Proceedings The 4th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition 2016

10 - 12 August 2016, Cendrawasih Hall - Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia

A Success Story on EM-MWD Appliance in Geothermal Drilling Operation: Challenge and

Recommendation
Apriyansah Toni, Ade Rama Purnama, Raka Aditya Pratama, Rangga Warsita, Erald Eiden
Pertamina Geothermal Energy, Scientific Drilling International
apriyansah@pertamina.com, ade.purnama@scientificdrilling.com

Keywords: Geothermal, Drilling, MWD, EM has no limitation in implementing the LCM. Its been years
of practice that EM is proven to be the best choice in drilling
Abstract geothermal wells in the country and worldwide, but this will
It has been years to utilize EM on MWD assembly despite of lead to the next topic on what is EM and how do we choose
mud pulse due to the tools limitation and also compatibility. the right tools for the job.
Drilling through losses zones in geothermal operation is one
of the limitations on utilizing mud pulse. It is clearly About EM
because the appliance of aerated drilling method and the For years it has been proven that the tools can resist in
losses formation. The EM tools incorporate an electrical extreme temperature, vibration caused by drilling, and other
insulator in the drill string. To transmit data from real time difficulties of geothermal field and also further challenges.
down hole, the tool generates an altered voltage difference
between the top part, and the bottom part. On surface, a
special wire is attached to the wellhead, which makes
contact with the drill pipe at the surface. A second wire is
attached to a rod driven into the ground some distance away.
The wellhead and the ground rod form the two electrodes of
a dipole antenna. The voltage difference between the two
electrodes is the receive signal that is decoded by a
computer. The EM tool generates voltage differences
between the drillstring sections in the pattern of very low
frequency (2-10 Hz) waves. The data is imposed on the
waves through digital modulation. It is proven that
compared to mud pulse telemetry, electronic pulse by EM
tool is more effective in certain specialized situations, such
as geothermal operation. By reading the paper, we hope
readers will know and understand more about EM appliance
also benefits that suffice geothermal requirements.

