Logging while drilling

Logging While Drilling (LWD) is a technique of conveying well logging tools into the well borehole downhole as part of the bottom hole assembly (BHA).

LWD tools work with its Measurement While Drilling (MWD) system to transmit partial or complete measurement results to the surface via typically a drilling mud pulser or other improved techniques, while LWD tools are still in the borehole, which is called "Real Time Data". Complete measurement results can be downloaded from LWD tools after they are pulled out of hole, which is called "Memory Data".

LWD technology was developed originally as an enhancement to the earlier MWD technology to completely or partially replace wireline logging operation. With the improvement of the technology in the past decades, LWD is now widely used for drilling (including geosteering), and formation evaluation (especially for real time and high angle wells).

Available LWD Measurements

LWD technology was originally developed to partially or completely replace wireline logging. Over the years, more of the measurements have been made available in LWD. Certain new measurements are also development in LWD only. The following is an incomplete list of available measurement in LWD technology.

Natural Gamma Ray (GR)
- Total Gamma Ray
- Spectral Gamma Ray
- Azimuthal Gamma Ray
- Gamma ray close to drill bit.
Density and Photoelectric Index
Neutron Porosity
Borehole Caliper
- Ultra sonic azimuthal caliper.
- Density Caliper
Resistivity (ohm-m)
- Attenuation and phase shift resistivities at different transmitter spacings and frequencies.
- Resistivity at the drill bit.
- Deep directional resistivities.
Sonic
- Compressional Slowness(Δtc)
- Shear Slowness (Δts)
Borehole Images
- Density Borehole Image
- Resistivity Borehole Image
Formation Tester and Sampler
- Formation Pressure
- Formation Fluid Sample
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Seismic While Drilling (SWD)
- Drillbit-SWD

Available LWD Measurements

See also