Educave Oil and Gas Industry

TrainingOnline Training Program

Under the Guidance Of

MR. KHALID KARAJAGI

COURSE NAME:-MWD

Submitted By: -
Puspalata Boro
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Acknowledgment

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to Khalid Karajagi sir as well as the whole
EduCAVE team for providing this wonderful opportunity of " Measurement While Drilling course" which
helped me in clearing my basics and to get the in- depth knowledge about Surface sensors, BHA
designing, MWD tools, vibrations, wellbore positioning, toolface, Pressure and temperature theory and
more. Thank you Khalid Karajagi sir for helping and guiding me in successful completion of the
Measurement While Drilling course.
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TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Introduction
2. Bottomhole Assembly
3. Surface sensor
4. Power Source
5. Telemetry
6. Survey- Wellbore positioning
7. Pressure Theory
8. Temperature Theory
9. Vibrations
10.Roles and Responsibilities

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION

Drilling Services
 MWD
 LWD
 Directional Drilling

LWD:
LWD(logging while drilling) provides formation measurements while drilling.
It measures density, porosity & resistivity within a formation. Acoustic caliper reports (borehole
size & geometry), inclination at the drill bit (NBI), magnetic resonance & formation pressure.

Directional Drilling:
Directional drilling is defined as the practice of controlling the direction and deviation of a
wellbore to a predetermined underground target or location. This section describes why
directional drilling is required, the sort of well paths that are used, and the tools and methods
employed to drill those wells.

MWD:
A Measurement While Drilling (MWD) system allows the driller to gather and transmit
information from the bottom of the hole back to the surface, without interrupting normal
drilling operations. This information can include directional deviation data, data related to the
petrophysical properties of the formations and drilling data, such as WOB and torque. The
information is gathered and transmitted to surface by the relevant sensors and transmission
equipment, which is housed in a non-magnetic drill collar in the bottom hole assembly.This tool
is known as a Measurement While Drilling Tool (MWD). The data is transmitted
through the mud column in the drill-string, to surface. At surface the signal is then decoded
and presented to the driller in an appropriate format. The transmission system is known as mud
pulse telemetry, and does not involve any wireline operations.
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Bit size is same as hole size.

Hole size Casing size MWD tool size

171/2 13 3/8 91/2

121/4 9 5/8 91/2

81/8 7 63/4

6 Production tubing 4¾

Drilling Fluid:
Water based mud- water and additives

Oil based mud- oil and additives

Synthetic mud-
Non aqueous, water-internal (invert) emulsion muds in which the external phase is
a synthetic fluid rather than an oil. Synthetic muds are popular in most offshore drilling areas,
despite high initial mud costs, because of their environmental acceptance and approval to dispose
of cuttings into the water

Pneumatic mud- air, foam, NG

In MWD, we can not use pneumatic mud because of the presence of air. For MWD, system
should be incompressible.

BHA: Bottom Hole Assembly

Jar
HWDP
NM filter sub
Porosity tool
Density tool
Pulser
NM
MWD
NM
RSS
Bit
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Bit: A drilling bit is the cutting or boring tool which is made up on the end of the drillstring.
There are basically three types of drilling bit-
 Drag bits
 Roller cone bits
 Diamond bits

RSS: A tool designed to drill directionally with continuous rotation from the surface,
eliminating the need to slide a steerable motor. Rotary systems are typically deployed when
drilling directional, horizontal or extended reach wells. It helps to get wellbore position.
Pulser: it is the transmitter and creates pulses.
NM Filter Sub:
these filters will prevent tools from clogging up with debris thus saving time on projects. After
retrieval at the surface, these filters can be disassembled, cleaned and re – used.
HWDP( Heavy Weight Drill Pipe):
Provide a flexible transition between the drill collars and the drill pipe. This helps to reduce the
number of fatigue failures seen directly above the BHA. A secondary use of HWDP is to add
additional weight to the drill bit.
Jar: Jar is used to release stuck ups. There are two primary types- mechanical and hydraulic jar.
PBL: The PBL Bypass System is a simple reliable tool which diverts 100% of the flow through

side ports into the annulus. The PBL Multi-Activation Bypass System is an effective tool to
combat lost circulation problems. With the tool run as low in the BHA as possible it can be
opened (activated) by simply dropping and pumping down a vinyl activation ball. When the tool
opens operators are not limited in the size or concentration of LCM they can pump.
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Surface System
Surface sensors

