MWD

Introduction

Andrea Navajas
MWD
Drilling & Measurements

D&M Services
Directional Drilling (DD)
Tools to optimize directional control from kickoff to target
PowerPak Motors
PowerDrive Rotary Steerable System
Measurements While Drilling (MWD)
Mud Pulse Telemetry and Surveying Tools
PowerPulse, IMPulse, SlimPulse, E-Pulse, Gyro-Pulse
Logging While Drilling (LWD)
Provides formation evaluation measurements
Resistivity (arcVISION, geoVISION)
Density Neutron (adnVISION)
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1. Introduction
The MWD tools in use today are able to provide
data for a variety of measurements such as
real-time formation measurement (shown here)
data for correlation and pore pressure analysis,
including resistivity, density and porosity
measurements of the formation,
real-time surveys, including inclination, azimuth,
and toolface, allowing the driller to steer the
well for directional control, and
real-time drilling mechanics data for drilling
efficiency, including downhole weight-on-bit
and downhole torque-at-bit.
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 While drilling is taking place, the drilling fluid, or "mud", is pumped

through drillpipe connecting the surface equipment to the bottomhole
assembly (BHA).
Data from some of the MWD tools is transmitted uphole to the surface
by mud pulse telemetry, while other tools transmit data to the surface
electronically via a wire and are referred to as wireline MWD systems.
The pulses are converted to electrical
voltages at the surface by a transducer
mounted in the mud pump discharge piping.
The surface equipment then decodes the
information, which represents
measurements by the tool.
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Logging while drilling (LWD) is closely related to MWD. LWD provides

formation measurements, while MWD provides drilling mechanics and survey
measurements.

Both MWD and LWD data are

transmitted in real time to the
surface. However, LWD provides
better resolution than MWD
because the LWD measurements
are commonly stored in
downhole memory. The MWD
measurements have data
transmission limitations, which
hinder the resolution of the
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measurement values.

2. MWD System components

Anadrill manufactures a range of
MWD tools and systems to meet
the requirements of its customers.
All of the MWD tools are made up
of the same major surface and
downhole components even
though each type of tool is
designed to meet a specific need.

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2.1 MWD Surface System Components

The MWD surface system
components consist of:
surface sensors for measuring
surface drilling parameters, as
well as the wells depth,
a transducer at the surface to
receive the measurement signals
from the MWD tool,
a computer for decoding downhole
data at the surface, and
a computer for processing, storing,
and using all of the data.
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2.2 MWD Downhole System Components

The MWD downhole tool
components consist of:
a component to supply the
power needed to make
downhole measurements,
one or more components for
making downhole
measurements, and
a component for producing and
transmitting the measurement
signals to the surface.
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3. MWD System Component Functions

3.1 Power Supply
Batteries, or downhole
alternators, supply power to the
tools. The batteries allow the
tools to operate without the flow
of mud, but the operating time
and sensor power output is
limited. The alternators need
mud flow to generate their power
and can work in a wide range of
flow rates
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3.2 Measurement
All MWD systems measure the
direction and inclination (D&I) of the
wellbore. The measurements are used
to accurately map the well so the driller
can guide the bit to its ultimate or
intermediate targets, as well as avoid
other wells. The well being drilled may
require specific turn and build rates.
The MWD tool may also have the ability
to make secondary measurements,
such as downhole weight on bit and
annular temperature.
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3.3 Signal Production

The tools measuring device
produces data signals that need
to be sent to the surface.
Because the MWD tool is remote
from the driller, it is necessary to
transmit the data by way of a
signal from the tool to the driller.
This must be done in a manner
that maximizes data transmission
and reliability and minimizes the
impact on drilling operations.

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3.4 Transmitting and Telemetry

MWD systems use mud pulse
telemetry to transmit survey data
to the surface. Analog signals
produced by the tool measuring
devices are converted into digital
signals (1 and 0). The digital
signals are then converted into
pressure pulses that carry the
data to the surface through the
column of drilling fluid.

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3.4.1 Mud Pulse Telemetry Downhole

Information is transmitted to the surface through the mud by way of
a data signal created downhole. The surface equipment decodes the
data signals of the measurements so that the driller can make
adjustments. The three common types of signals generated are
positive pulse telemetry, negative pulse telemetry and continuous
wave telemetry.

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Positive Pulse Telemetry

A flow restrictor produces positive pulses as illustrated in the graphic.

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Negative Pulse Telemetry

A diverter valve produces negative pulses as illustrated in the graphic.

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Continuous Wave Telemetry

Rotating plates produce continuous waves as illustrated in the graphic.

