Directional Sensor Package Spacing

Last Updated on Fri, 18 Dec 2020 | Drilling Services

In order to avoid magnetic interference, non-magnetic drill collars must be used and empirical charts are
used to estimate the length of non-magnetic material needed. Experiments have shown that mud
motors can produce a magnetic field from 3 to 10 times greater than components such as steel stabilizers
and short drill collars. As a rule of thumb, anytime a mud motor is run, a non-magnetic short drill collar
(of 3m to 5m) should be placed between the motor and sensor package. It may even be necessary to use
a non-magnetic orienting sub in some areas of the world.

The following formula can be used to accurately predict errors in azimuth due to magnetic interference
from the drilling assembly.

Field Configuration Drilling Mud

b

IF = 770 ^ | + LP _ LP (14 + X)2 (y + b)2 (y + b + c)2

AE = 57,300 x IF x Sin/ x Sin(Az - MD) H x Cos(dip)

IF = calculated interfering field AE = Azimuth Error

X = Length of non-magnetic collar above MWD, note the dimension 14 feet is an assumed value for the
distance from the sensor package to the bottom of the NMDC and the actual value should be used for the
respective tool configuration.

b = Length of non-magnetic collar below MWD

c = Length of magnetic material below MWD

H = Total magnetic field strength in gammas

Az = Azimuth of the well

I = Inclination of the well

MD = Magnetic declination

Dip = Dip angle

This formula is relatively easy to use and interpret. The absolute value of the predicted azimuth error (AE)
should be less than 0.5 degrees. If it is not, continue adding lengths of non-magnetic drill collars both
above and below the MWD collar until the AE value is below 0.5 degrees. Other equations have been
prepared by other directional companies.

For horizontal drilling, and especially for well paths with a medium radius of curvature, it may be
impractical to achieve a predicted azimuth error of less than 0.5 degree. Some operators may prefer to
drill with a predicted error of one degree during the build up phase of the well and then correct for it
later. If a mud motor is used to correct the well azimuth (on a slant hole) and a change in the magnetic
field is observed, due to magnetic interference from the motor, the change may not be problem as long
as the operator and directional driller are aware of the change and take it into account. A simple way
would be to re-survey the corrected path with a different spacing or a different BHA.