Introduction
It is very critical and essential to have all data measured Figure 1 - EM MWD Schematic
during drilling process, and recorded. By implementing
MWD tools in the string can do measuring and gathering
data while drilling both in oil and geothermal wells with
EM MWD is an assembly of MWD tools that incorporate an
high definition based on tools ability. MWD itself has been
electrical insulator in the drill string. To transmit data, the
developed from decades and now it has numerous types as
tool generates an altered voltage difference between the top
well the applications with its durability to face the challenge
part (above insulator) and the bottom part (Drill bit, and
each meter ahead.
other tools located below the insulator) of the tool. On
Answering the challenge on drilling geothermal wells with
surface, a special wire is tied to the wellhead, which makes
high temperature and certain fluid loss formations interval
contact with the drill pipe at the surface. A second wire is
has became its own difficulties to any MWD companies
attached to a rod driven into the ground some distance away.
worldwide. To mitigate such problem as fluid loss
The wellhead and the ground rod form the two electrodes of
circulation, it is very common in geothermal drilling by
a dipole antenna. The voltage difference between the two
using aerated technology. The method will lighten the fluid
electrodes is the receive signal that is decoded by a
density by adding some portions of air based on the liquid
computer. The EM tool generates voltage differences
fluid to become as light as possible, hence the fluid will have
between the drill string sections in the pattern of very low
better performance to clean the hole, as well to minimize the
frequency (2-10 Hz) waves. The data is imposed on the
chance of pipe stuck occurrence. However, utilizing aerated
waves through digital modulation.
drilling technology will have its problem on reading the data
throughout the hole since the presence of air/gas will not be This system generally offers data rates up to 14 bits per
read as clear as pure liquid. To mitigate such problem second. In addition, many of these tools are also capable of
caused by the two phases fluid utilization and other receiving data from the surface in the same way, while mud-
problems, a certain technology needs to be taken. pulse-based tools rely on changes in the drilling parameters,
such as rotation speed of the drill string or the mud flow
The electro magnetic (EM) type has no limitation in dealing
rate, to send information from the surface to down hole
with two phases fluid (mist, foam, aerated, etc) and as well
1
tools. Making changes to the drilling parameters in order to
send information to the tools generally interrupts the drilling
process, causing lost time.
Using mud pulse MWD needs certain pattern of telemetry
made by mud wave that later on translated by the tool as a
data read. This occurrence require mud rate being pumped to
generate such of pulse. However it is not required by EM
that use battery to empower the reading of the hole.
Figure 2 - EM VS MP, A Comparison
It can be concluded that EM system can work independently
from rig hydraulics that can save more time to receive data,
which will lead to higher efficiency especially on high rate
of penetration wells.
EM Assembly
To perform the job, EM tool is placed in certain special
designed tubular that installed in the drill string. The
assembly is very critical to evaluate and read down hole
condition since each meter ahead has significantly difference
properties, especially in geothermal operation. The EM
MWD assembly is the consisted in several main
components. In general, EM tools can gather as following
data:
Directional surveys
Annulus pressure
Gamma ray (both total and oriented)
Inclination on bit
And many more applications
To achieve those functions, the EM is powered by battery
that can sustain the tools for +150 hours and also has special
retrievable configuration. The assembly has several main
components, as shown in Fig. 3.
The sensors package in the EM contains three-axis magnetic
sensor, three-axis accelerometers, and temperature sensors
that designed to read surrounding temperature (302oF). The
data output from the reading is processed to determine the
vector to earths magnetic pole and the earths magnetic
forces dipping down at the earths surface and below. This
data and other measured parameters generate certain value
of inclination, azimuth, and magnetic gravity tool face
values that transmitted to the surface to assist on well
deviation control.
EM Set Up Best Practice
To achieve maximum benefits on EM-MWD refers to be
able to receive all the data being transmitted from the tool to
the receiver on surface. One of the major challenges is to
receive low signal return and the noise occurrence. As
following are the best practices to be done on solving the
issue:
2
Figure 3 - EM MWD Assembly
Proper grounding of all rig equipment. Every electric
component on the rig should be checked for grounding.
Skid mounted components should be grounded
individually and not daisy chained to one ground.
Grounding rod should do the job, in reference on
grounding resistivity.
Proper testing of gap pack and bow spring adaptor.
Make sure that the gap pack and bow spring adaptor
has been properly tested for resistance and leakage.
Proper tool set up with the use of bi polar initially and a
broad range of pulse widths. Use of pulse widths 90-
160-240 is recommended. It is also recommended to
run with 160 initially and at 50 watts as well adjust
accordingly once down hole operating.
Proper identification of rig noise. When the noise level
tool is not available, the attempt may take on shutting
down components on the rig one by one. This is to be
done when the noise is present and equal or greater than
the EM signal amplitude, making it difficult to decode
effectively. With the help of built in spectrograph in the
MWD run software we may see the noise frequency
Fig. 4. This will help to determine which pulse widths
would work best to distance our signal from the
frequency of the noise for improved decoding. Also, we
can use this information to properly set the high pass
and low pass filters to normalize on the signal while
ignore most of other frequencies.
Use extra additional wire and ground stakes. Additional
copper stranded wires and ground stakes will be added
in the MWD kit. This will give the MWD operators
plenty of options to place ground stakes. It is
recommended to put the ground stakes on nearby lakes,
ponds, creeks or any bodies of water nearby. Also on
chain link fences, nearby wellhead. Always try to get
an area of undisturbed natural ground. The rig pad
usually does not always have the best ground structure
to support proper contact for signal.
 Figure 4 - Noise Analysis

Usage of potentiometer. The MSD should has

potentiometer, which is the variable resistor and is used
to help attenuate variable noise.
Proper usage of the current sensing coil. MWD
operators will need to make sure that the correct noise
reference channel is set properly and that filter option is
turned on.

Conclusion
Utilization of EM-MWD has plenty of benefits and as now
is the most advance technology can be implemented in
geothermal drilling technology. High temperature, benefit of
EM data transmitted up to 12 bps compare to slower MP
transmitted, and with EM can get survey/data while
connection (no fluid), where in high temperature zone
increasing from 100 to 150 are within minutes, by EM we
can monitor down hole temperature to prevent steam kick or
damage of BHA (Mud Motor).

Reference
Radzinski, P., Mack, S., Brady, K., Cheatham, C., and
Kerk., T, 2005. New Technology High Temperature and
High Pressure MWD & LWD System. Proceedings World
Geothermal Congress 2005 Antalya, Turkey.
Kamiirisa, Hikaru and Kondo, Tayuki, 2000. Development
of High-Temperature MWD System For Geothermal Well
Drilling. Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2000
Kyushu-Tohoku, Japan.