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3.4.2 Wireline Telemetry

Data can also be sent to the surface
through a wire attached to the MWD tool.
This method was common with older types
of tools (called steering tools). However,
with an attached wire, the drillstring
cannot be rotated. Today, wireline is used
in conjunction with coiled tubing, where
the drillstring is a continuous length of
metal pipe fed into the wellbore from a
drum and so cannot be rotated.
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3.5 Receiving and Decoding

A transducer (or sensor) at the
surface receives the pressure
pulses and converts them to
electrical signals. A surface
sensor is not necessary for the
wireline type of MWD.
Surface computers decode the
electrical signals from the
transducer and turn the digital
information into engineering
values and survey computations.

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3.6 Data Processing and Usage

An important function of the surface computer is to process the data of the local
conditions, such as hole size and depth. The data produced by the MWD tool is
processed and used to provide information about the well. This information is used to
make critical decisions about the drilling process, such as the well direction.
An important function of the surface computer
is to process the data of the local conditions,
such as hole size and depth. The data
produced by the MWD tool is processed and
used to provide information about the well.
This information is used to make critical
decisions about the drilling process, such as
the well direction.
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3.7 Display
Monitors display data in
realtime on the drillfloor so that
the driller can make well
steering
decisions. Displays
are used in the Anadrill unit to
allow for production of logs (a
plot of data against depth) and
making formation-evaluation
interpretations. With remote
data links, displays located at
the clients office allow them to
view MWD data from the
wellsite.
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3.8 Control Downhole

MWD allows the driller to control
downhole drilling in real time.
Directional information is sent to
the surface continuously so that
course corrections can be made.
MWD tools make applications
like geosteering possible. The
driller can use the measurement
data to maximize the productive
length of a wellbore within a
reservoir.

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4. How MWD Components Work

4.1 Power Supply
Power is supplied to the tools by
batteries or alternators. The
batteries give power without the
need for mud flow. An alternator
uses mud flow to turn a turbine.
The turbine generates enough
current to power the MWD tools

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4.2 Signal Production, Transmitting, and Telemetry

Positive Pulse Telemetry
Positive pulse telemetry uses a flow restrictor (or plunger mechanism) that
closes to increase standpipe pressure when activated. As the mud flows
through the pipe, the pressure fluctuates as the plunger mechanism opens and
closes. The highs and lows of pressure, as sensed by a transducer on the
standpipe, are transmitted to the surface as ones or zeros and are decoded as
data.

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Negative Pulse Telemetry

Negative pulse telemetry uses a diverter (or flapper) valve. When the flapper
valve is open the drilling fluid is diverted to the annulus, creating negative
pulses as the pressure fluctuates. The pressure changes are identified and
decoded at the surface as data.

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Standing or Continuous Wave Pulsers

Standing or continuous wave pulsers, also known as mud sirens, are a type of
positive pulse telemetry. Rotating baffled plates are used to temporarily
interrupt mud flow, creating a pressure wave in the standpipe. A carrier wave
is formed, allowing information to be embedded within the carrier wave by
changing the waves phase or frequency. The information carried by the wave
is identified at the surface and decoded.

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4.3 Receiving and Decoding

Pressure pulses are received and converted to electric voltages by a
transducer installed in the mud pump discharge piping. The surface
computers then perform the pressure pulse decoding and survey
computations to convert the data into useful measurements.

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4.4 Data Processing

Anadrills Integrated Drilling Evaluation
and Logging (IDEAL*) system combines
downhole directional drilling, drilling
mechanics, and petrophysical data
measurements within a few feet of the bit
and transmits the data to the surface in
real time. Downhole data is merged with
relevant surface measurements and is
automatically checked and translated
into useful information. The information
can be displayed simultaneously on the
rig floor, in the surface unit, and in the
company representatives office.
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5. D&M MWD tools

IMPulse
SlimPulse
PowerPulse
TeleScope

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5.1 SlimPulse
It is the latest retrievable and re-seatable slim tool
It provides inclination, azimuth, MFT, GTF, GR (optional), transverse
shocks and tool temperature
It is combinable with various ARC tools, CDR and ISR
It supports flow rates from 35 to 1200 gpm
It is powered by lithium batteries, with supplementary power
supplied from the pulser when the mud is flowing
Tool sizes are: 1 7/8, 2 1/8, 2 3/8, 2 5/8 and 4 5/16
It has an LCM tolerance of 50 ppb (medium nut plug)
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5.2 PowerPulse

PowerPulse is the most common MWD tool system in the

field.
It is designed for hole sizes down to 8 1/2 (6 3/4 tool)
The PowerPulse can measure inclination, azimuth, GTF,
MTF, transverse shocks and tool temperature. Formation
gamma ray, DWOB, DTOR, and APWD are optional

