8. MWD/ LWD/ DD SERVICE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD

Below you will find links to companies in the world which provides the following services and products:

• Directional Driling/Horizontal Directional Drilling, Measurement While Drilling (MWD), Logging While Drilling (LWD)
• MWD/LWD Manufacturers and Suppliers
• Oilfield Batteries
• Real-Time Drilling Data
• Geosteering

LIST OF MWD/LWD/DD SERVICE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD

In this list I include all types of directional drilling which consist of Oilfield Directional Drilling, Utility Installation Directional Drilling (or H.D.D., Horizontal Directional Drilling, Directional Boring) and in-seam directional drilling (Coal-Bed methane).

Canada
Ark Directional Services – http://www.arkdirectional.com
Atlantic Directional Inc. – http://www.atlanticdirectional.com
Axis Energy Services – http://www.axisenergyservices.com
Cathedral Energy Services – http://www.cathedralenergyservices.com
Compass Directional Services – http://www.compassdirectional.com
D&R Directional – http://www.drdirectional.com
Kambi MWD Services – http://www.kambi.ca
Meridian Directional Services – http://www.meridiandirectional.com
Motorworks Drilling Solutions – http://www.pure-energy.ca
Newsco Directional and Horizontal Drilling Services – http://www.newsco.ca
Pacesetter Directional Services – http://www.ppdl.ca
Phoenix Technology – http://www.phoenixcan.com
Pro-Line Directional – http://www.prolineenergyservices.com
OilField Guidance – http://oilfieldguidance.com
Ryan Energy Technologies / Nabors – http://www.nabors.com
Savanna Energy Services – http://www.savannaenergy.com
Ember Resources – http://emberresources.com
Extreme Engineering – http://www.extremeeng.com
Mostar Directional Technologies – http://mostardirectional.comBlackstone Drilling Systems – http://blackstonedrillingsystems.com/

United States of America
Scientific Drilling International – http://www.scientificdrilling.com/
Black Viper Energy Services Ltd. – http://www.blackviperenergy.com
Crescent Directional Drilling – http://www.crescentdirectional.com
Directional Drilling Company – http://www.directionaldrillers.com
Multishot Directional – http://www.multi-shotllc.com
RPM – http://www.rpm-inc.org
Strata Directional – http://www.alchenergy.com/directional.html
Quantum Drilling Motors – http://www.quantumdm.com
Native Navigation – http://www.nativenavigation.com
Pathfinder Energy Services – http://www.pathfinderlwd.com
Total Directional Services – http://www.totaldirectional.com
Drill Right Technology, Inc. – http://www.drillrighttechnology.com
Maverick Directional Services – http://www.maverickdirectional.com
Professional Directional – http://prodirectional.com
Intrepid Directional Drilling – http://www.intrepid-dds.com
Laney Directional Drilling – http://www.laneydrilling.com
Southeast Directional Drilling – http://www.southeastdrilling.com/
International Directional Services – http://www.idirectionaldrill.com
Directional Drilling Contractors – http://www.ddcon.com
PDI Construction – http://www.pdiconstruction.com
Henniker Directional Drilling – http://www.hddbore.com/
DayStar Directional Drilling – http://www.daystardrilling.com/
Sharewell Energy Services LP – http://sharewell.com
Target Drilling – http://www.targetdrilling.com
Associated Directional Drilling – http://aei-corp.com/add.html
Challenger Drilling Inc. – http://www.challengerdrilling.com/
Drake Directional Drilling – http://www.drakedd.com/
Spring and Associates, Inc. – http://www.springandassociates.com/
Ventura Directional Drilling – http://www.venturadrilling.com/
Magnum Drilling Services – http://www.magnumdrillingservices.com/
We-Bore-It – http://www.we-bore-it.com/
OnCourse, Inc. – http://www.oncourseinc.com/
WellBenders Directional Services – http://www.wellbenders.com/
Downhole Navigator – http://dhnavigator.com/
Cudd Energy Services – http://www.cuddpressurecntrl.com/
Boreview Services – http://boreview.com/

Europe
Transmark-EDS – http://www.edsnl.com/
Directional Drilling UK – http://www.directionaldrillinguk.com
Target Well Control – http://www.target-energy.com/
LMR Drilling UK – http://www.lmrdrilling.co.uk
Allen Watson – http://www.allenwatson.com
SW Directional Drilling – http://www.swdirectionaldrilling.co.uk
LMR Drilling GmbH – http://www.lmr-drilling.de/

Australia/New Zealand
SADB Directional Drilling – http://www.sadirectional.com.au
Ancon Directional Drilling – http://www.ancondrilling.com
Mitchell Directional Drilling – http://www.mitchelldrilling.com/directional/
SJ Directional Drilling P/L – http://www.sjdirectionaldrilling.com.au
Hartowijaya – http://www.hartowijaya.com
Wellserv Australia – http://wellserv.com.au

