The basic knowledge of MWD engineer is to be able to take valid directional

data. This article describes the internal process within an MWD tool to gather
directional data.

Directional survey data received from the MWD tools are used to put the
wellbore in the correct placement. The precision of data is very crucial, especially
if we are talking about safety. Incorrect wellbore placement may lead to well
collision, entering unexpected high or low formation pressure zone, loss of
drilled productive zone, etc. Upon receiving directional survey, the data must
then be validated before continuing the drilling process. The received data are
then compared automatically within surface computer to the predefined
criterions.

Each sensor measures its value and send them to surface as raw data. Those
sensors are accelerometer, magnetometer and temperature.

Accelerometer

This sensor is used to measure the earth gravity acceleration. It uses

piezoresistive (PR) material. The unique property of this material is that the
electrical resistance changes when stress or strain is applied on it. To be used as
accelerometer, a mass is put on top of PR material as described in simplified
drawing below.

Figure 1:
In vertical position, figure 1a, the red mass is applying pressure to black PR
material. In horizontal position, figure 1 b, the mass does not apply any force
perpendicular to PR; and in reverse vertical position, figure 1c, the mass is
pulling PR material. The above figures represent different tool position along
the tool axis. PR material resistance changes as the force changes due to
different position. This resistance change is measured by electronic device inside
MWD directional package.

There are 3 accelerometer sensor inside MWD directional package which are
perpendicular to each other. Those sensor measurements are combined to derive
tool’s inclination, total gravity force and gravity tool face direction.

As accelerometer relies on the mass force acting on the PR material, it is easily

affected by the vibration or sensor – hence MWD tool – movement. When the
tool moves or vibrates during the measurement, the force acting to the PR
material is changing and causing constant resistant change. This condition leads
to false gravity acceleration measurement. The ideal measurement situation is
when the tool is in steady condition, no movement nor vibration.

Magnetometer

It is called as fluxgate magnetometer. It uses 2 set of wire coils. The first coil is
connected to the alternating current source. As a result, a magnetic field is
generated with constantly alternated magnetic polarity. The generated magnetic
field induces the second coil, so that the second coil generates induced
alternating electric current. In a magnetic-background-free environment, the
induced alternating current measured at the second coil can be seen in the figure
2a.

Figure 2a:
Figure 2b:

When the coils are exposed in a field that has background magnetic field, e.g.
earth magnetic field, the alternating current measured at the second coil is
shifted (figure 2b). The amount of the shifting depends on the second coil
alignment relative to the background magnetic field. Maximum shifting occurs
when the coils are parallel to the background magnetic field.

Click here to watch the magnetometer animation.

Like accelerometer, the directional package also contains 3 magnetometer sensors

which are perpendicular to each other to give x, y and z axis measurement. All
those three measurements are combined to give total magnetic field and magnetic
dip angle and magnetic tool face direction. Ideally, magnetometer sensors are
put in environment where no other magnetic field sources but earth magnetic
field exist. Other magnetic sources will be affecting the measurement such as
casing, nearby well, drill string components which are not spaced adequately,
fish left in hole and magnetic particles in circulated mud.

Temperature Sensor

It is made from material that changes its resistance when there is temperature
change. This resistance variation is processed by electronic device to be converted
into temperature. Temperature sensor is found in every directional package, thus
it measures tool temperature, not wellbore temperature.

Temperature sensor is very important to apply correction to the accelerometer

and magnetometer reading since the electronic behaviour changes when
temperature change. Accelerometer and magnetometer are calibrated in the
workshop in ambient temperature. So then when those sensors are used in
downhole environment, temperature corrections must be applied to get the
correct readings. False temperature reading leads to false corrections applied to
both sensors.

Taking Directional Data

There are seven raw data sent by MWD tool, they are 3x accelerometer data
(Gx, Gy and Gz), 3x magnetometer data (Bx, By and Bz) and 1x temperature
data. Surface computer processes those data to get inclination, total gravity
field, gravity tool face, magnetic tool face, total magnetic tool face, dip angle,
and azimuth.

Predefined criterions to validate those calculated data which are stored in

surface computer are total gravity field (GT), total magnetic field (BT), and dip
angle (Dip). These three values can be derived from BGGM application or IFR
(In-Field Referencing). The calculated GT, BT and Dip must fall within those
criterions.

Whenever one or more of the GT, BT and Dip values fall outside those
criterions, the next data to be checked is temperature and vibration data. If the
vibration is relatively too high, retake the survey in vibration free conditions.
Temperature does not have fix criterion. Temperature data trend along the
drilled path must be checked. If there is sudden shift in temperature data, it may
be suspected that this sensor is faulty. MWD tool must be replaced when
temperature sensor is found faulty.

Get in touch with us on by emailing us on trainings@educave.in and visiting us

on www.educave.in
Also can call us on +919199872578