APS Technology, Inc., a leading provider of MWD/LWD, drilling & optimization and vibration management products for the oilfield today announced the general availability of the SureShot™ EM Telemetry MWD System. The announcement follows the completion of a successful joint field test which included drilling three wells; one in Signal Hill, CA and two in Bakersfield, CA with GeoGuidance Drilling Services, Inc., an independent, full-service directional drilling services provider specializing in directional drilling, well planning, mud motors and MWD/LWD services.
The EM system was tested at data rates ranging from 1 to 12 bits per second, power levels from 2 to 50 Watts, and carrier frequencies from 2 to 12 Hertz, and in an S shape well to measured depths extending beyond 4,400 feet and inclinations of 22 deg.
“All competing EM tools which had been run in the Signal Hill area previously had been run-off,” said John Hickey, Vice President, MWD/LWD Products at APS. “The SureShot EM Telemetry System’s adaptability to rapidly changing signal conditions was of tremendous benefit while drilling this well. The SureShot EM Telemetry System is an important new extension of our highly successful SureShot MWD/LWD product family, which is supported locally in China, Russia, Dubai and the United States.”
The EM system communicates by transmitting electromagnetic waves through the formation instead of pressure pulses through a fluid column. Benefits include time saved by transmitting surveys during a connection, high data rates, and the ability to operate in conditions where mud pulse telemetry cannot.
The surface system’s ultra-sensitive quad receiver and companion laptop software display the incoming signals from up to four antennas simultaneously, and let the operator manually or automatically choose the antennas with the best signal (patent pending). A downlink transmitter allows the operator to change the downhole system’s data rate, power output (with 1 Watt granularity), data/survey sequences, and operating frequency, and also enables initiation of surveys on-command. Downlinks require only 17 seconds to complete, and may occur on a different frequency than the uplink.
Rigsite assembly of the downhole EM telemetry system is simplified by a unique sliding contact ring (patent pending) and requires no wet-connect bayonet connector, telescoping shafts, crush rings, spacers, shims or measurement even when using a re-cut gap sub or flow sub.
“I like that APS’s EM system can be tested on the ground and rigs-up quickly due to the well-thought-out on-site workflow and user interface,” said Justin Laribee, VP of Operations at GeoGuidance Drilling Services, Inc. “I was also pleased that we can downlink on a different frequency than used for uplinking; the downlinking is quick and operation resumes automatically afterwards. The gamma plus propagation resistivity capability is a strong differentiator for the APS MWD system.”
Complementary APS options for the SureShot EM Telemetry System include a turbine alternator and a depth tracking system, as well as SureShot MWD’s Pressure While Drilling (PWD), integrated vibration and a broad range of other measurements.
SureShotTM EM Telemetry System
The APS EM system communicates by transmitting electromagnetic waves through the formation instead of pressure pulses through a fluid column. Benefits include time saved by transmitting surveys during a connection, high data rates and the ability to operate in conditions where mud pulse telemetry cannot.
SureShot EM
SureShot EM is a state-of-the art system. The downhole tool features two-way EM communication. The sequence and frequency of transmitted measurements is EM downlink selectable. Whether it’s a higher density log to pick a casing point, more pressure measurements for drilling optimization or emphasis on directional measurements while sliding, SureShot EM enables the operator to quickly choose the optimum data sequence for the drilling operation.
Power, data rate and carrier wave are user adjustable while drilling – helpful for transmitting through changing formations and when automatic adjustments are ineffective due to overburden or changing surface conditions. The innovative quad surface receiver is actually four receivers in one. The receiver can decode using one antenna while simultaneously monitoring up to four antennas. As the wellbore changes direction the operator can select antennas at the optimum time for best reception. Utilizing the strongest signal conserves batteries and allows for higher data rates. The
gap sub is a dual gap design for added reliability. Features include ceramic sleeves to prevent loss of power due to arcing; no coating to wear and arc; dual insulator rings for more reliability; and higher power to the formation due to gap distance.
Fixed-mount and retrievable configurations are available. The fixed-mount tool features a sliding electrode contact ring – no need for spacers to accommodate various length subs. The fixed-mount tool is field configurable to work with different size drilling tubulars.
The EM tool operates with batteries or turbine alternator. The turbine alternator enables longer downhole time, high transmitting power for longer periods and power for high draw applications with multiple sensors. The turbine alternator configuration includes backup batteries for operation during periods of no flow.
Depth tracking options include the SureShot Depth Tracker, the SureShot mud pulse SIU and WITS.
Applications
- High ROP drilling with frequent surveys
- High data density LWD and drilling optimization applications
- Underbalanced drilling
- Foam and air drilling
- Extreme lost circulation conditions
DESIGN
- Quad-channel digital surface receiver to rapidly select the best signal from among 4 antenna pairs as the well progresses
- Gap sub is a dual-gap design for added reliability
- Ceramic sleeves prevent loss of power due to arcing
- No coating to wear and arc
- Dual insulator rings for greater reliability
- Higher power to the formation due to gap distance
Features
- Data rates up to 12 bps
- High-power 50 W transmitter
- Downhole selectable data sequences – choose the optimum combination of directional, LWD and pressure measurements for the drilling operation
- EM Downlinking – Quickly adjust power, bit rate, carrier frequency and telemetry sequences for the conditions
- Plug-and-Play compatibility with APS SureShot downhole and surface equipment
- Quad channel digital surface receiver to rapidly select the best signal from among 4 antenna pairs as the well progresses
- Turbine alternator option for extended bit runs and high current draw applications
- Unique rugged, reliable dual gap sub
- WPR resistivity compatible
Compatibility
SureShot EM works with all APS downhole sensors. The EM transmitter uses the same flow subs
and is a drop-in alternative for the mud pulse transmitter, having many parts in common with the SureShot mud pulse system. Operators benefit from reduced inventory cost and increased flexibility when providing a mix of EM and mud pulse MWD services.
Case
September 1, 2015 – APS Technology’s SureShot™ EM MWD System has successfully transmitted from a depth of 10,104 feet (3,080 m) total vertical depth (TVD) in a Canadian well in oil-based mud (OBM). This is the deepest transmission to date for the APS EM system, marking an impressive achievement for EM tools in general.
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