China/Hong Kong
WellTech – China Oilfield Services Limited – http://www.cosl.com.cn

Indonesia
Qui Handika – http://www.quihandika.com
Pakarti/Parama – E-mail: pandu@paramaservices.com

Nigeria
Avionix Energy Ltd. – http://www.avionixenergy.com

Middle East/North Africa
National Drilling Services – http://www.ndsye.com/
Intelligent Drilling Services – http://intelligentdrilling.com/
Triple L Oil Services – http://www.triplel-tlos.com/
AlMansoori Directional Drilling Services – http://www.almansoori.biz/

India
Jindal Drilling & Industries – http://www.jindaldrilling.com/
Shiv-Vani – http://www.shiv-vani.com/

Russia
TehGeoBur – http://www.tehgeobur.ru/
TPG - http://www.tpg.ru/

Central/South America
Integradora de Perforaciones y Servicios – http://ips-mexico.com/
INVAP – http://www.invap.net/
San Antonio Internacional – http://www.sanantoniointernacional.com/

LIST OF REAL-TIME DRILLING DATA SERVICE COMPANIES

Petrolink – http://www.petrolink.com
Epoch Rigwatch – http://www.epochwellsite.com/
NOV MD-Totco Rigsense – http://www.nov.com/
Pason – http://www.pason.com/
PetroDAQ – http://www.petrodaq.com/
Wellsite Data Solutions – http://wellsite-ds.com/
OilField Guidance’s MWDLive – http://www.mwdlive.com/

LIST OF GEOSTEERING SERVICE COMPANIES

GeoSteering Services – http://www.geosteering.com/
United Oil & Gas Consulting – http://www.uogc.com/

7. Directional Drilling Survey Calculations

When drilling a directional well, surveys are taken at regular pre-determined intervals in order to determine the present downhole location compared to surface location.

In directional survey we note down the inclination and azimuth at the survey point for a particular survey depth and using these data we calculate the North-South (N-S), East-West (E-W) coordinates and TVD using few mathematical calculations.

There are several methods that can be used to calculate the survey data, of these some are accurate while are other may produce some error for a given situation.

Some of the most common methods used for survey calculation in the industry are:

Tangential method (Least Accurate)

Balanced Tangential method

Average Angle method

Radius of Curvature method (Most Accurate)

Minimum Curvature method (Most Accurate)

The Tangential, Balanced Tangential and Average angle method are based on the trigonometry of a right angle triangle.

TANGENTIAL METHOD

As shown in the figure below, I₁I₂ is the actual wellbore course. To calculate the inclination at I₂, we draw a tangent to I₂. The tangential method states that the tangent drawn at the survey station I₂ is the assumed wellbore course and angle A is the required inclination which is similar to inclination at I₂.

It uses only the inclination and direction angles measured at the lower end of the survey course length.

Now applying trigonometry to the right angle triangle ABI₂, we have :

Directional Drilling : Tangential Method

angle A = angle I₂

AI₂ = assumed well course = ΔMD (change in measured depth for this interval)

AB = AI₂ Cos I₂ = ΔTVD (This will be equal to the TVD for this interval)

BI₂ = Departure

ΔNorth = ΔMD SinI₂ x Cos A₂ .

ΔEast = ΔMD SinI₂ x Sin A₂ .

It is clear from the above figure that the Tangential method gives a noticeable error in Measured Depth (MD) and Departure.

In Type I, III and IV holes, the error will be significant.

With the tangential method, the greater the build or drop rate, the greater the error. Also, the distance between surveys has an effect on the quantity of the error. If survey intervals were 10 feet or less, the error would be acceptable. The added expense of surveying every 10 feet prohibits using the tangential method for calculating the wellbore course especially when more accurate methods are available.  

"With my study and practice works performed on live well data, I observed that the calculations based on Tangential Method gives a considerably large value of departure and in some cases the well appears to be too shallow. In some deviated wells, the error in TVD was more than 40-50 feet."

BALANCED TANGENTIAL METHOD

The balanced tangential method uses the inclination and direction angles at the top and bottom of the course length to tangentially balance the two sets of measured angles. This method combines the trigonometric functions to provide the average inclination and direction angles which are used in standard computational procedures.

Directional Drilling: Balanced Tangential Method

From Balanced Tangential Method, following values are obtained:

ΔTVD = ΔMD/2 . (CosI₁ + CosI₂ )

ΔNorth = ΔMD/2 . [(SinI₁ x CosA₁) + (SinI₂ x CosA₁)]

ΔEast = ΔMD/2 . [(SinI₁ x SinA₁) + (SinI₂ x SinA₁)]

This technique provides a smoother curve which should more closely approximate the actual wellbore between surveys. The longer the distance between survey stations, the greater the possibility of error.

