Drilling Frequently Asked Questions

We are thinking about starting our own MWD or Directional Drilling Service Company. What is the recommended start up kit?

Although our personnel are excellent at what they do, they have limited experience with electronic equipment.  How long will it take, and how difficult will it be, before they are fully qualified and self-sufficient?

How does LCM affect the operation of Sondex MWD Systems?

We drill in difficult conditions and typically have high sand content in our drilling fluid. How does sand affect the operation of Sondex MWD Systems?

We are considering a project which requires under-balanced drilling. How well do mud pulse systems operate in underbalanced conditions?

We have remote operations and limited space for maintenance of the equipment on site. What do you recommend?

Sondex Drilling Answers

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We are thinking about starting our own MWD or Directional Drilling Service Company. What is the recommended start up kit?
Sondex Drilling Tools MWD systems , from both the Geolink and Pilot MWD ranges, are designed to operate in the most extreme environments. Geolink MWD systems have a track record that is proven world wide. Our Sales team is ready to discuss your specific requirements and help tailor a start-up kit that responds both to your technical and financial needs.

Although our personnel are excellent at what they do, they have limited experience with electronic equipment.  How long will it take, and how difficult will it be, before they are fully qualified and self-sufficient?
Geolink and Pilot MWD systems  have been designed with the non-specialist in mind, and Sondex is recognized as a customer focused organization. Your success in the field is ultimately a measure of our success and our best recommendation.

Our start-up training programme is designed to have your field and workshop staff up to a high level of competence within 3 months. During that time you will benefit from the support of the highly experienced Field Engineers working in your team, where it counts, in the field and the workshop.

How does LCM affect the operation of Sondex MWD Systems?
Both Geolink MWD  and the Pilot MWD  systems have good tolerance for LCM. As a general guideline Geolink systems can be expected to work comfortably with up to 30lb/bbl of medium nut plug. Pilot systems operate with up to 40lb/bbl due to their motor driven poppet system. However, both tools handle most LCM material well when added uniformly to the circulating system.

We drill in difficult conditions and typically have high sand content in our drilling fluid. How does sand affect the operation of Sondex MWD Systems?
Sondex MWD  systems operate successfully in the harshest of drilling environments. To minimize washing we recommend a maximum of 0.5% sand content for continuous operation at maximum flow velocities. Higher content is tolerable at lower flow although you may see reduced lifetimes on wear components and decreased service intervals. Feel free to discuss your particular drilling conditions with our specialists.

We are considering a project which requires under-balanced drilling. How well do mud pulse systems operate in underbalanced conditions?
The Geolink Standard Transmitter  has proven to give the most consistent results, even in mud systems injecting up to 20% Nitrogen at surface.

Alternatively, E-Link, our Electromagnetic Telemetry tool, has been specifically designed to operate in under-balanced drilling conditions, ensuring reliable and accurate data transmission.

We have remote operations and limited space for maintenance of the equipment on site. What do you recommend?
All Sondex MWD systems can be serviced out of relatively small facilities (such as a rig trailer) and are therefore ideally suited to working in remote drilling locations. Comprehensive Wellsite and Workshop Tool Kits are quoted initially so that the customer has the facility to service the systems that are purchased.

Our Support Supervisor will advise and assist with setting up facilities at a customer's location. The optional mobile workshop has been specifically laid out for technicians to work efficiently at a remote facility; there is plenty of storage and bench space segregated in to clean and dirty areas to allow tools to be fully serviced between operations or during commissioning. A lab with an area of 6.0m x 3.0m is sufficient for Directional/Gamma operations.