News

NOV combines RSS with resistivity capabilities for real-time LWD

VectorZIEL Mark II RSS with integrated symmetric propagation resistivity tool delivers superior LWD measurements.

An RSS equipped with a symmetric propagation resistivity tool

Oct 11, 2019

Geosteering and precise wellbore placement are critical as the industry continues to seek improved cost efficiency and higher returns on drilling campaigns. Rotary steerable systems (RSS) are a driving technology behind accurately placing wellbores in production sweet spots, but the cost of the systems has been a barrier to entry for capital-constrained companies without the resources of their larger peers. Acting as an unbiased, third-party technology provider, we developed our RSS technology to make innovation available to independent directional drilling companies and national oil companies, the latter having historically been limited to the larger service providers.

The VectorZIEL™ RSS has already been proven in the market. To drive further improvement to the system, we created a rapid technology development program for the VectorZIEL Mark II, which underwent testing at our Research and Development Technology Center (RDTC) in Navasota, Texas. In this controlled environment, we integrated our symmetric propagation resistivity (SPR) tool with the RSS to enable real-time LWD measurements to be taken. We tested the VectorZIEL Mark II with integrated SPR tool at the RDTC with the following objectives:

Improve safety and accessibility
Increase the speed-to-market timeline by understanding advantages and challenges upfront
Decrease commercialization costs and identify ways to reduce overall system costs for customers

After several phases of testing, SPR integration was successful, and the RSS’s upgraded features were proven to be effective. Future development will see additional improvement to the VectorZIEL Mark II to make the system easier to use, more reliable, and more rugged. To learn more about our VectorZIEL Mark II with integrated resistivity capabilities, read the full feature article from the October issue of World Oil.