AVERAGE ANGLE METHOD

When using the average angle method, the inclination and azimuth at the lower and upper survey stations are mathematically averaged, and then the wellbore course is assumed to be tangential to the average inclination and azimuth.

Directional Drilling: Average Angle Method

From Average Angle Method, following values are obtained:

ΔTVD = ΔMD . Cos(I₁+I₂)/2

ΔNorth = ΔMD . Sin(I₁+I₂)/2 . Cos(A₁+A₂)/2

ΔEast = ΔMD/2 . Sin(I₁+I₂)/2 . Sin(A₁+A₂)/2

Since the average angle method is both fairly accurate and easy to calculate, it is the method that can be used in the field if a programmable calculator or computer is not available. The error will be small and well within the accuracy needed in the field provided the distance between surveys is not too great.

RADIUS OF CURVATURE METHOD

The radius of curvature method is currently considered to be one of the most accurate methods available. The method assumes the wellbore course is a smooth curve between the upper and lower survey stations. The curvature of the arc is determined by the survey inclinations and azimuths at the upper and lower survey stations as shown in Figure below. The length of the arc between I₁ and I₂ is the measured depth between surveys.

Directional Drilling: Radius of Curvature Method

The following values are obtained using radius of curvature method:

ΔTVD = [(180) (ΔMD) (SinI₂ – SinI₁ )] / π (I_{2 -} I₁)

ΔNorth = [(180)² (ΔMD) (CosI₁ – CosI₂) (SinA₂ – SinA₁) ] / π² (I_{2 -} I₁) (A₂ - A₁)

ΔEast = [(180)² (ΔMD) (CosI₁ – CosI₂) (CosA₁ – CosA₂) ] / π² (I_{2 -} I₁) (A₂ - A₁)

DEP = [(180) (ΔMD) (CosI₁ – CosI₂ )] / π (I_{2 -} I₁)

r = 180 / π (DLS)

ΔMD = (I_{2 -} I₁) / B_r .

Where,

π = 3.1415926

DLS = Dog Leg Severity

B_r =Build Rate

Note: In these equations, the inclination and azimuth are in degrees.

Since the calculation using this method becomes a tedious job, this method is not used in field practise unless a programmed software is available based on this method.

I have hands-on experience on few well planning softwares based on this method. In the coming blogs, we will discuss on "Directional Well Planing" and for calculation purpose, I will show you that how these softwares are utilized to design a directional well.

Here, its worth mentioning that when the value of inclination (I) and azimuth (A) are same at both survey stations, then the denominator for some of the above equation becomes zero and hence the equation is not defined. This is the ERROR we found using "Radius of Curvature Method".

SO HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THIS ERROR ??

One of the way to overcome this error is to use "Minimum Curvature Method" which has been discussed below.

The second method i would suggest is that, we can add any small number (say 1 x 10^-4  or 1 x 10^-5) to either survey points. The result thus produced will be insignificant .. !

MINIMUM CURVATURE METHOD

Directional Drilling Terminologies

AZIMUTH

There are three azimuth reference systems: True (Geographic North), Grid North and Magnetic North.

Geographic North: In geographic coordinates directions are referred to true north, or a true azimuth. Geographic north points to the North Pole; this direction is indicated by the polar star.

Grid North: Grid north is an arbitrary direction and is always in the direction of the positive ordinate axis of the specific grid used for a particular survey.

Magnetic North: Magnetic north can be measured by a simple magnetic compass. Magnetic azimuths are not constant due to the movement of the north and south magnetic poles and hence magnetic measurements may be in error due to local magnetic field variations. 

In oil wells, all surveys with ‘magnetic type’ tools are initially given an azimuth reading referenced to Magnetic North. However, the final calculated coordinates are always converted to either True North or Grid North.

Magnetic Declination: Magnetic north and true north do not coincide. The divergence between true north and magnetic north is different for most points on the earth’s surface, and in addition to this the magnetic north pole changes its position very slightly each year.

The angle in degrees between true and magnetic north is called the declination angle. The declination angle is negative if magnetic north lies to the west of true north and is positive if the magnetic north lies to the east of true north (refer figure below).

 

The azimuth of a wellbore at any point is defined as the direction of the wellbore on a horizontal plane measured clockwise form a north reference. Azimuths are usually expressed in angles from 0-360 , measured from zero north.

Note: West Declination is always Subtracted and East Declination is always Added. i.e., TRUE NORTH = MAGNETIC NORTH ± (DECLINATION)

Azimuth on horizontal plane, 20 degrees wrt True North

Azimuths can also be expressed in a quadrant system from 0-90 measured from north in the northern quadrants and from south in the southern quadrants.

