Abstract: Measurement While Drilling (MWD) kits are generally designed for specific types of rigs. However, for most drilling companies it is important to be able to retrofit their existing fleet with a single MWD kit, to be able to generate insights on the data acquired by MWD on different types of rigs. The MWD kits should measure a range of critical operational parameters, such as pulldown pressure and rotation pressure. These raw operational parameters can differ a lot when comparing different types of rigs, due to different mechanical properties. However, calculated values such as bit force and torque, that incorporate the mechanical properties, should be comparable, even between different types of rigs. Configuring a single MWD system for any type of rig provides two advantages. Firstly, operators and analysts within a drilling company will become familiar with the interaction with these systems. Secondly, data can be made available on a single platform or database, where the insights gained can be generalized across the different rigs.
This paper explores the range of raw parameters that can be measured across all drilling rigs. It discusses the options for sensors, and whether a single type of sensor can be used on all rigs, or that the sensor should be dependent on the rig. Then it examines rig-dependent calculations to derive comparable drilling parameters.