Sensors

Analog Digital

Analog sensor: Express its Readings into codes in Volts of Milli-ampere .

Digital Sensors: Express its Readings into Digital Numbers

Various MWD related sensors are:

 Stand pipe sensor( analog)

 Hook load sensor( Analog)
 Drawwork sensor( Digital)
 Pump stroke sensor( Digital)

Stand pipe sensor:

This is the transducer of MWD and is a analog sensor. The SPP sensor gives a value for the
pressure in the H-manifold. OFI(I)L uses a 2-wire hydraulic pressure sensor (400 bar) with
current output for the measurement of this parameter.

Principle:
The pressure sensor consists of a micro-machined silicon diaphragm with piezo-resistive strain
gauges
diffused into it, fused to a silicon or glass back plate. Under thepressure-induced strain, the
resistive values change. The resistors are connected as a Wheatstone Bridge, the output of which
is directly proportional to the pressure. The output of the transducer is given to the transmitter
which provides a 4-20 mA signal proportional to the hydraulic pressure. The transmitter is
integrated into the housing.

Calibration:
The sensor is subjected to various known pressure and the output is recorded. The values are
then fed to the software. The minimum value of stand pipe sensor should be measured when the
pumps are off.
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Hook load sensor:

The hook load sensor gives the value for load on hook. OFI(I)L uses a 2-wire hydraulic pressure
sensor (40-60 bar) with current output (4-20mA) for the measurement of this parameter.

Specification
Range : 40 / 60 Bar
Input Voltage : 24 V
Output Current : 4-20 mA

Calibration:
The sensor is subjected to various known pressure and the output is recorded. The values are
then fed to the software.
In hook load sensor, minimum point is calculated when the block is empty or best low point is
when drill strings in slips.

Draw Work Sensor:

It tells the travelling block height.

Principle:

The measurement of this parameter along with a relative change in depth is calculated by the
displacement of the hook. The movement of the hook is controlled by the winding and
unwinding of the lines (ropes) on the draw works. The lines (ropes) are wound and unwound
strictly in the same way every time, thus by employing this sensor, the accurate position of the
drum is known and hence the depth with help of Hook.

Calibration:
First lower the Travelling block as low as possible and then measure the gap between rigfloor
and travelling block bottom, note the draw work count. Again change the height and measure the
gap and repeat this procedure until you reach at the top. more the number of points more the
chance of correct calibration.

Pump Stroke Sensor:

This sensor is used to calculate the number of strokes being pumped per minute by the Mud
Pump and is very important in the calculation of Lag time. The sensor used is a proximity
switch.

Note:

 To get exact bit depth or for depth tracking – use both hook load and draw work sensor.
 If hook load sensor is not working but draw work sensor is working then we cann’t drill
ahead or vice versa.
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MWD( Measurement While Drilling)

A MWD system or tool allows the driller to gather and transmit information from the bottom of
the hole back to the surface, without interrupting normal drilling operations. This information
can include directional deviation data, data related to the petro physical properties of the
formations and drilling data, such as WOB and torque. The information is gathered and
transmitted to surface by the relevant sensors and transmission equipment, which is housed in a
non-magnetic drill collar in the bottom hole assembly.This tool is known as a Measurement
While Drilling Tool (MWD). The data is transmitted through the mud column in the drill-string,
to surface. At surface the signal is then decoded and presented to the driller in an appropriate
format. The transmission system is known as mud pulse telemetry, and does not involve any
wireline operations.

