figure 9. Time (hrs)

Figure 9. Circulating and static annular pressure data obtained in real-time

continuously during the drilling of 5 stands in the WDP test. Static
pressures are not possible with mud pulse telemetry.
10 IADC/SPE 112702

Formation Pressure Sampling with WDP

A high data density is desired during the

short time that a formation pressure test is
WDP test taken. Two way communications with
mud pulse test (offset) the MWD tool to change the mud pulse
data frame can be done but has its limits.
WDP allows for higher data rates when a
pressure test is being taken. Figure 9 is a
Pressure (psi)

annular pressure comparison between the data gathered by

WDP and mud pulse telemetry for a
pressure test. The productive intervals of
programmed drawdowns Visund where this test was taken have
clear with WDP sampling rate very high permeabilities. The test draw-
downs that indicate permeability happen
quickly and are difficult to use from the
mud pulse data. They are more
formation pressure
pronounced in the WDP data.

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Figure 10. Formation pressure sample
400 450 500

Time (sec) data comparison between WDP and mud

pulse telemetry. The current deployment
of this FPWD tool takes pressure samples every ten seconds with mud pulse telemetry and every second for WDP. This figure
shows two different tests but in a similar high permeability formation. Note that the programmed drawdowns meant to gauge
permeability are noticeable and yield workable data with the WDP data density.

Petrophysical Data Density and Breadth

It is generally understood that WDP will
bring a higher density of petrophysical data
(measurements per foot) than mud pulse
telemetry. What is more subtle is that mud
pulse telemetry management usually limits
the log curves in favor of a higher density for
those few curves. WDP does not have that
limitation and, therefore, the data breadth or
number of curves can be much larger. In
horizontal wells where resistivity anisotropic
effects can distort the interpretation, the
additional curves may be necessary to
determine a formation lense. Figure 11
shows the WDP and mud pulse gamma ray,
resistivity, density and neutron data for the
top part of a sand that was penetrated during
the test. Notice that the gamma ray, density,
and neutron curves are similar between the
two telemetries. Although there is a higher
density of data with the WDP, the character
response can be discerned with both. There
are 20 phase and attenuation resistivities
available. Three were transmitted in the mud
pulse telemetry stream with the discernable
density. All 20 were transmitted with WDP.
That additional breadth helped in determining
the type of sand and shale above.

Figure 11. Log data comparison between WDP and mud pulse telemetry for
multiple depth of investigation resistivity curves.
IADC/SPE 112702 11

Density images were acquired from the LWD tool in real-time from both mud pulse and WDP telemetry streams. The WDP
data showed the potential to substantially advance this technique by expanding the amount of information available in real-
time. Currently, LWD tools transmit a compressed graphic of one borehole image to the surface in real-time. Thus while the
WDP telemetry greatly increased the speed that images were transmitted to the surface, the data quality remained the same.
With the added capacity of WDP, three strategic changes in image data work can be made:

1) Raw sector data could be transmitted allowing the interpreter to construct the image at the surface. This would
permit improved dip computations and higher resolution on finer elements (this is currently possible with mud pulse
telemetry).
2) Change to the transmission of raw data for multiple images in addition to density; PEF, ultrasonic caliper, gamma
ray and resistivities.
3) Software could be developed to allow a more automatic real-time 2D section update of the formation tops based on
this higher quality data.

Image Data Analysis

LWD wellbore azimuthal images require a larger bandwidth than mud pulse telemetry allows. Increasingly clever encryption
and compression algorithms have increased the effective data rate for these images. This now presents a dilemma for WDP
operations in that the tools are hardwired limited in expanding data rates. This means that the images obtained in real-time
over WDP telemetry are only marginally better in quality than mud pulse images. This will change as the data frames open
up in anticipation of WDP deployment. Figure 12 shows the density image data obtained via WDP in the landing of the
horizontal well. Two different resolutions are shown. The interpreted dips from these images are shown to the right. This
analysis indicates two faults crossed during the WDP test. Figure 13 shows the dip data with the structural plot incorporating
the trajectory data. It must be stressed that these analyses are similar to those that can be made with mud pulse telemetry
data. The increased quality of WDP data will enable more extensive and less labor intensive analysis in the future.

Figure 12. LWD density imaged data

obtained during the WDP test. Two
resolutions are presented along with the
dip interpretation made by the geologist
participating in the test. The green
areas represent no data obtained.

