Wireless Steering System
No more wireline required!
Experience the cutting-edge technology of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Wireless Steering with PAN HDD and the NAVIGADOR EMDC 3.01 Wireless Steering System.
Our innovative wireless steering systems revolutionize the way HDD operations are conducted, offering enhanced precision, efficiency, and flexibility. With wireless steering, you can eliminate the constraints of traditional wired systems, improving maneuverability and minimizing downtime.
PAN HDD provides a comprehensive range of wireless steering solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of HDD projects. Our systems leverage advanced communication technologies, allowing seamless control and real-time monitoring of drilling operations.
Key features and benefits of our HDD Wireless Steering Systems include:
- Increased Flexibility: Say goodbye to cumbersome cables and enjoy the freedom of wireless steering. Our systems provide greater mobility, enabling easy repositioning and adjustment during drilling operations.
- Precise Steering Control: Achieve unparalleled accuracy and control with our wireless steering systems. Fine-tune steering parameters in real-time, ensuring precise navigation and alignment throughout the drilling process.
- Enhanced Safety: Our wireless systems promote safer working conditions by reducing the risk of entanglement and tripping hazards associated with traditional wired setups. Minimize accidents and improve overall site safety.
- Improved Efficiency: Streamline your drilling operations and boost productivity with our efficient wireless solutions. Rapid data transmission and response times enable quick adjustments, minimizing downtime and increasing overall project efficiency.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Stay informed about critical drilling parameters with our real-time monitoring capabilities. Monitor steering data, drilling progress, and performance indicators to make informed decisions and optimize operations.
At PAN HDD, we prioritize delivering cutting-edge technology and solutions to meet the evolving needs of the drilling industry. Our wireless steering systems exemplify our commitment to innovation, reliability, and performance.
Experience the future of HDD with PAN HDD’s Wireless Steering. Contact us today to explore how our wireless solutions can revolutionize your drilling projects and propel you towards success.
Whether you require Hole Openers for enlarging pilot holes or Drill Bits for cutting through different formations, we have the solution for you. Our extensive inventory includes a variety of sizes, designs, and materials to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
NAVIGADOR EMDC 3.01 Wireless Steering System
The NAVIGADOR wireless “EM” guidance system uses electromagnetic telemetry to transmit directional guidance and annular pressure data for oilfield and HDD applications. EM technology is based on a voltage difference between the downhole electronics and the drill pipe.
Downhole data is embedded in a low frequency signal being transmitted through the earth and drill pipe and is decoded at the surface. A “GAP sub” or insulating sub is used to insulate the downhole electronics front the drill pipe.
Components
A kit consists of multiple modules including: battery module, electronics module (sonde), sensor module, pressure module, and gamma module, and other centralizers and adaptors.
Additionally, the system requires a surface receiver. Electronics are typically shipped in specially designed cases for its protection and ease of handling.
The EM modules are housed in typical non-magnetic collars for usage, usually 18’-24’ in length and 4 ¾” to 8” in diameter. Additional to the overall assembly is a “gap sub” and orientation sub.
The gap sub is part of the data transmission process and is usually just above the first non-mag collar. The orientation sub is the standard o-sub or pressure sub common to the HDD industry.
Operation
Operation
The system is set up to detect vibration from the drilling process and will modify the type of survey information that is transmitted. For example, during sliding operation with a mud motor, typically only tool face data is required. For rotation drilling no tool information is required. So, the system will only transmit what is required for the type of drilling process that is detected. The purpose of this is to conserve battery life and to speed up data transmission where possible.
The system is highly programmable in that certain operational parameters can be modified to suit a particular type of drilling operation and/or user preference.
The NAVIGADOR system has been used to vertical depths of 7,000 to 9,000 feet on a regular base in oilfield applications. Signal transmission can be affected by soil formations. In HDD applications it is typical that antennas can be placed down right-of-way, closer to the BHA to increase reception if required.
Directional Accuracy
The NAVIGADOR system uses proven and accurate directional modules such as Microtesla and APS, with others coming available in early 2019. In all brands, high resolution DC sensors provide the most accurate DC-based tracking systems available on the market. Users can expect the same tracking accuracy that has become expected from the hi-Res Tensor/TenSteer systems.