MWD

Well bore Drilling

positioning- Optimization-
Azimuth, Pressure,Tempe
Inclination rature,
Basic Vibrations
formation
Evaluation-
gamma ray,
Resistivity

MWD tool types-

 Probe based tool : mainly used for onshore.

 Collar based tool: mainly used for offshore.

All MWD systems have certain basic similarities-

1. A downhole system which consists of a power source, sensors, transmitter and control
system.
2. A telemetry channel through which pulses are sent to surface.( mud pulse telemetry and
electromagnetic system)
3. A surface system which detects pulses, decodes the signal and presents results (numerical
display, geological log, etc.).
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Measurements : Five important things

 Inclination- Accelerometer
 Azimuth- Both Accelerometer and Magnetometer
 Vibration- Accelerometer , Magnetometer
 Pressure- Pressure sensor
 Temperature – Temperature Sensor

Power Sources

Since there is no wireline connection to surface all the power required to operate the MWD tool
must be generated downhole. This means that either a battery pack or a turbine-alternator must
be installed as part of the MWD tool. The turbine has been the standard method of power
generation in the positive pulse and frequency modulation tools. Since less power is required in
the negative pulse system batteries have been used. However, with more sensors being added
and higher data rates required, batteries are being replaced with turbines in negative pulse
systems also.Turbines have several advantages over batteries but turbines are more prone to
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mechanical failure. Filter screens are used to prevent debris in the mud from damaging the
turbine.

Power source Advantages Disadvantages

Batteries (L) Compact Temperature limit,

Time limit
Turbine Alternator Higher power than batteries , Filters Required
Unlimited operating time.

How the data is transferred:

 Mud Pulse telemetry

 Electromagnetic system

Mud pulse telemetry

Positive Mud Pulse Telemetry: In the positive mud pulse system a valve inside the MWD tool
partially closes, creating a temporary increase in standpipe pressure. A positive MPT uses
hydraulic poppet valve to momentarily restrict mud flow through an orifice to generate increase
in the pressure in the form of positive pulse which travel back to the surface to be detected.

Negative Mud Pulse Telemetry: Negative MPT uses a controlled valve to vent mud
momentarily from the interior of the tool into the annulus. This process generates a decrease in
the pressure in the form of a negative pulse which travels back to the surface.

Continuous Wave Telemetry: In the frequency modulation system a standing wave is set up in
the mud column by a rotating slotted disc. The phase of this continuous wave can be reversed.
The data is transmitted as a series of phase shifts.

Use of Pulser:
 Provide power to the MWD system.
 Transmit data to the surface via pulses.
 Monitors for downlink by monitoring turbine RPM.

Electromagnetic System:
The EM does not use the drilling mud to send pressure waves. The tool sends either a magnetic
pulse or electrical current through the ground to the surface. On the surface data is received
through ground antennas and the data is processed. EM systems are significantly faster than
conventional mud pulse .
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EM & MPT:
 EM systems have no moving parts and does not significant create restrictions in the drill
string.
 As a result, it is more reliable and there is less damage from erosion caused by drill
solids.
 EM tools have depth limitations which are a function of how much power can be
supplied can be supplied by batteries for the duration of the drilling interval, and at higher
power settings the battery costs may be significant.
 In EM, signal attenuation is affected by frequency and resistive formations are not
preferable.

Special Hydraulic Consideration:

MWD tools operate over a wide range of conditions and drilling fluid types, some considerations
must be made to ensure the components continue to function during all types of drilling activities
and not be destroyed several cautions include:

Sand content: the sand content should be kept at an absolute minimum, preferably below 1%.
Significant amounts of abrasive sand can erode pulser components resulting in the loss of
telemetry.

