Gyros Deliver Accuracy, Predictability and Speed in Borehole Drilling

Accuracy, predictability, speed and repeatability have gained in importance in down hole drilling operations. As matters stand, oilfields are congested. Exploration companies plan to drill new wells in close proximity to production wells. This gives rise to challenges such as magnetic interferences during initial drilling stages. The proximity of existing wells and possibilities of collision rules out the use of standard magnetic based instruments in the survey. The trend is to use gyro while drilling, relying on tracking azimuth in relation to true North in such cases to assure extreme precision in working around existing wells. At drilling depths of up to 6000 meters (value in feet) a deviation of 0.5 degree would define success and failure. Down hole management and use of next generation gyro directional instruments are closely tied to profitability and reputations.

In a scenario utilizing SPT gyro tools the down hole surveyors place the instrument into the UBHO for orientation jobs. Such advanced tools are placed into the wells supplying real time data in a continuous stream, thus eliminating the delays inherent in earlier processes. This translates to zero error regardless of drilling depth, faster achievement of targets, savings in costs, labor and time as a direct outcome of using gyro while drilling. 

SPT down hole

survey tools provide the data that facilitates the tracking, control and confirmation of the planned well profile. With the current competitive environment, high costs and pressure to succeed at the first attempt, there is no room for errors. SPT downhole survey instruments are not an option for success, they are indispensable for accurate, reliable, cost effective down hole operations consequent to the use of gyro while drilling.

The GyroTracer HT is a hot deal

Where you have to carry out borehole surveys in high temperatures of up to 150 degrees C (302 ºF), the usual suite of geological survey tools stand by helpless. The GyroTracer HT is a hot  precision gyro survey tool designed for high working temperatures in the mining industry. 

Trust SPT to think of its customers, even the occasional one. The GyroTracer HT is the perfect memory survey instrument delivering azimuth, inclination and toolface readings, regardless of operating temperatures. All you have to do is sync it to your computer with the user friendly software provided and then proceed with of the survey of the hole. Data stored in the GyroTracer HT can then be downloaded to a computer for further process and analysis. 

With the GyroTracer HT surveyors can carry out a precision gyro survey for azimuth and dip at any depth. Surveyors can just as easily use it for multi-shot surveys at different depths while running the tool in or running it out at any time. 

Well thought out, the GyroTracer HT works in wireline mode, has excellent build quality and is constructed to eliminate the need for pressure barrel or heat shield for temperatures up to 150 deg. C. (302 ºF). The amazing precision and accuracy of this precision gyro survey tool is reflected in azimuth readings with typical accuracy of 1 degree, inclination accuracy within 0.1 degrees, gravity toolface tolerance within 0.1 degrees and gyroscopic toolface within ± 1 degree. When the going gets hot the GyroTracer HT gets going as the perfect precision gyro survey tool.

Gyro based Instruments Save Lives Too

Gyroscopic survey tools such as those manufactured by SPT are viewed as productivity and profitability tools, helping borehole operators attain targets within time and cost constraints. It is no secret mining companies are now extensively exploiting every site in an effort to make every mine profitable. SPT surveying instruments have proved invaluable in such cases due to their well known reliability, repeatability of results, speed and consistency. Previous generation magnetic sensor based instruments simply cannot work in such conditions while the true north seeking gyroscopic survey tool works regardless of geological formations or the presence of magnetic disturbances in the form of nearby boreholes. 

There are times when such production boreholes collapse. SPT gyroscopic survey tool have risen to the occasion and helped resolve potentially dangerous situations like these. Such operations with Gyroscopic survey tool have proved resoundingly successful in more than forty countries including the USA .Canada, Australia, Russia and many other African and South American countries.

SPT borehole survey instruments have proved themselves in saving lives in cases where miners have been trapped far underground. Time, precision and reliability are of the essence in such instances where one must reach the precise location at the first try and again, SPT North Seeking Gyros speedily reach the target, bringing relief and life to people hopelessly trapped in dangerous conditions. Miners in Chile were rescued after more than two months underground thanks to the precision of SPT gyroscopic survey tools.

ROIs Dictate Use of Precision Instruments in Mining Drilling

Tests and Surveys pinpoint mineral finds and it remains for drilling companies to come up with productive wells at the first try. Given that costs are spiraling and competition is intense, a mining well drilling company simply cannot afford errors or failures. In some cases mining drilling companies rely on micro-electro-mechanical devices that reference magnetic North. These are prone to magnetic interference and drift over time besides being complicated to set up each time a survey has to be carried out. A far better, technologically superior and vastly more accurate true North seeking Gyro instrument is usurping the once preferred magnetic instrument. These days when ROIs and bottom lines dictate business decisions and practices, drilling and survey companies can hardly afford to ignore improvements that guarantee success. The true North seeking Gyro is becoming the instrument of choice for its consistently reliable and accurate performance in a variety of field conditions, various depths and geological formations. 

Leading the cutting edge North seeking gyro instrument technologies is a Swedish based company offering complete borehole survey technologies along with training packages and full-fledged support. The reasons why the true North seeking gyro instrument is gaining in popularity are not difficult to see. There is no drift over time, it surveys deep holes with absolute precision and accuracy regardless of conditions and does not need a starting point since the true North acts as a reference. It is highly sensitive compared to older, less sensitive, magnetic based tools and it can be used at any depth, even inside metal casings without repeated calibrations, azimuth readings or roll tests. This translates to success at the first attempt which, in turn, means a healthy bottom line. When you have a newer, better instrument, the product of intense research and development, assuring full backup support and total success would you want to look elsewhere or go in for a cheaper, unreliable instrumentation system?