Sneak Preview: March/April DC takes operator MWD/LWD criticism, challenges to service companies

Not only can vibration educe ROP, it can “twist” the borehole, producing “false” images through the LWD, an operator said.

While today’s MWD/LWD systems work even in the upper range of well temperatures and pressures, cutting-edge HPTP projects will demand even better performance – to as high as 200°C (400°F) and 35,000 psi.

However, service companies point out that the niche status of HTHP wells increases R&D cost and risk.

Fluid sampling is another item on operator wish lists, for which one manufacturer says it may soon introduce a “game-changing” solution.

Finally, reliability. “The biggest value impact from LWD/MWD/DD is to get it right the first time,” one operator noted. Reliability can suffer from component failures, QA/QC and human error.

Read the entire article in the March/April DC, available later this month.