IMPROVE SEPARATION FACTORS AND REDUCE
COLLISION RISK WITH ENHANCED MAGNETIC SURVEYING
Tighter well spacing, multi-well pad designs, and longer laterals create drilling
conditions with higher collision risk and the need for greater positional
accuracy. Using high-accuracy In-Field Referencing (IFR) models will improve
anti-collision separation factors (SF) by as much as 60% as compared to main
field magnetic models used in standard MWD surveying. This not only reduces
collision risk, but also enables more accurate well placement. IFR does NOT
require additional downhole tools, on-site personnel, or rig time.
IN-FIELD REFERENCING (IFR)
IFR is an industry-recognized, low-cost method for reducing wellbore positional
uncertainty associated with MWD surveying. Applying IFR can significantly
increase the SFs for wells drilled in congested fields. While H&P survey corrections
do not require re-entry/re-surveying old wells, that option is available to further
reduce uncertainty of previously drilled wells in congested fields. Higher SFs will
require fewer dispensations and reduce risk of well-to-well collision and lease line
infractions. Reducing positional uncertainty also enables future in-fill
drilling campaigns.
Main field geomagnetic models used in standard MWD do not capture
local crustal anomalies of the geomagnetic field. IFR is the industry-leading
method of accurately predicting the magnetic field magnitude and direction
for a geographic location and time. IFR relies on independently acquired
measurements of the local magnetic field to accurately map regional variations
caused by magnetic minerals in the Earth’s lower crust.
IFR improves MWD surveying by providing highly accurate reference directions
for azimuth calculation. IFR also provides more accurate estimates for magnetic
dip angle and total field strength, which enables more precise survey quality
control and correction.