 Baker Hughes INTEQ, the industry leader in MWD and drilling systems, expands its geosteering service with our new NaviGator™ reservoir navigation system. By integrating our directional drilling and formation evaluation technologies, the NaviGator system allows drillers to detect bed boundaries sooner and keep their horizontal wells within tighter target zones for extended intervals.
Near-bit Sensor Array - The NaviGator system combines a steerable mud motor with advanced MWD sensors for geosteering and formation evaluation. Its sensor array includes an inclinometer, two azimuthal gamma ray scintillators, and a multi-frequency, multi-depth of investigation resistivity sensor. This innovative tool provides drillers unprecedented early bed-boundary detection in horizontal wells, and enables them to steer the well away from critical boundaries before the bit leaves the target zone.
Inclinometer - The inclinometer uses a triaxial accelerometer to measure borehole inclination. Measurements from the inclinometer help optimize positioning of the drilling assembly stratigraphically though their use in True Vertical Depth (TVD) calculations.
Dual Gamma Ray - The dual azimuthal gamma ray sensors, oriented 180° from one another, provide a high-side and low-side measurement. This sensor configuration permits quick determination of whether a nearby bed boundary is above or below the tool.
Two-frequency Resistivity - The resistivity sensor is a two-frequency, compensated propagation tool that can operate in both oil-base and water-base muds. Located above and below a receiver antenna pair, two transmitting antennas sequentially broadcast at frequencies of 2 MHz and 400 kHz.
The NaviGator system provides unequaled LWD resistivity measurements through the unsurpassed depth of investigation of the 400 kHz measurements and the excellent vertical resolution of the 2 MHz readings. This combination gives the NaviGator system the industry's best geosteering capability. When drilling horizontally, the NaviGator system can detect a contrasting bed boundary or fluid contact up to 18 ft (5.48 m) from the sensor. This enables the driller to 'look ahead' 250 to 500 ft (76.2 to 152.4 m) and adjust the well's course to stay within the pay.
Steerable Mud Motor -The Navi-Drill® Mach 1, a reliable high-torque, low-speed mud motor with worldwide experience, drives the NaviGator system. Equipped with an Adjustable Kick-Off (AKO) sub, the NaviGator's build up rate can be adjusted up to 9° per 100 ft (rotating) and 15° per 100 ft (non-rotating). This AKO sub allows drillers to choose the build up rate which best suits the planned well profile.
Service Application The NaviGator system is another major step from the experts who invented reservoir navigation services, Baker Hughes INTEQ. From geosteering horizontal wells with our patented pre-job resistivity modeling, to continuous improvement on early work in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, we've established a worldwide track record at successfully navigating horizontal wells. The NaviGator system extends that record by providing early bed-boundary detection and reliable navigation capabilities in tight target zones. Drillers can now navigate in the target zone with greater precision using the NaviGator system. The near-bit 2 MHz and 400 kHz resistivities permits detection of critical boundaries and allows the driller to make well path corrections earlier than conventional 2 MHz propagation tools positioned above the motor. |
