Measurement While Drilling is abbreviated as MWD. It is used to take the measurement of the inclination angle against the vertical line through the process. MWD drilling software then takes up all these values.The oil well paths are plotted in 3-D using this information. Communication between the operator and the floor is crucial and is provided by this software.

There are different types of information transmitted by the software one being the direction of the well. Real time directional surveys and its transmission are very possible. Measurement of the azimuth and the inclination of the hole at that location are done by the magnetometers and accelerometers. There is therefore real time transmission from the site to the surface.

The data transmitted at intervals of 10m to 500m is then analyzed on the surface to calculate the location of the wellbore. It is necessary information for the company since it acts as a proof that it is not operating outside the block it is licensed to prospect. When operating vertically or near vertical direction this technology is not used due to its high cost.

The core use of the surveys is in directional-drilling. The well may be located at a certain zone and this information helps the driller in steering the process towards that target zone. MWD provides toolface measurements using downhole mud motors with bent housing or bent subs to aid in directional operations.

There is the smoothness of rotation, mud flow volume, downhole temperature, the drillstring speed of rotation, and the weight and torque on the bit, this information is sent to the mechanics of the drill bit which leads to more efficient operations. The tools are also used in accordance with their specifications thus cannot break down. Understanding the rock formation of the area is crucial to geologists.

Drillers use information from the MWD tools for performing geosteering to the zones targeted. The software sends formation properties of the area being drilled at that moment. This kind of information will be on porosity, inclination of the drill bit, the resistivity and the acoustic-caliper which is very important to the driller.

There is also the measurement of natural gamma rays measurements at the well using internal gamma ray sensor installed in MWD tools. The sensors cost a lot, are compact and able to take measurements when drilling unmodified drill collars. Compacts and cheap sensors will do unmodified drill collars during operations. MWD software cuts the various process costs and increases the lifespan of the drill bits.

There are two types of transmission of data on drilling; either mud-pulse telemetry method or electromagnetic telemetry. The functioning of the mud-pulse telemetry method is where the mud valve deep down the hole restricts the flow of slurry thus brings about the differences in pressure which are sent to the surface for further analysis. There are three types of pulses; positive, negative pulse or continuous wave.

Electromagnetic telemetry method of data transmission by the MWD software involves generation of altered voltage different in the upper part and the lower portion of the electrical insulator used in the drillstring. A wire attached to the wellhead on the surface and another wire attached to the rod form the electrodes of a dipole antenna. From these electrodes the voltage signals are obtained and analyzed to give information.

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