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5.2 PowerPulse

PowerPulse is the most common MWD tool system in the

field.
It is designed for hole sizes down to 8 1/2 (6 3/4 tool)
The PowerPulse can measure inclination, azimuth, GTF,
MTF, transverse shocks and tool temperature. Formation
gamma ray, DWOB, DTOR, MVC and APWD are optional

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6. Survey Definition
A survey is simply three
measurements made at a point
below the surface of the earth:
Measured Depth
Inclination
Azimuth

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A point along the path of a well is defined by a directional survey. The

survey consists of:
A Measured Depth along the well path
An Inclination at that measured depth
An Azimuth at that measured depth...
We use the survey to calculate the position of the point in space using
one of the four survey calculation methods described at the end of this
presentation.
Downhole surveys are taken by the MWD tool using accelerometers
and magnetometers that measure the gravitational force and magnetic
field strength at a survey point. These measurements are used to
calculate the inclination and direction of the survey point.

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Inclination
Inclination is the angle between a
vertical line and the path of the well
bore at that point.

To determine the inclination of a

survey point the MWD tool measures
its orientation to the gravitational
vector.

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Azimuth
Azimuth is the angle between
North Reference and a horizontal
projection of the current Survey
position

To determine the azimuth of a survey

point, the MWD tool must measure the
Magnetic field (this allows us to get
the North reference).

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Measuring D&I with MWD tools

The MWD tool measures the Inclination of the well bore by
measuring the direction of the earths Gravitational Field relative to
the tool.
The MWD tool measures the Azimuth of the wellbore by measuring
the direction of the earths Magnetic Field relative to the tool.
The depth measurement comes from our surface sensors

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7. Signal Demodulation

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HSPM Demodulation Window

Default
Frame ID

DSPScope

Receiver

Signal Strength Indicator and

Signal Loss Threshold

Pressure
Recorder
Receiver
Input
Frame
Decoder
Status

Bit
Confidence

Utility Frame
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Repeating Frames

Survey Frame

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DSPScope Displays (1/2)

Bit Confidence
(blue)

Select
Spectrogram

Signal Strength
(red)

Frequency

Power
Spectrum

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Time

Low Signal Strength

Causes of Low Signal Strength
Drilling conditions can cause low signal strength at the surface. The
following are the most common causes of low signal strength.
Depth of the well
High mud viscosity
Mud flow rate
Mud condition
Signal frequency
Pipe ID
Radiation loss
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Depth of the Well

The MWD signal always loses some energy as it propagates uphole to the surface. As
the MWD tool goes deeper, the signal must travel over longer distances. The longer the
distance, the more signal energy that is lost.
High Mud Viscosity
High mud viscosity produces more friction between the mud molecules. Friction weakens
the signal as it propagates uphole through the mud. Viscosity is the biggest destroyer of
the MWD signal. In colder climates, the mud cools and gels in the mud pits. This
increases mud viscosity.
Mud Flow Rate
The mud flow rate is the major consideration when setting the MWD tool modulator gap.
When the gap is too large for the flow rate, the tool produces a weak signal.

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Mud Condition
Gas or air in the mud has the effect of weakening the signal. For example, malfunctioning
pumps can pump air into the mud, thereby reducing signal strength as the signal
propagates uphole.
Signal Frequency
Low frequency waves propagate through the mud better than higher frequency waves
because the mud acts as a lowpass filter. Low frequency energy passes through the mud
while the energy at higher frequencies is filtered out. This filtering effect is more
pronounced with increasing depth. The severity of the filtering effect varies depending
on mud type.
Pipe ID
The drillstring can be made up from several different sizes of drillpipe. The smaller the
internal diameter of the pipe, the greater the loss of signal energy (attenuation) due to
friction as the signal propagates uphole inside the drillstring.
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Drilling Noise
Drilling noise occurs at very
low frequencies.
Some formation types and
drill bits cause more drilling
noise than others.
With SlimPulse and IMPulse
low frequency modes, choose
the highest carrier frequency
within the pump stroke rate
limitations.

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Mud Motor Stalls

Mud motor stalls are
very bad for both the motor
itself and for telemetry.
Repeated motor stalls
make drilling very inefficient.
Driller has to keep recovering
from the stalls.
Ensure mud motor is
matched to drilling conditions.
Reduce WOB

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Identifying Downhole Noise

Pump
Noise

Rotary Noise

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Rotating
Sliding

Drilling Noise

Electrical Noise (1/2)

Electrical noise is broadband noise.

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