Project 4: Petrophysical Logging While Drilling (LWD)
PROGRAM LEADER:
Yulia Uvarova (CSIRO)
PROJECT LEADER:
Brett Harris (Curtin University)
KEY RESEARCHERS:
- Andrew Pethick (Curtin University)
- Michael Carson (Curtin University)
- Hoang Nguyen (Curtin University).
Timing:
Phase 1:
1 January 2019 - 31 December 2021
Cash Funding:
$1,020,700
Project Participants:
Research Participants:
- Curtin University
- CSIRO
- University of South Australia
Industry Participants:
- Imdex
- MIRWA
- South 32
Project Summary:
In this project we will develop the capacity for real-time vectoring during drilling into a new generation of lightweight coil tubing (CT) drill rigs built for the minerals industry. New geophysical logging-while-drilling (LWD) sensors and real-time subsurface reconstruction algorithms will be designed to integrate within exploration or mining workflows. The research has two linked components; (i) development of new sensors for real-time multi-parameter LWD with a CT drill rig and (ii) automatic subsurface reconstruction for steering towards a target (geo-steering) based on geophysical sensing while drilling. This research will extend the reach and value of every meter drilled into a 3D search space ahead of and around the drill bit.
Phase 1 Objectives:
- Deliver a prototype real-time geophysical sensing system integrated within a minerals CT (coil tubing) drilling process.
- Design and test sensor systems compatible with the wireline telemetry in a minerals CT drill rig to display and continuously update some aspect of the subsurface. The phase 1 system will lead to multi-sensor tools, algorithms and code for input to trajectory control to be developed during phase 2 and 3.