Steering Tool

DDC offers electric wireline operated steering tool systems designed to deliver accurate and instantaneous survey and wellbore telemetry information to surface. Steering tool guidance systems can withstand higher temperatures (190°C / 375°F) than conventional MWD and are well suited for hot hole or applications where air, foam or mist systems are being used.

Steering tools offer several significant advantages:

Real-time readout at surface through wireline for enhanced reliability and faster directional response
Cost-efficient, accurate guidance for short-radius horizontal drilling projects
Reliable guidance in underbalanced drilling situations
Cost-effective guidance for coiled tubing operations
Configurable to run single- or multi-shot surveys
Useable at any degree of inclination.

The system consists of a downhole probe, interface unit, surface computer with printer, and a ”Drillers Console”, which displays toolface angle with a servo-driven pointer and wellbore azimuth and inclination in a liquid-crystal display.

The probe utilizes triaxial accelerometers and magnetometers for directional measurements, which can be accomplished at any angle of inclination. The system runs on single-conductor electric wireline and data is retrieved in real-time at surface. In-house software provides complete self-testing and data-quality monitoring capability to assure proper operation at all times.

DDC’s steering tool is designed to withstand downhole shock and severe drilling conditions and can operate in pressure up to 12,000psi. Shock is monitored at surface as a control measure to prevent damage to the sensors.

DDC’s wireline unit operators are qualified steering tool technicians that will rig up the surface system and field test each of the components to ensure functionality and reliability downhole. They remain on location to operate the wireline unit and service the system between runs.