The figure above shows azimuth reading of 135 equates to S45 E in quadrant readings.
Measured in: degree 

INCLINATION

The angle of the well bore defined by a tangent line at any point of wellbore and a vertical line is called the inclination. The vertical line is always parallel to the direction of earth's gravity. By industry standard, 0 degree inclination is vertical (downward pointing) and 90 degrees inclination is horizontal. An inclination (angle) greater than 90 degrees coincides with the term "drilling up".
Measured in: degree 

NOTE: AZIMUTH & INCLINATION ARE ALSO TERMED AS DIRECTION AND ANGLE RESPECTIVELY.

MEASERED DEPTH (MD) & TRUE VERTICAL DEPTH (TVD)

Measured Depth (MD): Measured depth (MD) is the distance measured along the well path from one reference point to the survey point.
Measured in: Feet (ft) or metre (m)

True Vertical Depth: The vertical distance from a point in the well (usually the current or final depth) to a point at the surface, usually the elevation of the rotary kelly bushing (RKB) is called the true vertical depth (TVD) at that point.
Measured in: Feet (ft) or metre (m)

It is to be noted that MD ≥ TVD in all cases.

VERTICAL SECTION (VS)

A projection of the borehole into a vertical plane parallel to the course bearing and scaled with vertical depth.

KICK OFF POINT (KOP), BUILD, HOLD & DROP

Kick off Point (KOP): The kick off point is defined as the point below the surface location from where the well is deflected from the vertical. The position of the kick off depends on several parameters including: geological considerations, geometry of well and proximity of other wells.

Build Up: It is the act of increasing the inclination of the drilled hole wrt vertical.

Build Section: That portion of the hole in which the inclination angle is increased; rate of buildup is usually expressed as the angular increase per 100 feet of measured depth.

Build Up Rate (BUR): It is the rate of change (degrees/100 feet or degrees/30 metre) of the increasing angle in the hole.

Drop off: It is the act of reducing the inclination of the drilled hole wrt vertical.

Drop Section: That portion of the hole in which the inclination angle is decreased; rate of drop off is usually expressed as the angular increase per 100 feet of measured depth.

Drop off Rate: The rate of change of the inclination in the part of the wellbore where the inclination angle is purposely returned toward vertical, usually expressed in degrees per feet or course length.

Hold: The act of maintaining the inclination and azimuth of the wellbore to remain constant as it is.

Tangent or Hold Section: The portion of hole in which the inclination and azimuth is maintained the same throughout the section.

In the figure below, KB means Kelly Bushing, RT means Rotary Table, DF means Derrick Floor, EOB is for End of Build (i.e., the point at which the Building ends and we either hold or drop the wellbore path).

RECTANGULAR COORDINATES


Rectangular coordinates of a target are usually given in feet/meters North/South and East/West of the local reference point. They can be easily derived by subtracting the grid coordinates of the surface location from those of the target.

The rectangular coordinates can be used to calculate the departure (horizontal displacement) between the surface location and the bottom hole target as follows:

Departure = [(Δ E/W)²+ (Δ N/S²)]^1/2

where: Δ denotes difference in coordinates between E/W or N/S 

 

POLAR COORDINATES

Polar coordinates can be derived from the rectangular coordinates. They are expressed as a distance (departure) and as a direction (either Quadrant or azimuth). 

Polar coordinates are derived from the rectangular coordinates as follows:

Azimuth = tan^-1 ((Δ E/W Coordinates)/( Δ N/S Coordinates))

Now let us try to solve a problem based on the above concept of Rectangular and Polar coordinates.

We have been provided the grid coordinates of the surface and target location. We need to find the Departure and Azimuth of the target from the surface location.  

Grid Coordinates: Target   6,334,400.00 N (m)      200,600.00 E (m)
Grid Coordinates: Surface 6,335,000.00 N (m)      200,400.00 E (m)
 

Now let us calculate the rectangular coordinates.

Δ N/S = N/S (target) - N/S (surface) = 6,334,400.00 - 6,335,000.00 = -600 m

Δ E/W = E/W (target) - E/W (surface) = 200,600.00 - 200,400.00 = 200 m

Now, Azimuth = tan^-1 ((Δ E/W Coordinates)/( Δ N/S Coordinates))

thus, Azm = tan^-1 (200/-600) = -18.4 degree

Also, Departure = [(Δ E/W)²+ (Δ N/S²)]^1/2

thus, Departure = [(200)²+ (-600)²)]^1/2 = 632.5 m

Hence in polar coordinates, the target is 632.5 m at an azimuth of 161.6 degree (S18.4W).These coordinates are plotted in figure below: