Casing window sidetracking technology, as an efficient method for tapping the potential of old wells, allows engineers to drill a completely new wellbore from inside the existing casing to develop new reservoirs or bypass downhole faults.
Casing window sidetracking
Casing window sidetracking is not simply "drilling holes." It first requires milling a regular opening at a specific depth within the casing using specialized tools such as directional drills and milling taps. The drill string then penetrates this opening into the formation, creating a new branch wellbore.
In an environment filled with drilling fluid and surrounded by steel tubing, magnetometers become completely ineffective. This is where the ER-Gyro-19 Gyro Directional Module comes into play.
What does the ER-Gyro-19 offer?
The ER-Gyro-19 integrates a three-axis MEMS gyroscope and a three-axis MEMS accelerometer, employing strapdown inertial measurement technology. It seamlessly replaces traditional fluxgate , measuring only 136.8mm x 20.3mm x 19mm.
The high-precision MEMS gyroscope features self-north-finding capability, providing accurate azimuth angles inside the casing. Its azimuth accuracy of 1° (30-second alignment) or 0.5° (90-second alignment) ensures azimuth control throughout the sidetracking process.
It also achieves high-precision well inclination angle measurement of 0.1°, accurately indicating the wellbore trajectory's inclination. Simultaneously, it provides 1/secL gyro toolface angle accuracy, guaranteeing the precision of sidetracking control.
Application Practice
The ER-Gyro-19 supports multiple modes including measurement while drilling, point measurement, and continuous measurement. Its 30-second rapid alignment capability significantly reduces measurement time and improves the overall efficiency of sidetracking operations.
During the Casing window
After the directional drilling tool is lowered, the ER-Gyro-19 can measure the actual azimuth angle of the directional drilling tool's inclined plane and the well inclination angle. By rotating the drill string, they adjust the tool face angle of the directional drilling tool to the designed direction and set it.
Its resistance to shock and vibration ensures that the measurement data remains stable and reliable even under the severe vibration conditions of milling and window opening.
During the sidetracking
Once side-drilling begins, the ER-Gyro-19 output data is compared in real-time with the designed trajectory. If a deviation is detected, engineers can immediately correct it, achieving "drilling, measuring, and adjusting simultaneously." Its ability to dynamically maintain angular accuracy under vibration ensures measurement continuity.