3 possible
faults
wnw-ese
strike

caliper density image density image dip tadpoles

GR wide range narrow range 2 5 10 50 90
incl/azi static dynamic degrees
12 IADC/SPE 112702

Figure 13. The dip interpretation and associated

structural analysis showing the location along the
trajectory of the two faults. Note the location of
the first fault and the trajectory control problems
detailed in Figures 4 and 5.

fig 12

Future Plans and Needs

The WDP test team identified a need for improved technical communication and work processes for future use of wired
drillpipe. The primary bottleneck to the effective utilization of high rate data in real-time lies in the current work flows and
processes. Note that what we are calling real-time should more correctly be termed as near real-time or relevant time. What
we really mean is making effective use of the data within a time period where the technology can still influence the outcome
of the well as it is being drilled. If we do not do this, then the value of WDP is much reduced, as we can routinely retrieve
the data from memory in any case when the BHA is back at the surface. Today’s organizational structures, software tools,
and processes along with the rudimentary levels of automation employed, are challenged to make full use of low bandwidth
mud pulse data in real-time. The orders of magnitude of additional data available with WDP extends this gap.

In addition, we should discuss the human factor of bringing added value from massive amounts of real-time data. This
should not be underestimated. Any deficiencies in hardware and software may inflict significant stress on the interpretation
team. A key element for success in proceeding from measurements, via interpretation, to an actual improved decision
currently requires additional time, improved tools, and highly skilled personnel. The operator and service companies
involved in the Visund test acknowledge that this issue is paramount in the economic utility of WDP technology.

The operator is currently identifying several other wells to continue the learning process with WDP technology and better
identify priorities on the road map to move the technology forward. Current MWD/LWD/RSS technology can make some
use of wired drill pipe to improve results and add value today. However, wide application of WDP will require major
developments to be made on many fronts.

Here are several developments that the WDP team suggests to be undertaken in the short term:

• Ability to transmit data when tripping

• Enhanced understanding of time lapse data sets using multi-pass software and management tools
• Improved sonic slowness data taking full advantage of WDP bandwidth
• Use WDP to enhance the Seismic while Drilling services
• Manage multiple instances of same measurements (eg. APWD from distributed sensors)
• Increased speed for MWD/LWD downhole data bus

The team sees the following as longer term developments:

• Improved software tools to manage/process/visualize data

• New downhole measurements/ distributed sensors tailored to WDP
• Closed loop operations with hardware and software for failsafe operations
IADC/SPE 112702 13

Conclusions
The A-25BH wired drillpipe pilot test successfully showed that a complex RSS/LWD/MWD assembly can use WDP to
operate and transmit time and depth based data with higher resolution than traditional mud pulse. Both new and modified
downhole equipment, software and firmware were successfully tested. In this respect the as is test was successful. On the
other hand, the failure of one component in the WDP transmission after 500m of drilling also highlighted the vulnerability of
the system. This serves as a reminder that this technology is still at an early stage. Mud pulse telemetry should continue to be
run in a redundant back-up mode until the technology matures.

This test was deliberately constrained to avoid any risk to established work processes and to avoid disrupting existing
communications within the asset team. Hence, although the techniques documented in this paper showed considerable
potential for immediate value, they were not all utilized during the duration of the test.

The WDP test did highlight gaps or bottlenecks in the data stream from downhole tools to the surface systems that need to be
addressed before the full potential of the technology can be realized. It also gave a glimpse of the utility of WDP for the
drilling of complex precise placement horizontal wellbores. There is no doubt that the near instant feedback on tool,
formation, dynamic, and directional data and the ability to refine the overall BHA performance in these areas with fast,
transparent, two-way communication will lead to a dramatic change in many drilling processes.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the StatoilHydro Visund asset and its partners, ConocoPhillips, Total and Petoro for
supporting this effort in the implementation of wired drillpipe technology and exploring the more subtle side of its uses. We
represent a small portion of the entire team that worked on both hardware and software aspects of this project and we want to
thank those members from IntelliServe, Schlumberger, and StatoilHydro for their combined efforts.

References
1. Reeves, M., Macpherson, J., and Zaeper, R., “High-Speed Drillstring Telemetry Network Enables New Real-Time Drilling and
Measurement Technologies” IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Miami, FL, 21-23 Feb 2006.
2. Roberts, T.S., Schen, A.E., and Wise, J.L., “Optimization of PDC Drill Bit Performance Utilizing High-Speed, Real-Time Downhole
Data Acquired Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement”, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference Amsterdam, 23-25 Feb
2005.
3. Hjelle, A., Teige, T., Rolfsen, K., Hanken, K., Hernes, S., Huelvan, Y., ”Word-Record ERD well Drilled From a Floating Installation in
the North Sea”, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Miami, FL, 21-23 Feb 2006.

i
Statoil ASA and Norsk Hydro were merged into StatoilHydro October 1st 2007.