MEASUREMENT WHILE DRILLING (MWD) TOOL

MWD

MEASUREMENT WHILE DRILLING (MWD) TOOL

The MWD uses the same accelerometers and magnetometers as the steering tool and the electronic multishot. The difference is that it sends information to the surface on mud pulses through the drill string as illustrated in Figure 1. The electronic sensors in the MWD tool record the raw directional data. Depending upon the MWD tool, a microprocessor converts the data to a binary code or calculates the survey and converts the survey to a binary code. The layout of a typical positive pulse MWD is shown in Figure 2. The microprocessor will then send a signal to the pulser. The position of the pulser will determine if the tool is sending a one or ero. The pressure pulses will travel up the drill string and a transducer on the standpipe will change the mechanical pressure pulses to an electronic signal. The surface computer deciphers the binary code and displays the survey data. There are three different pulser systems used in the petroleum industry. !implified pulser diagrams are shown in Figure " They are positive pulse, negative pulse and continuous wave. #s illustrated, the positive pulse causes a restriction in the flow path for the mud resulting in an increased surface pressure. The negative pulse allows some of the drilling fluid to be bypassed into the annulus. This has the same effect as a hole in the drill string and the surface pressure is reduced. The continuous wave has a set of stator and rotor blades. When the blades are lined up, there is less restriction in the flow stream and the pressure is lower. When the rotor blades are not lined up with the stator blades, there is a restriction in the flow path and the surface pressure increases. The rotor blade rotates at a constant speed. The stator blade is moved $rotated% to a certain degree only, resulting in pulse position modulation. There are some advantages and disadvantages to each system. The positive pulse is more tolerant of &'M and mud solids. (t is also less affected by pump noise) however, it has the lowest data transmission rate. The negative pulse system has a slightly higher data transmission rate and pump noise is still not as much of a problem. (t also uses less power. There must be enough pressure differential between the tool and the annulus for it to wor* properly, which means bit +et selection can be limited. The significant advantage of the continuous wave is that the data transmission rate is much higher. ,ump noise is more difficult to filter out.

MWD

Figure 1. Schematic of MWD Transmission System

Figure 2. Simplified Diagram of MWD Tool

The MWD can be powered by an alternator as illustrated in Figure 2 or by lithium batteries. !ome MWD tools have both. -attery operated tools can function with the pump off) however, the tool will only operate for a finite period of time before the batteries are drained. The battery powered MWD will operate up to ".. hours depending upon temperature and the tool used. The tool life is a function of how fre/uently the information is sent to the surface especially when combined with logging while drilling. -atteries also have a temperature limitation of around ".. F $10. '%.
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(f the tool is powered by an alternator, the tool does not have power unless the pump is on and there is a minimum pump rate at which they will function. There is also a ma1imum pump rate. The turbines used to power the alternator can plug with lost circulation material. 2lectromagnetic MWD3s use the same directional pac*age as the mud pulse MWD. The data are sent to the surface using electromagnetic waves $low fre/uency radio waves% as shown in . # transmitter in the tool transmits the electromagnetic waves and the waves are pic*ed up at the surface with an antenna array. The data are collected with a surface computer and the surface computer displays the survey data. Data transmission rates are not substantially different than mud pulse MWD. 2lectromagnetic MWD does not wor* as deep as mud pulse MWD and is a function of the resistivity of the formation. (t wor*s better in fresh water formations. The signal is attenuated across from evaporite formations such as salt and does not wor* while in the evaporite one. 4nce the transmitter get below the one, it will wor* again.

MWD

The main advantage of the electromagnetic MWD is that it will wor* in underbalanced drilling operations. The data can still be transmitted in air, mist, foam and aerated fluid. 5se of a downhole motor in air and mist drilling is still very hard on the MWD e/uipment. There needs to be sufficient fluid to dampen the vibrations if a motor is used. The MWD comes pac*aged in a non6magnetic drill collar and loo*s li*e a non6magnetic drill collar that you cannot see through. (f the MWD tool fails, it must be pulled from the hole with the drill string. There are some MWD3s, where a portion of the tool can be pulled from the non6magnectic drill collar with a wireline, serviced and replaced. #lso, if the MWD tool becomes stuc* in the hole, at least a portion of some tools can be retrieved with the wireline. MWD tools also give toolface data along with the survey. Toolface data is usually updated every ". seconds to one minute depending upon how the tool is preprogrammed. Most MWD3s ma*e up to the deflecting tool and the toolface of the MWD tool usually does not align with the toolface of the downhole motor. The difference between the tools is measured and entered into the surface computer. The surface computer corrects the toolface reading of the MWD to that of the motor. The declination is also entered into the surface computer and the surface computer automatically corrects the surveys. (f MWD tools are lost in the hole, they can be very e1pensive. 7ars are usually run with the MWD tool) although, +arring with an MWD tool may damage the tool. The significant advantages of the MWD tool are8 1. # savings in rig time. (t ta*es three to five minutes to obtain a survey with an interruption in drilling of less than two minutes usually on connections. (t reduces the time necessary to orient downhole motors, because the tools transmit a new toolface at least every 2 minutes. The tools will also perform the same function as a steering tool, so the need for a steering tool and wireline operations are eliminated. The tools eliminate the need to condition the hole prior to surveying because they transmit data with the pump on. 2. # reduction in drilling ha ards. The ris* of stic*ing the pipe is reduced. 'irculation is maintained while surveying and only 19 minutes without pipe movement are re/uired to ta*e the survey. ". The tools are compatible with current drilling operations. The tools do not need any special devices or procedures for installation. The tools are housed in their own non6 magnetic drill collar, and they can be substituted for the non6magnetic collar used with other survey methods. The drill string can be rotated with the MWD in the hole. Without a wireline in the hole, the drill string can be rotated. Thus, the MWD enabled the development of the steerable .motor assembly .:

MWD

Figure 2 ,ulser diagram of MWD transmitter

Figure : 2lectromagnetic MWD

Though the MWD system can save rig time, the cost of the MWD also has to be considered. The MWD is only cost effective if the overall cost of the drilling operation is reduced. The higher the daily operating cost, the more li*ely an MWD system will be economical. (n almost any normal directional drilling operation, the MWD is cost effective.

MWD