LCM: LCM can be used if pumped slowly, it should never be slugged. Large amounts, pumped
rapidly can plug up a pulser. If pulser fails, its time consuming.(40-50 ppb).
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Types of mud: OBM systems attenuates the pulse size at the surface much more than water
based muds.

Note:
Signal Strength:
Depth( increase ) – Pulse height ( Decrease)
Type of mud(oil based mud)- more data attenuation.
Viscosity and density( increase ) – more data attenuation.

MWD Surface System

 Surface sensors for measuring drilling

parameters as well as well depth.
 A transducer at the surface to receive
the measurement signals from the
MWD tool.
 A computer for decoding down hole
data at the surface.
 A computer for processing, storing and
using all of the data.

Pulsation Dampener:

Drilling rigs employ positive displacement type of mud pumps .This pump type creates surging
flow rates that increase and decrease periodically with the action of its piston movement. To
smooth put the surging flow rate and pressure fluctuation ,a pulsation dampener is needed.This
dampener is attached directly at the discharge side of the mud pump.

A pulsation dampener is a large metal sphere .It is divided into2 parts. The upper part consists of
a flexible bladder filled with nitrogen. It is pre charged to a certain pressure .The lower part is
exposed directly to the surging flow created by the mud pumps piston movement. Thus the
bladder is exposed directly to the surging flow. This bladder acts as a pressure absorber as it is
stabilizing the fluctuation ok flow and pressure. When there is a sudden pressure and flow
increment by the purshing action of the piston ,the charged bladder will be compressed by some
of the mud entering the pulsation dampener.

When the piston retracts ,the pressure and flow decrease rapidly the pulsation dampener pushes
out the mud back into the discharge line .These actions smooth out and dampen the pressure and
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flow fluctuation .
The tool pulses are pressure fluctuations as well. Thus, they will be treated the same way by the
pulsation dampener as the fluctuations that come from the mud pump. Pulse energy will be
absorbed. The guidance is to have a good pulsation dampener pressure of 1/4 to 1/3 of operating
pressure. The best time to check this pulsation dampener pressure is when the pump is not in
operation.

Fig – Pulsation Dampener

Data rate:
The rate or the speed at which data is transferred from subsurface to surface.

0.25 sec 0.5sec 0.7 sec

 0.25 sec – give more data

 More sitting time – more signal strength
 Single strength –
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0.7sec > 0.5sec > 0.25sec

 Number of data-

0.25 sec > 0.5 sec > 0.7sec

Noise:
Anything that detected at the surface receiver except pulses is considered as noise. The most
notable sources of signal noise are the mud pumps, which often create a relatively high-
frequency noise. Interference among pump frequencies leads to harmonics, but these background
noises can be filtered out with analog techniques. Pump-speed sensors can be a very effective
method of identifying and removing pump noise from the raw telemetry signal. Lower-frequency
noise in the mud volume is often generated by drilling motors. Well depth and mud type also
affect the received-signal amplitude and width. In general, oil-based muds (OBMs) and pseudo-
oil-based muds are more compressible than water-based muds; therefore, they result in the
greatest signal losses. Nevertheless, signals have been retrieved without significant problems
from depths of almost 9144 m (30,000 ft) in compressible fluids.

Surface Noise:
 Pump noise- due to piston action of pump.
 Reflection
 Electrical Noise- due to cable carrying high voltage or power.

Downhole Noise: down hole noise may occur due to torque, BHA, motor etc. Downhole are not
easy to remove.

Data Acquisition:
 Real time
 Recorded( Stored in memory) :
High data resolution.
Fast sample rates( more data)
Disadvantage- No real time feedback

Survey: Wellbore Position

All MWD systems use basically the same directional sensors for calculating inclination,
azimuth and tool face. The sensor package consists of 3 orthogonal accelerometers, and 3
orthogonal magnetometers.
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Note: During survey, the string should be stationary i.e no rotation as well no up and down
motion of the string.

Inclination:
Inclination is the angle between a vertical line
and the path of the wellbore at that point. An
inclination of 0o is a vertical well and of 90 o is a
horizontal hole. Accelerometer measures the
inclination angle.
An accelerometer will measure the
component of the earth’s gravitational field along
the axis in which it is oriented. It works on the
‘force-balance’ principle. A test mass is
suspended from a quartz hinge which restricts
any movement along one axis only. As the mass
tends to move due to gravity acting along that
axis, its central position is maintained by an
opposing electromagnetic force. The larger the
gravitational force, the larger the pick-up current
required to oppose it.

The voltage drop over a resistor in the pick-up circuit is measured, and this is
directly related to the gravitational component. Depending on the orientation of the BHA the
reading on each accelerometer will be different. From these 3 components the angle of
inclination and tool face can be calculated.
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Inclination= tan -1 ( Gxy/ Gz)

Gx- high side of
Gxy= ( Gx2 + Gy2)1/2 the tool

Gz- always along

Gy the tool

Fig- Accelerometer

Azimuth:
Azimuth is the angle between north reference and a horizontal projection of the current survey
position. A hole drilled due north has an azimuth of 0 o. To calculate correct azimuth we need
both Accelerometer and magnetometer.

A magnetometer will measure the component of the

earth’s magnetic field along 1 axis. If a wire is wrapped
around a soft iron core (Figure 5) and then placed in a
magnetic field, the current induced in the pick-up circuit
will vary depending on the angle at which the toroid is
placed. Therefore the size of current is related to the
direction of the coil with respect to the direction of
magnetic field. As with the accelerometer the voltage is
measured across a resistor in the pick-up circuit of the
magnetometer. The voltages read at each magnetometer
can then be used to calculate azimuth.

Note: Accelerometer readings are also used in the calculation of azimuth. If there are any
mistakes in the accelerometer readings, the, inclination, tool-face and azimuth will all be
wrong. Since we are relying on the magnetometers responding only to the Earth’s magnetic
field, any local magnetic effects from the drill-string must be isolated. There must be enough
non-magnetic drill collars above and below the sensors to stop any such interference. As a result
of this the sensors will be operating 40-80 ft behind the bit (the exact distance must be known
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before the tool is run)

.
Magnetic North, True North and Grid North:

Map users need to understand that there are three different types of north. The three north are the
True, the Grid, and Magnetic north. The term Grid north is used in map projection to refer to the
direction northwards along the grid lines in the navigation sector.
True North

True north is measured in relation to the geographic North Pole and is generated as the earth
rotates on its axis. The direction is marked in our skies by the North Celestial Pole .

Grid North

Grid north is a navigational phrase used to refer to the northward on a grid lines in a map
projection. Grid north contrasts the true north and the magnetic north in that it is aligned to grid
lines and always points upwards on a map.

Magnetic North

A compass needle will always point towards the Magnetic north pole. The pole may not be the
exact point since the compass aligns itself to the local geomagnetic field which varies constantly.
The pole is the wandering point in the Northern Hemisphere where the magnetic field points
vertically downwards.

Sensor Offset:

Magnetometer/
accelerometer

Sensor measure
point/ distance

Bottom
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Accelerator/
Magnetometer

Directional
drilling sensor
offset

Bit

 If sensor offset is 18 m then to get the data of 1000 m , we need to drill up to 1018m.

Downhole Survey Procedure:

Work drill
string

Additional steps Reduce flowrate

Lock drill string

Examine
data

Detect Increase
MWD signal flowrate

Errors in Survey

Movement of the string.

Accelerometer
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Calibration
Accuracy

Azimuth
Casing
Fish
Magnetically hot formation( ferromagnetic materials), magnetic storm

Why survey is done?

To avoid collision with other wells
To hit the geological target.
To know position the of wellbore.

Survey correction:
Azimuth:
Magnetic correction of azimuth can be done by maintaining non- magnetic spacing.

Inclination:
Stabilizer placement correction.
Sagging is the tendency to move downward. For example- in a system if sagging is 0.2, then tell the
system that there will be sagging of 0.2. If angle is 80o (showing) then actual angle would be 80.2o.

In vertical well- no sagging

As inclination angle increases, the chances of sagging is also increases.
If tool size is smaller than hole – chances of sagging will increase.

Steering Data:
Tool face data is called steering data. Toolface is the angle which describes where the bend of the
motor is pointing .
Magnetic( Well direct for kick off)
Gravity ( Hole direction)

Magnetic Toolface :

MTF is the direction, in the horizontal plane, the bent sub scribe line is pointing towards with
regard to the north reference(Grid, Magnetic or True) Typically, directional tools use the
magnetic tool face when the inclination is less than 3°. The MTF is used to orient the tool during
the initial kick off when inclination is low and hence, azimuth and high side (gravity tool face)
are poorly defined. The tool face is presented in azimuth or quadrant form, referenced to
magnetic north .The magnetic tool face reading is whatever magnetic the tool face is pointed to.

Gravity Toolface:

It is the angular distance that a bent sub scribe line is turned, about the tool axis, relative to the
high side of the hole. If the inclination of the wellbore is above 3° to 5°, then the gravity toolface
can be used. The toolface will be referenced to the highside of the survey instrument, no matter
what the hole direction of the survey instrument is at the time. The toolface will be presented in a
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number of degrees either right or left of the highside. For example, a toolface pointed to the
highside of the survey instrument would have a gravity toolface of 0°. A toolface pointed to the
lowside of the survey instrument would have a gravity toolface of 180°. If the orientation lug
was rotated to the right of highside, the gravity toolface would be 70° to the right.

TF is pointing towards low side, i.e 180o, if sliding – inclination will decrease.

TF is pointing towards low side, i.e 0o, if sliding – inclination will increase.
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If toolface is 270o, if slide, If toolface is 270o, if

Azimuth will change towards left slide, Azimuth will
direction. change towards right
direction.

Note :
at 0o and 180o – no change in Azimuth
At 90o and 270o – no change in Inclination.
Change in inclination and Azimuth depends on both sliding distance and Toolface.

Scribe line
The scribe line at the mule shoe key indicates the tool face of the MWD tool. The scribe line at
bend of the downhole motor indicates the toolface of the bent of the motor.
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(distance between MWD tool to DD tool scribe line looking downward in clockwise direction /
Circumference of the tool)* 360o

 MTF is with respect to North and GTF is with respect to the high side of the hole.

Magnetic Dip:

Magnetic dip, dip angle, or magnetic inclination is the angle made with the horizontal by
the Earth's magnetic field lines. This angle varies at different points on the Earth's surface.
Positive values of inclination indicate that the magnetic field of the Earth is pointing downward,
into the Earth, at the point of measurement, and negative values indicate that it is pointing
upward.

Summary:

 True Azimuth=Magnetic Azimuth+Declination

 Grid Azimuth=True Azimuth - Convergence
 Grid Azimuth=Magnetic Azimuth+Declination-Convergenc.
 West declination is –ve and East declination is +ve.
 East Grid is +ve and West Grid is –ve.
 True north is the direction towards the north pole,
 Magnetic north is the direction a compass- needle points to,and
 Grid north is the direction indicated by the vertical grid-lines on an Ordnance Survey
map;
 Magnetic declination tells you the direction of magnetic north, measured from true north.
 Convergence tells you the direction of grid north; measured from true north
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Quality Check:

Gtotal= local gravity +/ - 0.003 g

Btotal= field +/- 350 nT

Mdip= Local dip +/- 0.3o

Pressure Theory:
Collar-based (LWD) bore and annular pressure communicates with transducers through holes on
the inside and outside of the insert

Probe-based (MWD) annulus pressure communicates with the transducer through a hole in the
end of the stinger seated in a mule shoe sleeve and sub.

Importance of Pressure Downhole:

The Annular Pressure which we get downhole can be used to calculate ECD

The Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) is defined as the increase in density due to
friction and it is normally expressed in pounds per gallon. Equivalent Circulating Density
(when forward circulating) is defined as the apparent fluid density which results from
adding annular friction to the actual fluid density in the well

Ps = Difference between annular pressure at surface & annular pressure at depth TVD
(psi),
TVD = True vertical depth (ft), MW = Mud weight (ppg)

Annulus Pressure
Hydrostatic density of the mud column plus frictional losses in the annulus from the pressure
sensor to surface
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Bore Pressure
Hydrostatic density of the mud column plus frictional losses through the BHA below the
pressure sensor, pressure drop through the bit and frictional pressure losses in the annulus from
the bit to the surface.

Interpretation
During circulation (pumps on) the EMW increases because cuttings are suspended; the
EMW will drop as the cuttings are circulated out.

Rotation changes the eccentricity of the drillpipe which adds turbulence that requires
more pressure to move the fluid; this effect is increased with increasing hole inclination
and rotation speed.

Surge and Swab

– Surge pressures force the fluid up the annulus with increased velocity, resulting in
an increase in EMW
– Swab pressures force the fluid down the annulus; this subtracts from the pressures
felt at the sensor and lowers the EMW

Swab pressure

The movement of the drill string when pulling out of the hole will cause the pressure caused by
the drilling fluid on the bottom of the hole to decrease.

If a drill string ,casing string or logging tool is being pulled out of hole too fast , due to bigger
diameter almost same hole size , BHA/bit , casing or logging tool will possibly swab mud out of
hole, like pulling small a piston of string . For this reason , hydrostatic pressure of bottom hole
will be reduced. Pressure reduction created by this situation is called "swab pressure " . If swab
pressure is too much ,kick (wellbore influx) may be into the hole and well control must be
conducted in order to secure well.

Surge Pressure:
When pipe moves downward with mud circulation through drill string, additional bottom
hole pressure called “Surge Pressure” is created. If surge pressure is too much, many problems
will occur as formation brake down, partial mud loss and lost circulation.

Interpretation:
Poor Hole Cleaning
– Uneven EMW during drilling is an indication of poor hole conditions and varying
restrictions to circulation.
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Gas Influx
– Gas influx into the annulus appears as a rapid and sometimes dramatic decrease in
the EMW
Gas influx reaches the surface in a short span of time, and mud is unloaded from the
annulus at a faster rate. This quick, drastic reduction in mud hydrostatic head increases
the formation gas influx rate.

Salt Water and Sand Influx during drilling increases EMW

Packoff Pressure Spikes
– Packoff occurs when enough settled cuttings are present to create a restriction in
the annulus which causes a sudden increase in EMW

Temperature theory:

This is a solid state device in the downhole electronics which is calibrated to

measure temperature over the range from -40 to 175 degrees Celsius.

Effects :

Rating of MWD Tools and its sensors

Change in Rheology
Additives will be degraded under high temperature. Because of the additives failure, in
order to maintain the drilling fluid performance required, we need to consume more
processing agents. And the higher the temperature, the longer drilling, the more
consumption of drilling fluid.

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 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.
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Vibrations:
Drillstring vibrations canbe divided 3
types :

Axial Vibrations
Lateral Vibrations
Torsional Vibrations

Downhole shock and vibration

The severity of a shock depends on the three parameters;

1. the magnitude of the shock,
2. the duration or length of time of the shock and
3. the frequency or number of shocks.

Magnitude is that a force the tools sees when impacts the borehole well .Duration measure how
long the shock last in seconds. Frequency is the number of times the tool seize a shock greater
than the accelerometer's threshold. Shock and vibration and poor drilling mechanics can
adversely affect ROP, slowing the drilling process.