Software
WETS Windows Electro-Magnetic Telemetry System
The NAVIGADOR system comes with the WETS program that interfaces with the receiver. Powered by batteries and easily configured for various data rates, WETS is used to receive toolfaces every few seconds and Inclination/Azimuth surveys as fast as 12 seconds. All the downhole data is presented in WETS and is sent over to the popular TruGyde software for the
purposes of HDD guidance. TruGyde is the standard steering and data management program in the HDD industry. TruGyde is sold under separate license from WETS. As mentioned above, the system is programmable and parameters are managed in the WETS program. All surveys transmitted are stored in WETS regardless if they are used in the directional survey tabulation within TruGyde. TruGyde is simply used for presenting directional data that is applicable to the bore hole as-built and for the secondary tracking mechanism know originally as “Tru-Tracker”.
Benefits
The NAVIGADOR system provides the drilling operation with a wireless communication to the
steering tools. The benefits include:
- Eliminates making wire splices every joint, saving time during pilot hole drilling, bit and motor trips, and trip outs to manage fluid circulation.
- ROP twice more than regular wireline operation, triple times faster during trip-in/out.
- Eliminates use of spiders that protect the wire during long pilot holes.
- Eliminates the risk of a wire failure.
- Eliminates the handling of wire during reaming process.
- Allows for wireless pressure data acquisition during pressure-while-reaming.
- Allows for additional technologies to be inserted into drill pipe.
- Requires less personnel on rig floor, decreasing safety risk
Track Record
The NAVIGADOR wireless EM system has been used extensively in the oilfield and is now being successfully applied to HDD installations in Canada and the United States. Australia’s coal bed methane market has seen excellent results from EM for over a decade. The depths EM has been used in the oil field and CBM market indicate that there is virtually no limitation for use in HDD. While the full capabilities of EM are yet to be discovered, we have already seen great success and huge potential for wireless steering technology in HDD.
Up till now, a HDD contractor in the United States has successfully completed a total of 40 crossings with the combination of NAVIGADOR/TrueGyde, ranging from 200 m to 2,000 m. The NAVIGADOR
system has been used on HDD rigs ranging in size from a 50-ton to the 500-ton. Tooling sizes from 4- to 8-in. and pilot hole sizes from 6.25 in. to 17.25 in. In Nov, 2018, the contractor successfully completed a 2,300m intersect crossing with EM system.
High-Resolution DC Steering Tool
The High-Resolution Steering Tool Probe dramatically improves tracking accuracy over traditional technology. Crossings can be tracked to depths of over 300 Meters; tracking coils can be significantly longer; and the tracking current requirement has been reduced, allowing the use of a small DC power supply rather than a welder.
- Probe size: 1.75″ diameter x 49″ long
- Operating temperature: -20°C to 75°C
- Pressure rating: 12,000 psi
- Shock: 1000g, 0.5 milisec, half sine
- Vibration: 30g peak, 30 to 500 Hz
- Maximum lateral displacement error: 2.6 ft. per 1000 ft. or a conical uncertainty of ±0.15°
- Survey resolution: 0.02°
- Magnetic resolution: <0.5 nT
- Power: 36 – 42 V DC, 70 mA
- Can track with DC power supply or welder
- Pressure and gamma upgradable
Wireless EM Data Transmission
American Made EM package
- Greatly increases production due to eliminating wireline connections
- Replaceable “B” Battery, Lithium 18 CELL 14.4 V 56Ah 1.75” assembly
- Adjustable frequency of transmission for improved noise discrimination
- Oilfield tested build quality and reliability
- Back compatible with standard HDD Monels and orientation subs
- Requires Gap Sub and minimum 2” ID Monel length 4.2M
NAVIGADOR HDD GUIDANCE SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions
Diameter: 2” OD
Connection: 1 ¼” 8UN
Length
Standard, single battery: 15’
Dual battery, with pressure: 22.5’
Battery Options
Single Alkaline: 20 amp hours
Dual Alkaline: 40 amp hours
Single Lithium: 58 amp hours
Dual Lithium: 100 amp hours
Downhole Battery Life
Single Alkaline: 3-5 shifts
Dual Alkaline: 6-10 shifts
Single Lithium: 8-10 shifts
Dual Lithium: 16-20 shifts
*Based on 12 hour shift. Results vary depending on drilling conditions
and use of pressure or gamma module.
Directional Sensor Options
- APS750- standard resolution
- APS750 enhanced resolution
- MicroTesla Hi-res
Additional measurement options
- Pressure module- Paine sensor, add-on module
- Gamma module- CBG sensor, add-on module or integrated
Survey Times
Toolface Only: 7 sec
Short survey (INC, AZI, TF): 11 sec
Full survey (Short w/ earth/coil mag fld.): 18 sec
Full tracking shot, (3 full surveys): 1 minute
*Survey type is dependent on drilling operation and job specific programming.