Axial vibration:

Axial vibrations of a drill string, this mode of vibration generates vibrations is the
direction along the axis of the drill string, i.e. in the wellbore direction.
Axial vibrations are caused by the movement of the drill string, upwards and downwards,
and may induce bit bounce.
Bit bounce is seen when large weight on bit (WOB) fluctuations causes the bit to
repeatedly lift off bottom, in vertical direction along the drill string, and then drop and
impact the formation

Effects of Axial Vibration

Bit bounce and axial vibrations can result in damaged bit, reduced lifetime of the bit and
decreased ROP
Damage components in the BHA have also been identified as a effect axial vibrations,
and wear on bit and BHA leads to tripping, which is both time consuming and costly.
This mode of vibration is less aggressive than the other modes and the recorded axial
accelerations are usually significantly lower, due to the large masses that have to be set in
motion
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Axial Vibration: Surface Indications

Most frequently seen when drilling hard rock formations

Drill string and/or traveling block may be seen
WOB and Torque changes can be sudden and erratic.

 To decrease the axial vibration, increase WOB( Thumb Rule)

Lateral Vibrations:

Lateral Vibration are viewed by the industry as the most destructive mode entailing
severe damage to the BHA components and wellbore, as the bit and BHA continuously
impact the wellbore.
The interaction between the bit / BHA with the wellbore wall leads to problems such as;
over gauge holes, damaged equipment, lack of well direction control and drill string
fatigue.
Transverse vibrations are not easily detected at surface, as the vibrations tend to dampen
out, upwards along the string. This makes it difficult for the driller to detect and perform
preventive measures.

Lateral vibration/ whirl triggers:

Whirl may be initiated by utilizing too low WOB or/ and too high RPM.
Whirl may be initiated at hard interface.
Whirl may be initiated by high string friction, as seen with buckling.
Whirl may be initiated by off- centre rotation and tracking wear, possible with roller cone
bits.

Lateral vibration/ whirl recognition: surface indication:

A sudden unexpected decrease in ROP.

A sudden unexpected increase in drilling torque.
A sudden occurrence of, or increase in high frequency lateral vibrations (backward and
intermittent whirl only, not forward whirl).
The occurrence of sleeve rotation due to over gauge hole creation.

 To reduce Lateral vibrations, reduce RPM.

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Torsional vibrations:
Torsional vibrations are seen as twisting motions in the drill string and the main
mechanism of the creation of torsional vibrations is stick- slip.

The vibrations are generated when the bit and drillstring is periodically accelerated or
decelerated, due to frictional torque on the bit and BHA. Non- uniform rotation is
developed when the bit becomes temporary stationary, causing the string to periodically
torque up and then spin free . The severity of stick- slip Will affect how long the bit stays
stationary and consequently the rotational acceleration speed when the bit breaks free.

The downhole RPM can become several times larger than the RPM applied.

Mitigation of stick slip

Increase RPM

The secondary method to control vibrations in

real-time is to change the WOB. Generally WOB
influences bit vibration more than drillstring
vibration. For example, higher WOB generally
will increase the stability of a PDC bit but
aggravate the roller cone bit vibrations.

Decrease WOB by 2klbs.

Pick up off bottom after short wiper trip of 1stand

 . and restart drilling with increased RPM and low
WOB as before.
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Roles and Responsibilities:

 Pre- planning
 Service Quality
 Final Deriverivble

Overall Job Process

 Pre-Job Planning
 Rigsite Arrival
 Equipment Checks
 Tool Pick-Up
 Run Monitoring
 Deliverables

Reviewing well plan

As MWD/LWDs, one should be aware of the tool platform limitations and operational
specifications, such as-
 Flow rates
 Vss levels
 Dog leg capabilities
 Temperature
 Rotation per minute (RPM) and weight on bit (WOB) limits
 Pressure
 Lost circulation material ( LCM)
 Torque

LWD/MWDs should also be aware that these limitations have a bearing on the well application.